Here are my first impressions of “Nikita,” which airs at 8 p.m. Central Thursdays on The CW.
1. When I first heard about this show, I felt it was unnecessary. I still feel that way after watching the pilot episode. If someone wants to experience this story, can’t they just get the DVDs of the original series? And if they didn’t want to watch that show, why would they watch this one, which is almost identical? Weirdly, it’s not a spinoff of the original “La Femme Nikita” (1997-2001, USA); in addition to the main character being named Nikita (Maggie Q), many other roles/characters are brought back, including Nikita’s handler Michael (Shane West). So is the basic plot of Nikita trying to take down the corrupt government entity Division, which she escaped from. But it’s not going to be an episode-by-episode remake, either, because that would be absurd, so I guess the proper term is “reinvention.” I think fans of the original would’ve preferred that show had continued rather than have it be reinvented nine years later.
2. Maggie Q is a fine actress in the title role, and it’s nice to have an Asian-American lead character for the first time on network TV. However, Nikita is so cool and confident that she’s more of a personality than a character. Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) is more of a character, in the sense that she seems vulnerable, and that’s why I’m more drawn to her. She is working on the inside of Division under Nikita’s secret tutelage from the outside. By having Alex trying to escape with the help of Nikita — who has already escaped — the writers can tell the first part and latter part of the mythology simultaneously. It’s kind of a clever structure.
3. I’m not real familiar with the original “La Femme Nikita,” but this pilot still felt stale to me. If it wanted a “kick-butt female action hero who is tied up with a corrupt, secret government agency” show, The CW should’ve just picked up “Dollhouse” after Fox canceled it. At least that show had compelling sci-fi elements. “Nikita” also reminds me of “Dark Angel” and “Alias,” the latter of which launched just after “La Femme Nikita” was canceled.
4. “Nikita” is a nice-looking show. In the final alley showdown between Nikita and Michael, the street looked like it was recently rained on, steam was coming from vents somewhere; in short, it didn’t look like a backlot. But again: All of this is so familiar. Back-alley showdown? I’ve seen that too many times to care anymore.
Verdict: I’m going to skip it. The beautifully shot but cliché-filled pilot adds nothing substantial to the “Nikita” mythology. It might grow into its own thing with time, but I’m not a big enough fan of the franchise, or the spy/action/revenge template, to invest the time.