While there were several showdowns between certain characters in the latest installment of COLONY, there were some cons at work as well, thus the emphasis on “con” in confrontational.  Let us take a look at some of the key interactions in episode 1.09 ‘Zero Day’.

Will and Beau vs. Proxy Snyder

Will and Beau are set on finding a way out of the Los Angeles Bloc.  They begin using the chaotic events that occur on the anniversary of the Arrival to weave a tale of insurgency going on beyond the Wall.  They plant the seed that some insurgents are operating both inside and outside of the bloc boundary.  And thus begins a long con to convince Snyder into giving them safe passage out of the Colony.

Snyder gives them permission to investigate outside the Wall to look for an active cell there.  They plan to scope out a skyscraper that just happens to provide an excellent view of the outlying area.  But they have to take Lagarza’s team with them.

Will cleverly suggests that he and Beau take the even floors while Lagarza’s group takes the odd ones. Having found a way to separate themselves from Lagarza, Will and Beau fake a shootout on the top floor and plant an insurgency map beneath a napkin on the ground. They call for backup and “explain” that they lost the suspects who “escaped” down the back stairwell.  Lagarza finds the map and is convinced there is indeed a cell operating there, one that has found a way in and out of the bloc.

Will, Beau, and Lagarza return to Homeland and report the “shooting” to Snyder.  In a fortuitous turn of events, Snyder reports that his engineers have found an open tunnel beneath the DWP.  This would explain the cell’s access in and out of the bloc. Snyder wants to shut the tunnel down, but Will quickly suggests that use it as a trap instead.  Lagarza agrees.

Maddie vs. Charlotte

Maddie refuses to let anything stand in the way of her son Hudson getting his medication.  She is also not keen on the idea of living a life without means.  Charlotte’s manipulations, however, are getting in the way of both.

After a long day of cleaning Charlotte’s kitchen, Maddie confronts her boss about the lack of trust Charlotte now has in her.  She “apologizes” and makes a peace-offering by sharing the location of some very distinguished pieces of art that no one else knows.  In actuality, Maddie is plotting a con of her own.

Charlotte uses the tip to track down the valuable items and Maddie agrees not to log the Gauguin piece.  Charlotte thinks she has the upper hand now.  Little does she know that Maddie plans to blow the whistle on Charlotte’s art embezzling.

Snyder vs. Nolan

Meanwhile, we learn that Charlotte’s husband, Nolan Burgess, reports to Proxy Snyder.  Snyder tries to find out from Nolan what the Authority’s plans are for undermining the Proxy’s regime and replacing him.  Nolan denies knowing anything about such a proposal. Is Nolan lying? Can Snyder trust him?

Upon learning of Charlotte’s thievery, Snyder uses the information to test Nolan’s loyalty to him. Snyder and the Redhats ascend upon the Burgess property and find the stolen artwork in Charlotte’s office.  Charlotte is carted away and Snyder gives Nolan a pass on the crime in exchange for his loyalty.  I believe some call that blackmail. But in one fell swoop, Maddie gets rid of Charlotte and Snyder gets the upper hand on Nolan.

Broussard and Katie vs. Eckhart’s cell

Broussard and Katie plan to join forces with a new cell consisting of Eckhart, Morgan, and BB.  But first they must be approved by members of the new cell.  The new cell questions Katie’s experience, but Broussard stands by her.  Then the new cell resists giving full disclosure about their intel.  Katie confronts them saying there will be full disclosure or she and Broussard are out.  The two groups merge and embark on their mission to kidnap VIP Hyperion who is traveling on the Metro.

Katie vs. Gracie (and Lindsey)

Katie discovers Gracie reading “The Greatest Day” book that Lindsey had secretly given her.  Katie confronts Gracie about the book when Gracie says things to the effect of kids being the Hosts’ favorites.  Katie is livid when she looks through the book and learns that Lindsey has been trying to indoctrinate Gracie with the agenda of the Hosts. Gracie storms off and Will arrives home.

Will vs. Katie

Finally, we have the confrontation we have all been waiting for!  Will has a plan for Katie and the kids to escape the Colony with Beau via the tunnel while he finds Charlie.  They can all meet up in Black Bear to live a life off the grid and get out from under the Hosts’ thumb.  Brilliant, right? No, Katie does not accept the offer and insists on completing her mission with Broussard for what she considers to be the greater good.

 The couple comes to blows over Katie’s duplicity and wrestle with the state of their marriage.  Katie leaves and Will goes to tell Beau they will not be joining him. It appears that Beau will make the escape on his own and exchanges goodbyes with Will.

The Resistance vs. Hyperion

In the final scenes of ‘Zero Day’, we see the new Resistance team mistakenly blow up the Metro train instead of just nudging it off the tracks.  When they investigate the carnage, they find who or what they believe to be Hyperion.  They are awestruck when they find a robotic, perhaps alien-like masked figure.

Some characters seem to have come out victorious in this episode.  Others lost one or more battles.  And our beloved Bowmans are clearly at a standstill with conflicting points of view.

Next week’s season finale is sure to be as “explosive” as USA Network has been suggesting. Do we really have to wait a whole week?  Until then . . .