HBO's 'The Brink' Recap: Episode 1: Will Jack Black, Tim Robbins, & Aasif Mandvi Cause World War III?

From the man who brought you the Austin Powers movies, director Jay Roach brings viewers a political satire The Brink on HBO. In Episode 1, can Walter Larson (Tim Robbins), Alex Talbot (Jack Black), and Rafiq Massoud (Aasif Mandvi) somehow stop World War III before some buffoons get their hands on a nuclear warhead?

Stationed in Pakistan, Alex asks his driver, Rafiq, to drive him to a nearby place. In the states, Walter is in the middle of his sex romp with his call girl. Standing buck naked, Walter is called in for an emergency meeting by his assistant.

After getting his drugs, Rafiq and Alex are in the middle of a protest in the streets. When the tire blows out, Rafiq realizes the two have to make a run for it. Knowing the American is a target, Rafiq has to get Alex to a safe-house. 

Arriving at the War Room, Larson starts getting into aa argument with everyone. President Julian Navarro (Esai Morales) wants to know what is causing the coup d'état in Pakistan. Unfortunately, none of his incompetent staff members knows what is exactly going on. 

Inside a submarine, Zeke (Pablo Schreiber) makes a call to his ex-wife, who happens to be a pharmacist and his drug dealer. Zeke asks for more drugs before he is suddenly called into duty. When his co-pilot reveals the bad news that he got a girl pregnant, Zeke just wants to get in his plane and blow stuff up.  

Rafiq takes Alex to his place and presents him to his folks. Rafiq's parents and grandfather start thinking Alex is actually a CIA mastermind, but no, he really is an ignorant moron. Alex starts to swoon when he suddenly meets Rafiq's sister, who really doesn't like him.

Everybody is watching General Umair Zaman (Iqbal Theba)'s ranting message on the news. Rafiq's grandfather reveals he treated the general, who is actually an insane madman. When Alex sends the general's medical records through a fax machine, Rafiq's grandfather discovers what he is doing and starts a fight. The grandfather ends up destroying the fax machine with his cane.   

While part of the fax has gone through to the War Room, the President contemplates his next move. Knowing their enemy is a lunatic and has his finger on the pulse, the President makes a decision to strike. While Zeke realizes his destination is a residential area, the military has arrived at  Rafiq's place, knocking at the door.

When Zeke starts talking to the President, he starts feeling the effects of the drugs; as does his co-pilot. When they both start cursing aloud, their audio shuts off completely. Zeke realizes he took the wrong drugs as the jet plane does loop-de-loops in the air.

Larson smiles and sarcastically says the mission is starting off to a complete success.

Readers, what did you think of Episode 1?