What a showstopping performance by Lyndsey Fonseca. She’s certainly proved herself as one of the most talented young stars around today and she was particularly mesmerizing in this one.
The Alex role is an especially complex one. Troubled and damaged, yet powerful and determined, there are just so many layers and dimensions to the character than Lyndsey taps into quite capably. Here, she more than cemented herself as a marvelous actress by epitomizing everything that makes the character so fascinating all from inside a small dog-cage. It’s truly an achievement.
However, that’s not to say that the episode is perfect. While Vlad is certainly an adequate enough villain, his constantly gloating over a fallen Alex got a bit tiring and repetitive. Moreover, the character of Irina was much too annoying and cliche for my taste. I get everything that they were going for, I just think it could have been done in a more exciting manner.
I did however enjoy seeing Nikita and Michael working together although he’s still not as compelling as I’d like to him to be. And that ending was pretty darn epic (Nikita really knows how to do endings) with Amanda ready to help a high Alex with her withdrawl symptoms but only if she answers her questions. It’s just so deliciously haunting and exciting with Alex shivering in fear.Loved it.
Bits & Bullets
– Lyndsey Fonseca looks beyond gorgeous in that purple dress.
– Alex in a cage is not a pretty sight.
– Vlad telling the story of Anastasia intercut with Alexandra’s flashbacks was a nice touch.
– Insanely creative fight scene with Michael and Nikki in the sauna room with one of her hands on the explosive trigger. I swear this show’s awesomeness kills me sometimes.
– I enjoyed the eye-opening chat between Michael and Nikita over the Kassim issue.
– Loved Alex announcing herself all badass and shooting Vlad dead.
Nikki Notables
Bouncer: Let me guess. Model? Actress?
Nikita: Assassin.
Amanda: Michael please. With all the recruits who are drug addicts I’m practically running a rehab clinic.
Conclusion
A solid hour of Nikita that succeeded in making a standout character even more compelling.
Nad Rating
B
“I swear this show's awesomeness kills me sometimes.” Exactly what I'm thinking too! This was much better than the last two episodes, especially that epic ending! Seriously, this show really knows how to keep us on the edge of our seats by the time the credits start rolling. I can't wait to see Amanda questioning Alex. ABOUT TIME WE GET MORE AMANDA DAMNIT!
And Lyndsey Fonseca is my new celebrity crush now. She just looked stunning in this episode. I really couldn't take my eyes off the screen. And Young Alex looks sooo much like her! I'm so impressed that they were able to cast this young girl.
“Bouncer: Let me guess. Model? Actress?
Nikita: Assassin.”
Hahahaaha loved this line! Nikita is the combination of ALL of my favorite characters on television: badass spy (Sydney Bristow), snarky and hilarious (Max and Buffy), clever and resourceful (Alicia Florrick), and vengeful (Emily Thorne). What a perfect combination!
Love, love, love this episode and let me tell you, this show benefits from rewatches. It just gets better and better. And the fight in the sauna… amazing, awesome, fantastic! 🙂
Amazing fight in the sauna and heartbreaking talk between Nikki and Michael about Kasim.
This is one of those episode that just mesmerize me everytime I see it.