Something is wrong with me. Last night provided us with another strong Nikita episode, leaving me with absolutely nothing to criticize in the script. This week’s episode, “Girl’s Best Friend,” focused on Alex and Jaden’s undercover mission as models to destroy the explosives lab of a spoiled international playboy. Although I found the premise of the girls as models preposterous because they’re practically midgets at around 5’5”, you know it’s a good show when I have nothing to say about the writing, directing, locations, or acting, and can only criticize the height of the actresses. Once again, Nikita flipped the script, switched the plot, and inverted the formula, giving me so many plot items to review, I’ll just take them one by one. As a result, this post will just focus on the characters’ development in this week’s storyline.
Alex
This episode definitely showcased Alex’s character progression. The opening half alluded to bad spy Alex, the one who blatantly telegraphed her dual nature through her late night computer sessions and unexplained disappearances, by dropping her real name to her boyfriend and holding an obvious aside with Michael at Division. But, watching her handle the mission without freaking out or contacting Nikita exhibits her character’s maturity. On a side note, I loved the opening sequence fake out.
Jaden
Finally, we get the alliance I always wanted: Jaden and Alex working together yet apart. But, I never suspected Percy suspected Alex. What?! He used Jaden to spy on Alex and grab the rock?! Really?! He didn’t trust Alex to return the explosive? Is he using Amanda’s bad cop to contrast his good cop? Do you think Percy suspected Alex might “blow” town, especially when you consider Jaden’s aside at the end? Did Jaden’s backstory shock anyone? I expected that, but her three-bullet freak out reminded me of how she isn’t ready.
Nikita and Michael
I loved watching Mikita fight like two parents over their child’s well-being. They are the perfect couple, just as they are perfect adversaries. But, will their separate ideologies lead to conflict: i.e. Nikita’s focus on vengeance and Michael’s love of the country? Nikita’s arrogance in her own abilities and her anger towards Division potentially put Alex, the mission and good people at bay. There’s always someone stronger out there. Her belief she could take down an unknown spy and her willingness to put innocents at risk, just to keep Alex out of Division, chafed me the wrong way.
Watching the spoiled brat kill his bodyguard showed Division can do good work. But, Percy’s ending double-cross validated Nikita’s point. All the same, considering Monday’s Hawaii Five-0 is this the week where TV covers spoiled rich kids who kill off their fathers a la Oedipus Rex? Also, do you think Percy suspects Michael? Considering Priestly celibate Michael never left Division at night or operations during a mission, but now he does both? Red flag!
What did you think of last night? Sound off!
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Apr 22, 2011 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
