An Action-Packed Weekend Watch: Review Of Special Ops: Lioness (2023)

In the opening scene of this series, Joe gets a call from her undercover operative that her cover has been blown. When the rest of the Lioness team tries to get to the undercover agent, Joe quickly calls for a drone strike to kill the agent and the terrorists. This drastic action takes a toll on Joe as she returns to base where she has to pick out a replacement.

Next, we are introduced to Cruz Manuelos (played by Laysla De Oliveira), a young lady, who works at a diner but she's violently abused by her gangster partner. This leads her to join the Marines. Due to her bold and excellent performance, she's recommended to Joe as the replacement agent.

Cruz joins the Lioness team and becomes an undercover agent immediately. She's a rookie and believes she is up to the mission until certain situations including attention from the White House begin to question this stance. Will Cruz and Joe succeed in this mission? How does this mission affect US international relations with the Saudi Arabians?

Review

I didn't expect to enjoy this television series as much as I did. The plot is a common one for a spy thriller—a secret part of the CIA or some other spy agency involved in undercover operations that deals with handling terrorism and eliminating those considered targets. What sets Special Ops: Lioness apart is that it's a group led by women and their narrative transcends the boundaries of typical military dramas.

The storytelling is action-packed, spellbinding and emotionally compelling. I commend the creator, Taylor Sheridan for an excellent series. He highlights that military prowess goes beyond physical appearance with the performance of Zoe Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira. True strength lies in mental toughness, courage and determination and these two women displayed the traits in their roles.

This series did not fully focus on the espionage and physical parts typical of spy/military genres. It included the emotional aspects of life which makes it relatable. The characters in Special Ops: Lioness are not portrayed as superheroes but as real people with vulnerabilities, strengths, and personal stories.

The cast's performance is outstanding and riveting. I was impressed with Zoe Saldaña because I knew she'd deliver and she did. She embodied her role in an enviable way. This is the first time I've seen Laysla De Oliveira in a film or series and her acting is not bad. I hope to see more of her in challenging roles. Nicole Kidman was cool and I didn't get to see Morgan Freeman until about two more episodes before the end of the season. I wonder why the filmmakers included his name and picture on the series poster as though he's a main character when he's clearly not. Perhaps an advertising strategy?

The cinematography is impressive and the action sequences are simply fantastic. The series is even paced and there are no dull moments. I like that this series shatters stereotypes and delivers a suspenseful storyline. It makes me eager for more of this action and I'm hoping the series will be renewed for a second season.

Overall, Special Ops: Lioness is an interesting and compelling spy thriller that I recommend to every action lover. It's visually appealing and you'll thank me after seeing it. I rate it 4 stars out of 5.

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^{Other images are screenshots from the series}