User reviews

I just recently started watching Covert Affairs again and forgot what a fun little show this was. Is it believable? Absolutely not. Will you still have fun watching it? Absolutely! This series about is CIA officer Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) who goes from an unknown new recruit to one of the best agents in the entire agency. She chosen at first because of her linguistic skills and thrown into the field with little training. To help her is ex special operative Auggie Anderson (Christopher Gorham) who was blinded in the field and is in intelligence now to guide Annie from afar. He becomes her most trusted friend and the two of them have great chemistry as actors.

My brother started watching Covert Affairs and recommended that I watch with him and since I had nothing better to do I said why not? I'm glad I did because I ended up really enjoying it. It's actually a pretty decent spy series. Piper Perabo was perfect for the role. She's not only beautiful but a good actress. It's the perfect summer show where you don't have to think too much but it's also not a dumb show either. Like most spy shows that came out around this time a lot of it's not believable but if you can get past that you'll have a good time watching this series. It's also one of the rare shows where each season is just as good as the others.

It's been 4 years since the series finale, and seems like yesterday that I used to watch its TV teasers and give a damm to it.

Except the spy theme and Piper Perabo, a charismatic petit mix of Julia Roberts, Amanda Peet, Jennifer Garner and brazilian actress Alinne Moraes, nothing about the show really caught my attention at that time. But now, after watching it on Amazon's stream service, I realized how wrong I was.

As a huge fan of Alias that I am, of course that comparisons are inevitable thru the episodes, but there's no room here for that glossy spy fetish sci-fi that somehow corrupted J.J. Abrams's show thru the seasons. Covert Affairs instead tries to be more down to earth like Veronica Mars.

As an episode themed series that it is, we cannot expect much plot development more than some action sequences that follows the main character's "weekly missions" and some lazy twists and cliched conflicts of the genre here and there. But anyway, the show makes its point as a light entertainment for those who just want to sit and watch it without the need to think too much. It has its charms though, like the main cast. Piper does a great job as the CIA recruit Annie Walker, and Keri Matchett as her CIA commander Joan Campbell is definitely an empowering role. Supporting actors like Christopher Gorham and Sendil Ramamurthy grows a lot throughout the seasons, and the chemistry between all of them is what makes viewers give it a fair try.

The best of the show is that Annie Walker is really well developed at the moment viewers realize that she gets stronger as her experience grows thru episodes and missions complexities expands. She gets smarter, more tactical and mature in a natural pace. That's why first 2 seasons looks a little clumsy and generic, like a derivative product of those aforementioned shows and then it gets better and some kind solid after that, finding its own personality from that on.

Interesting how a simple show as it is can turn out to be satisfactory and never pretentious. And five seasons were the necessary to make it not remarkable, but enjoyable in the exact amount.

Give it a try, you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Almost exactly around the middle of season 3, it suddenly gets better and stays that way. Up until then, it is watchable but only if you have nothing better. The writing, the action, the subterfuge, it becomes an eminently bingeable spy thriller.

I like the show but what bothers me is that it takes Annie almost four seasons to dye her hair. In season four she never took the time to wear a cap or sunglasses which makes her harder to be recognized. It puzzles me why she never disguises herself.

When I saw who the producers are, I must admit, I felt some trepidation. The Borne Trilogy was good (no self-respecting film lover could deny it), but hardly TV series material. All my trepidation flew out of the window less than five minutes into the pilot. I'm not an easy judge to please, but I must say, I'm hooked.

The characterization was fabulous. The writers laid the strong foundation of the friendship/confidant relationship that few shows have managed to convey, and it's just the pilot. I can't wait to see how it's built up. The last time I saw such a thing, it was in BONES, and that was in the middle of the first season.

Piper Perabo plays a smart, overachieving spy missing the stop-digging-yourself-into-a- hole complex. Her character is balanced by a great performance by Christopher Gorham as Auggie, your friendly neighborhood blind tech-guy, a comforting voice in the madness of the "Agency". To top off the show, you have their boss, a preoccupied career woman used to having to find her own way in a job traditionally held by men: Joan Campbell, played by Kari Matchett.

For those of you thinking it's just another ALIAS, you've got another thing coming, just as I did. The only things it's got in common with J. J. Abrams' hit show is the CIA and strong woman lead. It has the action of all the best action films of the decade and the reasonably- subtle humor of BURN NOTICE and CHUCK.

COVERT AFFAIRS is in it for the long-run. I don't plan on missing a moment of it. If it's canceled, it'll prove to be as big a mistake as canceling FIREFLY. Watch it. You won't regret it.

Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) starts as a new operative in Domestic Protection Division of the CIA. Auggie Anderson (Christopher Gorham) is a blind tech and operative who befriends Annie. She hides her secret life from her sister Danielle (Anne Dudek) living in her guest house until her secret is later revealed. Her superiors are husband and wife team Arthur (Peter Gallagher) and Joan Campbell (Kari Matchett). Calder Michaels (Hill Harper) becomes her new boss in later years.

