Who knew this once-unknown spy thriller would become a Netflix mainstay with three seasons and a fourth on the way. The Night Agent continues to deliver thrills aplenty with a third season that rarely dwindles, sending Peter Sutherland on another mission encountering unlikely allies and new foes.
The beauty of this series is its ability to follow multiple subplots and character arcs in a way that’s thrilling and easy to follow. In some ways this season is bigger than the previous two; there’s an international detour, it enters the White House, and it goes into some unexpected flashbacks. However at the same time there’s fewer moving parts and less of a mystery element than in both of the last two seasons. While I love the majority of what this season does with its narratives, it makes some strange decisions regarding the handling of Jacob Monroe (Louis Herthum). His presence and relationship with Sutherland is teased heavily in the conclusion to season two, and it’s certainly a central plot point, but the direction is gutsy and the opposite of what I expected from such a strong and intelligent role. By the time the season is over, I’d say there are other arcs revolving around the new characters that have a greater impact.
One of those being the nameless assassin (Stephen Moyer), who could have very easily been a one-dimensional antagonist but turned out to be an intriguing obstacle for our team to overcome. The other new addition who makes a strong impact is Isabel De Leon (Genesis Rodriguez), a reporter thrown into the middle of a terrorist conspiracy. She emulates a little bit of the Rose Larkin role, taking over as the female heroine, and is very likeable. Returning in this season is one of the best characters from season one; Chelsea Arrington (Fola Evans-Akingbola), who has a major role across this entire season. What’s great is that all three of these characters sit entirely within their own corner of the narrative, only interacting if or when their arcs intersect, yet they’re all engaging. The balancing of these arcs is wonderfully handled; ensuring the season is not slow nor too fast. It all operates on the same rapid pace as the previous seasons, keeping you on your toes and making you want to hit next episode at the earliest convenience.
As far as the action is concerned, this is one of those shows where you can see the absence of a stunt double. Of course there is still a stunt double present, but the fight sequences especially have Gabriel Basso at the helm and it just makes for much more seamless and believable action. There’s a great balance of action throughout the season, as well as multiple types. From on-foot pursuits to car chases, gun fights to hand-to-hand combat, there’s thrills aplenty within every episode. Some of the more thrilling moments aren’t fast-paced at all; there’s an interrogation sequence in the middle of a time crunch that’s honestly one of the season’s best moments. Being heavily inspired by that 90s spy thriller persona, there’s even a heist sequence or two that’s just a tonne of fun. That’s the thing about a lot of this season; as serious and thrilling as it is, it’s also just a blast. It’s sometimes cheesy and extreme in its plot points, but that’s where a lot of the mindless joy comes from.
Much like in both of the previous seasons, there’s a phenomenal flow across this entire season, especially in the build towards the finale. The episodes end in great moments and bleed seamlessly into the next, creating the illusion of one long, unbroken film. This allows for an effortless building of suspense that keeps you hooked, all leading to a penultimate episode that’s explosive and a finale that brings everything full circle and sticks the landing.
Performance-wise, Gabriel Basso is just as great as ever. Peter Sutherland as a character doesn’t have much emotional range, but Basso still does a lot to sell us on the character’s drives, priorities and his care for others. His charisma bleeds through the screen, especially via his interactions with the supporting cast. The return of Fola Evans-Akingbola as Arrington is a very welcome one. She brings this positive energy and do-good attitude to the role that puts you immediately on her side. There are more layers to her character this time around, and it’s shown through a more personal arc for her. Stephen Moyer is another standout across the entire season; proving to be a formidable antagonist and bringing humanity to a role that didn’t really need it. He plays the character convincingly and may be my favourite looming presence.
In the end, The Night Agent has proved once again that it is no one trick pony. The 90’s inspired spy thriller has put together another multi-arc narrative that’s a blast to follow and full of rewarding plot twists. You never quite know how every seemingly unconnected arc will tie together, and that’s part of the fun of this show. The important thing it it’s done in a way that’s ridiculous enough to be exciting yet believable enough to not be silly… and that’s a balance that encapsulates this whole series.
8.9/10
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