The Agency (1×07) Hard Landing Review

For our review of the last episode of The Agency, click here.

As the first season of The Agency comes to an end, the focus has been to try and put the pieces together to shape some sort of endgame. With a lot going on already, that picture hasn’t always been too clear as the series looked to find its footing but now that picture is becoming clearer while an early renewal sets the stage for even more facets to be revealed. Smartly plotting its final stretch through Martian, however the season is ultimately going to end, he will play a major role in that outcome. Juggling plenty of drama on his own in the midst of Coyote still missing somewhere in Ukraine and on the verge of being transferred to Russia by an independent mercenary group in the middle of everything , it was only a matter of time until something had to give and he no longer could carry the burden of it all on his shoulders, though this turn of events was prompted by someone else close to him. As Henry previously said, nothing is personal therefore Martian’s separate lives were not going to stay that way. At this point, it was all about leveraging the situation just enough to avert suspicion of his many indiscretions over the course of his relationship with Sami.

The writing was on the wall for Sami as her own indiscretions left her on thin ice with the Sudanese official overseeing the backroom deal. Concerned about her and Poppy, Martian’s side investigation found its way to Henry once Martian’s detail saved Poppy from the same Chinese operatives that were following them previously and brought her back to the station. He believed that the agency should recruit Sami and Bosko agreed, if only for the US to get a leg up on the Chinese. However, doubts remained about Martian’s true motivation and his relationship with her as Poppy was uncomfortable having to cover for him. Highlighting the impact of that choice in a scene with Fassbender’s Martian was certainly a standout moment for India Fowler as Poppy.

Valhalla, the clue left behind on a mirror by Coyote, was the name of a clandestine mercenary group running independently around the world and were responsible for his kidnapping. The episode offers more of a lowdown of the organization and how they operated, but suffice it to say that they were responsible for countless war crimes, mowing down whoever or whatever was in their way for a long time. Led by General Volchok (Juris Zagars), the London station had a plan to use the previously captured Alexei (Marcin Zarzeczny) as an asset to get close to Volchok. Maneuvering his way to a one-on-one meeting with him as a way to gain his trust, he was impressed but something did add up about him, suspecting the interaction as an American play.

Meanwhile, Daniella had to take matters into her own hands once she discovered that she was not picked to go to Iran. But all that matters is the moment that viewers have been waiting for. Barred from any contact with the outside world, it was tough to find an opportunity to get Sami alone in a room. However, the London station devised a way. Surprising her at a meeting about her travel visa, the episode ends with Martian seemingly about to tell her the truth about who he is. Of course a reveal like that would change the game as far as their relationship is concerned. Only scratching the surface of the kind of people Sami was working for and the extent of the impact of what they are really doing, the potential for a compelling endgame is there with plenty left for a second season.

still courtesy of Paramount+ with Showtime

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.