The Good:
- Through Nikita and Alex, we are able to see two sides of The Division: the origin story and the post-traumatic output. It makes for an interesting balance and a new twist on an old classic.
- Melinda Clarke is perfection as the Fairy Godmother of assassins. Her strength and capability is palpable, despite the fact that her own fate seems to be out of her hands. "The elevator doesn't lead to freedom, just another room," she says. "The more you try to get out, the more you realize there will always be another room."
- The production value is extremely high - the pilot episode is comparable to some of the best action movies. If subsequent episodes can maintain the well-executed stunts and special effects, plus the authentic-looking sets, we'll be very impressed.
- Alex's fellow recruits, played by Ashton Holmes and Tiffany Hines, are well-cast and charming. In a world where everyone speaks in hushed tones and cryptic metaphors, it's actually refreshing to hear some teenage banter, as sharp-edged as it may be.
The Bad:
- Though the fellow recruits bring an occasional laugh, there's an inescapable hopelessness that clouds the show. Both leads are perpetually overwhelmed by painful memories and a future that is dismal and lonely at best. Is there really a light at the end of this tunnel?
- We hate to say it, but as gorgeous as he may be, it's hard to buy Shane West as an expert assassin. We keep waiting for his character, Michael, to throw himself at Nikita's feet and beg her to run away with him while Switchfoot's "Dare You To Move" plays in the background.
- A lot of "Nikita" just reminds us how much we miss "Alias." The similarities are inevitable and "Nikita" does a lot of things right, but... "Alias" did most things better.
Credits:
'Nikita' review: The CW goes rogue with a classic story
By Carina Adly MacKenzie
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