Lioness Season-Premiere Recap: Trophies … Big Ones

As a seasoned viewer of action-packed series and someone who has seen more than a few characters come and go, I must say, the return of the Lioness crew is a breath of fresh air. The way they blend raw power with finesse is truly captivating. And now, with our beloved Joe at the helm, accompanied by her new team member, it seems we are in for an even wilder ride this season.


If you were seeking top-notch entertainment, that’s exactly what you’ve received! Introducing the finest special-ops team in the realm: Lioness! Indeed, it’s a given, my friends. The world is but a speck on one of Taylor Sheridan’s weathered, muscular biceps, and we’re just enjoying the ride. No complaints here. Initially, this small endeavor by Taylor Sheridan might have appeared to be winding down after its inaugural season. However, with a substantial viewership on Paramount+ and Taylor Sheridan’s determination to continue, along with an incredibly talented cast and everyone else contributing their best efforts, it seems that destiny is calling once more for Joe (Zoe Saldaña) and the Lioness team.

In their last encounter, our unconventional CIA agents managed to eliminate a terrorist leader backed by Iran. Their team leader, Cruz Manuelos (played by Laysla De Oliveira), survived the mission but seemed broken spiritually – she remained unmoved when Joe suggested that the operation had saved lives. On her emotional departure from the Lioness program, Cruz lamented, “All we did was change oil prices.” As the hunt for a new team member begins in season two, there’s a lingering doubt about whether Cruz was right in her assessment.

Regarding the main question: Who’s the new lioness we’ll meet? She will be introduced to us in the second episode during our two-episode premiere night. The first episode focuses on establishing a dramatic turning point, familiarizing us with the setting and rules of the show, and providing some intense, action-packed scenes reminiscent of Sicario, if you enjoy that kind of trouble.

In this updated version, we begin with a dramatic scene: A U.S. congresswoman is brutally kidnapped by a criminal cartel, leading to the brutal murder of her family in their home. This shocking news reaches Joe as he’s having an unexpected breakfast with his family at Waffle House, via the TV broadcast. Simultaneously, our favorite rogue CIA agent, Kyle (Thad Luckinbill), is inspecting the crime scene. As events unfold, key players in Washington D.C. are convening to strategize their next steps. The stage is set for a return of familiar faces: Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), Mason (Jennifer Ehle), Hollar (Bruce McGill), Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) – all accomplished actors who bring their unique style and dialogue to the complex web of espionage-style planning. Morgan Freeman, as Secretary of State Mullins, adds depth to the narrative with his authoritative presence and occasional colorful language.

Joe arrives late to the meeting, managing to catch the main points of the discussion and the call to action. Simultaneously, Congresswoman Hernandez (Czarina Mireles), who had been taken from her home in the dead of night, was being monitored via a tracker without detection. Authorities know she is being held at a house in Ojinaga, situated on the Mexican border.

They’re requesting a lioness to be tamed swiftly. Joe finds this assignment challenging since training a new lioness in weeks is impractical given the time required for months. Once they manage to take down the Los Tigres cartel leader, intelligence-gathering won’t be their responsibility anymore. This is where Freeman gets his initial major opportunity of the season: “Alright, after you eliminate him, would you kindly pick up any phones, computers, or other items that could contain valuable information?” Come on, girl — even when we’re procuring intelligence, we do it in a cowboy-like manner. Kaitlyn adds: They can complete the task competently.

The scene is now ready. Let’s gear up, everyone; it’s time for the extraction, which promises to be an extended, multi-part car chase-shootout in Mexico with a distinct sepia tone. This “cowboy action” has been orchestrated by none other than Kyle. If spending time with the Lioness crew’s infamous characters was as crucial to your enjoyment of season one as it was for me, the delay in reuniting with the team might disappoint you here. However, instead, we have the main character, the renowned figure, taking center stage on camera. That’s correct: When you thought Sheridan had pushed boundaries enough by writing the entire show himself and directing the first two episodes of the season, our guy takes it a step further by casting himself — in all his rugged, masculine splendor — as the main character, “old soldier” Cody.

Joe has known Cody for a long time, just like she’s familiar with all the old friends; she sure is a gal who knows her guys from way back. However, she’s not entirely convinced about Cody leading this operation, even with Tracer and Dean by his side (are we playing Overwatch with these names?). This only strengthens the belief that Cody will excel in this mission. Sheridan’s enthusiasm for this series might be excessive, but given that I didn’t expect another season, I’m fully on board. Once you’re in, you’re all in, right?

After rescuing the missing congresswoman from an enemy vehicle and ensuring her safe return to American soil (by jumping a car into an open river and a dramatic “Apocalypse Now”-style aerial gunfire from a backup helicopter), Joe vows personal revenge against Los Tigres. He states, “Justice isn’t handled by the same agency.” Implying that Joe’s approach to this situation doesn’t involve courtrooms. It’s as badass as Clint Eastwood gets, and Saldaña delivers the line with her signature tense, quick-tempered physicality, hinting at Joe’s full commitment to this mission.

In simpler terms, after scolding Kyle for once again involving his team in dangerously risky activities (given that this “old spy Barbie” has a history of causing chaos wherever he goes), Joe steps aside to contact his charming spouse Dr. Neal (Dave Annable) and their two daughters. The turmoil that affected her family during her absence seems to have largely resolved itself since the first season, which is somewhat convenient for the plot. It appears her feelings of estrangement and trauma-induced disinterest in family life have also eased. This could mean less melodramatic family conflicts as we move into a new season, allowing us to focus more on the tension between the innocence of family life and the corruption of the mission.

As for the new lioness, hang on to your butts ’cause she’s comin’ in hot in the next episode!

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2024-10-27 16:54