Lioness is back! The season kicks off with a wild plot involving the kidnapping of a congresswoman at the U.S.–Mexico border, but it quickly transforms into something far more convoluted. Suddenly, it’s about China’s supposed plan to invade Taiwan, which, as the show progresses, seems to get lost in a blur of global threats, cartels, and double-crosses. Joe (Zoe Saldaña) and her team, now joined by new operative Carrillo (Genesis Rodriguez), are tasked with infiltrating the Los Tigres cartel, which is allegedly hiding a Chinese agent. And Carrillo’s family connection to the cartel is supposed to be the ticket in. But honestly, at this point, I’m not sure who’s working for whom or what anyone’s motivations are anymore.
As we’re heading into the final two episodes, the plot feels as disjointed as ever, and it’s honestly starting to wear on me. We’re no closer to resolving the mission than we were weeks ago, and this week’s developments just add more confusion to the mix.
The CIA’s theory that Iranian counterintelligence is working with Chinese operatives to destabilize the U.S. border and influence elections is all over the place. What does this have to do with the two Chinese nuclear scientists in Turkey? Oh, right—World War III might be on the table now. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a bit. The show’s pacing is starting to feel like it’s spinning its wheels in place, trying to create more urgency but instead just muddying the waters.
I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not getting anywhere. Morgan Freeman’s character, Secretary of State, makes another grand speech about how we need to remind our adversaries that “we’re not the only country with open borders.” Sure, it sounds dramatic, but it just feels like filler. And then, out of nowhere, the plot pivots to focus on Joe’s personal crisis. She’s recovering from a near-fatal gunshot wound in the hospital, but her headspace is a mess, just like the plot. The doctor jokes about her being a “wildcat” coming out of anesthesia, and honestly, that felt like the only real moment of levity in an otherwise tense episode.
But personally, I’m more invested in Joe’s relationship with her husband Neal (Dave Annable). They’ve never really addressed what would happen if she dies on the job, and now, it’s painfully clear that their marriage is crumbling. Neal finally admits he won’t ever forgive her for what she does, and Joe, unsurprisingly, isn’t having it. “You can’t fucking guilt me,” she snaps, which is a line that hit harder than I expected. I mean, Joe constantly risks her life, and while I get Neal’s frustration, his anger feels a little misplaced considering how long he’s been part of this unpredictable lifestyle. It's tough to watch them clash, especially knowing that Joe could die at any moment. Neal's growing bitterness is palpable, and you can feel the strain in their interactions.
Meanwhile, the subplot with Kaitlyn interrogating the hostages, including DEA agent Gutierrez and Pablo Carrillo, just drags the episode down. Every time Gutierrez screams about trying to help, I feel less and less like this is contributing anything meaningful to the plot. The threat has escalated to nuclear weapons, and yet, we’re still stuck with these irrelevant interrogations. At this point, I’m asking myself: Why are we wasting time on this? Shouldn’t we be focusing on the bigger threats that are literally on the brink of starting World War III?
In the end, the show does what it does best—sets up even more convoluted missions. The CIA is now after two Chinese scientists in Turkey, and Joe’s team is tasked with stopping them. I’ll be honest, I’m kind of exhausted by the sheer number of moving parts in the show. If they were smart, they’d just eliminate Alvaro Carrillo and focus all their resources on stopping this potential nuclear disaster. Instead, we get another mission briefing, this time with a new CIA officer played by Dawn Olivieri, who’s had a few appearances in other Taylor Sheridan projects. There’s a lot of exposition, but not a lot of clarity. With the finale next week, I’m left wondering—will any of this actually come together, or are we being set up for a third season that just drags out the same questions?
I can’t help but feel like we’ve been led in circles for the past six episodes. There’s no clear resolution in sight, and with the finale looming, it doesn’t feel like we’re anywhere near the ending this season deserves. If this is how we’re going to leave things for a potential third season, I’m not sure if I’m all in anymore. Maybe America just needs a win, but Lioness is certainly struggling to deliver one.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
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