Naomi Review: Zero to Sixty (Season 1 Episode 3)
Naomi Season 1 Episode 3, “Zero to Sixty,” kicks the overarching threat into high gear and adds more intriguing pieces to the Naomi McDuffie puzzle. It’s a marked improvement from the first two outings, carefully fostering the mounting tension and excitement necessary for a show of this genre.
Of course, any series needs time to get its “sea legs,” so to speak. It’s rare to find a TV show that forges ahead surefootedly and smoothly from the get-go.
DEE: Control your body, control your mind, control your powers.
As Dee teaches Naomi about growing pains regarding her powers, Naomi experiences its share of growing pains in these first episodes. That said, “Zero to Sixty” serves as a much-needed catalyzer for what lies ahead.
“Zero to Sixty” finally introduces Stephanie March’s enigmatic Akira into the mix, and her scenes with Cranston Johnson’s Zumbado are some of the episode’s highlights. Naomi doesn’t reveal every card up its sleeve, notably concerning Akira and Zumbado’s history, but it plants enough enticing seeds to keep us in its thrall.
AKIRA: Involving the girl is putting into motion something you can’t control.
This show does something unusual that most teen supernatural series don’t do — it places Naomi in a position of disclosing her identity to her parents without fear of blowback or scrutiny from them.
“Zero to Sixty” shows us Greg and Jennifer McDuffie know more than they let on, and it’s abundantly clear Naomi will pose a moral quandary for Greg, particularly. Does he continue hunting aliens, knowing his daughter is one?
Naomi deepens her bond with Lourdes in “Zero to Sixty.” While the polyamory angle would have broken barriers (not that Naomi doesn’t bust its fair share of glass ceilings), it’s refreshing to see a female lead potentially choose a woman over a man.
ANNABELLE: Obviously, I’m coming with you. I’m your ride or ride.
The third episode of Naomi finds the show starting to hit its stride. Like its endearing lead, the series actively seeks to discover its identity and place in the DC universe. Kaci Walfall leads the charge with a heartfelt, earnest performance. “Zero to Sixty” proves this show can reach for the stars.
Here’s hoping Naomi doesn’t have to leap off any more bridges.
Stray Observations:
- It looks like ADA Alexandra Cabot got a “leather and stilettos” upgrade!
- While Greg can explain to Naomi the top-secret military mission at play in Port Oswego, what will he say when she inevitably stumbles upon an episode of 7th Heaven (said in jest, of course)?
- Naomi might have the best parents in teen show history — understanding, open, and encouraging. No extreme aloofness or “tough love.”
- Out of Naomi’s potential suitors, Lourdes is undoubtedly the favored frontrunner.
- Here’s hoping Naomi partially goes the Cobra Kai route and Naomi becomes an ass-kicking martial artist.
What did you think of this episode of Naomi? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Naomi airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
Follow us on Twitter and 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.