Star City Episode 4 Ending Explained: What Is Irina’s Big Revelation?

Star City Episode 4, titled Dark Forest, ended with the big revelation that Irina has figured out the mole issue. After requesting to use the bathroom at Tanya’s apartment, she finds a perfume bottle brought back from Paris. Opening the scent dispenser, she discovers that the bottle was actually used to conceal the micro-transmitter that was the cause of the failed mission at the end of Episode 3. The big revelation that Valya is the American spy puts Irina in a precarious position.

By piecing two and two together, Irina realizes that the woman Tanya is suspecting Valya of having an affair with is an American spy. With this discovery, Irina is left dealing with a heavy dilemma: Will she destroy Valya and Tanya’s lives to rise the ranks, or will she keep mum?

Consequences of Ratting Out Valya to the Soviets

Irina knows exactly what will happen if Valya is ratted out to the Soviets in this For All Mankind spin-off. The extent of brutality shown to the cosmonaut will never end, but how exactly did we get here? Episode 4 harkens back to how Valya and Tanya met. Valya was forced to become a mole for the Americans in order to protect Tanya, who was engaging in dissident activities against the nation.

If Valya is reported to Col. Raskova, torture and death will be the least of his worries. The colonel is already on high alert, with her paranoia exceeding new levels with every episode. The micro-transmitter that resulted in the failed mission is a blemish on her record, so she will do anything to right the wrong.

This puts Irina in a moral predicament. Does she have the heart to destroy Valya and Tanya’s lives over this? After all, it appears that Irina has placed a great deal of trust in Tanya to take care of her child when she’s busy. Previous scenes depict her “fondly” listening in on their conversations with a hint of empathy on her face.

Raskova will likely torture both Valya and Tanya over this, given that her stance is always to learn and bury secrets. Irina will ascend the KGB ranks if she reports this, further cementing Raskova’s belief in her. With an episode filled with espionage and teeming with personal issues, no one is in the right frame of mind.

Episode 4: Fame vs. Paranoia in the USSR

A still from Star City | Apple TV

Season 1 of Star City is an expose of the toll that the space program had on its members. Anastasia is now being positioned as a political powerhouse, being the first woman on the moon. However, she is buckling under the weight of this immense pressure. We even got a surprising moment where Sasha and Anastasia’s marriage took an intimate turn.

Meanwhile, the Chief Designer is toiling away at his Venus plan. He approaches Sasha and Pavel to join the mission to become the first cosmonauts on Venus. Given the nature of the mission and the length it will take to execute, he hasn’t made up his mind.

Unfortunately, Sergei has been arrested by the KGB for owning a banned book. How will the Chief Designer launch his plans in three days if his most trusted right-hand man is away?

Star City’s paranoia is shaping up to be a powerful alt-history story in Apple TV’s roster, diving deep into its genre blend of thriller and drama.

What did you think of Episode 4? Are you excited for the upcoming episode of Star City? Let us know in the comments.

Star City is streaming on Apple TV in the U.S.