Lioness: War On Terror Is Ugly & Horrific

Lioness series depicts that the so-called war on terror is getting ugly and horrific with each passing year. And again, Joe, Kaitlyn, and Byron enlist a new Lioness for the CIA’s fresh war.

A year ago, we reviewed the “Special Ops-Lioness” (S1/2023) series in our Focus Magazine. Now, its makers have released season two of the “Lioness” show with a changed title. Interestingly, the announcement made in May 2023 indicated that the team revised the title from Lioness to Special Ops: Lioness. Now, they have reverted to the original title.

“Lioness” The So-Called War On Terror Is Getting Ugly & Horrific With Each Passing Season, Where Is It Going?

Spoiler Free Review: Lioness (Season 2/2024) Series

The trailer

Lioness (2024) Series – Season 2 Trailer – Paramount+ | YouTube.

The synopsis

Once more, Joe (Zoe Saldana) strives to find equilibrium between her personal and professional responsibilities while serving at the forefront of the CIA’s efforts in the fight against terrorism. In the second season, with the CIA’s counter-terrorism efforts increasingly focused on domestic issues, Joe, Kaitlyn (Nicole Kidman), and Byron (Michael Kelly) bring in a new Lioness operative to address a previously unidentified threat. As the pressure escalates from multiple directions, Joe is compelled to confront the deep personal sacrifices she has made in her capacity as the leader of the Lioness initiative.

Meet the four main characters

Zoe Saldana portrays Joe, the influential team leader of the CIA’s highly secretive yet very powerful Lioness program. A highly trained armed operative, she carries out spy and military operations with the active assistance of a skilled unit of armed soldiers. Kaitlyn (Nicole Kidman) and Byron (Michael Kelly), the civil servants, plan and closely supervise all of her Lioness team’s operations. Furthermore, their immediate political boss is Morgan Freeman (Edwin Mullins), who authorizes the covert (and poverty) operations of Lioness.

The chaotic and messy storyline of two halves

A few days back, while reviewing the “Tulsa King” series, we were praising the writer and show creator Taylor Sheridan. No doubt, Taylor started well in this Lioness series too. So, in the first half of the series (episodes 1 to 5), we were told about the potential terrorist threats originating from the Southern borders of the USA. A big Asian nation is using cartels to undermine the security of the United States of America. So, the team Lioness undertakes a military operation in the neighbouring (North/Central) American nation.

Then, in the latter half (episodes 7 & 8) of this spy tale, the Lioness mission moves to one of the Middle Eastern nations of Asia. It seems that the Middle East has become a theatre of war, nowadays. The perceived threats originate from two of the nuclear-armed (although only one is officially recognized) Asian nations. So, once again the battlegrounds shift to a foreign nation’s territory.

Not so surprisingly, we have seen the Writer Taylor inserting himself as Actor Taylor in crucial scenes of the show including the season finale, and as usual, saving the day.

Did something similar happen in the Yellowstone series? Yes, sadly we think so. Hopefully, it will not happen in the series finale. Maybe, we will have to wait and watch it.

All contemporary battles are fought in the name of the war on terror

Mind you all these chaotic and violent military battles are being fought in the name of the so-called war on terror. If such things had to take place in the real world, then such military actions would have certainly undermined the fragile peace in our world. And most likely, they would have pushed the world towards the probable World War III scenarios.

Is the storyline of the second season of Lioness, a vivid imagination of a paranoid writer? Or does a siege mentality give rise to this kind of script, where everyone else is painted as the enemy? Or is this a reflection of the harsh reality of ongoing geopolitics in the world? Or are these organized chaos and bloodthirsty battles part of the deep state’s active policies? Well, we do not know for sure. Besides, we do not wish to hazard a guess.

The rating

FM Rating3.50/5

The conclusion

Despite the messy script, the ensemble cast led by Zoe, Nicole, Morgan, and Michael and the others have performed well. However, the script with its confused approach ruined the viewing experience. It seems that all of them, especially the special armed forces and quick response teams were firing all cylinders and battling on so many fronts.

