Is DESGINATED SURVIVOR Gonna Make It?

Article published as DESIGNATED SURVIVOR Review on Seat42F.

We all know about the DESIGNATED SURVIVOR, right? During the annual State of the Union speech, one member of the administration is chosen to stay behind at a safe location in case an attack wipes out the rest of the government. This unlikely event has never happened, but it’s a worse-case scenario contingency that is ripe with story potential, as shown in the great reboot of Battlestar Galactica a few years ago. But it was only one element of that show; does it have the legs to support a weekly series?

ABC is going to find out as DESIGNATED SURVIVOR premieres this week. Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland, 24) is the outgoing Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, probably left behind because he’s fallen out of favor with the president and being forced to resign anyway. But when disaster strikes, Tom is quickly sworn in as leader of the free world, thrust into a situation where he must make the tough calls in short order, set the country’s response to the most devastating attack its ever experienced, and assert power from those who don’t believe he can handle the job.

One such critic is Seth Wright (Kal Penn, House, Harold & Kumar), a speech writer for the POTUS that does not think the new guy has what it takes. Nor do any of the military leaders. This is understandable, not just because Tom is not a combative guy, but because the first things we see him do do not inspire confidence in his ability to lead and make the tough calls. It seems like he will not be able to make this work.

But if that were to remain the case, there would be no show, right? Tom is our hero and he will step up to the plate. That’s a given before we even start watching the series.

The problem is, Tom finds his inner strength way too easily. I guess you can take the man out of Jack Bauer but you can’t take the Jack Bauer out of the man. While Kiefer does a fine job finding Tom’s timid nature at the start, he transforms ridiculously quick into what he’ll need to be. Where’s the struggle? This would be a far more interesting show if the focus was on that growth journey instead of moving quickly past it to get to the action.

Funny enough, ABC president Channing Dungey recently said she wished cable series weren’t automatically seen as better than broadcast shows. DESIGNATED SURVIVOR is the perfect example of exactly why this bias exists. Were the series on FX or HBO or AMC, the show would be about the character’s struggle. The cast would likely be smaller, and the story tighter to the immediate situation. Instead, like a lot of ABC shows, it’s bloated and quick moving, wanting to get more action and soapy drama in than worrying about Emmy-worthy performances or fantastic writing.

Though I called the roster bloated, I’m not complaining about the rest of the cast; it’s a strong ensemble comprised of Natascha McElhone (Californication) as Tom’s wife, Alex, Italia Ricci (Chasing Life) as Tom’s aide, Emily, Adan Canto (The Following) as the new president’s, well, tutor seems appropriate though isn’t entirely accurate, Aaron, LaMonica Garrett (Sons of Anarchy) as a Secret Service agent, Mike, and Maggie Q (Nikita) as an FBI agent, Hannah. But most of them are underdeveloped, such as the First Lady being a very bland type, or poorly used, in the case of Q. This could improve over time, but these supporting players are not well established in episode one.

I really want to like this show, and I kind of do. It is exciting, I do enjoy the actors, and I am curious about the mystery that we start with. I just worry DESIGNATED SURVIVOR is not set up for success, and that things will get hokey and insincere as the season plays out, forcing twists where they aren’t needed, and skipping over the potential deep bits beginning to be explored based on the unevenness and flaws of the pilot. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if this one can be great or not.

DESIGNATED SURVIVOR premieres Wednesday at 10/9c.

THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT Blu-ray Review

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'The Divergent Series: Insurgent' on Blogcritics.

This week, the second film in the Divergent Series, Insurgent, is released on 3-D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD.  Divergent is set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago, where the remaining humans have been sorted into castes based on their abilities. One girl defies the framework and challenges those who wish to manipulate it for their own gain. Picking up just a few days after where the last Divergent movie ends, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) must bring the fight to Jeanine (Kate Winslet) before she destroys their society, pinning death and chaos on the pair. Jeanine’s tool to do so happens to require Tris, and the trippy adventure to get there is action-packed and visually impressive.

The story behind Insurgent is interesting, if a little underdeveloped. The plot rockets through four different groups of people in two hours, while still trying to grant some character development to the leads. This means little insight into the various factions and their leadership structures, even as each new corner of the world begs to be explored. And it’s a fascinating world.

Most of the action is focused on Tris, the emotional entrance to the film’s heart, and I understand the desire to maintain the focus there, but it feels like there are wasted possibilities constantly plucked and then discarded.

As a result, those plot threads are neglected, minimizing the roles of terrific actors, new to the sequel, including Octavia Spencer (The Help), Naomi Watts (The Impossible), and Daniel Dae Kim (Lost). I find myself wishing for more story in each of their zones. The talented new cast members, join the already impressive cast from the first movie (which, alongside Winslet, includes Ashley Judd, Mekhi Phifer, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Miles Teller, Maggie Q, and more).

The overall story arcs feel a bit weak at times. For instance, Tris is able to resist the mind-controlling serum in the first movie because she is Divergent, but quickly succumbs to Candor’s truth juice? The powers of a Divergent aren’t quite clear. And why does Candor have its own guards? It also seems like Jeanine has a lot of power, but then has no idea what is going on in other parts of the city, though the soldiers that work for her always seem to show up when the movie requires another shot of adrenaline.

