The prequel series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, finally gives viewers a detailed look into the life of Ben Edwards before the events of the original show. The seven-episode season, which is set in 2015, follows Ben after he is discharged from the Navy SEALs and recruited into the CIA’s clandestine operations. This period is a major turning point for the character, showcasing his journey from a loyal Navy SEAL to a morally complex operative navigating a world of betrayal and shifting alliances. The finale, titled “The Wolf You Feed,” brings this chapter to a close and sets the stage for his future.
Edwards’s Plan for Revenge and Redemption
The finale picks up three months after the events of the previous episode. We find Ben Edwards on the run, hiding in Germany’s Black Forest with the fake nuclear bearings he stole. He is still disavowed and under investigation, along with his team, for allegedly helping Iran with its nuclear program. The finale opens with a high-stakes action sequence where Edwards defends his remote cabin against waves of attackers, echoing a scene from Rambo. This is a critical moment that not only reintroduces his former best friend, James Reece, to the story, but also allows Edwards to move forward with his plan.
The main plot of the final episode revolves around Edwards’s decision to pursue revenge against those who betrayed him. He sends a letter to Reece, explaining his new purpose: to hold corrupt officials accountable. His frustration with military red tape and the way the rank-and-file are punished while those in power are promoted has reached a boiling point. The climax is not a big action scene but a more measured, tactical approach. Edwards, with his team—Mo Farooq, Jules Landry, and Tal Varon—moves on their separate targets.
The Consequences of His Choices
Instead of killing the main antagonist, Jed Haverford, Ben chooses a different path. He has Haverford arrested and disgraced with evidence that his ally, Tal, had acquired. This move serves to clear Ben and his team’s names. He decides that instead of resorting to murder, he will use the system to expose the corruption that almost ruined their lives. This decision is a major development for Ben’s character, as it shows him choosing a path of principle over raw vengeance, a sharp contrast to the character he becomes in the original series.
The series concludes with Ben Edwards enlisting with the CIA. During his polygraph test, he confirms his desire to join the agency, saying he is “built for it.” This ending solidifies his transformation from a military operator to a covert intelligence asset. This new path is what eventually leads him to become the character viewers know from The Terminal List, a man who has made difficult choices and compromises in the name of what he believes is a greater good.
This prequel has given a new layer of understanding to Ben Edwards’s motivations and the events that shaped him. It provides context for the choices he makes in the main series and explains how his relationship with James Reece eventually turned from one of brotherhood to betrayal. The story effectively bridges the gap between his time as a decorated Navy SEAL and his eventual involvement in the conspiracy that led to the death of Reece’s family. While his ultimate fate in The Terminal List is still implied, Dark Wolf has allowed for a much more in-depth look at his journey.
Also Read: The Terminal List: Dark Wolf season 1 episode 7 Finale: Release Time and What to Expect
