This past weekend, I polled some of my friends to satisfy a question that came up when I was writing this review. The question was simple: When I say, “streaming service,” what are the first five platforms that come to mind? Go ahead. Ask yourself before continuing. Just pick the first five that pop into your head.
If you are like my circle of friends, you probably said Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max and Prime, with Peacock coming in a close sixth (mainly cause most of my friends are WWE fans, and their monthly events stream there).
Even with a plethora of other services available, only this handful of companies get much recognition.
Paramount+ tends to slip under the radar when discussing streaming services. While it predominantly features content from CBS, it does boast a handful of original shows tailored specifically for its platform. Among these, there are some truly outstanding offerings. I’ve previously shared my thoughts on Star Trek: Picard, and Paramount+ continues to expand its library with intriguing titles such as Wolf Pack, School Spirits and Rabbit Hole, all of which I’m eager to explore in the near future. However, my most recent discovery on the network, Special Ops: Lioness, left an indelible mark on me, and I must admit, I was thoroughly impressed.
Special Ops: Lioness is a spy thriller created by Taylor Sheridan (who was the writer behind Sicario, and co-creator of Yellowstone). The series predominantly features Zoe Saldaña as Joe, a CIA counter-terrorism operative working in the Middle East. Her supervisor, Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman), pairs her with a rookie agent named Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira). The mission for Cruz is to befriend the women who surround a group of known terrorists, allowing her to become the eyes and ears of the CIA.
After putting Cruz through rigorous training, including torture to find her breaking point, Joe develops a bond with her, knowing that she is sending this agent on what amounts to a suicide mission. But Joe has more on her plate than her job and kinship with Cruz, as her home life is also tumultuous, due to the rigors of her job.
Character development is a realm where Taylor Sheridan truly excels. Every character within the show, whether it’s the likes of Joe and Cruz or even Joe’s husband, Neal (Dave Annable), is meticulously crafted to evoke a bond with the audience. The writing permits these characters to evolve and flourish over the course of the season. As the narrative unfolds, we are granted deeper insights into the intricate existence of a female spy, grappling to harmonize her ordinary life with the extraordinary demands of her high-pressure profession.
It’s this profound connection with the characters that elevates Special Ops: Lioness far beyond the realm of just another war-centric series, constituting its most formidable asset. Special Ops: Lioness isn’t just about action-packed sequences and pulse-pounding suspense; it’s a character-driven narrative that delves deep into the complexities of espionage and its toll on the individuals who dedicate their lives to it. Zoe Saldaña’s nuanced performance brilliantly captures the internal struggles and personal sacrifices that a person in her position faces, allowing us to connect with her on a profound level.
As we eagerly await a potential second season and the conclusion to Season 1, the possibilities for Special Ops: Lioness seem limitless. The show’s impeccable writing and Zoe’s compelling performance leave us hungry for more, with numerous avenues for character development and thrilling plotlines to explore.
The intriguing hints and unresolved mysteries woven into the narrative only fuel our excitement for what lies ahead. As of the writing of this article, the first five episodes of the eight-part first season of Special Ops: Lioness are available. Taylor Sheridan has another hit on its hands and Paramount+ has another hidden gem in its programming lineup.