Insurgent is not a bad film. What it lacks in plot, it makes up for in some really neat shots. I wish I’d been sent the 3-D version of this film to review because I am sure it would be cool to see all of the visual effects with depth. As it stands, even the  Blu-ray version is pretty good looking. Some wide shots and crowd scenes are identifiable as computer-generated, but everything that happens to Tris, and there’s a lot of mind-confounding stuff for her to go through that isn’t set in reality, is very well done. As a blockbuster-type movie, Insurgent delivers on the expectation for big, flashy scenes.

The special features on this set are also much better than most recent releases I’ve seen. “The Ultimate Behind-the-Scenes Access” is the entire length of the movie, often showing the film in a small box while talking about different aspects. This is more than just fluff, giving real insight into a variety of pieces of the production. There’s also a separate audio commentary, and several featurettes about adapting the book, the cast in general, a break down on a scene, and a look at perhaps the most interesting character, Peter Hayes (Teller). Most of these are not on the straight DVD, so that means blu-ray is recommended, though I’d imagine 3D is the best way to go if you have a 3D television and player.

In short, while Insurgent has some flaws, the package has a lot of value to it. It may not be as good as some other recent entries in the genre, but there is a lot of clever, original material here, too, which will give the savvy viewer much to ponder long after the film is over. Combined with a great array of extras, I’m glad to add this to my collection.

The Divergent Series: Insurgent will is available August 4th.

No One Likes A STALKER

Article first published as STALKER Review on Seat42F.

Soon, CBS will premiere their new drama STALKER. The title is pretty apt, as it follows two (OK, four, but two main) detectives who investigate stalker cases. Both of the leads have a dark edge to them, which makes them well suited for the work, but also maybe a little too close in personality to the people they track and assist. Presumably, they will go after fresh suspects every week.

Maggie Q (Nikita) plays Lieutenant Beth Davis, the boss of the department. She’s experienced, smart, and gets the job done. It’s appropriate casting for Q, in her wheelhouse of tough and moral women. Beth is also probably a victim, like Nikita was, that sees her career as a chance to avenge the wrongs committed against her and protect others from suffering the same fate. She sometimes gets a little violent in doing so. It may be a very similar role to the one the actress just played, albeit one more inhibited by the law, which should make for fewer leather-suited martial arts displays, but at least it’s clear she knows how to inhabit it well.

Beth’s new partner (well, underling that acts as a partner) as STALKER begins is Detective Jack Larsen (Dylan McDermott, The Practice, American Horror Story). Jack has recently moved to the city, and we soon find out he has a very good reason for choosing this place. Jack is even less prone to following the rules than Beth, and has a creepy edge about him I at first thought was just carry over impressions from his recent role on Hostages, but definitely pertains to the current part, too. He is in no position to reign Beth in, and may discover they are polar opposites playing the same game.

STALKER is likely to develop Beth and Jack only minimally as the weeks go on, preferring growth to occur on an extended timetable. There is a really interesting way things could go with the pair, but more likely, character development will take a back seat to a rote procedural, where the crime is more important than what happens in the detectives’ lives. Jack could conceivably change his position dramatically later on, but I think CBS is unlikely to allow this to happen, as their drama series such as this one tend to firmly avoid blowing up the basic premise.

I have spent plenty of time in my reviews moaning about the numerous crime shows already on the air, and STALKER has little to set it apart from the others. True, no one else is specifically investigating stalker cases, but that’s where the originality ends, the story as formulaic and repetitive as many, many others. Don’t expect it to become a groundbreaking, critically-acclaimed, or award-winning program.

That being said, for what it is, STALKER has plenty of quality. The two main actors are wonderfully cast, and have more than enough acting chops to handle their characters. The first case-of-the-week is well thought out and engaging, the writing being pretty solid, lacking the plot holes that other new premieres are facing. There are two supporting players, Mariana Klaveno (True Blood) and Victor Rasuk (How to Make It in America), who also portray detectives in the unit and who can pick up the slack when our leads are busy with other things. There’s also an arc that surely will be downplayed and simple enough that occasional viewers won’t mind it, but will provide something of a reward for those that tune in weekly.

I don’t think STALKER will make it onto my TiVo just because it, like its peers, is likely to get boring and predictable to those of us that arguably watch way too much television. But if you’re looking for turn-off-the-brain escapism that is exciting and fun, popcorn entertainment, than STALKER is a respectable entry in the genre.

STALKER premieres Wednesday, October 1^st at 10 p.m. ET.

NIKITA "Canceled" But Not Forgotten

Article first published as NIKITA "Canceled" But Not Forgotten on TheTVKing.

The CW's Nikita ended a four-season run last night with "Canceled." Everything that had been building for four years, especially over the last six episodes, comes to a head in the final showdown between Nikita (Maggie Q) and Amanda (Melinda Clarke). And it makes for a happy, satisfying ending.

Nikita really only got three seasons, though they were definitely full ones. However, the CW deserves credit for bringing back the show for the last six episodes and allowing a natural, fulfilling ending, something other networks should take note of. The story, always fast-paced, did feel a tad rushed in the sextet of installments, but everything that need to be resolved was, and now fans have a complete saga to fondly remember and relive, as desired.

As "Canceled" begins, Nikita grabs Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) and the two go on a rampage, killing all the puppet masters behind the big, shady, evil organization. Their partnership is central to the beginning of Nikita, so it's appropriate that it returns now, in the end, two women against the world. This is made even more moving by Ryan's (Noah Bean) sacrifice, losing his life so that they could even know there was a mission to go on.

