When espionage films and series do it right they are entertaining and engrossing. There have been so many that have succeeded that when you see one that stumbles repeatedly it actually seems worse than it would be otherwise.
Season 2 of Deep State feels like it took 4 episodes of a decent story and used filler, fluff and repetition to arrive at 8. There are countless times that the three "heros" escape only to be recaptured during the season. (For as many times as this happens you would think that the characters would have a different Plan B than just running out the back door.) I do mean countless, I lost track between four and five times and I hadn't even gotten to the halfway point.
The pacing was off as well. Throw away scenes were as long as important parts that moved the show along. Also, in this digital age, why was every clue found in a stack of papers? I got the feeling that the writers couldn't come up with a clever way to access computerized records so they just gave up.
A high note, most of the production values were good, whether in Mali or D.C. Frankly, that along with the lead actors are the only reason I stuck with this series to the end. You could probably jump from episode four to eight and still know what was going on.
Also, I do wish writers would realize that while it may be important to hinge character motives on love for family, it is not necessary to include the actual children-unless they have the next Natalie Portman lined up. Sell us on the adults' dedication to their children, I only need to believe that, I don't need to love the kids as well. (And most likely they will just be an amateurish annoyance.)
Overall, I would say this series falls about midway between the best and worst of what is available. I don't recommend it for binge watching though, the repeated scenes really stand out without taking breaks.
Review of Deep State
