The CIA series premiere as a new FBI spinoff, it introduces a NY-based joint task force for domestic and international secrets. Here's a recap and review.
The series kicks off with a high-stakes security breach at a U.S. defense contractor that puts a top-secret weapon in the wrong hands. As international dangers loom, a tense rivalry erupts between the FBI and the CIA over who has the authority—and the expertise—to bring the thieves to justice. Soon, a new joint task force is formed, but not everyone is playing by the same rules.
To solve the case, Jubal facilitates a partnership between two polar opposites: CIA Case Officer Colin Glass (Tom Ellis) and FBI Special Agent Bill Goodman (Nick Gehlfuss). Their dynamic is on full display during their first joint interrogation: as Goodman formalizes the process by reciting the suspect's rights word-for-word, Glass simply slides the man a cup of coffee and starts asking questions off the record. This contrast—a rule-breaker pushing boundaries beside a stickler quoting regulations—injects instant tension into the partnership.
The duo's pursuit of Adrián Torres, a suspected traitor, takes a sharp turn when they discover he is sabotaging the weapon to expose corruption inside the system. This early twist signals that even within intelligence circles, loyalty and morality are more layered than they first appear—a theme the show is clearly eager to explore.
The pilot ends with Goodman being permanently assigned to the task force. However, there's a catch (like there isn't going to be one, right): Goodman is given a clandestine mission to help root out a high-level mole hidden within the New York CIA station.
"Directed Energy" is a confident debut relying on its leads to carry a somewhat predictable plot. Beyond its familiar formula, the show establishes a moody tone with dim, shadowy cinematography, avoiding the bright, crisp style of previous franchise entries. The suspenseful score heightens unease, especially during the tense standoff in the contractor's sub-basement. While not a game-changing procedural, these stylistic choices create a darker, cynical atmosphere, making it a must-watch for fans of the FBI universe or those who missed Tom Ellis or Gehlfuss. It's a fun, high-stakes addition to CBS's Monday lineup.
Speaking of Ellis and Gehlfuss, their chemistry as a 'married couple' makes procedural beats feel fresh through character friction. While it has familiar FBI cameos, the show creates a darker, cynical tone. Unlike typical FBI: Most Wanted episodes, which end with justice speeches and sunrise city shots, CIA focuses on characters second-guessing rules and each other in half-lit rooms, blurring heroism into ambiguity. It feels less like city-saving and more like diving into 'plausible deniability.' The season-long mystery in the final minutes gives viewers a reason to return beyond the 'case of the week.'
While the male leads shine, the supporting cast, especially the female leads, seemed sidelined in the premiere. This highlights a common issue in procedural TV: strong female agents are often minimized when the action heats up. The show misses a chance to deepen its world by not fully including its diverse team from the start. Future episodes could focus on sidelined agents like Analyst Priya Mehta or Special Agent Tessa Raymond to address this imbalance and show how morally complex missions affect all team members. Hopefully, upcoming episodes will expand the team and create a more balanced ensemble.
Overall, I give the series premiere an 8.0/10.
What did you think of the series premiere? Do you think Agent Goodman's "by-the-book" nature will help him catch the mole, or will he have to start breaking the rules and becoming more like Colin Glass to survive the CIA?
I believe the series will push Goodman to bend or break his rules as his strict method clashes with the CIA's secrecy and improvisation. He'll struggle, slip, and perhaps surprise himself as his methods evolve. By season's end, Goodman might succeed not by forsaking his principles but by learning to adapt, blurring lines enough to get results without losing himself. What do you think? Leave a comment.
You can catch CIA Mondays at 10/9c on CBS and streaming the next day on Paramount+.
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