Kat with a K

Covert Affairs 1.2: "Walter's Walk"

I don't have too many notes on this one because I watched it while painting my nails. Really, it's the perfect show for that - breezy, fun, making even the real international stakes seem light and amusing. More after the jump.

Plot: Last week it was Russians, this week it's the IRA! Whee! The choice of enemies definitely adds to the show's retro feeling. Of course, this was played up in this episode by all the antiquated technology being used, and by the references to classic spy novels. And having a kid find the spy ring was an interesting message. It's as though the show is trying to reassure us: "Don't worry about all that new terrorism stuff! The enemies are the same old guys, using the same old methods! Even a child could figure this out!" It seems a deliberate play to the audience's anxieties, and an unabashed opportunity for escapism.

Production: Catching viewers up via Annie's dream at the beginning rather than the traditional "previouslies" is an interesting choice. In a way, it does seem more natural, but it can't possibly be sustained without just looking silly. She can't be having these dreams every week. The new title sequence was cute.

Annie: I'm starting to like her a little better, although her family/work angst will get old quickly, especially when it leads to a lack of professionalism (like when it was the one question she asked Elliott). I'm hoping that the fact that she signed the guardian papers at the end of the episode means that at least some of this has been resolved.

Auggie: I'm starting to get why people are 'shipping him with Annie. He's a little too perfect, though, and needs some flaws to make him into a believable character.

Conrad/Jai: Where did Conrad go? Do we know? Arthur said something about him being gone, but I can't remember if we were given an explanation last week. Does this mean Eric Lively is off the show? Bah. I liked him. Jai is a reasonable replacement, I suppose, and the tension he causes is fun. We'll see.

Joan/Arthur: We got to see a little more of the background of their relationship, which was useful, but Joan's outright refusal to be professional when her husband is involved is starting to bug me. When you're discussing a work issue, don't protest that your husband outranks you only at work. That's all that matters right now, honey. If this couple is being presented as the result of the supposed pro-dating policy at the CIA, then I'm thinking they might want to revisit that policy.