One of the most interesting plot points in The Night Agent season 2 is the collusion between President Richard Hagan, played by Ward Horton, and Jacob Monroe, played by Louis Herthum. Monroe is an intelligence broker who sells confidential information to bidders.
He even embroils Peter Sutherland in his tactics and forces him to steal secret files from the United Nations. In the finale episode, it is revealed that Monroe has been colluding with Hagan for a long time, and has used the secret information to swing the Presidential election in his favor.
He seems to be manipulating President Hagan for his interest, as he wants to gain power in the White House. However, their relationship is more complicated than it seems. Both are using each other for their gains and could serve as major antagonists in the future.
The Night Agent season 2: Is Jacob Monroe manipulating President Hagan?
Jacob Monroe is introduced as a shady intelligence broker in The Night Agent season 2, who sells secrets for profit. He helps Governor Hagan become the President by blackmailing his opponent to drop out of the elections.
This allows Mornoe to use Hagan as a puppet in the White House. He can not only get the President under his control but also get access to top government secrets which would lead to more profits.
Monroe’s main motive is to grow his business. He supports Hagan’s divisive policies as they create more chaos between countries, leading to more demand for secrets, and hence, increased revenue.
Even though Hagan does not like being controlled by Monroe, he owes his Presidential position to him, which makes it hard for him to break free. Monroe has already rigged three elections for Hagan and the latter owes him a great deal.
At the same time, Monroe is a tough nut to crack. He acts fair sometimes, for example when he gives his fixer Solomon a raise without hesitation. However, he becomes ruthless at other times, for instance, when he aids in selling chemical weapons and does not shy away from working with war criminals.
Monroe is obsessed with money and control, and he does not care who gets hurt as long as he achieves what he wants. His relationship with Peter further complicates the matter. While Monroe thinks Peter is working for him, the agent is planning to take him down.
In The Night Agent season 2 finale, Hagan shows some resistance toward Monroe, hinting that his not happy with the intelligence broker trying to control things. However, Monroe likely has enough dirt on him to keep him under check.
Hence, Jacob Monroe is trying to manipulate President Hagan for his own benefit. As both men are hungry for power, their working relationship could break at any point and lead to a major conflict between the two in the upcoming season.
The Night Agent creator talks about the dynamic between Jacob Monroe and President Hagan
Series creator Shawn Ryan talked about Jacob Monroe and President Hagan’s dynamics in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Discussing how the revelation in The Night Agent season 2 finale sets up a major arc in season 3, Ryan said:
“In the final scene between Monroe and Hagan, I think we are seeing whatever arrangement these two men could be a little messier than either might hope.”
He added there could be a conflict between the two in the next season, with Peter also getting involved in it:
“I believe Hagan’s line indicates a reassertion of his power with the man who is helping him win the presidency. I think it portends great conflict in season three that Peter will find himself in the middle of.”
All episodes of The Night Agent season 2 can be watched on Netflix.
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