Blown Away

Gaerity escapes from a castle prison in Northern Ireland by turning a toilet into a bomb, killing a guard and his cellmate during the breakout. The escape triggers a manhunt across the region as Gaerity vanishes from custody. This act sets in motion a long-running conflict with his former ally.

One year and two months after Gaerity's escape, Boston becomes the home for Lieutenant Jimmy Dove, a veteran bomb squad officer nearing retirement. Unknown to most, he is actually Liam McGivney, a former member of a Northern Ireland terrorist cell who betrayed Gaerity. He seeks atonement by defusing bombs, while his maternal uncle Max O'Bannon knows his secret and encourages him to retire.

Gaerity spots Dove on television and travels to Boston to learn more about his rival and the bomb squad. To study Dove up close, he takes a janitorial job at the police station and begins observing the team. His purpose is to dismantle Dove's world from within and finish the vendetta he started.

Gaerity deploys his first bomb by placing it beneath a bridge, demonstrating his reach and willingness to target the bomb squad. The blast claims Blanket on the night of Dove's wedding to Kate, signaling that no one is safe. The attack marks the beginning of a deadly game between Gaerity and Dove.

During the site of a fake bomb threat, an explosive hidden in a bomb disposal robot kills technicians Rita and Cortez. The ambush shows Gaerity's ability to strike at the heart of the bomb squad. Dove senses the danger and begins to connect the dots that link Gaerity to his past life.

Dove receives a call from Gaerity and realizes that Kate and his stepdaughter Elizabeth are in danger. He rushes home and finds no bomb, but his dog Boomer has been killed. He confesses his past to Kate and convinces them to go into hiding at Max's seaside cottage.

Gaerity's third bomb nearly kills rookie technician Anthony Franklin, who begins to connect Dove's former life to Gaerity. Dove rescues Franklin, and the younger technician promises to assist in the investigation. The alliance hints at new cooperation against Gaerity.

Max O'Bannon attempts to stop Gaerity by getting close to him at an Irish bar, but Gaerity captures him and latches him into a makeshift bomb. The act shows Gaerity's growing ruthlessness and willingness to sacrifice anyone who stands in his way. Dove must rush to intervene before it's too late.

Dove tracks down Max and tries to retrieve his tools, but Max, realizing Gaerity's plan to kill both of them, triggers the bomb while Dove is away. His sacrifice buys time for Dove to regroup and continue the fight against Gaerity. Dove mourns the loss while vowing to stop Gaerity.

In the debris of the bomb, Dove finds a roulette ball that points to an abandoned ship where Gaerity awaits. Gaerity reveals a second bomb in Kate's car and triggers a Rube Goldberg-like mechanism designed to launch an explosive chain that could destroy the ship. The chase moves toward a final confrontation on the ship.

Dove engages Gaerity in a brutal hand-to-hand fight across the ship's corridors. He ultimately handcuffs himself to Gaerity to prevent him from fleeing and to stay with him until the end. Franklin arrives at the last moment, aiding their escape as the ship teeters on the brink of explosion.

Dove and Franklin race back to the city where Kate performs at an outdoor Fourth of July celebration. They arrive too late to stop Kate from starting the car, but Dove quickly locates the complex bomb and defuses it in time. The immediate danger has passed, and the city cheers their survival.

Franklin reveals he knows Dove's true identity but will keep it a secret if he can take credit for bringing Gaerity down. Dove agrees to the arrangement and hands Franklin his beeper as payment. He then leaves with Kate and Elizabeth to start anew, carrying the burden of his past no longer as a prisoner but as a protector.