Episode #1.1

From its opening moments, the first episode of Day of the Jackal sets an uncompromising tone, instantly establishing itself as one of the most gripping and well-constructed series premieres in recent memory. Rarely does a show introduce itself with such poise, precision, and relevance-both as a standalone thriller and a sharp reflection of the current geopolitical climate.

Right out of the gate, the episode masterfully constructs a world that feels alarmingly real. The opening sequences are a taut blend of intelligence briefings, high-level political maneuvering, and security operations that are portrayed with an accuracy that's rare on television. From biometric scanning protocols to covert surveillance methods, the attention to detail in showcasing modern security measures is stunning. You can tell the creators did their homework-everything feels authentic without being bogged down in jargon.

But what truly elevates this premiere is how effortlessly it grounds its fictional narrative in today's political reality. The tension is not abstract or manufactured; it feels like something you could read on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper. Rising authoritarianism, fractured alliances, cyberwarfare, and the precarious balance of power in Europe-it's all there, woven seamlessly into the plot. This show doesn't just reflect the present moment; it interrogates it.

The pacing is deliberate, yet never slow. It allows room to breathe, to observe the characters, the institutions, and the strategies in play, while still ratcheting up the stakes scene by scene. The Jackal himself is introduced with icy finesse-enigmatic, efficient, and terrifyingly calm. By the end of the episode, you're not just hooked; you're fully invested in the chase, the politics, and the moral ambiguity that lingers over every decision.

This is a first episode that understands the power of subtlety. It doesn't scream to grab your attention-it draws you in with quiet intensity and leaves you questioning how much of what you just saw is fiction at all. If the rest of the series maintains even half the standard set by this debut, Day of the Jackal is on track to become a landmark in prestige television.

Simply put: one of the best first episodes in years. Meticulous, relevant, and chillingly real.

Cause the MI6 side are legit pieces of crap, to be polite about it.

And i just watched ep2 right after and turns out it's even worse than it seemed in ep1.

Jackal is a contract killer but otherwise seems to avoid collateral and is an interesting character. Lashana's character is completely uninteresting and the most infuriating character i've seen in a while. She's reckless,selfish and a terrible mom and wife to boot. I don't want her to catch the antagonist at all at this point, sadly she probably will anyway i'm sure but i'll enjoy watching her struggle, hopefully lol. That poor girl, istg. Jackal doesn't seem happy with his job but lashana seems plenty content ruining people's lives, she even seems proud of it. Ridiculous.

Otherwise, good episode. Good cinematography, good pacing. I do think that like most network tv, the music is a bit too much. They need to appreciate silent scenes more, or get more dialogue.

Hopefully lashana's character gets a hint of moral compass soon or I'm gonna start skipping her scenes altogether.

Not a great start when the so called expert refers to the assassin's weapon as a gun. An expert would use rifle, pistol, revolver etc. Also MI6 would not be involved until proof a British citizen or links to country were proven. There are also some laughable dialogue problems, British people just dont talk that way. Some accents are truly awful, just horrible in so many ways. Hopefully the series will evolve with less mistakes as it's a wonderful novel and assuming it's base as a 'limited series' will have a decent conclusion. Obviously the book ends with a proper ending but knowing the industry you wouldn't be surprised if there was another series. The direction is decent as is cinematography, so some good points but the female lead is weak and also comedic in a bizarre way, you don't believe in her character at all, not her fault just bad writing. One day some writer will do research and talk to real people and not tick the 'media' boxes.

In Munich a mysterious Englishman assassinates a German political figure with a seemingly-impossible piece of marksmanship. At MI6 headquarters in London, an analyst, Bianca Pullman, takes notice and thinks she might know a way to identify the killer.

A great, though not perfect, start to the series. The opening scenes are fantastic, showing the master-assassin at work, his preparations, skills and thoroughness. The subsequent scenes involving the Jackal are also similarly great at showing the how he operates and his abilities.

However, the MI6/Bianca stuff feels derivative and forced. The whole "she's just a humble, innocent working mum" shtick is unoriginal (Killing Eve, as just one example, already did that, and did it much better) and Disneyfied.

I don't dislike Bianca but in the "which team are you on?" competition (which is what the writer is trying to create through getting us to engage with the two main characters) right now I'm on Team Jackal.

The premiere episode of The Day of the Jackal delivers a perfect start to a thrilling and suspenseful series. From the opening scene, the show succeeds in creating a sense of urgency and mystery, immediately drawing the viewer into its gripping narrative.

The cinematography is stunning, with careful attention to detail that captures the era and the tense atmosphere of the plot. The acting is outstanding, especially the lead actor, who skillfully combines charisma and danger. The supporting cast also adds depth, making the story feel realistic and compelling.

The pacing of the first episode is well-balanced, providing enough exposition to introduce the characters and central conflict while leaving room for suspense and action. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, with subtle moments that hint at the complexities of the characters and their motivations.

By the way, this is my first-ever comment here and my first review of a TV series, so I wanted to share my thoughts! Haha.

Overall, the pilot episode of The Day of the Jackal is an excellent start to what promises to be an exciting series. It successfully combines a rich narrative, strong performances, and high production value, making it a must-watch for fans of espionage and thriller dramas.

Rating: 9/10.