So far, so good. We're not getting, 5ft waif can out-punch a 6 ft3 fella without breaking a sweat. We are getting, feral, traumatised, female, wants to avenge her innocence and honour by stomping every fecker she sees to a bloody pulp. However, they are giving us realism, in that when blokes smack women the women go down. Being a female-led drama, they get back up, whereas we real women would be in traction or dead, but still. The cast are all acting their socks off. Zoe is fab, Nicole, may be overegging the 'I'm heartless and sinister' pudding, but it works. Laysla is phenomenal as Cruz, but she does have to wade through the 'anything men can do' tropes. There's a cringe scene where she says she ought to be in the men's line because she can give 20 chin-ups NOW! Like I say, she's a great actress so we're willing to go with her. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the season. Fingers crossed it keeps the standard it's set in its first two episodes.
6 Reviews
All Good Except of Zoe Saldana
mzand-751-5395723 August 2023
I'm a BIG fan of Taylor Sheridan and with the exception of "King of Tulsa" and "Mayor of Kingstown" I have loved everything he's done. "Special Ops" is up there with his other great shows and films (like Sicario) and except for the unfortunate casting Zoe Saldana as the lead, this would be another Taylor Sheridan classic.
The problem with Saldana is that like a lot of other not-very-smart-actresses (Keri Russell I'm talking to you) she equates bit*hiness with strength. Sheridan has a history of writing strong and interesting female characters (Beth on Yellowstone and all the women on 1923) Yes, Kelly Reilly's Beth on Yellowstone is a bitc*h, but the difference between her and Saldana is that she ENJOYS every minute of it. In other words, she plays to win and, she's multi-dimensional. On top being a ball buster, she's also genuinely funny and loving towards her family and ENJOYS life -- unlike Saldana whose two modes are annoyed harpie or put-upon mom. The look on Saldana's face in every scene is like she's smelling a nasty far*t - and that's BORING. I can see the logic of Sheridan casting her in this role. She's big name and brings eyeballs to the screen but her limited smarts and acting ability seriously undermine and sell short the terrific role Sheridan has written for her. Great Show BUT too bad about Saldana.
The problem with Saldana is that like a lot of other not-very-smart-actresses (Keri Russell I'm talking to you) she equates bit*hiness with strength. Sheridan has a history of writing strong and interesting female characters (Beth on Yellowstone and all the women on 1923) Yes, Kelly Reilly's Beth on Yellowstone is a bitc*h, but the difference between her and Saldana is that she ENJOYS every minute of it. In other words, she plays to win and, she's multi-dimensional. On top being a ball buster, she's also genuinely funny and loving towards her family and ENJOYS life -- unlike Saldana whose two modes are annoyed harpie or put-upon mom. The look on Saldana's face in every scene is like she's smelling a nasty far*t - and that's BORING. I can see the logic of Sheridan casting her in this role. She's big name and brings eyeballs to the screen but her limited smarts and acting ability seriously undermine and sell short the terrific role Sheridan has written for her. Great Show BUT too bad about Saldana.
Bad plotting and unnecessary and excessive violence towards women
carolhendry-2512620 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode simply makes no sense. I understand that the ostensible reason for the torture of Cruz was to see how far she can go without breaking. However, she was an operative in play who could be called by the target at any minute and, if they met face-to-face, the brutal beating would be obvious and have to be explained. This is bad leadership as it would put the operative and potentially the entire operation at unnecessary risk, which happens in the very next episode - no surprise. The plot line was illogical and seemed to be aimed at having a scene showing a woman being beaten. I couldn't even finish this episode and will not be watching the rest of show. Additionally and unfortunately, this type of excessive, unnecessary violence against women reminds me of the treatment of the Native American woman in 1923, another show by Taylor Sheridan.
One of the worst 40 min of TV ever (didn't get to the end!)
jes99927 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Don't know where to start. After a somewhat promising first episode this went off the rails fast. Could not even get to the end of the 2nd episode before turning off in disgust. Depressing and so full of cliches I can't believe it was really written by Taylor Sheridan. Makes some of the ridiculous throw away/filler scenes in the otherwise very good Yellowstone look reasonable!
Where to start. The awful angry daughter. The doctor's over the top discussion about the treatment for child's brain tumor. The painful & cliche filled "intimate discussion" between Neal & Joe by the pool. Cruz being grabbed, sleep deprived, treated like a terrorist detainee & beaten to a pulp and then just dropped off at the team house prior to getting any medical care. Blood rushing off in the shower and spitting out a tooth (and seemingly surprised by it). The "team" drinking beer in the team house on an active military base while cleaning their guns. (Military take on some of the silly cowboy bunkhouse scenes from Yellowstone). Walking into a bar and throwing a beer bottle at a guy's head. (another copy of Yellowstone cowboy scenes.) Both Neal & Joe's phones going off incessantly for "emergencies" while having sex. I could go on and on. I hope that Taylor Sheridan focuses on quality vs quantity and stops diluting his talent with too many shows.
Where to start. The awful angry daughter. The doctor's over the top discussion about the treatment for child's brain tumor. The painful & cliche filled "intimate discussion" between Neal & Joe by the pool. Cruz being grabbed, sleep deprived, treated like a terrorist detainee & beaten to a pulp and then just dropped off at the team house prior to getting any medical care. Blood rushing off in the shower and spitting out a tooth (and seemingly surprised by it). The "team" drinking beer in the team house on an active military base while cleaning their guns. (Military take on some of the silly cowboy bunkhouse scenes from Yellowstone). Walking into a bar and throwing a beer bottle at a guy's head. (another copy of Yellowstone cowboy scenes.) Both Neal & Joe's phones going off incessantly for "emergencies" while having sex. I could go on and on. I hope that Taylor Sheridan focuses on quality vs quantity and stops diluting his talent with too many shows.
Strong performances
lor_31 July 2023
In the second segment of "Special Ops: Lioness" we learn more about the two central characters: Zoe's and Laurys'. Zoe has a family, giving the series a greater dimension than, say a classic Bronson actioner. But she's tough as nails and a most imposing boss of a powerful team.
The footage of Laurys training is grueling but very well directed, treading the line between exploitation (bondage and torture a surefire grabber) and solid action. Now it's back to Laurys' suicide mission - as the saga continues...
Taken together with the background material of the pilot, and looking forward to seeing Morgan Freeman in future, the series is haeded in the right direction.
The footage of Laurys training is grueling but very well directed, treading the line between exploitation (bondage and torture a surefire grabber) and solid action. Now it's back to Laurys' suicide mission - as the saga continues...
Taken together with the background material of the pilot, and looking forward to seeing Morgan Freeman in future, the series is haeded in the right direction.
Episode 2
bobcobb30130 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode featured a really brutal look at the training that goes into preparing agents like this for the field and maybe at times was just a little bit too much, but such is the life of individuals in this field I guess.
But the nonoriginal group of bros, this just feels too similar to Taylor Sheridan's other series Yellowstone, that features all of the characters in the barn playing poker and making absolutely generic jokes.
This is a fine show and decent enough to watch, but it is not the kind of thing that really stands out or is good enough to create any buzz online or across social media.
But the nonoriginal group of bros, this just feels too similar to Taylor Sheridan's other series Yellowstone, that features all of the characters in the barn playing poker and making absolutely generic jokes.
This is a fine show and decent enough to watch, but it is not the kind of thing that really stands out or is good enough to create any buzz online or across social media.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