The show starts with some good promise. She's hiding her secret life from her sister. There are some interesting professional relationships. The problem is that the show starts to lose bits and pieces. Her family life goes away after two seasons. Gallagher and Matchett are great actors but the show seems to lose interest in them. There is a constant rotation of people which saps away the tension. Auggie continues to be a good character but even he seems to fade. The show just struggles to find something to hold on to. It's left with Annie Walker being Jason Bourne. Their foreign trips don't make up for the deficits.

They need to really bring this series back it is probably one of the best shows I ever watched it's constantly suspenseful. I would recommend this as a good binge watch so many twists and turns you sometimes don't know who to trust.

This show is turning out to be what I wanted Alias to be. The similarities can't be missed really. Strong female spy with big doe eyes and a b cup, wandering around in skimpy outfits somehow kicking ass in spike heals (this always bothers me so much. I spend so much of female led action shows just staring at the foot where in dismay) but also managing family and home, occasionally crumbling in the arms of a strong scruffy man. But unlike Alias this show avoids some pitfalls.

A. It doesn't over do it. Yes super spies are cool. Of course they don't exist but there is a limit to how much we can take as an audience before we go, "Alright that's just stupid." This show manages to juggle really high stakes life or death situations with some of the more tedious but still interesting aspects of being a spy. No prophecies. No ridiculous pseudo-science.

B. Real people. The problem with JJ Abrahms that this avoids is that people watch shows to watch real people do extraordinary things. But it's nice to know they're real people every now and then. The main character messes up. She looses fights. She does dumb things. She is laughed at for making obvious mistakes. It makes her human.

C. Augie. I can't stress enough that if you don't like this show at first, wait until Augie shows up. He sold it for me. He is a really talented actor and with out a doubt the most interesting and fleshed out character in the show. I only wish he had more screen time.

So if you watched Alias, but sometime around second season starting shouting at the TV, "Why are you doing this JJ!? What did we ever do to deserve this!?" then this is your show. And for now it's mine. Let's share it.

Covert Affairs is a show that starts interesting and with each season grows in it's entertainment and level engagement as the story line deepen and grow. Half way through season 5 I'm updating this review and my rating as season 4 took to a level few shows achieve with me. I like how they've taken us with a novice CIA agent at the beginning who gets progressively better with each season with her starting as a talented rookie she quickly raises her stock to a driven professional who has gone dark and from not carrying a gun to plugging the bad guys with regularity, and satisfaction (mine). The depth and intensity of the story grows right along with the character such that by the beginning of Season 4 each show is leaving me at the point where I can't stop and need to see the next episode to get more answers. Since I am streaming the show this only presents the problem of burning through the episodes to fast and being left without a favorite show to watch sooner than I would like.

Bottom line is if you like an spy based action adventure then give the show a chance and I think you'll enjoy the ride. It has flaws, but the purpose is to entertain and engage and with each additional episode it does just that at an increasing level. Unfortunately season 5 lost its way and the apex of the show turned out to be the season finale for season 4. At that point there was a wonderful plot just laying there for Annie to return to Augie and move upward and onward. Instead they changed the formula and destroyed the show. What more evidence is needed than barely caring to watch the end of season 5 and having it cancelled shortly thereafter. Sad to see so much potential wasted, would be happier to have had it shut down after the end of season 4 and lived with what could have been than to see what they did to it. Still love it. Look at SOA, 6 masterpiece seasons with a final season that I couldn't hardly watch. Still think it is a great show, but final season killed it. Well in this case the writers in season 5 truly did kill it as it is officially cancelled which is what actually got me to watch the last 3 episodes. Sad when so much was there.

It's not exactly what a typical spy show should feel like. It's too unrealistic, and since it isn't a comedy, the drama definitely lacks intent. The characters in the show are great. But for some reason, it doesn't scream entertainment. It doesn't grow on you as the show progresses, but you could pick it up and watch an episode from time to time.

Classy, smooth and Eyal, what more could a girl ask? Really enjoyed the whole thing on DVD, over and over!

This is the first good spy-type series I've seen since 24 (looking forward to its return on FOX)and Alias (such fun with all the disguises, gadgets and mystic aspect). I was SO happy to have recently discovered Covert Affairs! This show is thoroughly entertaining if you enjoyed 24 and/or Alias. And - stop comparing - they're all different. I definitely enjoy the characters in this show. I am now into the 4th season and, even though there are some things that should be made logical with just a few sentences of explanation, and there is the inevitable craziness in all shows - like getting from the U.S. to Europe in just the right location in the middle of nowhere in - seemingly a few hours instead of a day - just in time for someone (like the elusive Ben, Eyal or Teo) to save Annie's life. Of COURSE, we're happy - big phew! And who cares if it's implausible - it's a TV show that needs to keep moving along. Purists will nit pick, but I would say anyone who likes this genre will find it totally intriguing entertaining and compelling. I always look forward to seeing what twist is coming up next. I hope it keeps going for years without the writers getting bored and killing off the best characters and ruining the series.

