JM
Joe McNamara
The CIA officer running the Lioness programme. She directs the undercover operative and the armed support team.
ClearStory · PARAMOUNT+ · SEASON 1 · EPISODE 5
LIONESSSeason 1
Truth Is the Shrewdest Lie
The setup
The CIA must clean up the consequences of Kyle’s Texas extraction. Intelligence about an imminent attack turns that problem into a new combat mission, while Cruz tries to repair her connection with Aaliyah.
OPTIONAL REFERENCECharacters, places and useful termsContains story details. Open after watching.
QUICK REMINDER
6 peopleThe only names you need
CM
Cruz Manuelos
A highly capable Force Recon Marine recruited as the new Lioness undercover operative.
AA
Aaliyah Amrohi
The warm but closely guarded daughter of suspected terrorist financier Asmar Ali Amrohi—and Cruz’s route to him.
KM
Kyle McManus
A CIA officer and Joe’s colleague whose separate operations sometimes pull in her team.
BW
Byron Westfield
The CIA Deputy Director of Operations and Kaitlyn’s superior.
NM
Neal McNamara
Joe’s husband, a paediatric cancer surgeon carrying most of the responsibility at home.
WHILE WATCHING
Recap as you go
Open a recap only after the whole named scene has finished. If unsure, wait until the episode ends.
AFTER WATCHING
Key story points
Hidden because this section reveals what happens in Season 1, Episode 5.
Content note: Gun violence, military combat, strong language, threat and distress, terrorism, suicide-bombing threat and medical distress.
An unofficial, independently written viewing companion for Lioness. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Paramount+, MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios or the programme’s creators. No official images, logos or programme artwork are used.