I Watched The First Two Episodes Of The Agency, And I Have A Theory About Where The Michael Fassbender Spy Thriller Is Going

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As a long-time connoisseur of spy thrillers and a subscriber to every streaming service that boasts one, I can confidently say that The Agency is a standout among the genre. Having spent countless hours watching Jason Bourne, James Bond, and even the underrated Chuck Barris in The Man Who Was Headed for 61 in a Cold War, I’ve developed an eye for intrigue, subterfuge, and the occasional double-cross.

Upon learning about The Agency a couple of months back, I immediately waited for the Michael Fassbender spy thriller to arrive on my Paramount+ with Showtime subscription. And I’m grateful I did. The opening chapters in this gripping and captivating series, which centers around a CIA operative named Martian (Fassbender) being abruptly taken out of a six-year undercover mission to rescue one of his comrades, were nothing short of impressive.

For the initial two episodes of what promises to be a 10-part season, the show weaves together numerous main and sub-stories, intricately linking them to form an intricate and exhilarating espionage tale. Having watched the first two hours of one of Showtime’s most captivating series in recent years, I’ve come up with a theory regarding where The Agency might be heading…

The First Two Episodes Of The Agency Focus Heavily On Martian Coming Back After Six Years Undercover

In the initial two episodes of The Agency, it’s clear that the narrative will continue to revolve around Martian, who has just returned from a six-year stint as an undercover agent, going by the name “Paul.” The first episode opens with his extraction from Eastern Africa and chronicles his journey back to the CIA’s office in London, where he faces extensive debriefing and covert observation by his own agency.

Living under an alias for over five years, isolated and only connected to your handler (portrayed by Katherine Waterston), must have been incredibly challenging. The abrupt ending of this secret life, requiring an immediate break, would undoubtedly be as jarring as ripping off a band-aid quickly.

While Mars acclimates once more, he navigates the delicate balance of his dual personas, most notably when dealing with Dr. Sami Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), a professor he fell for during his undercover work. Even after a bombing at her African university, their connection persists in London.

It Is Implied That Sami Zahir Is Up To Something, But I Think That’s A Red Herring

Throughout the initial two episodes of The Agency, it seems clear that the producers intend for viewers to suspect Sami Zahir of being secretive or suspicious. For instance, her unusual calmness when Paul broke up with her in the first episode and her lack of anger upon his later contact felt strange. Similarly, while she claimed to be attending classes in London, Martian discovered that she only attended the first day and has since missed all subsequent lectures, which raises eyebrows.

After considering all the circumstances, it seemed plausible to me that Sami was involved in the huge explosion at her university in Ethiopia, or perhaps even an undercover agent from the CIA or another intelligence agency. However, after watching numerous spy movies and TV shows throughout my life, I’ve come to understand that Occam’s razor doesn’t hold true in this genre. Now, I’m leaning towards the possibility that this is a deliberate distraction meant to divert our attention from whatever the real situation might be.

Instead, I Think Martian Is Dealing With A Mental Breakdown After Years Of Having To Live Undercover

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but ponder about the intriguing character of Martian, or as we know him, Paul. Here’s my take: It seems to me that this individual might be grappling with a mental health crisis, possibly due to the immense stress and strain of leading a double life for six long years. This man, portrayed by Michael Fassbender, has been living in an intricately designed world where nothing is as it appears, and he’s seemingly lost connection with the person he once was.

In simpler terms, characters like spies, secret operatives, and undercover agents are known for their trust issues and taking precautions to avoid surveillance or being followed. However, Martian from the series The Agency goes above and beyond in this regard. Interestingly, Dr. Rachel Blake, a CIA psychologist, shows up at the London bureau at the exact time when Martian returns home. While it’s common for coincidences to be rare in such narratives, the show and standard spy logic have already hinted at this fact.

There Are Multiple Instances Of Martian Withholding Information Or Being Dodgy With The CIA

In the initial two episodes of The Agency, Martian has consistently displayed suspicious actions towards his superiors at the CIA. He’s been secretive, withholding information from everyone and going to great lengths to mislead his fellow agents who are tracking him upon his return from undercover assignments. This behavior casts doubts on his integrity and trustworthiness.

It seems highly likely that all these gaps will get addressed during the next eight episodes (or the upcoming second season, given Deadline’s report), yet I find myself pondering whether Martian isn’t just being overly cautious but instead hiding something much like his enigmatic character in David Fincher’s film The Killer.

I Think Martian Is Either Hallucinating Events Or Legitimately Working With The Enemy Now

In summary, it appears that Martian might be engaging in one or even both of two possible scenarios: he could be undergoing a serious mental crisis, possibly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and hallucinating events, or he may have shifted allegiance to our enemies. The series has been filled with discussions about double agents, and the second episode featured an intensely dramatic scene where Martian grapples with the suspicion that one of his covert operatives might be working for the Russians.

Is there some explanation for the ending of the second episode? Martian appears to be in poor health, lying in a hospital bed and sporting what seems to be a black eye. It’s unclear whether he was physically assaulted or if he received medical treatment due to a mental breakdown or exhaustion. I suppose I’ll need to continue watching to find out.

As The Agency progresses smoothly through its initial stages of the 2025 television lineup, I sense that this is merely the start of something bigger.

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2024-12-07 00:07