“Special Ops: Lioness” (2023)

Television Drama

Eight Episodes

Created by: Taylor Sheridan

Featuring: Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur, Hannah Love Lanier, Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman

Kaitlyn: “You’ll never get back to them if you keep thinking about them. You know better than that.”

“Special Ops: Lioness” is a 2023 American action thriller television series created by Taylor Sheridan and starring Nicole de Oliveira, Erin Doherty, and Tawney Newsome. The series follows Cruz Manuelos (de Oliveira), a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine recruited to join the Lioness Engagement Team, a CIA program that trains female operatives to go undercover to infiltrate terrorist organizations.

The series premiered on Paramount+ on July 22, 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for de Oliveira’s performance and the action sequences, but criticism for the plot and dialogue.

Laysla De Oliveira is great as Cruz Manuelos. She is strong, determined, and vulnerable all at the same time. The action sequences are well-choreographed and exciting. The show does a good job of portraying the challenges of being a female operative in a male-dominated field.

The plot is somewhat predictable and the dialogue can be cheesy at times. The show’s focus on female empowerment can sometimes feel forced. The show’s depiction of the Middle East is somewhat simplistic.

Overall, “Special Ops: Lioness” is a serviceable action thriller that is worth watching for de Oliveira’s performance and the action sequences. However, it is not without its flaws. If you are looking for a more nuanced and complex exploration of the war on terror, you may be disappointed.

I think the show does a good job of balancing the action and the character development. The action sequences are exciting and suspenseful, but they also serve to develop the characters and their relationships.

I also appreciate the show’s focus on female empowerment. It is refreshing to see a show that features strong, capable female characters who are not afraid to take charge.

One of the things I liked about the show is the way it portrays the challenges of being a female operative in a male-dominated field. Cruz is often underestimated by her male colleagues, and she has to work twice as hard to prove herself. However, she is never afraid to stand up for herself, and she is always willing to put her life on the line for her country.

I also appreciated the show’s focus on female empowerment. It is refreshing to see a show that features strong, capable female characters who are not afraid to take charge. Cruz is a role model for young women everywhere, and she shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

However, I do think the show’s depiction of the Middle East is somewhat simplistic. The show often portrays the Middle East as a chaotic and dangerous place, and the characters are often quick to judge and stereotype the people they meet. This is a missed opportunity, as the show could have used this opportunity to explore the complex political and social issues of the region.

I think “Special Ops: Lioness” is a decent show that is worth watching for its action sequences and strong female characters. However, it is not without its flaws, and viewers should be aware of the show’s simplistic depiction of the Middle East.

I think the show could have done a better job of developing the supporting characters. Some of them, like Joe and Eshan, felt underdeveloped and one-dimensional.

I also think the show could have been more suspenseful. The action sequences were exciting, but the overall plot was somewhat predictable.

Overall, I think “Special Ops: Lioness” is a decent show that is worth watching for its action sequences and strong female characters. However, it is not without its flaws, and viewers should be aware of the show’s simplistic depiction of the Middle East.

Episodes

Sacrificial Soldiers: Things go awry for Joe and her team during a mission out in the field; Joe is left devastated. Upon her return home, Joe’s family life presents it’s own challenges. Cruz tries to escape a dangerous situation. Joe must choose a new recruit.

The Beating: Joe continues her training with Cruz; her methods are questionable. Cruz starts to build a relationship with Aaliyah. Kate gets into a fight during her soccer game. Neal has to deliver difficult news to a patient.

Bruise Like a Fist: Cruz is invited to spend the weekend with Aaliyah and her inner-circle. Joe keeps Kaitlyn informed of Cruz’s progress. Kyle comes to Joe desperate for help with an asset.

The Choice of Failure: Cruz is put in a compromising position in the Hamptons; causing Joe and Kaitlyn to doubt her. Kaitlyn and Westfield confront Kyle over what happened at the border, complicating things further for Joe and her team.

Truth Is the Shrewdest Lie: Joe and Neal deal with the aftermath of Kate’s accident. Westfield and Kaitlyn deploy Joe’s team to subdue a terrorist threat. Cruz’s cover may be in jeopardy.

The Lie Is the Truth: Aaliyah bonds with Cruz over a spa day. Bobby, Tex, Two Cups, Randy and Tucker confront a threat at the Safe House. Kaitlyn and Joe are scolded for the San Antonio mission in a debrief.

Wish the Fight Away: While shopping in Manhattan for the wedding, Aaliyah and Cruz get closer. Kate returns home only to say goodbye to her mom once again. Joe guides Cruz through internal struggle and doubt in completing the mission.

Gone Is the Illusion of Order: Unforeseen circumstances leaves the mission in jeopardy. A suspicious Eshan confronts Cruz before his wedding day. Joe and the team prepare for the worst.