The RPM Show

By Ryan Matthews

This fall, The CW has brought back one of television’s biggest action stars. It’s based on a 1990 French film, remake of the 1993 movie Point of No Return, and the 1997 television series La Femme Nikita. In this case it’s Nikita and it stars Maggie Q as the title character. The executives at Warner Brothers gave the reins to executive producer Craig Silverstein and thought the show could be refreshed in a way.

This time, the story takes place three years after Nikita escaped from a secret branch of the government called Division, the first one ever to do so. She was recruited six years ago by Division and trained to become an assassin. During her time there she fell in love with a civilian named Daniel Monroe, but that is strictly forbidden for her employers so they have him killed to make look like an accident. After she discovers what Division really is, she escapes. Now, after three years on the run, she has returned to bring Division down and everyone with it.

They have been recruiting young people with dark pasts so they can become the next assassin since the beginning. She promises that she will not be the only one to escape Divisions grip. The agent assigned to bring her down is Michael played by Shane West who was previously on ER. Michael was Nikita’s trainer and she was his best student. The man who calls the shots at Division is named Percy who is played by Xander Berkeley from 24.

In the pilot, we learn more about Nikita’s past and Division brings in a new recruit named Alex who they believe can be the next great assassin. At the very end we find out Alex is working with Nikita on the outside to help get information about all of Division’s operations and missions. To me that was a great twist and brilliantly executed.

As far as I go, I was blown away by how good this was. Maggie Q definitely has what it takes to make you watch this show every week. And with a stellar supporting cast including some young actors like Lyndsy Fonseca playing Alex, I think this one can go very far. And The CW could use some more hit shows on the roster. Last year The Vampire Diaries became a hit, and this year I can see Nikita becoming a fan favorite. In the end, I give Nikita a perfect four stars and I highly recommend that you tune in for this one. You can catch all-new episodes every Thursday at 9/8c. Tell us what you think about this show. Did Maggie Q do a good job, or will this show last only a few episodes? Is this the right fit for the network?