I want to ask the directors and producers, please bring Covert Affairs back for a 6th season. Season 5 ended with so many cliffhangers that need to be resolved. The story is obviously not finished yet. Auggie and Annie has unfinished business and belong rogether, Annie's new job offer with needs to be explored Calder and Stephanie' s potential romance, Arthur's senator run.. please, these plots have yet to be resolved. There is some really good content left. F it is a money issue, I am sure you can make a plan. This is an excellent show and needs to end with the proper unravelling of all plots and sub plots.

USA is my favorite network. Of the networks 7 shows, I watch 5 of them (Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, White Collar, and now Covert Affairs). When I first heard about Covert Affairs, I didn't think it'd be good. I figured I'd still give it a chance though, and it turned out to be good. Though it's my least favorite of the 5, it's still a show that I plan on following through out it's run. The characters are great, though I wish they'd get the supporting characters involved more. I know it's based around Annie but I think the other characters should have more to do than help her from the head quarters. Anyway, there's my little review.

If you like Piper Perabo, you will probably like this show. Her character, Annie, is a CIA agent who hits the ground running right out of training. It helps that she is something of a prodigy--excellent with weapons, amazing at hand-to-hand combat, and a whiz with languages. Though she sometimes has to confront her personal fears, for the most part she is determined to tackle any problem by immersing herself in the heart of the matter.

I have watched this show from its inception and, seasons later, I am still interested. The character of Annie is multi-dimensional. By now, we know her romantic history, her personal quirks, and her weaknesses. Auggie is her personal handler and personal friend. He usually augments her in-the-field forays from HQ with his superior intelligence IQ, but he has been known to accompany her on location.

One thing I really enjoy about the series is the location filming. They film around the world, adding authenticity to the production.

For those critics who say the series is unrealistic (every series has them), well neither is Bond. But the writers know how to create stories that are filled with intrigue. And many of the show's story lines feel like they have been ripped from the pages of global news reports.

"Covert Affairs" rates a solid 7-8 stars for me based on one thing: It's an entertaining show, plain and simple.

Is it packed full of intrigue, suspense, and plot twists that will bend your brain? No; in fact, I'm pretty sure my fellow heist/thriller film fans will see every "shocking new development" coming a mile away. Is the acting superb? Not particularly, but it's far from awful. Are you going to believe in the characters' stories and expertise? Unlikely. However, that does not make the show any less fun to watch, and even after I really disliked much of the pilot, I've tuned in every week.

Two random fun facts: The main character's name, Annie Walker, is cleverly derived from a "24" character/actor name, and each episode title is a Led Zeppelin song title.

Two cautionary caveats: The relationship between the CIA director and his CIA-employee wife is horrendous, overworked, and an absolute distraction, and the "love story" following Annie Walker and her long-lost spy lover is also teetering on the edge between inanity and lunacy. I really hope the show tones down both story lines A LOT, or this show is destined for cancellation.

All that said, I recommend this show and think that if you can suspend disbelief as you would for a made-for-TV movie, you're likely to really enjoy the ride...

This show reminds me a little of Alias. If you liked that you probably will like this. Although it is not as heavy as that it still is filled will female kick butt attitude. I love the fact that it feels like a light spy show that is just as fun as it is action-packed. Piper Perabo is fantastic as the lead and makes you want to be part of her spy crew. The storyline could use a little bit of work and maybe a bit more fleshing out but for the moment it is working fine.

This is a great show with lots of entertainment value. Don't write it off just because it seems a little far fetched or lacking in substance. The cast well and truly makes up for any shortcomings.

Covert Affairs is fast-paced, funny at times and charming in a way. This drama provides a less cynical view of intelligence work compared to other similar dramas. Though having the habit of blasting maudlin pop ballads to signal Annie's moodier moments it has action scenes — particularly a hotel room barrage of sniper fire in the pilot episode — of first rate. The series is not as taut or intense as "24" or the "Bourne" trilogy but works on the whole and when the nation seems nostalgic for cold war simplicity, this espionage drama answers the call. Action sequences — gunfire, car chases and hand-to-hand combat — but also emotional turmoils. Acceptable overall.

Great new show - good writing, excellent casting. Especially Oded Fehr - like to see more of him.

Just to comment on the criticism of the actor playing the blind operative - my mother was totally blind the final 21 years of her life (she lived to 92). No one knew, including some family members. She moved around without help as did her eyes - just like the character Augie - and showed expression as do many persons who become blind later in life. As I'm sure could be the case with some persons blind from birth.

I really appreciate this show's awareness of the fact that there are other languages and countries beyond America - something we need more of.

I find it fun that Annie Character has only one pair of shoes, especially useful when running through grass, gravel and after suspects. I like the series though know as a drama it cannot be near reality. Just no excitement in that. Roocky, yes roooooky gets supreme posts, does not follow orders and is still active in the CIA. The most excitingly fun is that Annie's open door policy with her sister has not compromised her role by as a non-worker of the Smithsonian. Where will this series be in five years...ended after a decent series.