‘CIA’ Review: ‘FBI’ Spinoff Is OK
A spinoff of CBS and Dick Wolf‘s long-running drama series “FBI,” “CIA” follows an elite FBI/CIA fusion cell that investigates international plots, terrorist cells, and geopolitical secrets. While “CIA” may not be groundbreaking in its approach, the series shows promise to evolve and attract both long-time fans of “FBI” and new viewers looking to dive into the franchise.
The pilot episode of “CIA” kicks off in present-day New York City, focusing on CIA case officer Colin Glass (played by Tom Ellis) who is drawn into a crime scene investigation. Colin’s rebellious nature clashes with FBI Special Agent Bill Goodman (portrayed by Nick Gehlfuss), leading to an uneasy partnership. As they work together to solve the case, tensions arise, setting the stage for potential conflicts and collaborations.
Evaluating a series based on a single episode can be challenging, especially considering the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by “CIA” during production. With cast changes and shifts in showrunners, the series experienced delays, ultimately premiering in midseason instead of its original fall debut. Despite these obstacles, the pilot episode sets a solid foundation for a typical New York City law-enforcement procedural, leaving room for further development and exploration in future episodes.
“CIA” is set to premiere on Feb. 23 on CBS, with subsequent episodes airing weekly on Mondays.
