What I’m Watching: Covert Affairs

Covert Affairs: Season 1, Episode 8 “What Is and What Should Never Be” (B-)

This show has officially taken a big leap. Ben has revealed himself as being still alive and has essentially declared war on the CIA with a confused Annie caught right in the middle. Something about the execution of their reunion at her home just didn’t do it for me, and I’m left disappointed by what the mystery of his character left to be expected. This show seems to have a nasty habit of starting almost every episode in media res, choosing not to provide a back story in favor of diving right into the action. In this case, what actually transpired was later explained, mostly to show the contradiction between true events and what Annie was telling Joan, though in past cases it’s simply been assumed that she’s on a mission and she’s supposed to be there, and that’s all there is to it. I don’t like that too much, and I’d rather the episodes had some sort of genuine introduction to help ease viewers into each installment. I’m also not completely taken with Auggie’s position in everything, since he helps to crack Annie’s encrypted search histories rather than watch out for his new friend. In previous episodes, he’s been far less forthcoming, so what gives? What I did like about this episode, even if it seemed a little too easy, was the speedy incorporation of Jay into Annie’s personal life, as he comes along for a barbecue and actually does well as a potential boyfriend. I just have to hope that he’s genuinely interested rather than trying to sleep with her for information, which in this case would have more than a bit to do with Ben.