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Nikita: 2.0

"I can only promise you one thing: it's going to get worse before it gets better."

A show's second outing is almost always a challenging prospect. Thankfully, Nikita overcomes an average standalone plot by meticulously exploring the unique bond and layered relationship forged between two very complex women.

Props to Maggie Q and Lyndsy Fonseca who really knocked this one out of the park. Each of the various flashbacks interspersed throughout the hour were memorable and superbly acted. The first flashback with Nikita saving a junkie Alex from a gang-rape is both horrifying and poignant, effectively cementing the epic friendship between these two women. This was followed by a beautifully haunting scene of Alex being trapped by Nikita in a steam prison in order to overcome her drug addiction. Unconventional, but undeniably badass. And finally, the episode's end-scene is quite touching as Alex breaks down and Nikita gives her something to live for: she knows who killed her parents. I really can't stress enough how much I enjoy their relationship and the fact that their partnership is the core of the show and not some silly romantic angle.

As for the rest of the episode, the mission of the week wasn't particularly compelling but I did enjoy Percy's horrifying mandate to utilize Alex as an escort. It's an effective development that makes you loathe Percy and Division as a result.

Bits & Bullets:

-Love the new previously montage culminating with Nikita proclaiming: "...and the last word they'll breathe before the end, will be my name." Simply epic.

- Shane West's growly voice is a bit too Batman-esque. Oh well, at least he's trying.

- "Paging Jane Bond..." Ha!

- Lyndsy Fonseca looks beyond stunning in that hooker scene.

- Amanda is "The Inquisitor." Can't say I saw that one coming the first time I watched it.

- Alex sure got slapped around a lot during the episode.

- I absolutely loved Michael saving Alex from the beat-down. It added a lot of dimension to the character. And of course this was followed by Nikita saving Michael with a well-placed shot.

- Jayden attacking Alex out of nowhere was pretty bizarre. The writers couldn't make her more irritating if they tried.

Nikki Notables:

Junkie: Who the hell are you?
Nikita: Her fairy godmother.

Michael: Feeling pretty smart aren't we?
Nikita: Always.

- All in all, this wasn't the strongest hour plot-wise but the relationship work was undoubtedly impressive.

2.5 out of 5 steam prisons.

Previously posted at Nad's Reviews.

4 comments:

  1. I agree. The character work was definitively the highlight of this episode and I love the relationship between Nikita/Alex.

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  2. I am drawn to shows that highlight women who can kick some ass -- and this one has two. Even better, they are partners and not rivals. It fills my feminist heart with glee.

    I'm also intrigued by the Michael/Nikita relationship. That someone has focused as she would choose to save her former colleague is fascinating.

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  3. ChrisB, the strength of the original La Femme Nikita, and the reason I kept watching, was the relationship between Nikita and Michael. All due respect to new Nikita, but the Nikita/Michael relationship here is just not the original.

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  4. Billie -- intriguing! I may have to check out the original show soon as well. Might be interesting to view them simultaneously for the compare and contrast.

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