The Veil

I don't like to leave bad reviews. But good grief this was disappointing. It started out OK, spy thriller, hardened female specialized agent trying to outwit a terrorist. Ok, I'm in. But then it got ridiculous and unbelievable. These two women driving around in a car magically evading all the spy agencies in the world, and the agencies acting in completely unbelievable ways. The whole "bad event we are trying to stop" made zero sense. And the final episode was stupid beyond belief. I can't even begin...

I have been an Elizabeth Moss fan since Mad Men.

But I think I'm done. I can't take the over-acting and loooong closeup shots staring at the camera with her mouth hanging open a la the Handmaid's Tale. Please Hod make it stop.

I would like to love this show as it is one of the few shows that have women in leading roles and that is actually the only good thing about the show. The story starts all right but lacks credibility as it progresses. A chain smoker lead in this day and age? And why is she actively sabotaging all the spy agencies she is working with? She works for MI6 but reports to everyone except them. And what do you do when you find a very dangerous terrorist? Obviously help her escape and evade all the governments and agencies.

This is simply bonkers.

The other flaw is that she smiles too much for no reason.

Despite all these limitations, the show is watchable.

Just suspend your logic and don't expect too much.

"The Veil," the latest offering from Steven Knight, creator of "Peaky Blinders," presents a mixed bag of espionage intrigue and melodrama. The series, starring Elisabeth Moss as MI6 agent Imogen Salter, delves into the shadowy world of international spies with a strong initial concept that occasionally gets bogged down by excessive emotional weight and melodramatic elements.

Elisabeth Moss, known for her intense and complex performances, delivers another strong portrayal as Imogen. Her character's adeptness at adopting various identities and unearthing secrets is compelling, particularly in the dynamic exchanges with Yumna Marwan's Adilah, a woman of mysterious motives. The chemistry between Moss and Marwan is one of the show's highlights, bringing depth to their complex relationship as they navigate a deadly game of truth and lies from Istanbul to Paris.

Supporting performances by Josh Charles and Dali Benssalah add layers to the international spy network, with Charles playing the brash American agent Max, whose interactions with the more reserved French agent Malik (Benssalah) provide unexpected moments of humor amidst the tension.

Despite these strengths, "The Veil" struggles under the weight of its own ambitions. While Knight's writing excels in creating a rich dialogue and intriguing plot twists, the series often veers into overwrought territory, detracting from the tight, suspenseful narrative that the genre demands. The heavy backstories and psychological trauma experienced by the characters, particularly Imogen, sometimes feel overplayed, risking the loss of the show's core espionage appeal.

In summary, "The Veil" is a visually captivating and well-acted series that will appeal to fans of spy thrillers, especially those who appreciate Moss's nuanced performances. However, it occasionally falters under the strain of its melodramatic elements, making it a series that, while engaging, could benefit from a more streamlined approach to its storytelling.

By focusing on its strengths-smart dialogue, strong performances, and intricate spy games-"The Veil" manages to entertain, even if it doesn't always hit the high notes it aspires to achieve.

So much promise, so little delivered. It goes from difficult to follow to incomprehensible. If you are following it, then prepare to be disappointed because nothing much gets resolved. So you'll be left wishing for a slightly more conventional conclusion instead of one that makes you wish you hadn't spent 6 episodes getting to the messy end. It's ok not to resolve every thread and to not neatly wrap things up but we are after a story and entertainment so when you leave dissatisfied the work has failed. I don't want another season despite the fact that the main character was a good one. Complex and competent. That wasn't enough.

I have to wonder if the good reviews of Elizabeth Moss in this are written by Scientologist bots! Someone gave this 10 stars! What on earth are they watching? I was so disappointed with this, though honestly I didn't expect much. I have never seen Moss as a compelling actor, but she never bothered me until I saw the series she is famous for... I'm currently watching Mad Men for the first time and I can't fathom how Moss was hired for the role. She is stiff and unnatural, often unattractive in front of the camera. Yet they act as though she's a beautiful woman. Again, the power of Scientology!

As for this series, it's overwrought and sensational, in the worst way. All Moss' roles are "Girl Power" shows. I'm a woman. I like shows with female leads, but this is NOT remotely realistic. I felt like this was a waste of my time. I'm giving it 4 stars bc I couldn't finish the series.