What Should You Be Watching?‏ – “Covert Affairs”

I had seen commercials for the new TV series “Covert Affairs” for the past month. I wrote it off as a ‘Bourne’ knock off with a starring actress who has struggled to really achieve popularity. I never thought I would watch it. Then I came home last Tuesday, while my parents were watching the second episode of the series. I quickly got hooked, and after finishing the episode I knew I had to watch the series pilot.

The show follows Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) as a CIA trainee who gets taken out of training early to help with a mission. Auggie Anderson (Christopher Gorham) plays a blind CIA tech specialists who serves as Annie’s guide in her new job. Joan Campbell (Kari Matchett) is Annie’s supervisor and head of the Domestic Protection Division.

I was right with my two assumptions. The show tries its best to emulate the atmosphere and world of the ‘Bourne’ series. This is to its benefit because it is a great world to be in. The show even has Kari Matchett doing her best Joan Allen impression in both look and attitude. Again, not a bad thing, but the influence is clear. Also with my other assumption, Piper Perabo has yet to really hit it big, but I think that will soon change. She does a great job as our lead character, providing a likable agent that the audience wants to get behind and see succeed.

I thought the action was great. Especially in the first episode, when Annie’s first mission quickly takes a turn for the worse. Gorham provides the comic relief for the show and shares great chemistry with Ms. Perabo. The show was much funnier than I expected it to be.

“Covert Affairs” isn’t reinventing the wheel by any means. But it certainly is keeping me interested and excited to see this weeks episode. “Covert Affairs” airs on Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm on USA. And this is a show that you should be watching.