Surveillance:
Intelligence History

Secret operations, double agents, and the decisions left out of the official version.

Evaluate

Sponsorship confirmed.

CIA Episode Preview: 'Black Tie Optional' Airs October 26

Oct 18, 2026
CIA Episode Preview: 'Black Tie Optional' Airs October 26

The CBS series CIA will air its fourth episode of the second season, titled 'Black Tie Optional,' on October 26. This episode follows agents Bill Goodman and Colin Glass as they go undercover at a high-profile gala to prevent a serious espionage threat. The plot thickens as Bill continues to process troubling discoveries about his father's past, adding a personal layer to the mission.

In the previous episode, 'Radio Active,' the team worked with a code breaker suffering from agoraphobia to stop a terrorist cell from executing a chemical bombing in the city. This episode showcased the challenges the team faces while deciphering a complex cipher, alongside Bill's emotional struggles regarding his colleague Toni's return to the field and the implications of his recent admissions to Katie.

Surveillance:
Intelligence History
Evaluate
Charles 'Sam' Faddis
Evaluate
Counterintelligence Case Studies
Evaluate

Sponsorship confirmed.

As the series progresses, viewers can expect to see how Bill and Colin navigate the murky waters of espionage and personal dilemmas. The show, which features Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss in the lead roles, continues to delve into the intricacies of covert operations and the impact of their work on national security.

Cleared to File

CIA is produced by Universal Television, Wolf Entertainment, and CBS Studios, with executive producers including Dick Wolf and showrunner Mike Weiss. The series aims to provide a thrilling glimpse into the world of intelligence and the sacrifices made by those who operate in the shadows.

Surveillance:
Intelligence History

Secret operations, double agents, and the decisions left out of the official version.

Evaluate
Charles 'Sam' Faddis

CIA officer, author, and friend. Explore the books of Charles 'Sam' Faddis, remembered with respect and affection.

Evaluate

Sponsorship confirmed.

Recommended for You
CIA Season 2 Episode 4 Preview: High-Stakes Gala Operation
Intelligence Oct 27, 2026

CIA Season 2 Episode 4 Preview: High-Stakes Gala Operation

The upcoming episode of CBS's CIA, titled "Black Tie Optional," features a high-stakes gala where the team must go undercover to prevent…

Surveillance:
Intelligence History

Secret operations, double agents, and the decisions left out of the official version.

Evaluate
Charles 'Sam' Faddis

CIA officer, author, and friend. Explore the books of Charles 'Sam' Faddis, remembered with respect and affection.

Evaluate
Counterintelligence Case Studies

Nonfiction accounts of moles, deception, and investigations. The warning signs tend to look clearer in the final report.

Evaluate
Intelligence Memoirs & Biographies

Published accounts of lives in intelligence. Read the recollections, consider the perspective, and keep the footnotes close.

Evaluate
Cybersecurity Books

Threats, defenses, and the human habit of clicking things we really shouldn't.

Evaluate
World Affairs Books

Diplomacy, rivalries, and the backstory behind the next international headline.

Evaluate

Sponsorship confirmed.