Citadel: Diana series premiere recap and review: “Split in Two”

Citadel: Diana series premiere recap and review: "Split in Two"

As a seasoned spy drama enthusiast who’s seen more than my fair share of espionage escapades, I can confidently say that Citadel: Diana has piqued my interest. After the rather disappointing turn of events with the original Citadel, I was cautiously optimistic about this spin-off, given the new creative team behind it.

Citadel: Diana unfolds just as any captivating espionage series ought to, filled with mystery and suspense. Here’s a peek into the happenings of its first episode.

Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for Citadel: Diana season 1, episode 1

After the unsatisfying ending of ‘Citadel’, I must admit I was apprehensive about ‘Citadel: Diana’. However, with a new team involved, there was a glimmer of optimism. The change in creative minds might lead to a more refreshing approach, potentially avoiding some of the tired storytelling tropes that marred ‘Citadel’.

The initial episode lived up to expectations, avoiding an excessive focus on complex background details. While prior knowledge of Citadel and Manticore from the series Citadel was beneficial, it wasn’t essential, as the necessary information for understanding the spy drama was skillfully provided for newcomers diving into this world.

Problems within the Manticore network in Citadel: Diana

It’s apparent that the Manticore network spans across the globe, yet not every branch seems to be in agreement. The Manticore division in Italy is currently subjected to severe restrictions compared to other Manticore entities, a consequence stemming from past incidents. Undeniably, this situation does not sit well with Italy. This implies that for the next three years, Italy will be without voting rights, and they are eager to know the reasons behind this decision.

It seems that Italy has failed to heed past lessons, providing us with an intriguing glimpse into its history and potential future events. When one’s back is against the wall, self-defense becomes inevitable.

Hey there! As a gamer, I’d put it like this:

As a seasoned theater critic with years of experience under my belt, I must say that this initial performance of Citadel: Diana is off to a promising start. The foundational elements laid out in this opening act have me intrigued and excited for what’s yet to come. However, given the complexity of Diana’s character and her ambitious vision for the production, it remains to be seen if the team can maintain momentum and build upon these strong beginnings. Only time will tell if they can successfully navigate the challenges ahead and bring this compelling story to life.

Citadel: Diana series premiere recap and review: "Split in Two"

Diana will not earn any “Best Spy of the Year” awards

In the series “Citadel,” Diana swiftly demonstrates her penchant for disobeying commands rather than following them blindly. Her decisions can be questionable, yet it’s evident that there’s more at play. A brief glance at the series synopsis reminds us that she was a Citadel agent operating as a spy within Manticore. With Citadel now defunct, Diana must feign loyalty to Manticore while secretly harboring her own agenda.

The initial scene depicts a character deceased and Diana accidentally wounding herself. It’s not until halfway through the first episode that the reason for these events becomes clear. Initially assigned to a reconnaissance mission, Diana breaks protocol by taking independent action. She fires at a target, only to discover it wasn’t her intended target (not an apple), promptly causing her and her partner, Luca, to flee the scene.

Luca intends to attack Diana due to her actions, but Diana defends herself. Eventually, in a tragic turn of events, she ends up killing Luca. To create an illusion that a genuine struggle had taken place, Diana then takes her own life by shooting herself.

When Diana is questioned as the sole survivor, she points the finger at Luca for the gunfight. She discloses that Luca was involved in a relationship and wished to leave Manticore. However, one wonders how much of this story is accurate. There seems to be some truth to it since investigating this claim would be straightforward. Diana appears to have carefully planned her actions.

From the information given, it appears that Diana was subjected to a polygraph test during interrogation, which she successfully passed. This suggests that Diana has impressive emotional control and can stay composed even when faced with stressful or high-pressure situations, despite occasionally deviating from the norm. While Diana may not excel in maintaining secrecy, her ability to adapt and potentially deceive could earn her recognition as an exceptional double agent, perhaps even winning her “Double Agent of the Year” awards.

She’s got her unique strategy unfolding. She’s the elusive piece the German was searching for, and she’s willing to share her share of whatever it is the German desires, in return for cash. It’s her escape route. The depth of the larger tale has quickly captured our attention. I admire a series that skips unnecessary exposition.

In simpler terms, we only get a hint about Diana’s past. The scene shifts to nine years ago, where Diana is at home with someone named Sara, possibly her sister. They are both crying while watching news about a plane crash, implying that loved ones were on board. Diana then shows interest in finding the black box from the crashed plane, demonstrating her foresight and ability to perceive things others don’t. Someone is observed secretly admiring Diana’s analytical skills. It seems this observation could lead to Diana being recruited by Manticore.

Citadel: Diana series premiere recap and review: "Split in Two"

What disease does Diana have in Citadel: Diana?

In addition, we discover Diana isn’t the most robust spy in the field. She suffers from Ménière’s disease, an inner ear condition that leads to dizziness. Unfortunately, there’s no cure, but it can be controlled through management techniques. However, living as a spy is not conducive to managing such symptoms. Remarkably, she hasn’t experienced an attack for eight years, which raises questions about her past and present exploits. This aspect adds depth to her character, moving away from the typical stereotype of spies. It’s evident that this condition will factor into larger plot developments.

In summary, the debut episode of Citadel: Diana effectively hooks us into the narrative and establishes a strong foundation for the forthcoming episodes. This is reminiscent of the first series in its universe. To stand out, it’s crucial to steer clear of overused spy tropes and instead focus on character development, as that is the core of the story. There’s room for improvement when it comes to fleshing out secondary characters, but there’s time yet for that.

Citadel: Diana is available to stream on Prime Video.

2024-10-10 16:58