This could have been a superb hour of Nikita. Unfortunately it has a few glaring flaws that prevent it from reaching any impressive heights.
The episode’s biggest misstep is the horrible Alex subplot with her childhood friend who has now become a Gogol assassin. Her interrogation of him was painful to watch; the cheesy Russian music and the overacting really dragged the episode down. Even Lyndsey Fonseca wasn’t very good which is a rare occurrence. I guess she wasn’t feeling the material either (and rightfully so).
Moreover, Sean’s storyline with his mother (a prominent Oversight member) feels especially forced and contrived. I know not every show can pull off parent-children spy hijinks effectively like Alias, but that doesn’t mean they have to rely on this uninspired plot device.
The ending as always, was fantastic though. First we got Nikki visiting Ryan’s mom and hugging her in a very touching and tender scene, only for the episode to be completely flipped over its head as we reveal Ryan alive in Amanda’s dungeon. It’s an amazing twist made even better with Amanda’s vow to take down Oversight with Ryan’s help of course. In fact, this was just a stunning hour for the Amanda character. She hasn’t been very intimidating this season, relegated to barking off orders from the command center but here she’s back in full, defensive force and it’s just beautiful.
Bits & Bullets
– The treadmill murder in the opening was just horrifying.
– Cool little moment with the creepy post-lady with the fat cat turning out to be a Division agent. Loving Nikki shooting her with the shotgun.
– The look on Amanda’s face as she overheard Senator Peirce badmouthing her through Sean’s phone was priceless.
– Nikita and Michal playing a cop and her prisoner was pretty funny.
– Pretty cool scene as Nikki shoots the glass as Roan “kills” Ryan.
– Nikki drugging a wounded Michael was a nice little touch.
– I’m glad that Michael isn’t having a soap-opera reaction to Nikki keeping the Max secret from him. His response if realistic and far from forced.
– Loved the entire sequence of Nikki’s assault on Gaines’s apartment. Everything from her high-tech gadgetry, to Sean shooting Gaines as he reveals his mother’s identity, to Michael and the sniper rifle, and of course Nikita’s epic jump and shoot out of the window. Brilliant.
– I think the funniest moment Nikita has ever done is the one in which Roan asks Amanda how h should proceed, and she checks her nails (instead of checking with Oversight) before ordering him to kill Nikita & Gaines. It’s dark and beyond hysterical. I adore it.
– Creepy speech by Amanda to Alex about the Division being the safest place for her. Melinda Clarke sells it in a such a haunting manner.
– I did like Sean vowing to his mother that he would kill Nikita.
Nikki Notables
Sean: How did she corrupt him? Money?
Amanda: Sex.
Roan: (On the phone) Nikita’s taken Gains hostage and she’s using him as a body-shield. How should we proceed?
Amanda: I have to check with Oversight. Hold….. (Checks her nails) Kill them both.
Conclusion
While it could have been amazing, a few missteps render this a solid hour but not much more.
Nad Rating
B-
I was so ready to come over here and comment NOO THEY KILLED RYAN!! And then that EPIC twist at the end!! Oh maaan I can't wait to see Ryan in Division. It's such a fantastic twist, I am so excited.
I actually loved this episode hahaha! Maybe because the past 2-3 were very weak, but unlike you I found Alex's subplot absolutely heartbreaking. When Amanda tells Alex that Yuri was 'cancelled' (what a dark and horrifying term they use, by the way), the look on Alex's face just killed me. God I love her. And I happened to think a lot about Alex's intriguing backstory here. It's a lot more original than one thinks at first (it's not just about someone killing her dead parents and she's out for revenge, there's the whole Russian princess twist involved) and it's really just very compelling. I think it's rare nowadays to find characters with such interesting and original backstories.
But Amanda…wow, wow, WOW. I am speechless. Every single scene of hers is absolutely glorious and her facial expressions: just breathtaking! “I think the funniest moment Nikita has ever done is the one in which Roan asks Amanda how h should proceed, and she checks her nails (instead of checking with Oversight) before ordering him to kill Nikita & Gaines” – this was PRICELESS!
I keep telling myself ONE MORE EPISODE CHRIS then off to bed. So here we go 😀 😀