I was not expecting to like this show as much as I did. I kind of had no expectations for it. The show was barely even on my radar until recently and I just started watching on a whim. But I’m really glad I did.

To be clear, this show is not the movie. It’s not a sequel or prequel or spinoff. It does not have the same characters or vibe or plot. The only tangential link is the general concept. The main characters, John and Jane Smith, are a married couple who are also spies. But whereas the movie had John and Jane meet and marry organically only to later find out they were each spies working for rival companies, the television show has John and Jane working for the same agency and being matched together as partners to pose as a married couple. All of that is to say that if you are expecting the movie in TV format, don’t. Is one better than the other? I guess that would depend on your taste. They are very different and have their own merits.

This show really does defy expectation. For a “spy show”, the missions aren’t the focus. They’re honestly not important at all other than to show us how the relationship between John and Jane holds up under different circumstances. The show plays out as almost a case study of the progression of a relationship from first meeting to… well you’ll have to watch and see where it goes. And the tone is definitely not reflective of your typical action/spy thriller. While much of their missions feel slightly fantastical, the moments in between feel shockingly real. The show is mostly quiet with long scenes of dialogue between the characters. The conversations go on so long and are so real that many of them almost feel unscripted. Like you are really just watching two people talk and bond and fight. The show is also surprisingly funny. I genuinely laughed out loud multiple times while watching. It’s not broadly comedic but I’ve described it as funny in the way that Succession was funny (if that makes sense to anyone).

You cannot achieve such a pitch-perfect, unique tone like this without the right actors. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine both bring their own off-beat qualities to their characters that make them feel lived-in, like people you could really know or meet. Their task is even harder considering we don’t get to know much about the backstories of these characters, a casualty of being a spy with a fake identity, so we don’t get to see what makes them the way they are. They have to work harder to endear us to them, with all their faults and flaws. The two also have pretty great chemistry. I liked seeing them have fun and be happy together and I also liked seeing them fight. I just wanted to see them interacting in any way and playing off each other. The series also has some pretty amazing cameos by big stars who all just absolutely go for it. My personal favorite was probably Sarah Paulson, but everyone really brought it. 

Another notable aspect is how incredible the show looks. A perk of the spy lifestyle is getting to travel to picturesque locations. Many are just backdrops to the action on screen, but they still look stark and stunning. For all the exotic locations we see, the one I loved the most was John and Jane’s Manhattan brownstone. Located in the West Village (across the street from Emmett’s on Grove for eagle-eyed viewers like myself), this apartment is a dream. Specifically my dream. One review said of the decor, “the vibe is ‘millennial Pinterest board’” (I’m not sure if that comment was meant to be derogatory but I don’t really care because it’s accurate and I liked the aesthetic). It was almost distractingly beautiful at times. The plot would be unfolding and I would think, “but look at that apartment!” In general, I’m a sucker for anything set (and actually filmed) in good weather New York City. This show seems to be set in the spring/summer and it makes just walking down the street look enviable. Don’t even get me started on sitting in a park or going to a farmer’s market. That’s the world I want to live in. And, for now, I’ll have to settle for doing it vicariously through this show. Ugh, is winter over yet??? 

I think this show is really great. It’s entertaining and funny and real and an easy watch. I blew through it in two days. The ending will definitely be divisive but I understand why they made the choice to do it that way. Everyone should check this one out!

2024 Count: 6 seasons, 7 movies