Special Ops: Lioness draws inspiration from a real CIA program that involved employing female military personnel. Initially, their role was to search local women during missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later, they were assigned to disseminate and gather information among the local women.
The creator of this series, Taylor Sheridan, known for works like "Yellowstone," "1923," "Mayor of Kingstown," and more, takes this concept and builds upon it. The show boasts an impressive cast, with Zoe Saldana leading the pack, alongside Nicole Kidman.
Zoe Saldana's character, Joe, is a seasoned marine who heads the Lionesses. She also embraces the role of a wife, supported by her husband Neil (played by Dave Annable), and is a mother of two. However, her elder child holds resentment towards her, despite her managing everything remarkably well.
The story unfolds with Joe taking charge, directing a strike on an enemy compound where one of her team members has been found by the Islamic State. This team member is at risk of facing a gruesome death if an immediate extraction mission cannot be executed. Following this intense operation, Joe is brought in for a debriefing, during which her boss (played by Nicole Kidman) comes to her defense.
In a dramatic turn of events, Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira) bursts into a recruitment office while fleeing from her abusive boyfriend, inadvertently stumbling upon her true calling. Her exceptional abilities become evident as she outperforms even the male trainees in physical prowess and excels in all mental tests. A meeting with her superior follows, and they decide she may be among the rare individuals who can make a meaningful impact on her own, rather than being part of the formidable marine machine. However, embracing this path means leaving behind the life she once knew. When asked if she has a life, she confidently replies, "I have no life, sir." It becomes evident that she has found her new purpose as her superior affirms, "You do now."
The show has all the hallmarks of a Taylor Sheridan show: Guns, action, suspense, badass women. Sometimes stereotypical, but his fanbase will love this show. I'm intrigued to see where the next 7 episodes take Cruz, Joe and the Lionesses.
The first two episodes of Special Ops: Lioness are now available on Paramount+.
