Directors Joe Russo, David Weil and Greg Yaitanes do a far superior job in building up the emotional stakes. The characterization of Priyanka Chopra deserves a special mention. A solid supporting cast especially Stanley Tucci also helps in keeping the momentum going. But the themes of surveillance and power needed better etching. The show becomes too tangled for its own good at certain points
Starcast: Priyanka Chopra, Richard Mason, Stanley Tucci, Jack Reynor, Matt Berr, Gabriel Leone etc
Genre: Espionage
Directors: Joe Russo, David Weil and Greg Yaitnes
Creators: Josh Applelbaum and Bryan Oh
Writers: Tori Sampson, Kennedy Edmonds etc
Cinematographer: Newton Thomas Sigel
Producers: Joe Russo, David Weil, Anthony Ruso etc
No of episodes: 7
Streaming site: Amazon Prime
The first season of Citadel season 1 released with a lot of hype on an estimated budget of $300 million. However, the show didn’t live up to its promise. A main reason for that was more style than substance. The writing was majorly criticized for its hollowness. For those who haven’t season 1 the show was about two elite spies Nadia and Mason Kane (Priyanka Chopra and Richard Mason respectively). They survive the destruction of a rival syndicate, but their memories are wiped out leaving them to assume civilian identities. Season 2 comes after a gap of three years with little to no expectations. Season 2 does turn out to be a pleasant surprise though especially for fans of Priyanka Chopra.
Citadel Season 1 image
Citadel Season 2
Season two of Citadel in brief is about a brain chip capable of turning people into human assassins. Stanley Tucci’s Bernard brings back the estranged spies/former lovers Nadia and Mason Kane in order to stop a major global conspiracy. This includes a certain assassination plan. The backdrop is G8 Summit. Along with the main plot the changed interpersonal dynamics between the two leads also play a significant part.
A strong aspect of Citadel season 2 are the portions between Priyanka Chopra and her on screen daughter Asha. Their equation has a few similarities to the Raj and Dk’s own spin off Citadel: Honey Bunny. Still the writing coupled with the actors gives the show some of its best moments. Nadia wants to protect her young daughter from the danger outside; at the same time, she doesn’t want the daughter to lose her innocence. A tender mother and daughter moment includes Nadia singing Kishore Kumar’s Ab Chal Ke Tujhe. Through the song Nadia implies that she wants to take her daughter to a more peaceful place. When Nadia says no one is listening Asha replies back saying she is. The daughter goes on to hum the same song. This moment gives a much-needed emotional texture.
Priyanka Chopra as Nadia gets a much-layered arc this time whether it is as an agent, a mother, a betrayed lover and a conflicted woman. Priyanka aces all of these portions apart from some solid action. The action sequences have been much better choreographed and staged. Richard Masson also gets a much meatier part, and he makes his scenes count as well. A particular mention must be made of the portions featuring him and the on-screen mother (Lesley Manvile). The confrontation scenes with sprinklings of humor make for some engaging moments.
Stanley Tucci as Bernad is another major plus for Citadel Season 2. He raises ample chuckles with his sarcastic humor as well as bringing an authority whenever required. At the same time, he also shines in a few dramatic bits like the one post the death of Mason Kane.
A special mention must also be made of how the directors and writers have explored the terrifying scenario of memory manipulation. The viewers feel that the some of the situations may happen with them too. It also helps that Gabriel Leone makes for a chilling antagonist.
One of the major issues with Citadel Season 2 is the surface level writing of Nadia’s strained equation with her mother. Unlike the Mason Kane’s portions exploring the same thread here the writing doesn’t fully develop into something cohesive. The standard spy tropes also play a spoilsport. Finally, some of the big themes needed more space to explore. In a rush to become a globe trotter the series loses focus with abrupt jumps.
Final words: Citadel Season 2 doesn’t reinvent the spy genre, still it makes for an engaging watch especially in comparison to the season 1 disaster