It's a bit sad to see Nikita chose the brutal option. Alex is just taking a cue from the elder woman to whom she owes much, so the blame for the deaths falls squarely on Nikita. Nikita has always fought her violent nature, trying to build a better life for herself, so it's disappointing to see it come crashing down now, risking her relationships and her freedom for revenge killings, even though the story gives her justifiable reason to do so.

But then comes the twist. Nikita excels at making viewers think one thing, then turning it on its head later. We know that Nikita always finds another way that doesn't require murder, yet we buy that in this particular instance, she doesn't rise up. Which is why it's so cool to see that we're wrong and Nikita does have another plan, one that only involves everyone thinking she's killing people. Kudos to some great writing and the most brilliant surprise of the series.

Learning that Nikita has not gone off the rails makes the actions of her friends much more palatable. While Nikita and Alex are rampaging, Michael (Shane West) is working with the government to stop them. At least Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) only cooperates reluctantly, siding with Nikita, but Michael is trying to talk her out of it. Thank goodness he's only playing a part, not actually turning his back on the woman he loves. Otherwise, there would not be time for a Michael / Nikita happy ending, a must.

In fact, all of the main players get a happy ending. Birkhoff open-sources his anti-government software and goes to Sonya (Lyndie Greenwood, sadly not part of the conclusion, but she hadn't had time to earn her way there, either). Alex continues her charity work with Sam (Devon Sawa), who is acting more like Owen every day, by her side. Michael and Nikita elope, and, rather than sit on the beach relaxing, continue to do good for those who need help, something far more fitting than retirement. Even Ryan gets a star and a quick vision by Nikita to remember him fondly by.

All of these are well-crafted finales that serve the characters appropriately. Some viewers may have wanted more sadness and death, as befitting the lifestyle the group lived, but the message of the show was always about finding peace and conquering ones' demons, both internal and external. What "Canceled" ultimately ends up being fits that spirit.

The one person who doesn't ride off into the sunset is Amanda, whom is locked away in a very secure facility. I suppose leaving Amanda alive is a bad idea, as she is likely to get back out at some point in the future and cause more trouble, as she has always managed to do. But Nikita and friends have disrupted all of Amanda's work, so it would be some time before that can happen. And I doubt we'll ever see a film, on big screen or small, depicting this because the way things are left is too perfect to mess with.

Before the doors close on Amanda for the final time, Nikita visits her. Well, actually Amanda visits Nikita, which is when Nikita springs the trap and captures her, but the point is, they get to have a one-on-one, heart-to-heart conversation. This is easily the most powerful scene in the episode, as Amanda and Nikita are two sides of the same coin and have learned much from each other. But for a few choices at key moments, either could have ended up in the other's shoes. It's a moment of realization and connection that will never be forgotten by the audience nor the characters, on that caps the show awesomely.

"Canceled" is a mostly triumphant, fantastic way to send off a pretty darn good series. In a way, I'm glad it went out before it grew stale. Sure, there could have been more stories to tell, but I feel like this would have been the way it ended, no matter how many seasons Nikita played out. And the story was structured in a way that it could be finished at this point. There's some definite talent involved to bring those pieces together so neatly, and it is much appreciated.

My sincere thanks to the cast and crew of Nikita. Best of luck in whatever comes next for you. As Birkhoff might fear, we'll be watching.

We "Wanted" More NIKITA, and We Got It

Article first published as We "Wanted" More NIKITA, and We Got It on TheTVKing.

The CW's Nikita has had a very exciting, albeit brief, run. It all culminates in these final six episodes, which kicked off this week in "Wanted." It's been one hundred days since Nikita (Maggie Q) was framed for killing President Kathleen Spencer (Michelle Nolden), and one hundred days since she abandoned her friends and went on the run. But they haven't forgotten about her, and when Nikita's efforts to sneak back into the U.S. are exposed, they rush to her aide.

For the titular character, the major arc of the show has always been about accepting others' help. She's a lone wolf, and that served her well for quite a while. Yet, somehow, by accident, she built a family that cares for her. It's because she's a hero who cares and inspires others. She just has trouble adjusting to those emotions being reflected back at her, especially when personal danger is afoot.

"Wanted" is an action-packed thrill ride that spends as much time exploring this aspect of Nikita as it does keeping us on the edge of our seats. Nikita's interactions with others go hand-in-hand to how she might be able to clear her name and save the day. She must rely on their help if she wants to get through this. They are one tool she has not been willing to use.

Will this change? It has to, right? I mean, Michael (Shane West) has every reason in the world to be upset, Nikita having left their engagement ring when she fled, and yet he comes to her aide. If he can forgive her and move past her abandonment, anyone can. And when Nikita sees that, hopefully it will allow her to open up a little more, since she truly does love Michael.

Nikita's arc in "Wanted," which finds her making contact with a reporter named Dale Gordon (Todd Grinnell, Desperate Housewives, Hollywoodland), who is building a name for himself on her story, feels quite familiar, like classic Nikita. She frequently encounters those who need her help and Dale is no different, as working with Nikita could lead to his dreams being realized. What's surprising is how it ends and how quickly it ends, telling viewers right away that these last installments will be fast-paced and surprising.