But in the end, even after so many battles, they do not destroy their enemies. Most certainly they neither win any new friends nor achieve anything substantial for the peace and security of the nation. Thankfully, these are not real-life geopolitical scenarios. Or are these? Anyway, take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy the ride into the chaotic world of Lioness.

Key Details about the Action-Packed Series from the USA

GenreAction, Drama, Mystery, Spy, Thriller
Original LanguageEnglish (USA)
And a little bit of Spanish.
Season Second Season | Season (S2) Two
EpisodesEight (8) Episodes
Creator & WriterTaylor Sheridan
DirectorsJohn Hillcoat, Stephen Kay, & Michael Friedman
CastZoe Saldana (Joe), Nicole Kidman (Kaitlyn Meade), Morgan Freeman
(Edwin Mullins), Michael Kelly (Byron Westfield), Max Martini* (Tracer), Dave Annable (Neal), Jill Wagner (Bobby), LaMonica Garrett (Tucker), James Jordan (Two Cups), Austin Hébert (Randy), Jonah Wharton (Tex), Hannah Love Lanier (Kate), Celestina Harris (Charlie), Martin Donovan (Errol), etc.
NetworksParamount Plus, Prime Video
Bonus Info.: In Season 2, Max Martini* joins the cast as Tracer. Martini has built a reputation for his roles as soldiers and special forces operatives, most notably in the television series "The Unit" (2006-09). He also depicted a SEAL in the film "Captain Phillips" (2013), directed by Tom Hanks, and played a special operations role in "13 Hours: Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" (2016), along with numerous other films and television shows.

Poster of the Action-Packed Series from the USA

Spoilers Alert – Episodes Summary of the Action-Packed Series from the USA

Summary of Eight Episodes of the Season Two
Beware the Old Soldier (S2, E1)

Joe, Kyle and the QRF team embark on a timely extraction after a high-ranking government official is kidnapped by a cartel.

I Love My Country(S2, E2)

After a new Lioness is identified, Joe and her team travel to Iraq to close the asset.

Along Came a Spider (S2, E3)

Kaitlyn works to drum up support for their plan. Lioness training begins for Captain Josie Carrillo.

Five Hundred Children (S2, E4)

Joe and Kyle make contact with a potential new source of intel. A newly expanded team conducts a hit with unanticipated results.

Shatter the Moon (S2, E5)

The warehouse discovery rattles the team. Joe is torn between two urgent missions.

2381 (S2, E6)

Events come to a head at the Carrillo estate faster than expected. Josie makes her move.

2381 USA Code:- Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
The Devil Has Aces (S2, E7)

Despite Joe’s weakened state, the team is forced back to Iraq to make a point.

The Compass Points Home (S2, E8)

Operation Sky Hawk is a go. Kaitlyn and Westfield pressure Pablo to side with them.

Awards & Nominations won by the Action-Packed Series from the USA

Awards NamesDetails of the Awards Nominations & Awards Winners
Image Awards (NAACP)Zoe Saldana – 2024 Nominee Image Award – Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Imagen Foundation AwardsZoe Saldana – 2024 Nominee Imagen Award – Best Actress – Drama (Television)
Gracie Allen AwardsNicole Kidman – 2024 Winner Gracie – Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama
Drama – 2024 Winner Gracie
Black Reel Awards for TelevisionZoe Saldana – 2024 Nominee Black Reel – Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series
Outstanding Editing – 2024 Nominee Black Reel
Critics Choice Super AwardsBest Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie – 2024 Nominee CCA Super Award
Zoe Saldana – 2024 Winner CCA Super Award – Best Actress in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie
Critics Choice AwardsNicole Kidman – 2025 Nominee Critics Choice Award – Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Bonus Info.: the documentary Lioness, directed by Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers, explores the journey of the first-ever Lioness soldiers in Iraq.

Featured Image of Laysla De Oliveira (Cruz Manuelos) & Genesis Rodriguez (Josephina Carrillo) – from Left to Right

Poster, Featured and Other Images of the Lioness (S2/2024) Series are courtesy of Paramount Plus & Prime Video.

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