SIX Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Critical
Lisa Babick
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Watching Rip being torn apart by bullets on the recap at the beginning of SIX Season 2 Episode 1 was as shocking as it was at the end of SIX Season 1 Episode 8. Rip may have had his faults, but he didn't deserve what happened to him.
And the fact that it was a young girl from Oregon doing the bidding of the evil Michael Nasry makes the whole situation even worse.
How could someone turn against her own country so easily and without regret?
What is so compelling about SIX is that it immediately grabs hold of you and doesn't let go. You can't tear your eyes from the action on the screen. The feelings of anger at what happened are real.
I want vengeance on the bad guys as much as the rest of the team.
The other great thing about SIX is its amazing cinematography. Everything is so realistic that we feel as if we are right there with the team: in the bunker, on the helicopter, and everywhere else the team goes.
The action scenes when the team chased after Dragan were incredible.
Related: SIX Review Season 1 Finale Review: End Game
There's also something to be said about the acting and the writing. When I first started reviewing SIX, I wasn't too impressed with the character development, but someone told me I needed to have patience, and she was right.
Over the course of SIX Season 1, the characters came to life and jumped off the screen. I felt as if I had a personal relationship with each of them, and that hasn't changed.
In fact, I feel closer to them than ever. I feel like they've made me a part of their family by giving me a peek into their lives.
I feel Caulder's regret, the intensity of Bear and Lena's love, and Buddha's anger and frustration and the protection he has for Jackie and his kids.
"Critical" picks up immediately after the attack on Rip. Each member of the team has a flashback about Rip effectively setting up what's to come for the rest of the season.
There are angst and rivalry within the team and guilt about past actions and words. They all have the same main goal of taking down the people responsible for Rip's attack, but the internal strife may very well tear them apart.
One of the saddest and most powerful moments of the installment was when Bear and his team were finally allowed to go after Dragan.
Buddha had just gotten the call that Rip had died, and he was pissed. Pissed at what happened, but also angry that Rip had died alone.
The Commanding Officer wasn't about to let Bear's team in on the action. It was too soon after the call came which was only moments before they were set to go after their target.
But after Dragan escaped, Bear's team was the only one available to chase after him, and the CIA agent in Charge, Gina Cline, demanded that another team be sent in for the chase.
Bear's team deserved this moment, and it was a relief when the Commanding Officer sent them on their way.
When the team loaded into the helicopter, the bagpipe background music was very emotional. The team had lost one of their own, and it hurt. I imagined that Rip was being laid to rest with no one there for the final ceremony -- at least no one that was close to him.
What a horrible image.
The SIX Season 2 premiere episode debuting on Memorial Day is fitting. Rip's death was a stark reminder of what the day is supposed to be about.
It's not about outdoor barbecues and hanging out with the family. Men and women who have given their lives to secure our freedom, and their sacrifices should be remembered.
Two new characters were introduced on "Critical." Trevor is the newest member of the team, taking the place of Buck who died last season. He reminds me a little bit of Caulder, but he's a bit wilder. He's sure to cause some trouble.
Related: Six Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Pilot
The other addition is Gina Cline, a CIA operative whose main mission is to hunt down a terrorist known as "The Prince."
Dragan was key in finding answers to The Prince's whereabouts, but like any good terrorist, Dragan had a plan in case he was caught and blew himself up nearly taking Caulder with him.
Fortunately, Dragan left a key piece of evidence behind, a codebook that may provide Cline and Bear's team with the answers they need.
Unfortunately, is the fact that Gina saved Michael Nasry from certain death. She's undoubtedly going to use him as a way to find The Prince, but the idea that he's not going to be held accountable for Rip's death is maddening.
I hope at least she uses some sort of CIA torture on him to get him talking. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with what he did.
What will the team think when they find out that little nugget?
The other issue is Marissa and how she'll play into the rest of the season. She got lucky when the FBI mistakenly raided the room next door instead of hers.
Why would they think a white girl from Oregon was the one who pulled the trigger? Why would anyone think that?
And, yes, that's a whole separate conversation in and of itself.
The idea that a terrorist organization is using our own people against us is a scary thought. How many young people are commiserating with the enemy? I bet it's more than we can even comprehend.
What did you think of "Critical"? Will Michael get away with murder?
Will the team fall apart or stick together to avenge Rip's death?
Hit the comments below and share your thoughts?
If you have yet to turn into SIX on History, there's still time to catch up. SIX is a series you won't want to miss.
You can watch SIX online right here via TV Fanatic or catch up by reading past reviews of the best military show on television right here.