Along those lines, it seems easy enough to figure out FBI agent Matthew Graham (Alex Carter, CSI, Burn Notice), until a twist late in the hour changes perspective on him. He may end up still being a good guy, blackmailed by Amanda (Melinda Clarke) like so many others, but it doesn't change the fact that his actions in "Wanted" will be unforgivable. Yet, he's small potatoes and likely to remain that way because the ultimate bad guy has to be Amanda, a conflict that has been building for a long time.

The death of Gordon and the revelation of Graham as a villain immediately takes away the predictable arc for the finale. One can be forgiven for assuming the two of them, somewhat familiar faces to TV audiences, will be major players this year until, at the end of the episode, that's no longer the case. This leaves Nikita with no ground to stand on, and raises the stakes even more for the fugitive.

The one hope Nikita still has is that President Spencer is alive. Nikita doesn't know this yet, but if she can find the POTUS, obviously that will forever save her face and reputation, as well as allow her to stop being on the run.

One scene I particularly enjoyed because it highlighted the character of Nikita so well was when the local cops try to arrest her against federal orders. Two idiots think they can handle someone as notorious as Nikita, hoping to claim glory for themselves, and get taken down for their hubris. Even with guns pointed at her, Nikita easily handles the officers without hurting them. She's that cool.

"Wanted" makes time to give other characters story, too. Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) and Sonya (Lyndie Greenwood) have their own mission to take down Amanda by way of a human trafficking network. Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) has a cool new plane with awesome tech. Ryan (Noah Bean) is hard at work on conspiracy theories that just may be proven true. And Owen (Devon Sawa) is still Sam, his evil alter ego, presumably in Amanda's employ. This means the last tales won't be confined just to Nikita herself.

That's fitting because Nikita, despite its singular title, has always been an ensemble series. To let an hour-long show grow and breathe over several American-broadcast-network-length seasons, there has to be more than just one person at the center. The only shows that make single-character premises work are formulaic procedurals, and that would not describe Nikita at all, thank goodness. Thus, while Nikita may be the most important person in the end, fans who love everyone else should be satisfied by "Wanted," too.

In all, "Wanted" makes a heck of a great season opener, actually feeling like the start of a miniseries (to its credit), and really builds anticipation for what is to come. Nikita airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

Nikita "3.0"

Grade: 86%

The CW’s NIKITA returns tonight with “3.0.” It’s been a few months. Ryan (Noah Bean, newly promoted to series regular) now leads Division, with Nikita (Maggie Q) and her friends serving as his senior staff. Sanctioned by the President of the United States herself (Michelle Nolden), they must stay under the radar while they round up the “Dirty Thirty,” agents who have gone rogue since Percy was taken down.

Hopefully, “3.0” won’t be the new format of the series. It feels very much like a case of the week, with a stand-alone mission. Yes, there are thirty of these agents out there that must be caught, but watching thirty separate weeks of this will grow boring. NIKITA works because it’s a serial, not a procedural, and the sooner they return to that format, the better.

Of course, perhaps it’s necessary to take a little break and reintroduce the characters, revealing what their relationships are like now. Ryan and Nikita clash because she still wants to control her own destiny and make her own decisions, as she did for so long on the run, while Ryan needs to establish firm authority in front of the rest of the staff. Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) isn’t sure what to do with his new promotion, abandoning his desk to take over his inferiors’ and personally run ops. Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) can’t go undercover, but using her reputation as Alexandra can open other doors for them.

Other than that, they’re pretty much the same people. They have to fit into a new box, and that’s difficult, but because they still get to use many of their talents, namely, spy work, they will figure it out.

As long as Ryan doesn’t crave too much power, that is. After all, it doesn’t seem like, based on his back story, that Percy began evil. Ryan is throwing himself into Division obsessively, dealing with the president, sleeping in his office. Might the temptation to hang onto what he’s building end up being too much for him when the job is done and it’s time to take apart the group? And by keeping Division covert during his tenure, will he have the means to use it to his own will? Or will the staff, whom now have their eyes open to what is really going on, and more importantly, Nikita, the show’s moral compass, be able to keep him on the straight and narrow?

Not appearing in “3.0,” we are still reminded that Amanda (Melinda Clarke) is out there somewhere, trying to recruit others to her cause, and with a decrypted black box. With Percy gone and Gogol crippled, Amanda is the last great villain for Nikita and company. NIKITA needs a bad guy, and I would not be surprised if this “Dirty Thirty” is just filler until Amanda gets some power back under her. Unfortunately, Amanda has never posed quite the threat that Percy did. Is that going to change?

NIKITA remains a highly exciting, action-packed series. The events of “3.0” are as much of an adrenaline rush as ever, even if the stakes seem a little lower. For this reason, it is still definitely worth tuning it. It will find its long-arc legs again soon enough, hopefully.

The series also takes time this week for a little romance. I won’t go into details, so as not to spoil the hour for anyone, but Michael (Shane West) has a plan that has nothing to do with guns and Division. What his plan entails, or the result of it is, well, you’ll see. The shippers should definitely tune in to this one.

I like NIKITA because it reminds me of ALIAS, a superior spy show that I miss. ALIAS’ fault, if there was one, that it was too bogged down in the Rambaldi mythology, or so some (not me) accused, rather than just being a spy thriller. NIKITA doesn’t have that trouble, always skating around going too deep. But other than that, it has taken the best parts of ALIAS and built them in their own way. ALIAS took down their secret-government-operation-that-unbeknownest-to-the-employees-wasn’t-actually-working-for-the-government in mid-season two. NIKITA went the more traditional route and waited ‘til the season finale. Still the same great idea, though NIKITA went with the route that saved them on budget, keeping the same sets.

