True Lies Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Pilot

True Lies Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” has a tall order to fill as it introduces us to a new world under the stifling guise of old rhetoric.

In the spirit of telling the truth, this show has a rough first day on the job. Of course, reenacting the entire plot of a James Cameron film in under an hour will do that to any pilot.

But its quirky MacGyver tone and charismatic leads earn every small victory, giving this promising premise a fighting chance.

Pilots are historically rough. To judge a show by its pilot is to judge a book by its cover. They have much to establish in a short time frame and often devote that time to worldbuilding at the cost of likeability.

True Lies may have the action, but it does not have the guts to deviate from that status quo just yet.

This introduction to the world of Omega Sector’s spy shenanigans feels like it’s checking boxes off a list, moving through the motions as it establishes generic archetypes in the place of characters.

Unlike its fellow CBS cohort, Ghosts, this show does not arrive fully formed. As a result, it will have to undergo growing pains before it can confidently display the comedic skillset currently bogged down by stifled dialogue and cringe montages.

But the potential is there; the opportunity to lean into the absurdity is there.

And that’s essentially what I ask of True Lies moving forward; embrace the chaos of this concept.

The ship for a serious spy show sails when it’s decided Helen must undergo spy training. Most secret organizations would force her to keep what she saw to herself; they would not force a random pedestrian into the field.

To cling to practicality when your premise is built on something so ridiculous is to kill the vibes instantaneously — so don’t do it.

Instead, give us more of Harry downplaying his skills as he expertly fires at bad guys, shouting, “I don’t know, I just pull the trigger thing!” Or Helen’s petty life-or-death banter when she snaps, “They’re from Northern Spain, and your useless wife speaks Basque.”

This silly action premise doesn’t have the luxury of being dark and mysterious like The Company You Keep. Instead, it must lean into its camp and never look back.

True Lies‘ most significant asset is its two leads — Steve Howey and Ginger Gonzaga.

This show is proof that Howey is leading-man material. His comedic chops have had us laughing since Reba, but he handles the clashing genres and heavy demand for action with effortless charm. With the suitable material, there’s not much Harry Tasker won’t captivate us with.

Gonzaga proved a stand-out on She-Hulk with her bubbly comedic timing. She brings that same infectious energy to the likable Helen Tasker, and with the proper dialogue, I know she can give this housewife character genuine depth.

Together Howey and Gonzaga offer the beginnings of a promising love story, but this is one of those growing pains the show will have to work on. Too much heavy lifting is forced on this relationship to feel swayed by its romantic gestures.

Much like this faceless ensemble, they are incredibly one-dimensional as a team. That chemistry needs to come together organically; it cannot be manufactured for convenience.

I am thoroughly impressed by the action of this campy spy thriller. It is the most vital genre at work here and rarely resorts to cheap tricks.

The explosive action is executed with refinement, the fights utilize a potent combination of choreography and camera cutaways, and the violence often furthers the episode’s story in some way.

The team’s arsenal of spy pens is a delightful bonus. However, it would be great to see the show move away from boring gun-induced canon fodder in favor of these fun fictional gadgets.

The weak point of this format is the constant interference from the show’s clunky branding.

The scene transitions look very PowerPoint, and there’s too much going on between the robotic voiceovers and Omega sector logos. True Lies needs to simplify its look to avoid taking scenes like Helen speeding from harmless to unbearable.

True Lies‘ first mission in the field is hardly a success, but the comedic undertones and skilled leads suggest this spy show hides its true potential from us.

Now that the most daunting mission is in the rearview mirror, the dramedy could look entirely different when it returns for its second outing.

I cannot wait to see what Howey and Gonzaga are capable of when this premise isn’t pushing them to perform with one hand tied behind their backs.

Here’s to True Lies wreaking havoc on this one-dimensional world moving forward.

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Watch True Lies online, now streaming on Paramount+. Try it for FREE!

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True Lies airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on CBS.

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