Citadel Season 1 (2023) Review

I remember when this show came out, everyone was talking about how it was the highest budget for a TV show ever and that it was a must watch. I never did, but with the 2nd season of Citadel coming out this week, I thought it was time to finally watch this spy thriller. The premise of the show sees after a spy organisation is destroyed, a man is recruited claiming that he used to work for the organisation, but he has no memory of it. 

Main Character

Richard Madden plays Mason Kane and I thought he was good in the show. He really plays two roles here, the super confident spy in the flashbacks and then the family man who is trying to find out who he is in the present day. He is good and is a good leading man, his character is interesting enough to get by. 

Supporting Characters

Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Nadia Sinh and she is also good in her role. She is more of the actual spy throughout the show and they do an effective job of making the audience question whether she can be trusted. The chemistry between her and Madden is probably the best part of the show. 

Stanley Tucci plays Bernard Orlick and it isn't exactly surprising that he is super entertaining here. I mean he doesn't have too much to actually do, but he has the best lines in the show and Tucci just seems to be having a lot of fun in the role. 

Lesley Manville plays Dahlia Archer and she is fine. She is the villain and she is clearly enjoying herself in the role and it isn't really until the latter parts of the season where she gets some time to shine which she does. 

Osy Ikhile plays Carter Spence and he is a smaller but good addition to the cast and I liked how he was an ally to Mason Kane and just felt like a good addition to the team of spies. 

Story

The story is easily the worst part of the show. It is like somebody watched a bunch of spy films and just picked the most generic plot ever to its show. I appreciate the acting and the clear budget but if you don't have an interesting story then it kind of makes it pointless. There are plenty of twists and turns and most of them are just really predictable or don't really make much sense. 

Script

The script is okay here. The dialogue has some decent drama and some actual chuckle worthy moments but it suffers like the story. Everything written here you have seen before and likely done better in other projects. 

Style

The show has a huge budget and it is on notice here. I did enjoy the international feel of the show and how it went to different countries. I also thought the action was pretty good, nothing breath taking but enjoyable enough. However, the pacing was a bit off. The balance between the flashbacks and the modern story is pretty messy and it makes you think that not a lot actually happens in the show. 

Overall

Overall, Citadel Season 1 is an above average show. It has some decent things about it, mainly the acting but its story falls way short and I would say that unless you are really interested it isn't one to rush to see. 

Rating - 6/10