True Lies Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Separate Pairs

In trying to balance Helen’s spy and home life, True Lies produces a balanced episode of television.

True Lies Season 1 Episode 3, “Separate Pairs,” introduces new romantic dynamics, expands on Omega Sector’s history, and continues to establish why Helen is a valuable addition to the team.

The true potential of this show is slowly coming into focus.

The Art of Deception

“Separate Pairs” looks suave amongst all those rich types with its surprisingly self-aware plot.

The undercover couple gimmick steers Harry and Helen into what looks like predictable pitfalls but turns the tables when we least expect it.

When Harry tells Helen she needs to fall into line as his trophy wife/swimsuit model, you assume True Lies has a death wish. But then Helen swaps identities and changes the momentum of the operation.

The entire episode is mapped out for a moment, and it looks bleak. However, switching Helen to the gambling billionaire and Harry to the himbo swimsuit model subjects this storyline to many fun twists.

Also, Helen making the word “kitten” her entire personality is quite amusing.

This episode is quick on its feet, an impressive step up for the clunky new series.

The Engineer’s reveal is stellar misdirection. “Separate Pairs” introduces several billionaire suspects and fleshes them out just enough to have us assume when Voss is murdered, his girlfriend Tiffany must be the one pulling the strings.

True Lies takes the twist further and plants clues in Helen’s dialogue to hint at another suspect. The clues are integrated well enough into the rest of this conflict that the threat goes undetected until the big reveal.

“Separate Pairs” cleverly ties in Helen’s training by using her knowledge of the manual to establish this leading lady as one hell of an observer.

Bring the Action

The episode certainly could benefit from more action sprinkled throughout.

Even so, the implied violence is used effectively enough to move the plot forward. Moreover, it approaches the deadly implications of this occupation in subtle ways that keep the comedy light.

The car chase scene is a perfect vehicle of action and comedy.

We get the increasingly-concerned banter as Helen watches Harry climb out the window and the heart-pounding action as he jumps.

That said, True Lies needs to pull back on the spy infographics. It’s trying for a sleek, integrated database look, but the constant interference stalls momentum. Slow motion montages I can get behind; these janky graphics, I cannot.

Unresolved Feelings

Establishing a romance beyond Helen and Harry is a bold move, but one that proves victorious for True Lies.

We know almost nothing about the other agents of Omega Sector, and revealing that Maria and Luther had a romantic history helps develop their partnership and individual personalities.

Luther’s lingering hurt over the breakup is left to fester harmlessly in the background of the mission, and there’s little to suggest this will have enough time to leave a mark on us.

Until Maria confesses she broke up with Luther because she was afraid of losing him — none of which he hears — leaving this dynamic in a limbo of sweet pining, I am eager to explore further.

“Separate Pairs” finds many ways to surprise us, but this secret longing between Maria and Luther is by far the best twist.

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What did you think of this episode of True Lies? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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