Why ‘Patriot’ on Prime Video Should Be Your Next Binge After ‘The Recruit’

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With Netflix’s original spy series, “The Recruit,” set to return for Season 2 on January 30, 2025, Amazon Prime Video offers an overlooked yet worthwhile alternative in the form of “Patriot.” Although both shows revolve around espionage, they share a unique blend of dark comedy and morbid humor that elevates them beyond typical crime dramas. In “The Recruit,” Noah Centineo’s character, Owen Hendricks, takes center stage, while in “Patriot,” Michael Dorman’s character, John Tavner, steals the spotlight.

Regardless of whether you watch all 18 episodes before or after Season 2 of The Recruit premieres on Netflix, it’s clear that Patriot will be a worthy replacement for the void left behind. Although Patriot delves into international conflicts and The Recruit concentrates on internal department procedures within the CIA, both offer intricate and captivating storylines centered around the Central Intelligence Agency. So, fans of The Recruit, consider Patriot your next binge-worthy TV destination.

‘The Recruit’ Is a Darkly Comedic Spy Drama

Alexi Hawley developed the Netflix original series, “The Recruit,” which blends dark comedy and action-filled plotlines. The narrative revolves around Owen Hendricks, a novice lawyer who’s trying to grasp the CIA’s day-to-day procedures. However, as he settles into his responsibilities, Owen finds himself in a moral dilemma when Max Meladze (played by Laura Haddock), a previous CIA informant serving time for murdering a corrupt driver, reaches out to him, blackmailing him to secure her release from prison. This sets off a global web of mystery that Owen must decipher before it’s too late.

In the story of Owen, as he endeavors to probe Max’s history, manage his fresh coworkers, and make time for love, “The Recruit” moves swiftly with a brisk pace, black comedy, and thrilling action that spans from CIA Headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona, and ultimately Geneva, Switzerland. This series expands its geographical range, grandeur, and global reach significantly in the sequel, “Patriot“.

In my perspective, I was quite engaged with the initial season of ‘The Patriot’, comprising eight captivating episodes that dropped on December 16, 2022. For the upcoming Season 2, we’re expecting a slight change, as it’s planned to have only six episodes instead. It remains to be seen if this condensed format will intensify the drama even more. Interestingly, ‘Patriot’, another series I follow, made a similar move by shortening its second season from 10 episodes in Season 1 to just eight.

‘Patriot’ Hits Similar Tonal Beats

Steve Conrad developed the comedy-spy TV series Patriot for Amazon Prime Video, which received critical acclaim but remains underappreciated by viewers. Premiering in 2015, Season 1’s remaining episodes did not air until February 2017. The narrative revolves around John Tavner (played by Michael Dorman), a secret agent disguised as an industrial worker and musician, who finds himself in over his head when assigned to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

In both the shows “Patriot” and “The Recruit”, a familiar fish-out-of-water situation is used to generate humor. While Owen stumbles as he adapts to his CIA life, John finds it difficult to blend in at his undercover engineering job in Milwaukee. As they gradually learn the ins and outs of their new positions, they find themselves in preposterously funny situations that test their loyalty to their country.

The primary distinction between the two shows lies in their intensity and potential repercussions, as the high-stakes nuclear avoidance of “Patriot” surpasses the extortion scheme in “The Recruit.” Released over two seasons, “Patriot” aired 18 episodes from 2015 to 2018.

The Recruit vs. Patriot, Explained

In comparison, Patriot has been praised more than The Recruit by both critics and viewers due to its expanded cast, increased plot tension, and broader travel experiences. For example, Patriot boasts a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences, whereas The Recruit holds a 68% Tomatometer score. Additionally, Patriot has an 89% Audience rating, compared to The Recruit‘s 84% Popcornmeter score. On Metacritic, Patriot also outshines The Recruit, with a Metascore of 71 versus 59. Lastly, on IMDb, Patriot has a higher rating of 8.2 compared to The Recruit‘s 7.4.

RT’s critical consensus for Patriot reads:

The show “Patriot” is characterized by a mix of darkness, oddity, and humor. While not every risk it takes results in success, it remains intelligent and creative enough that it’s definitely worth watching.

In contrast, the series “The Recruit” is heavily reliant on Noah Centineo’s charming intelligence. According to Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus:

‘The Recruit’, despite not being the newest talent around, effectively utilizes Noah Centineo’s captivating charm, making it a very appealing viewing choice.

It’s noteworthy that the show “Patriot” saw significant improvement in Season 2, receiving a perfect 100% response from critics (compared to 82% in Season 1). We eagerly anticipate that “The Recruit” will match this progress when it comes back for Season 2 on January 30, 2025. As things stand, the potential global destruction depicted in “Patriot” has a much broader impact than the initial conflict of “The Recruit,” which was confined within the United States until the penultimate episode. In its premiere, “Patriot” travels from Iran to Luxembourg to Amsterdam, mirroring the expansive international scope typical of an espionage series.

In terms of scope, Patriot encompasses not just a broad geographical expanse but also a broader timeframe, spanning from 2012 to 2000 before concluding in the present day. On the other hand, The Recruit is more self-contained, focusing solely on Owen’s initial period with the CIA during his first few weeks and months on the job. As a result, Patriot outshines The Recruit in nearly every aspect, making it a highly recommended watch for fans of The Recruit.

The Recruit is available on Netflix, Patriot on Prime Video

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2025-02-01 21:32