- By Sukanya Saha
- Fri, 05 May 2023 11:31 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The science fiction spy thriller, Citadel, initially gained attention for its impressive cast and extensive promotions across the world. But in its first season, which is only three episodes in, the show appears to have already embraced every spy stereotype imaginable. The Russo brothers, known for their work on blockbuster films like Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, are the executive producers of this series. Nonetheless, the show seems like a hodgepodge of elements from James Bond, The Long Kiss Goodnight and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Citadel Episode 1 And 2 Recap
In the last two episodes of Citadel, it was revealed that an evil agency is determined to eliminate everything related to Citadel with no traces left behind. The show is not just a typical spy series with action and emotional turmoil, but also includes time jumps that allow audiences to understand the past while following the present.
Mason Kane, played by Richard Madden, is trying to recover his memories while Nadia Sinh, played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, has already regained hers. The flashbacks suggest that Nadia and Mason were an exceptional spy duo, but secrets are uncovered in episode three.
Citadel Episode 3 Plot
Mason's vulnerable and confused state makes him susceptible to false stories and propaganda, leading to the question of whether he will trust Nadia or if they will go their separate ways after the crucial mission.
The series starts with an upside-down shot, which is one of many spinning shots that will be used in the first half of the six-episode season. Nadia is on a mission to take down an arms dealer on her train through the Alps. However, things get complicated when her former partner and lover, Mason, shows up, along with a target who is not what he appears to be.
The mission in Citadel is revealed to be a trick by Manticore, an evil organisation, to destroy the spy agency. After eight years, Nadia and Mason are thought to be dead, but their former colleague Bernard Orlick (played by Stanley Tucci) convinces the amnesiac Mason to return to the spy world and retrieve a briefcase containing codes for all nuclear weapons. Despite Bernard's shady methods, Mason agrees to help.
What works for the series?
The strong chemistry between Priyanka Chopra Jonas' Nadia and Richard Madden's Mason is the standout feature of Citadel. The two actors play off each other excellently as suave spies in flashbacks and comedically in their present state of confusion. Bernard explains that Mason was impressive alone, but with Nadia by his side, he was unbeatable. It's easy to see why, even though it's revealed that their passionate romance was complicated by secrets and betrayals. These initial episodes only hint at the complexities of their relationship, and it's a more engaging mystery than whatever evil plans Manticore has in store.
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Out of the three episodes that were available before the premiere, the second episode stands out as the strongest. It follows Bernard and Mason on a mission that is full of entertaining difficulties, with Bernard trying to jog Mason's memory and remind him of his spy skills. The episode also gives more attention to Nadia, who finds herself in a dangerous situation that could have easily come from a Quentin Tarantino film, and she manages to fight her way out with style.
What doesn't work for the series?
The first three episodes of the show present a black-and-white conflict that is uncertain whether it is played straight or is part of a complicated deception intended to manipulate Mason. Lesley Manville plays Dahlia Archer, the face of Manticore and the UK ambassador to the US, who combines prim matronliness with deadly threats carried out by sadistic minions. Meanwhile, Bernard is also misleading Mason and potentially manipulating him by providing him with the opportunity to feel like a hero.
Citadel's tone fluctuates widely, making it difficult to discern its intended mood. The series begins with a clichéd exchange between Nadia and Bernard regarding spy equipment hidden in Nadia's handbag, before immediately cutting to a violent brawl in a train bathroom with Mason. The show even acknowledges one of its primary inspirations with an awkward line from Mason's wife Abby Conroy, who comments, "You can't even remember to put the toilet seat down, and now you're Jason Bourne?"
Final Verdict:
In the initial three episodes, Amazon's Citadel is filled with spy tropes, which makes it difficult to determine its intended genre. The show frequently oscillates between being a comedic love series and a complex science fiction-driven drama. Despite featuring impressive action scenes and charismatic actors, the show's straggling narrative may not be enough to support Amazon's grand ambitions.
Citadel is available to watch on Prime Video with a new episode releasing every Friday.