The Covert Affairs finale, “Letters Never Sent,” was a packed episode that will lead to a changed show going into the third season. I was nervous watching the finale after seeing the preview last week that focused on the Annie and Auggie relationship. I was pleasantly surprised that the preview hyped movement in their relationship more than actually occurred.
I know many viewers are clammering for Annie and Auggie to hook up, but I am not one of those many. I appreciate the special close friendship that these two share and don’t want this to become another show that forces their male and female leads into a romance. That’s not to say at some point I won’t change my mind and want them to get together, but at this point it just doesn’t work for me.
Auggie’s been a player. He’s been a flirt and hooked up with many chicks; that’s his thing. Just recently he started his first real relationship with Parker. I’m looking forward to seeing how that plays out. Auggie needs to let this relationship run its full course, perhaps, then he will be ready for another solid relationship with someone else, even Annie.
As shallow as Auggie’s relationships have been, Annie’s have been deep. She fell hard for Ben and then was quickly drawn to other men such as Eyal and Zavier. Her search for love has not been easy. When her sister mentioned that she glowed when talking to Auggie, it was natural for her to consider him as a romantic partner. Unfortunately, her sister’s words, her desire for love and the stress from killing someone pushed her towards Auggie. He was the convenient guy to fulfill her, whether real or not.
Unfortunately, when Annie needed him the most, he had other plans. His suggestion that she go to the Agency for help dealing with the killing when she really wanted his help was painful. I’m not sure it was meant that way, but that’s how it came across.
With Auggie off in Africa to find Parker, Annie will be left to sort out her feelings on her own. Ultimately, this is probably for the best. It will make her a stronger person and a better agent. And, perhaps she will find someone else to date. (Please not Ben!)
At least, Annie has the support of her sister again. Even though Danielle saw the danger first hand when Annie shot and killed someone, she now wants Annie to move back home. Given Danielle’s challenges ahead with her husband, she will need the support of her sister too. I’m looking forward to having them back together again. Though, I hope Annie keeps her safe house on the side.
While Annie got her family back, Jai destroyed his. The will he or won’t he turn in his father question was finally answered. Jai did the right thing by coming clean with what he knew about the Agency leak, but was unbelievably manipulative. He got rid of the “stink of nepotism,” but at what cost? He may be too smart for his own good. He failed the lie detector test to get the ball rolling, but then needed to gloat about his brilliant plan to Arthur. How stupid was that! Instead of keeping his mouth shut like he did with his initial plan, he basically said “game on” to Arthur. A surprise attack on Joan and Arthur would have been much easier. But, now with them on the offensive — look out Jai!
“Letters Never Sent” has provided the ground work for an intriguing third season. Annie has used a gun to kill someone changing her professionally. Danielle’s marital problems are clearer. Auggie has accepted that his life will not go back to his sighted days. Jai has put a plan in motion to further his career. And, Arthur and Joan’s marriage is stronger than ever, but they are being threatened at work. It’s going to be a long wait until summer to find out where these characters go next!
Odds and Ends
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Dec 07, 2011 @ 03:46 EST5EDT
Oh my goodness, I’ve watched it twice and am still not entirely sure where to start with the finale! That could be because it’s almost five AM though.
Danielle’s reaction to her husband’s affair was nice — it felt realistic, though I wouldn’t be crying, I’d be screaming. Some people cry. I didn’t like her own morally grey area with Magnus, but again, realistic. She was lonely. I like getting to know the character better; sometimes she gets on my nerves, but I have sisters too, and there are times that they do, haha! I didn’t like Magnus. He kind of wigged me out. “Flower emergency” was kind of hilarious though. Oh lord, the scene in the house was suspenseful! I was pretty sure they were going to shoot Dani, for whatever reason.
Finally: Oh, Auggie. The strangled catch in his voice when he disconnects the call with the doctor seriously about killed me. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about him running off to Eritrea except relief that it’s not a transfer or a reassignment or something away from Annie and the DPD. ;) The Corvette! That car…is a thing of beauty. I want to pamper her and hug her and never let her go ever, because woah, that’s sexy. It’s totally an Auggie car, and that just about killed me too; I liked the detail. Indiana plates. You expect stuff like that, but.
But seriously, the man gave her a $60,000 car! A $60,000 CAR. Sweet mother of all that is good and holy, that’s one hell of a gesture. And not just for Annie, not just to cheer her up. Letting go. Not letting the ‘vette sit idle because she deserves to be driven and loved. It hurt more than it made me smile because what girl doesn’t want to drive one of those and Annie COULD use some cheering up but…ugh. That’s nothing compared to “I can HEAR you smiling.” and the crumpled sad kicked lost puppy look on Annie’s face. Dude. I’m picky with my TV. It’s really hard to get the horrified gasp/immediate misty-eyed wibble out of me, but boy did that ever.
In short, I have had too much coffee, not enough sleep, and am pretty sure that the finale broke my rambling brain so now I’m going to go to sleep and thank you for providing a place for me to vent my spleen.
I enjoyed the episode enthusiastically. My one concern was the lack of clean up at Magnus’ house – that could lead back to Danielle and break Annie’s cover.
My major concern was that Annie taking the gun from the murder scene would cause those murders to be pinned on her as well. I just assumed they dumped the body at sea (which probably upped the trauma aspect for the sisters some too).
Seems to me Auggie was pretty serious about the Russian programmer.
Just wanted to mention that I’m fairly certain the pistol Annie just happened to take off the body of her Stockholm contact and used to kill the contractor at the end of the episode was the classic James Bond-preferred gun, a Walther PPK in 9x17mm. I’m assuming it’s not the PPK/S since Annie didn’t find the gun in the U.S., although her hands conceal too much of the frame to be sure.
Carla–An outstanding review of an excellent show and season finale–you don’t leave much else to say, except it is great, and looking forward to the next season.
This episode just reinforced what I’ve been feeling all along, and that is that Danielle was dropped on her head too often as a child. She’s oblivious to the danger and so increases the danger. Hull-oooohhhh, her sister is CIA and still she questions why why why? I can almost foresee an episode when Danielle casually mentions that her sister is CIA to the wrong person. Perhaps if the writers gave Danielle more than a two dimensional character, things might play differently. Some actors, given a single dimensional character, do manage to add flesh to the bones but the actor playing Danielle phones her lines in. Hopefully there will be less of Danielle in season 3.
Why has Jai been so evil this season? I hope something changes with him next season – perhaps falling for Annie? He seems to always come through for her at least.
I agree, Auggie getting Annie’s mood wrong as she tried not to cry really sealed the heartbreaking end to the episode. Nice how that mirrored Annie not realizing her sister was crying at the beginning of the episode.