Will NIKITA learn the lessons of its predecessor and keep re-writing the formula every couple of years? Will they manage to build another villain who matters as much or is as dangerous as Percy was? These are the questions facing the writers that must be figured out during the course of season three. “3.0” does not hold those answers. If NIKITA is going to rise, now is the time to show us. Otherwise, it could turn into a shell of its former self, and quickly become not worth watching. From the season premiere, it’s hard to tell which way it might go. But the characters are well developed enough, I’ll learn towards optimism.

NIKITA airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

Nikita follows the "Guardians"

     The CW's Nikita completes its fall run with "Guardians." Michael (Shane West) is away with his son and Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) is recovering from his injuries, so a stressed out Nikita (Maggie Q) goes looking for another black box to replace the one that was destroyed on her own. The hopelessness of her situation threatens to crush her spirit, and she longs to stop fighting. Luckily, she finds Owen (Devon Sawa), who reminds her what she should be doing. Together, they attempt to use Gogol to help them get another box, but in the process learn that Percy (Xander Berkeley) should not be counted out yet.

     It is interesting that Nikita allows its titular character to suffer emotionally in "Guardians," expressing frustration and exhaustion. Nikita shows emotions from time to time, but considering how dedicated she is in her mission, fans may assume that she is one hundred percent dedicated to completing it, no matter what. To let the stress of everything show in her is cool, because it humanizes her in a way that she needs in order to be relatable. Nikita is a real, layered person.

     Owen returns not just to help remind Nikita of what she is doing, but also to provide, once more, a choice for Nikita. Should things with Michael not work out, or should he choose his recently discovered son over her, Owen is more than willing to take his place by Nikita's side. It's not that Owen doesn't understand that Nikita's heart belongs to Michael. He just wants to be there is she ever changes her mind, and wants her to know that. However, he is not a true obstacle, as he calls in Michael to help when things get dicey, knowing Michael will ride to Nikita's rescue.

     Amanda (Melinda Clarke) think she maintains the upper hand on Percy, even after Percy sends Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) off to kill Semak (Peter J. Lucas). Amanda strips Percy's cell of amenities, and taunts him. Yet, viewers and Nikita know that Percy is not out by any means. In "Guardians," Owen discovers that Percy has managed to activate secondary protocol, gathering the Guardians for some unknown move. Also, Percy has help inside Division, who is passing his orders on. No matter how much Amanda tries to contain him, Percy keeps pulling tricks out of his sleeve. This is one villain who is not going to be dispatched with easily.

     Alex's mission of revenge needs to come to an end. It consumes her, and leads her to work with unsavory characters. Not that Nikita doesn't use the enemy from time to time, but Alex is awfully close to Division. Plus, with a single-minded mission of retribution, she is not being her full, healthy self. As she moves in for the kill in this week's Nikita, she is startled to encounter her mother. Will this change Alex's plans? What secrets will her mother share about Alex's history? It's a game changer, but one that leaves fans very much in the dark as Nikita goes on hiatus.

     Nikita will return in about a month to the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To order the Nikita DVD or Blu-ray, or catch up on streaming episodes, please click here.

"Falling Ash" raining down on Nikita

     The CW's Nikita returned last week, and this past Friday brought the season's second episode, "Falling Ash." Michael (Shane West) convinces Nikita (Maggie Q) to put their main mission on hold when a former Division operation causes trouble. On the scene, they run into Owen (Devon Sawa), who thinks this case might hold they key to get him off of his Division-caused chemical addiction. Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) also investigates at Amanda's (Melinda Clarke) behalf. But Pierce (new series regular Dillon Casey, Being Erica) from Oversight notices when Alex doesn't take an obvious shot at Nikita.

     Spy games continue to dominate this action-packed drama. Alex is in the most precarious position, considering she still works for Division, albeit, by freelance. Alex thinks she has the upper hand on Amanda, and she may, as, at least for now, they both need each other. But Pierce is onto Alex, knowing there is more than meets the surface. He is suspicious from the beginning, but after seeing how Alex lets Nikita operate unhindered, even after Nikita injures Alex, he now knows for sure there is still affection between them. This can only make Alex's job harder, as she will have to keep Pierce happy, and still do the work Amanda wants her to do in order to reach her own goals.

     Alex isn't the only one under Amanda's thumb. Percy (Xander Berkeley) is in a basement cell of Division, with few comforts. He gets a handful of perks in trade for giving Alex information. Percy's insistence on speaking with Alex does make her even more valuable to keep alive, but surely that is not why Percy is doing it. He's either just trying to annoy Amanda, or he has long-term plans for Alex. It's hard to tell which, but Percy doesn't seem scared or impatient in the least, meaning he must have something up his sleeve.

     Meanwhile, Nikita and Michael have a lot to decide when choosing what to do next. Nikita wants to stay focused on taking down Oversight, while Michael still feels a nagging guilt over some things he participated in while with Division. This does cause a minor clash in "Falling Ash," which is resolved when Nikita lets her love for Michael sway her. But Owen complicates things even more when telling Michael he should run away with Nikita, and forget the whole dangerous game, a tempting thought. How long before Michael starts to feel he's done enough, and pushes Nikita to consider retirement? This should provide much story fodder for the season to come, if not beyond.

