TV Review: Intelligence - "Down But Not Out"

Let me preface this by saying that if we don't hear soon about a season two of Intelligence from CBC, I will personally hire a Henchman Bob to do some damage. OK, I won't, but I'll be really, really peeved.

The season one finale, "Down But Not Out," resolves some issues—mostly issues known as Dick Royden—but ends on a cliffhanger. And we're hanging from a very tall cliff here. If the show does come back, obviously Jimmy's an integral part of the show and I don't believe he'd be killed off. If it doesn't come back, we could be left thinking he's a goner, except that title offers a some hope, if we choose to look at it that way.

The season's ratings weren't great, but you could say that about most CBC shows this year, and I can't believe the network has anything surpassing the quality of Intelligence in the pipeline, or that scheduling it against frequently top-rated House didn't have an effect on its popularity.

Written and directed by series creator Chris Haddock, the season finale is another pulsating drive toward a frenetic conclusion, all to a pulsating soundtrack by series composer Schaun Tozer. Jimmy is frantic to find out who in Canada's intelligence community is threatening to out him as a rat, giving Ian Tracey a chance to show the menace that is always bubbling below the surface of the generally diplomatic Reardon.

In the meantime, he arranges his affairs as best he can, including getting his undercover cop connection to scout out the guy's identity; spreading the word that Dante's Disciples are out to smear the Reardon empire, to counteract any word on his informant status that may leak to the street; and to get his banker to stash Reardon's cash. Bankers are trustworthy, right? Ronnie shouldn't worry when no one can find banker Hogarty by the end of the episode, right?

Mary is frantic to stop Dick Royden, American mole and Jimmy's unknown target, from ascending to the job she covets - head of the Asia/Pacific region of CSIS. So she gets faithful—or is he?—subordinate Martin to wire Royden's hotel room, and old friend Eddie to drop a hint to the Americans that their mole has been exposed. "Which one?" ask the CIA, complicating matters further for that second season that better be on the horizon.

Her senator connection has reiterated that Royden is untouchable, implied Mary's job is in danger, and taken her off the case of proving Royden's American connection, so Mary has also had to warn informants Randy Bingham and Katarina to get ready to run.

Article Author: Diane Kristine Wild

Diane writes about boring things during the day, pop culture things by night. She also runs the TV, Eh? website, a compilation of news and information about Canadian television. Follow her on Twitter @deekayw for more random thoughts.

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