Episode 2 'Gloves Are Off' is set during the late 2001 Battle of Tora Bora and shows how Osama bin Laden was within reach but escaped due to hesitation and divided strategies among the forces involved. The episode reveals the frustration that grew after the battle ended without results, highlighting the missed opportunity to capture bin Laden at that critical moment.

The episode presents the story through the eyes of insiders, including CIA operatives and military leaders involved in the hunt for bin Laden. These perspectives reveal the internal conflicts, decisions, and sacrifices that shaped the outcome of the Battle of Tora Bora and the subsequent pursuit.

After the Battle of Tora Bora, episode 2 shows bin Laden plotting his next moves while al-Qaida continues its global attacks. The episode emphasizes that despite the failure to capture him, bin Laden remained active and dangerous, planning ahead for future operations.

The episode highlights hesitation and divided strategies among the allied forces as the main reasons bin Laden escaped during the Battle of Tora Bora. These tactical and strategic disagreements allowed bin Laden to vanish, deepening the uncertainty about his whereabouts.

Episode 2 portrays growing frustration within the CIA and military as the trail to bin Laden goes cold after Tora Bora. It shows the emotional toll on operatives and leaders, as well as the operational difficulties in tracking bin Laden while al-Qaida continued its worldwide attacks, underscoring the complexity and high stakes of the manhunt.