     Owen's return is not unexpected, but there is a surprising twist at the end. It is obvious that someone in bankrolling Owen's activities, but it's not known who for most of the hour. Owen is not working for nice people. They have given him the means to break his addiction, sure, but only in that it frees him up to better carry out their plans. Which involve taking down Percy, not a bad goal. The real question is, what will they do once Percy is out of their way?

     Finally, Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford), an interesting character from the beginning, has become a true favorite on Nikita. Away from Division and feeling lonely, Birkhoff decides to throw his lot in with Nikita and Michael. He backs away from that soon after, but a pretty face sends him right back in. Birkhoff wants to help, but he doesn't know how to communicate that, which will be his real challenge. Luckily, the duo understand him enough to not make him ask to be included.

     Nikita airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To order the Nikita DVD or Blu-ray, or catch up on streaming episodes, please click here.

Nikita opens "Pandora"

     In the CW's Nikita first season finale, "Pandora," things come to a head in a lot of personal struggles, and allegiances are revealed or reformed. Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) now knows that Nikita (Maggie Q) is the one that pulled the trigger on her father, though Nikita disobeyed orders to save Alex, so the feelings are mixed, to say the least. Bottom line, Alex will no longer be working for Nikita for the time being. Understandable, given the circumstances. Percy (Xander Berkeley) struggles to grow his hold over the government, while maintaining power at Division. Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) gives Michael (Shane West) unexpected assistance escaping, while Amanda (Melinda Clarke) does the same for Alex. Who will be working with who next season?


     While Nikita is certainly an important character, it can be argued that Alex is equally important. Her growth as an undercover operative has been a major focus in season one, and much of what Nikita has been able to accomplish on the outside is directly related to what Alex can do inside Division. As such, Alex and Nikita having a fall out is a huge revelation. It pits the series's two primary leads, who were teamed up throughout this year, at odds. Next season, should Nikita be renewed, will be a very different show.

     Why did Amanda help Alex escape? Amanda's motivations have always been murky, and she is definitely loyal to people above Percy, not her direct boss. Amanda actually gives the chance to Alex to get away from all of the power struggles though, a rare gift from someone who doesn't seem to do a lot that isn't self-motivated. Which leaves a big open ended question for next season, as Amanda seems to be the new supervisor in charge of Alex. Will Alex accept this? She likely will for exactly as long as it suits her purpose.

     The fact that Alex chooses not to take Amanda's chance to escape is not surprising, as she is stubborn, and will only ever answer to her own feelings. Even while working with Nikita, Alex frequently defied Nikita if she thought she knew better. This shows an arrogant streak that could be dangerous, considering how young and inexperienced Alex is. Alex has been through a lot, but that is not a substitute for wisdom and life experience. As to whether Alex will end up being far too stubborn for her own good, that is unknown, but a distinct possibility.

     Percy's hold is much more tenuous. His chances of getting to be head of the CIA, as he hoped, are low. His plan to take out the current head failed, and his two most important prisoners, Alex and Michael, escape right from his own facility. Next season's Percy may or may not know about Amanda and Alex's mission, but the leadership council bringing Amanda in instead of Percy speaks volumes. Percy will probably have to prove himself capable to heading Division all over again, and he will be lucky to stay in charge for another year, let alone beyond.

     Nikita has a new mission, and will have to come up with all new tactics. Last seen speeding away with Michael and a decrypted black box, the set up appears poised for Nikita to accomplish smaller missions next year as she tries to right the wrongs caused by Division, rather than spend all season working on one large foe. While Percy will still be an antagonist, Nikita seems to be less likely to directly confront Percy. Michael assisting her means she will be able to think moves ahead of Percy, even more so than she already does.

     Luckily, Nikita will have some help, besides Michael. Birkhoff has shown willingness towards their goals. Whether he maintains his cover in Division and feeds information, or works from the outside, he can be a real asset. His technological prowess is unmatched. Poor Percy will be hard pressed to find a replacement, and may even leave Birkhoff in place after realizing his betrayal because there is simply no one else that can do what Birkhoff does. Unfortunately, should Percy procure another technological genius, Birkhoff becomes the most in danger and expendable cast member.

     Another help for Nikita, once she manages to free him from prison, will be Ryan (Noah Bean). What he can contribute is largely unknown, as Ryan spends season one wanting to work within the system. By the time the events of "Pandora" unfold, Ryan is realizing that isn't going to work, and he casts his lot with the woman he knows is in the right, even if that ruins Ryan's reputation and earns him a cell. Will Ryan have knowledge that can help, or will he be dead weight that Nikita feels obligated to keep around after the sacrifices he makes?

     The title "Pandora" can refer to a number of things. It could be very literal, with Nikita and Michael stealing the box Birkhoff decrypts for them. They may be starting a whole lot of trouble with that information. "Pandora" may also refer to Alex, who has mostly been seen in a tamed version this season, trying to work her way into Division. We do not know her full capability yet, and with Alex determined to take down the man that betrayed her father, and Division's benefactor ready to help her, a whole new mess could be beginning.


     Nikita has proven itself fresh and somewhat original, a unique treat on television. No decision has been officially made about its second season yet, but it deserves one. Hopefully it will get it.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To pre-order the Nikita DVD or Blu-ray, or catch up on streaming episodes, please click here.

