Vaughn's (Michael Vartan) security clearance is downgraded pending investigation of accusations that he has been double-crossing the CIA. This, however is only one of two emotional crosses for Sydney (Jennifer Garner) to bear: the other is the escape of her double-agent mother, Irina (Lena Olin), who has betrayed her in the process. Meanwhile, Irina has apparently linked up with the sinister Sloane (Ron Rifkin) to steal files from a genetic database in Germany. This places Sydney in the unenviable position of having to hunt down and possibly kill her own mother -- but the embittered Syd doesn't seem to have a problem with this.