#kyle conroy

Citadel s01e06: “Kyle, you got to wake up.”

CITADEL - 1x03

New photo of Richard Madden as Mason Kane in Citadel. 

Finished Citadel last night. Overall, a very ordinary show which is derivative of every spy movie or show that has been made in the past. Everything in the show is very surface level. I can completely believe all the news of production issues for this show because, while expensive looking in the action, it doesn't feel like the show justifies the budget. There are a bunch of sets that are reused. There are a handful of action sequences, but not even all that many. The run time of the episodes are fairly short. It feels like a show that was reshot multiple times and retrofitted. Frankly, the biggest issue with the show is how predictable it is. The show makes a big deal about who is the traitor that sold out Citadel to Manticore, but it isn't as if there are more than 2 suspects. The 2 leads are the only potential suspects and Nadia's secret is pretty easy to figure out. Which really leaves Mason. The reason for his betrayal is kind of half assed. Frankly, the only character arc that is somewhat interesting is Mason/Kyle's, given the ridiculous situation he's in. It isn't particularly well developed but at least the situation the character is in is interesting. He has 2 spy wives from Citadel with a daughter from each, one of whom is a woman whose memory he apparently wiped himself in order to protect the other. And he has memories of both Kyle and Mason. And he knows he's the one who sold out Citadel and that Dahlia is his mother. His situation is so bizarre that its almost comical. In that way, I am curious to see what he does. None of the characters stand out. Stanley Tucci was one the early highlights but he barely has a presence in the back half of the season. Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas both have a history of much better work in other shows. They have chemistry and do a decent job but their relationship is very half baked and rushed. I mean, I didn't like Quantico all that much, but Priyanka was honestly better on that show, and she has a history of much more nuanced work in Indian films. Richard Madden has done much more complex and interesting work in Eternals and Bodyguard in recent times. Apart from the leads and Tucci, Lesley Manville is the only actor that has any substantial screen time. She does fine but it isn't as if this role is a stretch for an actress of her caliber. Ashleigh Cummins as Abby/Celeste is decent but the possibility of what happens with her character in the future is more interesting than what actually happens this season. The action is fun and the show is relatively fast paced. Hopefully with season 1, the Russos have ironed out the production issues and they can make a better season 2.