Nikita - "Covenants"

     Note to readers: This is a followup to a more complete article about Nikita published yesterday. This article only examines the twists at the end of "Covenants." Please click here to find the longer article discussing the season so far. As such, this article contains many spoilers, so if you have not yet viewed the episode "Covenants," please do so before reading this. My previous article is safe to read before watching.

     Were you shocked? What a twist! If there is anything that will make Michael (Shane West) betray Percy (Xander Berkely), it is that their whole relationship is a lie. Kasim (Haaz Sleiman) only killed Michael's family on Percy's orders. So Division is the big bad behind all of Michael's troubles, too. Is it any wonder he will now be joining Nikita (Maggie Q) on her revenge quest?

     But will they be joining each other in more than a professional way? That seems to be the indication as the episode ends. What about Nikita's thing with Ryan (Noah Bean), though? Will Nikita just sleep with any guy that has come over to her cause? OK, that is a little harsh. She has real feelings for both men. But she has such history with Michael! And I think the only reason she took up with Ryan is because she didn't think Michael would come around to helping her. Will she break things off with Ryan now? I hope so!

     I love that Michael is finally fully on the right side. Better yet, he seems to still have Percy's complete trust, and Percy is grooming Michael to go deeper with Division. Could there possibly be a better set up for a take down? This episode marks the turning point where the advantage in the war shifts from Division to Nikita.

     Be sure to keep watching Nikita to see what happens next; it airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

Article first published as TV Review: Nikita - "Covenants" on Blogcritics.

Click here for an alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Nikita - "Covenants" Preview and Season So Far

     Note: Spoilers will not be until late in this article, and I will warn you before I reveal anything. I promise not to spoil any big twists. It is safe to begin reading, even if you have not seen tonight's episode.

     TV Guide calls the CW's Nikita one of the "Seven Show You Should Be Watching". Overwhelmed with the amount of television running, and unsure if it was even worth checking out new shows, when many are so quickly canceled, I let Nikita build up on my TiVo without watching anything past the pilot until a couple of days ago. What I found is that Nikita is one of, if not the, strongest freshman series this season, though admittedly, the field is unusually weak.

     When Nikita began, it reminded me a little of the first season of Alias, before the show really found its legs and took off. Similarly, Nikita began with a mission-of-the-week format, only allowing a portion of each episode to deal with the bigger arcs, and could be classified as average, at best. But it soon began improving, and by the end of November sweeps, definitely became a must-watch. February's finale ended with a HUGE twist, when Michael (Shane West), having discovered that Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) is Nikita's (Maggie Q) mole within Division, waits for Nikita in her lair. Jaws dropped, and fans wondered what will happen next.

     Tonight, you will find out. And it will not disappoint. But I'll get to that in a moment.

     Nikita is a series that does have romance, but does not bog itself down with constant changing of partners or shocking hookups. Chemistry usually slow boils, and happens for a reason, other than just hormones (Alex's new thing with Nathan (Thad Luckinbill) being the exception that proves the rule). The only current triangle involves Nikita and has not been fleshed out enough to be melodramatic. Instead, the show is about espionage, and the good guys taking down the bad guys. In that, they are really starting to illustrate a complex, very neat world.

     At first, it is just Nikita versus Division. She is once an operative of the shadowy government group, until she realizes they are pretty bad dudes, and decides to defect to try to take them down. It's a daunting task for one woman, though admittedly she is the best agent Division has ever had, and they are a pretty elite group.

     As time has gone on, Nikita is getting some allies. Alex is the first, obviously, being inserted as an undercover mole within Division in the pilot. Alex herself becomes interesting when her background is revealed, and she makes her first kill to avenge her parents' death. At first, Alex is just the protege. Now, Division wonders if she will become even greater than Nikita. I don't doubt the student surpassing the master is a likely future milestone. What I do wonder is where Alex's loyalties will ultimately lie, and what she will do, after Division is a smoldering shell.

     Then Nikita meets Ryan Fletcher (Noah Bean), a C.I.A. analyst that starts to put together the pieces of the Division puzzle. Ryan is demoted, than re-promoted, as he works with Nikita to bring Division's dark deeds into the spot light. It's a risky business, and Ryan constantly toes the line between exposure and safety. If he reveals too much too fast or in the wrong way, he will be killed. But he needs to release enough to keep the media focus on him so he is afforded a certain protection.

     Owen (Devon Sawa) doesn't exactly work with Nikita, except when he needs to, but is a former agent and has no love for Division, either, so he comes in handy from time to time. Word is, (slight spoiler) he will be returning to the show soon.

     Then there's Michael. A pretty close match for Nikita in brains and ability, their cat and mouse game influences much of the first season. It seems to me that Michael, with all of the resources he can muster, as compared to Nikita's small amount, could have captured Nikita long ago if he really put his mind to it. Despite being head of the task force to catch her, his heart really isn't in it, so he lets her repeatedly escape. Is it because he loves her, or because he isn't sure she's completely wrong? But Michael still has loyalty to the head of Division, Percy (Xander Berkeley), whom Michael credits for saving his life after his family is killed, so he isn't looking to join Nikita's cause.

