Covert Affairs – Lies, damn lies, and vacations

I guess not even covert operatives get to take a vacation. When Annie gets called in to do a little side work while in Canada, her sister complicates things. Auggie, on the other hand, has his very off book side operation get sanctioned, though still very “need to know.” As things move closer to next week’s finale two hour finale, one thing you have to give Covert Affairs credit for is not letting the loose ends stay out there long. The big question is, however, how much longer Annie Walker can keep juggling her past, present, and secret life?

Jai meeting with Ben Mercer in Sri Lanka is probably supposed to be a big revelation. As has been said before, “Big Whoop.” We know they have a history, we know they were both CIA … That they had several conversations leading up to Ben leaving Annie really doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things. Could Jai be “working” Annie in their budding relationship? Most definitely, but Arthur’s direction for him to get close to her is just as much a clue as what we learned tonight.

Much more interesting, though, is Auggie’s little side project. Getting called onto the carpet was bound to happen eventually, but whose carpet, and the result were two things that I didn’t see coming. I’m curious to see how the storylines with Liza and Ben eventually come together, and yes, I think they are somehow related. I don’t think either Arthur or Auggie is the leak; their little game tonight probably sealed that. However, the DCS has something to hide. Will Liza be the one that brings his secret to life? Auggie? Joan?

I wonder how much longer we will endure what I like to call the “Joyce Summers Factor” or the JSF. The JSF, named after Buffy’s mother on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is the amount of time a particular family member or loved one is kept in the dark about our hero’s real job (See also: Alias, Chuck, and In Plain Sight). In most cases, I think the storyline of sneaking around dries up much more quickly than the writers do. In the case of Covert Affairs, though, these guys are, at least to this point, getting it right. However, if every other episodes turns into a “hi-jinks ensue when Danielle gets in the way of Annie doing her job” kind of story, then I’ll be checking out.

As I said, though, in small doses, it works well, and tonight is an example of that. Covert Affairs has found a way to be funny in the spy world without being campy. Johnny and Danielle’s skee-ball game may have gotten close to the line, but it didn’t cross it. Danielle’s attempt at matchmaking, however, brought her much closer to the Annie’s real job than she’s ever been before. They’ve done a good job of walking this tightrope thus far, but I look forward to the episode where Danielle finds out Annie’s office is on the other side of the Potomac from the Smithsonian.

Notes & Quotes

• “I think we have a rabbit.” – Iranian guard, in another misuse of spy terminology (Because the guy was skipping his protection detail, he was obviously going to defect, eh?)
• Wouldn’t the defector be better served going to the American Consulate in Toronto than trying to make it to the border?
• “Trust me, you do just fine in the reciprocating department.” – Liza to Auggie
• Was directed by Vince Misiano, whose brother Chris Misiano I am a big fan of
• Like the Jack Ryan/Jason Bourne references, especially considering the Doug Liman connection.
• The guard in the tunnel just let a group of three people, and then Annie, walk into a Restricted Area?
• This is probably the only show on TV that I don’t like the flashbacks.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Sep 08, 2010 @ 11:00 EST5EDT