This week Omega teams up with stone-cold assassin The Wolf.

New shows normally take time to find their footing, and this week’s True Lies starts to do just that. Unlike in previous episodes, this time most of the humor actually – and refreshingly – clicks. Most of the credit for this goes to guest star Matthew Lillard who portrays silly and psychotic equally convincingly. While not breaking any new ground, the episode gives us an unexpectedly meek (normally) and always hungry assassin.

We get the usual dichotomy with Helen instantly liking him (due in no small part to meeting him before learning his identity) and Harry disliking and distrusting him. He wants Helen to have nothing to do with the Wolf; she, of course, disagrees. On the one hand, yes, there are always degrees. On the other, it is ironic if not hypocritical of Harry, considering that in this episode we learn that he too is an assassin. Omega calls Wolf when Harry won’t do the job. One can argue about whether it is better or worse when an assassin acts in spite of believing it’s wrong. Regardless, Harry’s attitude is the one false note this week. His protectiveness of Helen shows a lack of respect for her; Again he condescends as if she’s a puppy instead of a rational adult.

Otherwise, we get lots of good teamwork in action. To quote Wolf, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Thanks to him, Helen is included in the mission. Also thanks to him thinking like the bad guys, Omega manages to keep up with their targets. Interestingly, surveillance guru Albert points out to Harry that Wolf shows more professional respect to Helen than Harry does. Mercifully, it goes no further than that and does not sink to soap opera or angst about their relationship which remains strong.

They get their guys in the end after a major shootout. But these are bad bad guys and they are shooting back, so that’s intended simply as the standard mayhem. It certainly contradicts the ‘killing is bad’ philosophy pondered earlier in the episode. But that’s digging more deeply than the show does.

Harry redeems himself at the end by advocating for Helen, and pointing out her considerable skills. This prompts her graduation from trainee to full-fledged operative. This evokes an amusing one-liner from Trillby about Rhodes Scholars and blackbelts, finally giving her character a bit of background. Here’s hoping the show continues on this course, just with more spying and less shooting.

Verdict: Some comic-book carnage not intended as serious. Despite that, a noticeable improvement overall. 7/10

Rigel Ailur

http://www.BluetrixBooks.com