     Then there are other villains, too. GOGOL is the Russian version of Division, led by Ari Tasarov (Peter Outerbridge), whom Nikita has ticked off twice. Kasim (Haaz Sleiman, Nurse Jackie) is the terrorist who killed Michael's family. Both Ari and Kasim are evil and smart, a deadly combination, and they keep popping up in various missions. So Nikita has a few other people to watch out for besides Division.

     I like that there are other forces at play. A simple two-sided battle can be fun, of course, but it is even better when there are many different players, each with their own motivations and goals. It not only keeps things interesting, but it gives the series different places to go to avoid being stuck in a rut. If Division's story gets a little bland after being pursued too many episodes in a row, the writers can take a break and move the action to the Middle East or Russia. I expect GOGOL is not the only international version of Division, and I look forward to meeting some of the other groups.

     Within the U.S. government, Percy actually controls quite a large number of powerful people, allowing him and Division to get away with plenty. Nikita knows that to bring him down, she must first take out seven black boxes that contain all of Percy's blackmail dirt. This makes the overall plot a quest type of thing, which is kind of cool. It gives a series of steps that must be taken. I assume it will not take Nikita seven years to take out seven black box hard drives, so I hope, like Alias, that Percy and Division, while being the main bad guys for now, will eventually go down, and the show ill move on. But I also like that there's still a long way to go, as she has only destroyed one box thus far.

     As the years go on, Nikita should not be constantly taking down Division-type groups. Of course, after Division falls, she may go after GOGOL. But there will need to be some bigger story arcs besides just a handful of noble, talented citizens fighting the big, evil corporations. Alias accomplished this with their Rambaldi theme, an artist who created secret devices. Even after the heroes defeated an organization or two, the full Rambaldi secrets were always still a mystery they had to uncover. While nothing along those lines has been introduced yet on Nikita, I'm sure that the writers can come up with something fresh and neat when they need to. But it's not necessary at this time. The show is doing just fine without it.

     And now for tonight's episode. The following paragraphs contain minor spoilers that will set up the premise, but not spoil the twists.

     Michael holds the cards, now knowing that Alex is Nikita's mole. As we begin the episode. Michael has not yet exposed Nikita or Alex to Division, but is threatening to. He is angry at Nikita, and has been, because she did not allow him to take down Kasim when he had the chance. Now he demands that she get Kasim for him, or he will give Alex over to Amanda (Melinda Clarke), not a pretty picture.

     One may wonder how Michael expects Nikita to find an elusive terrorist such as Kasim, but Michael has that all worked out. He knows Nikita has connections with GOGOL, though he does not understand the actual relationship, and demands she use those connections to get to Kasim. So we get Kasim and Ari back as guest stars! Yay! Any chance to see the two get their evil on is more than welcome.

     The other important thing going on is that Percy wants Michael to give up on his revenge bend and fully commit himself to Division. While Percy has allowed Michael to investigate his family's death before, he now suddenly decides it is time for Michael to move up in the company, and to do so, he must leave the past behind. I find this slightly odd, since it is so recent that Percy encouraged Michael on the mission, but with Nikita's threat to Division growing, it seems logical.

     This is definitely a Michael-centric episode more than anything, and it's about time. I love me some Michael drama, and he goes to a really dark place. He has some decisions to make, obviously, about his loyalty and where to go next.

     There's also a small subplot about Alex and Nathan, and if they should go forward in their relationship. But this one is really all about Michael.

     Now, I refuse to tell the really big reveal, because it is fantastic, and I would not want to lessen your enjoyment. Let's just say that Kasim knows something that he thinks Michael needs to know. You will not be disappointed. I will post a short review tomorrow about the twist, and the implications, so please check back here then.

     Nikita returns tonight, and airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

Article first published as TV Preview: Nikita - "Covenants" and Season So Far Overview on Blogcritics.

Click here for an alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Less than impressed with Nikita

     What can I say about the CW's Nikita? 'Lots of potential, slow start' sums up the pilot pretty good. Nikita is a character many audiences are familiar with, having been the subject of a movie and a cable series. But now she's back in an updated series, complete with action and espionage. And, surprisingly for the CW, a lack of teenage angst.

     Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III) carries the title character in this incarnation, and it's hard to argue that she's not bada**. In the highpoint of the pilot, which was unfortunately spoiled in the trailer, Nikita confronts her enemies in a crowded party, and has an escape plan good enough that she can do so with confidence. What said enemies don't know is that she already has an hook in their organization, besides once being a part of it, but I'll leave that surprise for you.

     Nikita's foes are a government organization that train young people to do their bidding, whatever they decide it is. Nikita was once a member of that organization, but now wants to take them down. Fans of the previous versions already know that. This new series also stars Lyndsy Fonseca as a new recruit in the group named Alex, just beginning her schooling. Lyndsy is a fairly big television star, having had substantial roles already on How I Met Your Mother and Desperate Housewives, as well as appearing in the movies Hot Tub Time Machine and Kick-Ass. Shane West (ER, Once and Again) plays her trainer, Michael, who also has a history with Nikita. The cast also includes Xander Berkeley (24) and Melinda Clarke (The OC). So the new show brings a bit of star power with it.

     I can't put my finger on why I didn't love this pilot. Perhaps when I see it a second time, I will. There's obviously some great driving motivations, and there are a number of twists that surprised me, which I won't spoil for you, just in the first hour. But I will say check it out and make up your own mind.


     Nikita premieres tomorrow night at 9pm on the CW.