I haven't felt much need to comment on this series since its premiere. While I think the premise holds potential, and the cast is all very pleasant, it simply hasn't done much to grab my attention. The first season finale did bring its introductory arc to a neat conclusion, bringing Agent Walker's unusual "on the job training" to an end, but it also had all the same problems that I've had with the series.
I really don't care if Ben lives. It just doesn't stir any emotions for me. I get that his fate is important to Annie, but to be honest, his mysterious role has been so far removed from the gist of the story so far that he feels like an annoying intrusion. If it were up to me, I'd have Annie pursue the budding relationship with Auggie, as they have been getting progressively more flirtatious with one another over the course of the past few episodes. (And we already know he must be a great lover, right?)
Equally, I really don't care much about Joan and Arthur and the politics threatening to place more strain on their marriage. As the bickering power couple in the background of Annie's professional life, they work well enough to keep me entertained. But I honestly don't care about them and their subplots. I just haven't been able to invest myself enough in their characters for it to matter.
It all comes down to my opinion that Annie hasn't established herself as a strong enough character for me to care about her life, professional or otherwise. Her adventures are entertaining, but she keeps repeating the same type of mistakes, over and over again. Piper Perabo is certainly a watchable lead, but that only carries a series so far.
Even before the series began, "Covert Affairs" was being compared to "Alias". I think now there are obvious differences. Even when one sets the mythology aside, "Alias" benefited from the dynamic and intriguing challenges in Sydney Bristow's life, professional and private. It was a fleshed-out universe from the very beginning. Jennifer Garner was certainly attractive, but that only added to the package, as the sex appeal was part and parcel to the story.
"Covert Affairs", on the other hand, struggles with the action and the espionage, and they don't even use the lead actress' sex appeal to their advantage as often as they could (or, perhaps, should). For instance, in this finale, they had a lot of problems with the action sequences. The green screen work was so poorly done that it became distracting, even in the most tense moments of the episode.
At the same time, I must admit that the show has been quite successful; it was picked up for a second season very early in this summer's run. And this is a USA show; they have to work within a budget. Perhaps the second season will take what worked best in the first season and expand on it. If not, this will be a pleasant enough summer show, but never anything more than a pleasant diversion.moreless
AIRED:
 Piper Perabo |
Annie Walker |
 Christopher Gorham |
Auggie Anderson |
 Anne Dudek |
Danielle Brooks |
 Kari Matchett |
Joan Campbell |
 Sendhil Ramamurthy |
Jai Wilcox |
 Peter Gallagher |
Arthur Campbell |
 Ennis Esmer |
Polygrapher |
Guest Star |
 Daz Crawford |
Lonestar |
Guest Star |
Philip Shepherd |
Anton Sabine |
Guest Star |
 Eion Bailey |
Ben Mercer |
Recurring Role |
 Gregory Itzin |
Henry Wilcox |
Recurring Role |
 Emmanuelle Vaugier |
Liza Hearn |
Recurring Role |
Watch Online
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Gregory Itzin as Henry Wilcox on Covert ...
© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc. -
Peter Gallagher as Arthur Campbell on Co...
© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc. -
Christopher Gorham as Auggie Anderson an...
© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc. -
Peter Gallagher as Arthur Campbell on Co...
© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc.
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (1)
ADD TRIVIA-
All the episodes barring the pilot are named after Led Zeppelin songs.
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QUOTES (2)
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Annie: This place gives out more awards than the Boy Scouts.
Auggie: As a former Eagle Scout, I disagree. -
(Auggie has given Annie a tracker and a personal number)
Annie: So this is what it takes to get your digits.
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NOTES (11)
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Featured Music:
"Bohemian Forest" by Pantha Du Prince (Annie goes to Sri Lanka)
"He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave You" by The Delta Mirror (Auggie and Liza at the Taverne)
"Be Here Now" by Ray LaMontagne (at the end with helicopter/Ben gets shot) -
Although credited, Anne Dudek (Danielle Brooks) does not appear in this episode.
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Original International Air Dates:
Czech Republic: June 17, 2011 on Prima COOL
Norway: August 8, 2011 on Viasat4
Germany: September 27, 2011 on 13th Street Universal
United Kingdom: January 16, 2012 on Really -
International Episode Titles:
Czech Republic: Když se protrhne hráz (When a Dam Bursts) -
Filmed with 1.78:1 aspect ratio.
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Filmed using red one cameras.
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Weapons and tactical equipment supplied by Movie Armaments Group
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Vehicles provided by Picturecars North
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Production Companies - Hypnotic, Universal Cable Productions.
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Distributed by USA Network.
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Filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Season 4 and 5 are a Go!
05/11/132
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Annie needs to be better at martial arts.
05/11/1320
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What happened to the Corvette?
03/21/134
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Episode Discussion: Lady Stardust 3x16 (Nov 20)
12/28/125
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Episode Discussion: Quicksand 3x15 (Nov 13)
11/20/123
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Lady Stardust
S 3 : Ep 16
Aired 11/20/12
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Quicksand
S 3 : Ep 15
Aired 11/13/12
-
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
S 3 : Ep 14
Aired 11/6/12
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Man in the Middle
S 3 : Ep 13
Aired 10/30/12
Season 1 Episodes
See AllEp 11
When the Levee Breaks
Ep 10
I Can't Quit You, Baby
Ep 9
Fool in the Rain
Ep 8
What Is and What Should...
Ep 7
Communication Breakdown
Ep 6
Houses of the Holy
Ep 5
In the Light
Ep 4
No Quarter
Ep 3
South Bound Suarez
Ep 2
Walter's Walk
Ep 1
Pilot
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