THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER…WAY BETTER
I’m a fan of Taylor Sheridan. I love Yellowstone. I love the Tulsa King. I didn’t really care for Sicario, though. I like the character of Sicario, but not so much the pace of that movie. I thought that movie was rather boring. But most of Taylor Sheridan’s stuff I love – so, I came into Special Ops: Liones with a bias. But I need to level with you. This TV show, extended streaming series, whatever the hell you want to call it, fell way short of being good, or even average – because it wasn’t complete.
There are spoilers to this review, by the way.
Let’s get started.
WHO ARE THE ANTAGONISTS?
JOE AND KAITLYN MEADE TYPE 8 “CHALLENGERS”
Zoe Saldana plays Joe, Nicole Kidman stars as Kailyn Meade, and both are cut from the same personality type we call “Challengers” or Type 8s for short. These characters have a fear of being weak, so everything about them revolves around strength. Consequently, they tend to operate outside the lines, breaking rules without any form of hesitation.
When we are first introduced to Joe and Kaitlyn, it seems as though they are the heroes of this story. But after a few episodes, it becomes very apparent that they are clearly the antagonists, and will do anything, including destroying their family, and committing treason, in order to accomplish their goal of killing a man who they believe is a terrorist.
This is where this show pretty much throws you for a loop.
You want to believe, in your heart, that the terrorists are the bad guys here. But it’s not the terrorists who are breaking US Laws, beating up and killing US soldiers, or plotting to murder a “terrorist” behind the President’s back. It’s Joe and Kaitlyn. They are cold, and everything they touch that’s innocent, gets ruined. Joe (Zoe Saldana) wrecks her family. Kailyn (Nicole Kidman) is cold, and is willing to sacrifice anyone, to accomplish her goal of killing her mark, which she’s been following for over 20 years.
So, in this story, the terrorists are the lowercase bad guys, while Joe and Kaitlyn take the reigns as the antagonizers in chief.
AALIYAH AND CRUZ MANUELOS TYPE 6 “LOYALISTS”
Aaliyha (Stephanie Nur, on the left) is loyal to her family because she has to be. Her entire life is mapped out, including who she will marry. She wants out, and wants to find someone to rescue her, and that’s where Cruz steps in. Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira, on the right) is loyal to the United States and initially embraces her role as an undercover agent. Her mission is to befriend Aaliyha, the daughter of the mark, so she can get close and kill her father. But after the program physically and mentally abuses her, ironically like her former abusive relationship, Crus starts questioning her loyalty to her country. Cruz and Aaliyah fall in love with each other, but recognize that they can never be together. Cruz’s ultimately follows through with her mission because she is loyal to the United States, leaving Aaliyha confused and heartbroken.
In case you’re wondering, they are the protagonist of the story.
AN INCOMPLETE STORY ARC
Like many of Taylor Sheridan’s stories, Special Ops: Lioness is written from the antagonist’s point of view, and the stories are slow-burns. Meaning, Sheridan travels close to a snail’s pace to get to the finish line. There’s nothing wrong with having your story crawl on all fours, but at least, make it interesting, and get there – right? Unfortunately, Special Ops: Lioness never reaches the finish line! Can you imagine watching a snail race for 3 months, and they not finish? That’s what you have here. The final episode of the series falls flat, as most story arcs are not wrapped up. It’s written as though it needs a second season to tie up all the loose ends.
But will there be a second season?
Who knows. I would sure like to see what happens to Aaliyah and Cruz. Does Aaliyah become a terrorist, hellbent on killing Cruz? Or does she and Cruz run away with each other, only to be the number one on the kill list of both the United States and terrorists?
For now, this show is just average, at best.
GRADE: C+
Steve Young
