The throwback spy thriller has returned, bringing back its mid-2000s energy for another exciting twist-filled ride. Picking back up with Night Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), this season sees him taking on conspiracies, data leaks and chemical warfare, doing everything he can to protect the country and people he loves.
Following suit from the successful first season, this outing takes the same approach with its narrative – there’s the central arc that brings Sutherland into the fold, and then a collection of subplots and mysteries that are all eventually weaved together. It definitely has more going on than last season, and it’s not quite as streamlined, but each of the multiple subplots is entertaining. Part of the entertainment lies in trying to figure out how all these arcs are connected. Every episode brings about new twists and lingering questions, including having you rethink who you can trust at every turn. The character dynamics are constantly changing and the cliffhangers that close out each episode make you want to immediately kick off the next. Having multiple subplots and characters means there’s always something thrilling going on – when one arc has slowed down for some character beats, the next is firing on all cylinders. It’s a fun structure, one that’s handled well and not confusing in the slightest… once you get all the answers that is.
The pace of the series is one of the big plus sides – it’s an episodic adventure, but the way each episode bleeds into the next makes it feel like one long nine-hour movie. Through the first half of the season it’s a lightning-fast affair – the story has us hopping cities and locations with a suspense-filled cat and mouse chase where the tables are constantly turned. The latter half, while still thrilling and entertaining, doesn’t move along quite as fast. The chase elements are still there, but they’re not as prevalent – a lot of this time is taken to develop characters’ emotional arcs, specifically with the Persian narrative. While the pace is stripped back, the entertainment factor is still there as this season has an abundance of little heist missions – whether that be breaking in, out or both. These quick heists are always a blast, giving a distinct Prison Break vibe to the structure and pacing – a very welcome addition.
One questionable thing that the first season did was the attempt to humanise some of its villains and give them an arc that’ll have you caring about them. It wasn’t executed well and made for the only uninteresting arc. Thankfully it’s handled a lot better this time around. Certain villain characters, including Berto Colon’s Solomon, are fleshed out with their own arcs and are given the spotlight regularly through the season. These subplots do a great job at humanising the characters and turning them into more than just henchmen. All in all it gives the series another point of difference to others of similar genre.
I need to talk about the action and stunts, because the way the series presents its action sequences makes them an absolute blast. It’s clear as day that Gabriel Basso is executing most if not all of the stunts and fight scenes throughout the season. This is brilliant as it makes the scenes more impactful and immersive than if they had to cut around a stunt guy. Instead, the action sequences are rough and scrappy, with longer, wider shots that allow the audience to take in more of what’s happening. There’s also a neat variety of action that plays to the strengths and capabilities of the characters – a sign of capable writing. Being a spy thriller that brings a modern edge to the old school spy thriller, there’s some level of cliche in the dialogue, but for me that just adds to the experience.
With this season setting up a story that’ll be much larger going forward, it’s increased in scale and in turn expanded its reach. Coupled with a time jump from the first season, the cast is made up of a few returning characters but mostly new faces that are great additions. Gabriel Basso doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to jumping back into the role of Peter Sutherland – he nails the character’s straight-laced personality, while weaving in the occasional emotionally vulnerable moment to highlight his humanity. The chemistry between Basso and Luciane Buchanan (Rose) is one of the main reasons to tune in again and again. Their dynamic has been one of the most exciting elements of the series, so seeing their relationship flourish even further this time around is great. They bounce off each other really well, and every moment they share makes for an entertaining scene. That being said, they both carry their performances so well that they’re fun to watch even when they’re apart.
In the long list of newcomers, it’s Amanda Warren who makes a strong debut as Catherine, Sutherland’s new superior. The way she establishes herself in the role makes me feel like she’s born to play an FBI agent or any other sort of law enforcement. She fits the role perfectly and heightens the suspense and drama of most of her scenes. Arienne Mandi is introduced as Noor in a new arc that gets more screentime with each episode. It took a minute to warm up to her character’s arc as it drops in here and there, but Mandi’s performance gets you immediately rooting for Noor as a loveable character. Her arc is directly tied to Javad, a compelling character played by Keon Alexander whose arc goes through some unexpected changes. What I loved about their scenes is that 95% of them are in Farsi as opposed to English, adding to the authenticity of the series. There’s more top performances in the mix, but those are the bulk I’ll mention here.
In the end, The Night Agent returns with a bang and it wastes absolutely no time getting back into the fast-paced action we expect. While it’s layered with subplots, twists and mysteries aplenty, the narrative is a little more bloated this time around. Granted, that’s going to happen when you expand the scope and the threat of the season. The pacing is well-handled, and it remains a thrilling affair through character-centric sequences and fight scenes alike. It even does a great job ramping up to the climax, setting the stakes and delivering on a finale that hits the mark. All in all, if you’re looking for a fun spy thriller that makes for an easy binge, this is the perfect piece. Plus it’s gearing up for a third season that could be different and bigger in some exciting ways.
8.8/10
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