"The Agency" (2001) TV series 2001-2003

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Creator:

Michael Frost Beckner

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

27 September 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A look at the inner workings of the CIA.

Plot Keywords:

CIA | Espionage | Terrorism | Terrorist | Terrorism Prevention

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Paige Turco	...	Terri Lowell (44 episodes, 2001-2003)
David Clennon	...	Joshua Nankin (44 episodes, 2001-2003)
Will Patton	...	Jackson Haisley (44 episodes, 2001-2003)
Richard Speight Jr.	...	Lex (35 episodes, 2001-2003)
Daniel Benzali	...	Robert Quinn (27 episodes, 2001-2003)
Rocky Carroll	...	Carl Reese (25 episodes, 2001-2002)
Beau Bridges	...	Sen. Tom Gage (22 episodes, 2002-2003)
Jason O'Mara	...	A. B. Stiles (22 episodes, 2002-2003)
Gil Bellows	...	Matt Callan (22 episodes, 2001-2002)
Gloria Reuben	...	Lisa Fabrizzi (22 episodes, 2001-2002)
Ronny Cox	...	Director Alex Pierce III (22 episodes, 2001-2002)

Runtime:

45 min (44 episodes) | USA:60 min (including commercials) (44 episodes) | Argentina:60 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Radiant Productions

Trivia:

The cell phone used by agent Stiles is a Sony-Ericsson T68i.

Quotes:

Robert Quinn: This is an espionage organization, Ms. Fabrizzi. Informing is what we do.

Movie Connections:

Follows The Agency (2001) (TV)

gripping entertainment

A TV show doesn't necessarily have to have all-out action in order to attract me. As long as the events are at least capable of keeping my attention, then I'm there. THE AGENCY is one such show. So far, not a single car chase, but all the stories have been well-written suspense/thrillers. It's like a small screen CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, with a great ensemble cast: Gill Bellows, Gloria Reuben, Paige Turco, David Clennon, Rocky Carroll, Daniel Benzali, and the great Will Patton. I was disappointed to learn Ronny Cox's character was being written out early on, but Beau Bridges has proved to be a suitable replacement. I like how the show often involves three different aspects of the agency: the field work (handled by Bellows and Reuben), the intelligence gathering (done by Patton and Carroll), and the creation of everything from fake passports to disguises (provided by Turco and Clennon). In fact, the jobs carried out by the graphics department is my personal favorite of the three. I love watching how Turco and team create virtually anything that's needed for an operation, be it a fake document to replace a real one, a bomb disguised as a flower pot, or an entire cover office complete with fake college degrees and kid drawings on the walls.

I think the show has taken on a little bit more reality in the post-September 11 world. Whereas before it would probably be written off as just another show, people can now view it as a glimpse into the world of the people who spend every day of their lives helping to protect our country. The episodes after 9/11 have done a great job of referencing current events without hitting us over the head, and I hope this show is able to stick around for awhile, because it's really well-done, and I think it has a lot of potential (same as THE FUGITIVE, but look what CBS did to that). Hopefully, the network won't repeat that mistake with THE AGENCY.