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NIKITA

2010 - Present
CW
Based on Nikita by Luc Besson
Created by Craig Silverstein
Starring: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca, Aaron Stanford, Ashton Holmes, Tiffany Hines, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley

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THE STORY SO FAR

Synopsis:

Not quite a sequel, not quite a reboot, Nikita takes character names and circumstances from Luc Besson's French spy-caper, Nikita, as well tidbits from the Canadian produced TV-series La Femme Nikita, which lasted five seasons. It has been three years since Nikita broke free of Division's grasp (an organization that took her off death row as a teen and trained her in a secret government facility to become the ultimate killing machine); upon discovering that Division killed her fiancé, Nikita has made it her mission to take down the organization with the very skills that they equipped her with.

01.01 - "Pilot"

This is a polished pilot, no doubt about it. The twist, and easily the main hook to this accomplished pilot, is new Division recruit, Alex. Through her character we're enabled to see the inner workings of the organisation and what Nikita herself had to go through. The real twist is that she's actually working for Nikita on the inside. For those underwhelmed by this pilot... it gets better.

01.02 - "2.0"

It's a little too early to have Alex operational, but the show is already on the right track. Through use of effective flashbacks, we learn how and why Nikita put Alex on the straight and narrow. Formally a junkie, Alex learns that it was Division who killed her parents as a child and that Nikita wants to help her exact revenge. There are some great fight scenes in this episode and Maggie Q is warming to her role nicely. Division haven't quite come across as menacing as we're lead to believe just yet and the inner-recruit bickering feels better placed in a show similar to The O.C. rather than a spy series but it's still early days yet.

01.03 - "Kill Jill"

Nikita must protect a journalist who has uncovered a video that could compromise Division's operation. Meanwhile, Birkhoff, Nikita's answer to Marshall from Alias (less awkward and likeable) is accused of aiding Nikita with her vendetta against Division. It's an episode that has its moments but ultimately comes across as treading water. The show is still trying to establish its cast of characters, so the plot is fairly straight forward for the moment. I also really cannot stand Michael (Nikita's original handler and trainer); although he does have a decent scrap with her towards the end of the episode.

01.04 - "Rough Trade"

Nikita must take a walk down memory lane as she discovers that the man she had thought to have originally assassinated during her first solo mission is alive and kicking. Meanwhile at Division headquarters, Alex suffers a panic attack and is placed in a modified straight-jacket by Amanda and questioned about her troubled past. If ever there was an episode to showcase the true potential behind the show, it's 'Rough Trade'. Smart, fast-paced, action packed, and with more great flashbacks, you could argue that there's too much going on here.

01.05 - "The Guardian"

Nikita attempts to track down a special operative of Percy's under the call name: The Guardian. He's tasked with protecting one of Percy's black boxes, which contains all of his dirty dealings with various criminal organizations that could potentially help Nikita take down Division. Nikita has seemingly found its groove, and once again offers up a killer episode. This show is progressing nicely, and Maggie Q, once again, delivers the goods. I love her 'plain Jane' moments, she's such a diverse actress. And even though she has such a slender frame, you genuinely believe she could kick anyone's ass. And much like my opinion of Maggie Q, this show is starting to kick major ass too! (Also: Stan Lee!)

Past reviews

01.06 - "Resistance"