Privileges: Season 1 Episode 5 – Recap and Review

Adele’s alliance with Edouard leads to her being bitten in the behind, and having to figure out who her true allies are after all she has gained and lost because of him.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Episode 5 “The Fugitive” Recap and Details

  • Director(s): Marie Monge, Vladimir de Fontenay
  • Writer(s): Benjamin Adam, Marie Monge, Vladimir de Fontenay
  • Public Release Date (HBO Max): April 24, 2026
  • Check out more of our “Privileges” coverage.
  • Images © of HBO Max

Everyone Needs An Escape Plan: Edouard, Adele, Esther, Yak, Marina, Reem, Najib, The Colonel, Mark, Amal, Issa

It becomes clear that Najib and Mark are in bed together with no desire to stop their comfy love affair. So, with the leak of their plans, The Colonel, head of security, is tasked with figuring out who did it. Adele is the sole person on his radar, and while Edouard coaches her, and she points the finger at Amal, as told, this does nothing but blow up Amal and Edouard’s relationship.

In fact, it doesn’t even protect Adele since, the next thing she knows, drugs have been planted in her locker, and it is presented that the cops have been called and there is a high chance she is going to go back to prison. The hell she is! Though initially trapped in The Citadel, she uses what fragile alliances she has to get out.

Reem is the most helpful, even after Adele tells her everything. Marina is partly helpful, by not calling security on Adele, even after she breaks a window; Issa is sort of helpful, in passing along Esther’s message, and Esther? Yeah, despite their issues, she comes through in a clutch by not only helping Adele get out but also contacting Yak to get Adele far away from The Citadel.

Do You Not Enjoy Being Taken Care Of?: Reem, Najib, Amal

Najib navigating his conversation with Reem about the family’s finances and his pact with Mark in Privileges Season 1 Episode 5 © HBO Max

With Reem learning what her father was doing, she tries to confront him. However, there is a reason Amal and Reem wish to be free from their father’s control. He is charming, but still has that tone that makes them listen and stay in his orbit. The prime example of this is Reem being told to come, like a dog, even after their terse conversation, and her doing so.

Yet, despite both daughters being hurt by their father’s need to control them not only when they were children, but as full-grown adults, they do not bond and unite against him. They continue to let their personal issues with one another maintain a volatile border. One which Amal would love to dismantle, but it seems Reem isn’t there yet.

With Or Without You: Adele, Mika, Edouard, Michel

Adele is on the ropes. Deborah is missing, Mika isn’t forthcoming with information, and with nothing to lose, it seems Adele wants to take aim at Mark. Seemingly, this is just for Reem’s benefit, and despite him not protecting her like he said he would, she at least gives a heads up to Edouard, through contacting his father.

Now, why would Michel get involved? Well, because, like many, he sees Adele as part of The Citadel family. Yes, someone who can be a pain in the behind sometimes, but who is trying hard. Also, he recognizes, as Esther did, that the program made to benefit Michel is now being used as a scapegoat for Edouard. So, he sets up the meeting for Adele, who plans to use it as a trump card. One that, if she succeeds, nothing may happen to Edouard, but if she fails, he is taken down too.

Leaving him in a place where it is to his advantage if she gets the job done.

New Characters in Episode 5

The Colonel (Johann Dionnet)

The Colonel (Johann Dionnet) in Privileges Season 1 Episode 5 © HBO Max
  • Character Summary: After Steve was fired, the Colonel took over security, and he seems to be one of the many people Mark wants to put in place to insulate himself.

Review and Commentary

Highlights

Adele’s Escape From The Citadel [84/100]

Though Adele has had to work to get as far as she has in the three months since she started working at The Citadel, outside of when she had to get the boa, this hasn’t really been the most exciting show. Never mind having moments when your eyes are blaring and you are able to suspend disbelief, thinking that Adele may fall to her death or be seriously injured.

That was a bit of a shock to see for me, and while I know the show doesn’t wish to have that kind of energy episode to episode, I do feel that, because it is so sparse, it really upped the seriousness of the situation and Adele’s desperation.

On The Fence

Too Much Feels Like It Is Written To Be True Than Felt [73/100]

What this episode pushed is the main weakness of Privileges, which is that it doesn’t handle the mental and emotional state of most of its characters well. Issa’s fall from up-and-coming athlete to a 20-something-year-old recluse deserved more development. It’s understood he felt isolated because of his newfound wealth and privilege, and was willing to pay Adele in order to regain some access to normalcy. But in a three-month span, for him to go from the top of the world to spiraling? It deserved more to allow him to shine.

The same goes for Deborah. Yes, she showed up, presented Adele’s old dream, and got involved with Mika far more than she was comfortable with for Adele. But with bringing up they have been friends since they were teenagers, Deborah ran away with her, and who knows what else? It all feels like the most significant relationship in Adele’s life should have had more oomph. Her disappearance shouldn’t have just led to Adele being more animated than usual, but had the same effect on audiences, like when it looked like Adele could have fallen.

Amal questioning how long it took Edouard to sacrifice her to save himself in Privileges Season 1 Episode 5 © HBO Max

Yet, and maybe it was just me, I got nothing out of it. The same goes for Reem and Amal. Amal navigating Edouard’s betrayal, Reem pushing Amal away, despite being the only thing she has left, I got nothing. It just all feels like the drama is on the page, as are the relationships, but with Adele at the center of the universe, we miss pivotal and notable moments for many individuals, which makes their stories, history, and feelings outside of Adele feel incomplete. Leaving them as glaring issues.

Adele’s Revenge [71/100]

To me, it doesn’t make a lot of logical sense for Adele to re-engage with the issues of The Citadel. For the show, it does, as The Citadel is the centerpiece. But for Adele to take on Mark, presumably for Reem’s benefit, makes no sense since they still have evidence that could put her in jail. Heck, if they really called the cops, her being found at all means likely going back to prison.

Reem contemplating helping Adele in Privileges Season 1 Episode 5 © HBO Max

So, as much as Reem may present herself as someone needing saving, and Adele believing she is in the position to do so, I can’t imagine a world where someone like her would stick their neck out. Never mind warn Edouard, and take on someone like Mark, who clearly isn’t just seedy, but has a notable network and access to money, which could make Adele’s life more miserable than it is.

Overall

Our Overall Rating [76/100]

Privileges is beginning to seem like the type of show that has a good premise but doesn’t know how to play things out long term. Yes, the concept of a woman like Adele, considering her circumstances and background, operating in one of the top hotels in the world, is of interest. However, it doesn’t seem like it knew how to expand beyond her and make the world she inhabits seem alive. Dramatic? Absolutely, but with characters that are as thin as executive paper. So, there might be little ridges, some emblems there, but never enough to hold the weight of what is written on the page.

But, with the season finale next week, maybe things can end on a high note and leave us wanting more, rather than feeling like non-US shows having such short episode counts is a sign of mercy.

What To Check Out Next

Visit our main TV shows page! There you’ll find other shows we’ve covered, or look below for more of our coverage for this series:

TV Shows We’re Covering This Season

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.