Although the Cassandra character was handled horribly in the past, I’m pleased to say that her arc here was handled reasonably well and given the appropriate amount of closure. The writers could have easily resorted to love triangle antics and I’m so glad they didn’t because realistically, Nikita and Michael have much more important things to worry about. All three character dealt with the situation like adults which was a refreshing change to how most shows would handle it.
Speaking of Michael, he had a touching farewell with Cassandra and Max. I would be fine if we never saw them again as they unnecessarily complicate things. I’m still not sure it was a good idea to even have them enter the picture earlier in the season but this episode at least salvaged that misstep.
Alex’s storyline wasn’t the greatest because I find her mother severely miscast. Moreover, I can’t really get behind their relationship as Katia wasn’t the most genuine or likeable of characters. Thankfully, I doubt we’ll be seeing her again anytime soon either.
And finally, Semak’s death was completely anticlimactic (particularly in that it wasn’t Alex who did the killing) but at least we’re through with that lifeless void of a character.
Bits & Bullets
– Sean calling Cassandra “Belarus Barbie”. Ha!
– Nikita saying she’s not mother material was heartbreaking.
– Excellent alley fight scene. I particularly loved Nikita giving the thug a hurricanrana (an awesome wresting move).
– Loved Nikki and Michael saving Cassandra.
– Badass moment as Nikki jumps out of the moving car.
– I enjoyed Amanda’s brief appearance with the forced contract. Still too little screen-time for her though.
– Brilliant plan by Nikita to board the plane and fake Cassandra’s death.
– Sad scene as Michael bids goodbye to Max and Nikita assures him that he did the right thing.
Nikki Notables
Nikita: I’m not mother material Michael.
Michael: Why not?
Nikita: Because…. it’s FRIDAY and my life is insane!
Nikita: When I was growing up, I thought that any parent that gave heir child up was unforgivable. That there would never be a reason or an excuse for it. And now I’m standing here, what you did, was an act of grace. You’re a good father Michael.
Conclusion
Not the most explosive hour of Nikita, but it at least dealt with many of the season’s annoying loose ends.
Nad Rating
C+
This one bored me to tears, but it certainly feels like this was Cassandra's last ever appearance on the show. Hooraay!
I'm soo disappointed with the Alex/Katya storyline. It reminds me of when Revenge revealed Emily's mother as well. Both actresses were kind of miscast, right? Not only that, but it feels like both of these twists should have been more explosive yet end up falling flat. Why was this so anticlimactic, damnit?
One thing I did enjoy was the way Michael is written here. Most of the shows we see usually treat the character who suddenly finds out they have a child with the same story beats: “this is my son, I'll do anything for him, I must leave everything and be with him”. So it's refreshing to see this show treat Michael a bit more realistically. He genuinely wanted to protect his son and baby mama, but did so without disrupting his life for it. Maybe it's a win-win for the writers as well if they realized this was a horrendous storyline, but at least it makes so much sense too. I'm impressed they didn't kill Cassandra off or turn her evil or something.
Almost done with the season! I ain't savoring these and I know I'll be kicking myself for it later!
So true just like Revenge, both shows pretended the mom never existed afterwards. Why did they both flop so badly? I guess it was miscasting yes!