Showtime's The Agency began with its first episode, showing viewers the serious world of spying. The show features Michael Fassbender as CIA agent Martian, and it is a thoughtful, character-focused thriller that explores the mental and emotional challenges of having a secret life.
The first episode is essentially about Martian trying to get back into his old life after a six-year undercover stint in Ethiopia. But as he tries to fit into it again, his agency begins to watch him closely, which creates the mystery for that episode. His actions—from, avoiding his supervisors to meeting his old girlfriend, Sami—tell us more about who he is and why his agency would want to keep close tabs on him.
It also brings in several other small stories, like a missing agent in Belarus and the training of a young recruit by the name of Danny, who, as she prepares for a clandestine mission, has her own set of problems. The stories all blend so well to depict the greater issues involved in The Agency.
This plot allows the pilot to look through Martian's secrets and problems to reveal the effects of spying, making for a tense, gradual journey.
What are Martian’s secrets on The Agency?
Playing Martian, Michael Fassbender keeps the story balanced between calmness and weakness. It is hard (after six years) to let go of one's fake identity. So, Martian finds himself confused with his fake identity, and his relationship with married professor Sami Zahir, played by Jodie Turner-Smith, makes it more complex.
He has to leave Ethiopia within 48 hours and is fighting with strong emotions. Variety believes that he is so eager to reconnect with Sami that he develops an obsession with it, which creates much tension in the episode. The arrival of Sami in London takes the story further in their direction.
Even though the CIA is watching him, Martian finds a way to meet Sami. But when they see each other again, it brings up concerns about trust and loyalty because Martian notices that her story does not add up.
Sami’s secrets create more mystery in The Agency and hint that her relationship with Martian might be more complicated than just a romance.
A missing operative and agency politics
Meanwhile, Martian is having personal problems, and The Agency starts an important mission about a missing operative called Coyote in Belarus, as briefly mentioned above. His disappearance causes a crisis at the London Station, making the team focus on damage control.
According to CBR, Martian's skills in investigation are crucial in finding out what happened to Coyote. The Belarus subplot also develops the murky ethics of spying. From bad interrogation methods to planning secret rescues, the episode details the tough truths of intelligence work.
One major example of this is when Martian plans to rescue Alexei Orekhov, a contact whose life is at risk because of Coyote's capture. Those scenes on The Agency illustrate the moral trade-offs that come with protecting national interests.
Danny’s training on The Agency is a lesson in sacrifice
The pilot also introduces Danny (Saura Lightfoot-Leon), a new recruit getting ready for her first mission in Iran. Under the guidance of Martian and Naomi (Katherine Waterston), Danny learns about the tough reality of undercover work.
Her training scenes on The Agency, as described by The Cinemaholic, portray her dreams versus the sad reality that she loses herself at times. A heart-touching scene is when Martian tells Danny to get one stranger's trust within minutes which is needed for their business of tricks.
Ironically, Martian tells her not to get too attached, which is something he struggles with himself. Danny's story sets up future problems, as her change from a beginner to a tough agent reflects the sacrifices her mentors have made.
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