EPISODE CONTEXT

Sitting at episode 5 of 26, 'Positional Play' arrives directly after 'Zugzwang,' which thrust Claus and Lavie into a high-stakes mission tied to Alvis, and carries the immediate weight of that episode's fallout. The duo's efforts here to recover and regroup mark an early turning point in how they relate to larger forces — particularly the Sylvana and its commanding presence. This episode bridges toward 'Arbiter Attack,' beginning the transition that will place Claus and Lavie squarely within the Sylvana's world and the deeper conflicts that define the season's second act.