Citadel is harmless spy hijinks

Following their delightful 2022 flick, The Grey Man filmmaking duo, The Russo Brothers, return to the spy genre in Citadel from Amazon. The Russos collaborate on the series with Josh Appelbaum, Bryan Oh, and David Weil. Top lining the series are Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Citadel agents Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh.

Episode 1 kicks off by introducing us to Nadia Sinh Chopra Jonas and Mason Kane as they are on their way to the Citadel, a secret organization for their latest mission. Little did they know that their arrival would be met with an unpleasant reception that included fisticuffs and guns before culminating in a big explosion that caused them to lose their memory. 

Years later, Mason has built a new and peaceful life for himself, but his former boss Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), suddenly appears and reminds him of his past duties. However, Mason has more to worry about than just Bernard as Dahlia Archer (Lesley Manville) of rival secret organization Manticore is also hot on his trail.

Citadel presents a typical spy story with common stereotypes, such as a charming man, a sensual woman, and a mastermind behind their actions. The story attempts to introduce some novelty by splitting the protagonist’s character into two: a secret agent and a regular man who wants to devote his life to his family after losing his memory in a significant accident. However, the standout feature of the show is the excellent performances of the two main actors. The first two episodes quickly captured my interest.s.

Citadel is a spy story that follows the typical plot of agents striving to save the world from various disasters while facing numerous challenges and setbacks. The story is packed with adrenaline, mystery, and intrigue. The plot twists will keep viewers engaged and interested, even though they are not active participants in the narrative. 

After viewing the initial three episodes provided for review, I eagerly anticipate the remaining three episodes of the season to see how the mystery unfolds. Tucci and Manville’s performances were exceptional, and Madden and Chopra Jonas shone in the action sequences.

 Final Grade: B+

Catch the first three episodes of Citadel on Amazon Prime Video now! Stay tuned for new episodes every Friday leading up to the season finale on May 26th.