Spy Drama Binge Before Reacher Returns

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  • ‘The Enemy Within’ Is an Entertaining Spy Drama
  • The Enemy Within’s Fresh Rotten Tomatoes Score
  • ‘Reacher’ Is Ready to Return for Season 3

As Reacher gears up for its Season 3 premiere on Prime Video on February 20, 2025, action enthusiasts and spy enthusiasts have ample time to catch up on the underappreciated espionage series The Enemy Within. Despite being overlooked by critics, this NBC spy drama managed to last one season with 13 episodes and garnered positive feedback from regular TV viewers, earning a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (81%).

Although Reacher features grittier and harder-hitting action, The Enemy Within is an ideal companion piece due to its complex FBI/CIA storyline involving international terrorism and two high-ranking American intelligence officials tasked with catching a mysterious spy. Perhaps best of all, the whole series can be binged in a day or two, making The Enemy Within the perfect primer to watch ahead of Reacher Season 3.

‘The Enemy Within’ Is an Entertaining Spy Drama

Created by Ken Woodruff for NBC, The Enemy Within is a beloved spy drama that lasted one season and 13 episodes between February and May 2019. The story follows Erica Shepherd (Jennifer Carpenter), a disgraced FBI Agent deemed a national traitor for her involvement in a terrorist plot involving Russian mastermind Mikhail Tal (Lev Gorn).

In a chilling turn of events, Tal confronts Shepherd and menaces to take the life of her child, Hannah (Sophia Gennusa), unless she discloses vital FBI operatives. Overwhelmed, Shepherd concedes, only to witness the brutal slaying of the four agents by Tal and his associates. Caught up in this chain of events, Shepherd is jailed for 15 consecutive life terms after leaking the names, with no prospect of parole. Facing a future behind bars, she finds a glimmer of hope when her captor, FBI Agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut), enlists her aid in tracking down and apprehending Tal.

In her quest to vindicate herself and reestablish her honorable standing, Shepherd employs her exceptional decoding abilities to trace Tal and his troops worldwide. Together with Keaton, Shepherd embarks on a perilous journey that takes them from the FBI Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, to Colombia, Cuba, Croatia, and Chechnya, as they expose Tal’s retaliation against the CIA for mistreating his soldiers. Despite some naysayers mocking the show for its perceived lack of originality, the general public found The Enemy Within entertaining enough to keep it running beyond one season.

‘The Enemy Within’s Fresh Rotten Tomatoes Score

Despite receiving a relatively low 43% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, The Enemy Within has garnered an impressive 81% approval rating from audiences, suggesting it resonates with the public. The series’ main appeal lies in Jennifer Carpenter’s captivating portrayal of Erica Shepherd, a dedicated patriot grappling with her nation’s distrust while fiercely shielding her daughter. As the ethical dilemmas she faces grow more complex with each episode, the high-stakes drama becomes increasingly tense due to its potential global ramifications. According to Rotten Tomatoes’ critical consensus:

Although Jennifer Carpenter gave an exceptional performance and many impressive scenes, the show The Enemy Within unfortunately falls into a repetitive storyline, lacking the necessary elements to ignite genuine excitement.”

Or

“Jennifer Carpenter delivered a series of outstanding performances in The Enemy Within, but the storyline, while formulaic, failed to create any real sparks or excitement.

Upon closer examination, it seems that the critics might have been overly eager for a TV show that got better with time. As a Redditor points out, this is a common occurrence.

Initially, the series starts off with some inconsistencies in writing, but it picks up significantly towards the end. Episodes 11 and 12 are particularly well-received, scoring impressive ratings of 8.1 and 8.2 on IMDb. If you’re planning to watch The Enemy Within before the next season of Reacher, you will find yourself becoming more engrossed in the show as it approaches its 13th and concluding episode.

Spectators could become so engrossed in the program that they initiate a request for its return, much like how Melissa L puts it.

1. “14 votes from critics trumped the opinions of 166 regular viewers like us, and yet the show got cancelled? This show was fantastic! I hope it makes a comeback.” or

2. “Despite the preferences of 166 TV viewers, the show was cancelled due to 14 critics’ votes? This show was excellent! Let’s bring it back.”

Another RT audience member supports the sentiment, adding:

I found this series fantastic, but I was really let down that it ended after just one season, given its cliffhanger finish. It had a similar feel to ’24’ and kept me on the edge of my seat with constant suspense.

It seems that one Reddit user is particularly perceptive, as they point out both the strong points and areas for improvement of the show, stating:

This series presents an extraordinary tale that captivates both the heart and mind of its audience. Despite some inconsistencies in the script and underdeveloped supporting characters, these flaws are largely overshadowed by exceptional performances and a compelling protagonist and antagonist. The concept is fantastic (with plenty of exciting and intelligent action), but it falls just short in certain key aspects. Though I was hoping for more, I can see why there won’t be a second season.

Before Season 3 of “Reacher” premieres on February 20, 2025, it’s suggested for fans to watch “The Enemy Within”. Interestingly, both shows share similarities with Netflix’s “The Recruit”, a sleek and predictable spy series that thrives on the charisma of its lead actor.

‘Reacher’ Is Ready to Return for Season 3

In line with Lee Child’s Reacher novel collection, the American action drama series titled Reacher premiered on Prime Video in February 2022. Alan Ritchson portrays Jack Reacher, a retired U.S. military police major turned wandering justice enforcer who roams across America, meting out severe punishment to criminals without mercy. Akin to the Amazon Prime series Bosch, which is based on Michael Connelly’s novels, each TV season follows a distinct book from Child’s series.

In Season 3, the storyline is inspired by Lee Child’s 2003 novel “Persuader.” This season finds Jack Reacher, our lone vigilante, working undercover alongside the DEA to apprehend a drug smuggler. As depicted in the trailers for Reacher Season 3, our hero is on the chase for a rug importer who covertly manages a large-scale drug operation. This investigation takes him away from the city and places him in a luxurious seaside retreat.

In Season 3, Reacher finds himself in a deeply personal situation as the man who once murdered the lover of Jack – a past figure from his life – returns for vengeance. Believing he had eliminated this assailant long ago, Reacher must now confront both his past and future. Simultaneously, the solitary fighter adapts to working alongside a new squad led by Zachary Beck, who may hold more connections to the drug trafficker than he reveals. The tense dynamic of ‘them against the world’ between Reacher and this series, The Enemy Within, makes them a perfect pairing. You can stream The Enemy Within on Apple TV+ and Roku.

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2025-02-19 06:02