Liaison is a new espionage drama on Apple TV+ which blends English and French, delivers plenty of action, politics, intrigue, and a hint of romance. While it is an entertaining watch, it doesn't offer anything particularly groundbreaking.
The show's main stars are Eva Green, who plays Alison - an agent in the UK's Home Office and Vincent Cassel, who plays Gabriel - a dedicated long-term spy for the French. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that they have a history together, hinted at through their longing looks and knowing stares. Despite the sexual tension between them, their past romance is not fully explored, which leaves some viewers feeling a little let down when the reason for their separation 20 years earlier is revealed.
The opening of Liaison also introduces two Syrian hackers, Samir (Aziz Dyab) and Walid (Marco Horanieh), who possess knowledge of planned attacks on the U.K. As multiple agencies seek to locate them, Cassel is assigned to extract the hackers from Syria and relocate them to safety in France. However, the organization pursuing them has powerful resources beyond the military and will stop at nothing to prevent Samir and Walid from revealing their plans.
The primary focus of Liaison is the threat of cyberterrorism against Britain. Though it may sound dull, the show's depiction of cyberattacks is intense and thrilling. The first attack involves flooding London by breaching the Thames Barriers, while the second is even more frightening: hackers take over the railway navigation system, resulting in a catastrophic collision between two trains. These events illustrate how cybersecurity threats can have a devastating impact on people's lives.
Adding further complexity to the romantic aspect of the show is Alison's current relationship with Albert, played by Daniel Francis. The couple lives together with Albert's daughter from a previous relationship, but he remains unaware of Alison's past with Gabriel. Although Albert is a sweet and reliable partner, viewers may question whether Alison should ultimately choose him. Furthermore, Albert's line of work is similar to Alison's, and at one point, he is tasked with finding Gabriel without realizing that the elusive spy is right under his own roof.
Although the show does a great job of slowly building the connection between the two characters, the plot persists for too long without revealing their history. While Liaison's suspense is maintained through this, it falls a little flat, and viewers may find themselves wishing for a more impactful love story. All in all, Liaison is a decent watch, but it doesn't quite live up to its potential.
