War Episode 4: Carla Duval Kisses Johnny Warren in Shocking Turn

In a surprising development during the latest episode of HBO's "War," titled "Sing," Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) kisses Johnny Warren (Archie Renaux), the junior associate handling her divorce case. This intimate moment occurs at the close of Episode 4, as Johnny visits Carla's home to secure her signature on documents that will advance her contentious divorce to litigation.

The kiss takes place after Johnny offers Carla a pep talk regarding her impending divorce from Morgan Henderson (Dominic West). Taylor & Byrne, the law firm where Johnny is secretly working as a mole for Cathcarts & Sons (representing Morgan), has uncovered that Morgan is concealing assets, significantly diminishing the value of his $110 million settlement offer compared to the billions Carla is believed to be owed.

Carla expresses her apprehension about the divorce proceedings and the public scrutiny she and her son Gabriel (Aran Murphy) will face. Johnny reassures her that her legal team is fighting for a fair settlement, advising her to stand firm against settling. Carla, seemingly taken aback by his passionate defense, questions why someone so junior is speaking with such conviction. Before Johnny can respond, Carla states, "No, it's what I want," and then kisses him.

Sienna Miller, reflecting on the scene, told DECIDER that Carla's actions are not driven by rational thought in that moment. "I don't think Carla is necessarily thinking about the outcomes of her decisions in that moment," Miller stated. "I think she’s fraught and she’s vulnerable, and he’s attractive and he seems to understand her and intimately know the intricacies of what she’s going through." Miller added, "He’s a good looking ear. I don’t know that you legislate on matters of the heart I think she just jumps in."

Archie Renaux echoed this sentiment, suggesting Johnny is also acting impulsively. "I don’t know, I think maybe there’s a little bit of a fascination with Carla and some sort of empathy there for her as well, what she’s going through," Renaux explained. "I think Johnny’s maybe looking for an outlet and someone to confide in outside of his own relationship, wrongly. I sort of think that’s how it happens is a slight fascination."

The episode leaves audiences questioning the implications of this impulsive kiss on the ongoing divorce trial and whether it will be a singular occurrence between Carla and Johnny.

New episodes of "War" are released on Thursdays at 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max.