The third season of Taylor Sheridan's CIA drama "Lioness" on Paramount+ has premiered, launching directly into a high-octane mission and setting up immediate peril for its lead character. The season opener features a massive battle sequence and introduces a new operational challenge for CIA officer Joe McNamara, portrayed by Zoe Saldaña.
A New Mission and an Unexpected Attack
The season begins with Joe, who leads the Lioness team responsible for training female assets for infiltration, having spent an extended period at home with her family. However, her domestic respite is cut short when, while discussing a potential mission with her boss Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman), her car is deliberately T-boned and she is taken hostage. This event sets the stage for the season's unfolding narrative.
The episode flashes back six months to a meeting overseen by Kaitlyn and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), where they debrief Joe about a mission to acquire a Ukrainian operative with intelligence on a high-ranking Russian operative within the secretive SSD. The Ukrainian government wishes for the Americans to apprehend the operative to avoid escalating tensions with Russia.
Operation in Ukraine
Joe's team, including Bobby (Jill Wagner), Tucker (LaMonica Garrett), Two Cups (James Jordan), Randy (Austin Hébert), and Tex (Jonah Wharton), is deployed to Ukraine. They encounter familiar faces, including former Lioness recruit Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), now part of Delta Force alongside tactical planner Cody Spears (Taylor Sheridan). The operation site is heavily guarded by North Korean soldiers and Russian drone swarms.
Amber Whalen (Dawn Olivieri) is the CIA officer overseeing the operation, but Cody spearheads the aggressive tactical plan, which involves extensive use of drones, explosives, and combat dogs. Joe and Cruz are assigned to identify the operative with Cody's team, while the rest of the Lioness team is tasked with protecting the exfiltration, a prospect they find challenging as Delta Force is in command.
The operation is depicted as stressful and costly, though ultimately successful in identifying the Russian operative. However, upon Joe's return home, she faces an unforeseen threat, directly linking back to the cold open of the episode.
Character Focus and Series Themes
"Lioness," created by Sheridan, has drawn comparisons to "Homeland." The first episode of Season 3 deviates slightly from the show's usual format by not immediately introducing a new recruit for Joe's team. Instead, it serves as a showcase for Sheridan's capacity for writing and executing complex tactical battles, with a significant portion of the episode dedicated to the intense action sequences.
Critics note that the mission's strategic purpose, identifying a bargaining-chip operative, appears to justify a high-risk operation, a point of contention for Joe. The series has consistently explored Joe's increasing difficulty balancing her demanding job with her commitment to her family, a conflict that has strained her marriage to Neal (Dave Annable). This season is expected to further delve into this internal struggle, a narrative arc that plays to Saldaña's strengths.
While the supporting cast, including Kidman, Kelly, and Morgan Freeman as Secretary of State Edwin Mullins, provides a strong presence, their roles largely consist of issuing directives. The more compelling storyline is anticipated to center on Joe's personal and professional conflicts.
Saldaña's performance as Joe is highlighted for its blend of external intensity and internal conflict. The season's ending shot depicts two men posing as police detectives arriving at Joe's home, with Joe reporting, "I'm blown," suggesting a significant escalation of the threat she faces.
Despite the action-heavy opening, the season is praised for its potential to explore Joe's evolving internal conflict, with a desire for more character-driven development alongside the tactical operations. The season premiere of "Lioness" is available for streaming on Paramount+.