POLITICAL DRAMA. “The Agency.” / “Man on Fire.”

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“The Agency” (Paramount+) Season 2. Spy thriller. CIA operative Brandon Colby/Martian (Michael Fassbender) navigates treacherous double-agent operations to secure the release of his captive lover, Dr. Samia Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith). Simultaneously, the London CIA team unravels a Chinese/Russian espionage plot tied to an American mercenary known as Viking. 


       The emphasis on spying aesthetics and the internal dis/mistrust in the “agency” as they carry out missions is both intriguing and entertaining. Season 2 has more graspable structure and sense in behavior of the main characters than in Season 1. And there's more dramatic tension as well. With a bankable all-star cast, the ensemble performance alone is expectedly worth a binge-watch.

       Since this series is a remake of the acclaimed French TV series “Le Bureau des Legendes,” which ran for 5 seasons (2017-2018), Season 3 of “The Agency” seems imminent. 🎥💻📽


“Man on Fire” (Netflix) action thriller. As a Special Forces mercenary, John Creasy was someone you wanted on your team. However, after leaving the field, he finds making a fresh start difficult as he suffers PTSD from his dark past. His attempts at a fresh start are rudely interrupted by a need for revenge.



       This series is loosely based on the 1980 novel by A. J. Quinnell, which was originally set in Italy/Malta. This Netflix adaptation takes place in modern-day Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. 

       Yahya Abdul-Mateen II made a fine account of himself as John Creasy but 7 episodes of this series seems tedious and tiresome. Talents Scoot McNairy, Alice Braga, and the young Billie Boullet are wasted in genre cliches. At least it all ended in an exciting action thrill ride. 🎥💻📽


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