When it comes to a new television show, if you put Tom Ellis in it, speaking with his accent in full force, I am paying attention. Now, I may be a little bit uptight and judgy when it comes to television shows, but it is what it is. I have no filter, and I am probably going to continue my entire life to get roasted for that. Give me a show about the CIA, and I am paying attention.
Procedurals are my favorite, and at one point, I thought that meant I was getting old. Now I just believe that means I like to try to solve a mystery. I may have hated the idea of CIA when it was announced, but I admit I was wrong. When I am wrong, I say it.
When it comes to the CIA, I know nothing about the department. The CIA is a mystery to a lot of us. A show about the CIA seems fascinating to me. The cast helps the situation, too. Did they play Natalee Linez and Necar Zadegan a lot? No, they could have done better than that.
BOY SCOUT VIBES
FBI SA Bill Goodman is assigned to the CIA task force, and he’s not happy about it. He’s a tragically uptight Boy Scout. It seems most tragic that someone thinks that the hairstyle they gave Nick Gehlfuss is acceptable. I mean, it does give that uptight thing, which Bill is definitely giving. He heads out to where he needs to be, walking into a sketchy building with a bunch of frames and a code for an elevator. Hard pass. This is New York, and nothing about it is ever what it seems.
Tom Ellis plays CIA Agent Colin Glass, who, honestly, is more my speed. He needs an FBI liaison to work on American soul. Colin and Goodman don’t get along, and it is kind of funny. Their lack of communication and their desire to keep secrets are only going to get them both in trouble. They are the exact opposites, and I wonder what it is that made Jubel think that this would be a good idea.
Colin keeps secrets. His asset, Adrian Torres – well, he’s fishy AF. His romantic partner Bobby gets shot, and he’s begging for help for his partner. Goodman is dead set on them being double agents, but Colin ain’t hearing it. He finally tells Goodman that Bobby and Torres are romantic partners and to back off.
SO UPTIGHT
Goodman wants to arrest people, and I am wondering if someone can slip him a Xanax. Calm down, sir. Yes, Adrian has stolen some weapons software. They are trying to keep them from going to the bad guys.
But you know it’s never that easy.
Part of what keeps me entertained is that Bill and Colin’s fights are like married people fighting. Calm down, sirs. They bicker like toddlers and need to be sent to their corners. But it’s what is making this show entertaining. We don’t have the big action scenes – no one is running and taking people down.
Now, am I saying that it never happens? Their cardio game doesn’t need to be strong? No. I am not saying that at all, because I do not know. I am going to be interested to see how they keep it dramatic and intense.
Colin is gaslighting Bill at every corner. He doesn’t like that he needs the FBI to operate on US soil. I didn’t even know the CIA was allowed to be on US soil at all, so hey, the more that you know. I do love that Colin is showing a commitment to his assets, and he believes in them.
TORRES AND NO ITS NOT THAT ONE
Colin’s asset, Adrian Torres, is bipolar and is off his meds. He doesn’t see what is right in front of him, he’s paranoid, and he thought that he was freeing a weapon of mass destruction. He thought he was a whistleblower and speaking to a journalist. Turns out the journalist is an arms dealer, cause of course.
The weapon is a directed energy weapon. I have never heard of a directed energy weapon, but here we are, me being reminded that I don’t know everything. Humble me, CIA.
When they bring Adrian in, you can tell he thought he was doing the right thing. He thought he was saving people and that he was using his powers for good. Adrian wrote the code for the weapon, and it wasn’t supposed to be a weapon. It bothered him that the code he wrote was weaponized.
Part of the reason that he left his country was that the weapons that he worked on there were used in this way. Colin finds out that the weapon is going to be demonstrated, and the intel says that it will be done during rush hour.
Bill is influenced by Adrian, and he’s willing to listen to Colin’s insane ideas. Apparently, they know someone who can fly a helicopter and will be fine. Bill knows that they need to find the weapon because it’s going to be sold, and he’s loosening up a bit.
Now, if he would only switch his part. I can’t with it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Shows like this make me somewhat paranoid living in New York, and this episode didn’t make it any less. I am intrigued by how the CIA is portrayed here, as they truly are hiding behind every corner, and I will be looking around every corner.
The FBI and CIA working together to recover the weapon, and in this climate, let’s just say that I am thrilled that departments can get along. I can appreciate that the writers had Goodman calm down and loosen up a little over the 42 minutes of this episode.
I will be interested to see how this pans out, as Goodman is assigned permanently to the task force. Goodman had started to let walls down, and judging by his conversation with Jubel at the end, I think the Boy Scout will be here to stay.
The first episode of CIA does a good job setting up the world and giving an idea of what the big “op” will be this first season. We’re rooting for Colin and Bill to teach each other things and for their characters to grow. We’re learning – this writer is used to FBI, but I am excited to learn about the world of the CIA.
CIA airs at 10 pm, which is way past my bedtime, but I guess on Monday nights, I will be staying up late. I’m in. I am committed. Give me more of this show.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- They underused the women in the cast this episode
- I am so intrigued by code, but I can barely open a lock, so there we are with that.
- Even though Nikki kept telling the senator that Colin being British was a long story, we’d all like to know it
- How did she get in that car so fast?
- Bleeding from the ears and foaming at the mouth was disturbing.
- There were SO MANY frames in that building. I can’t get over it
- The elevator code would have never guessed 1 and 2 were floor 12 (it makes sense if you watch the show)
- Gina is underused, and she seems smart
- Who was the guy on the roof
- DOD – haha
CIA airs Monday nights on CBS.
