Amazon Prime Video’s most anticipated spy thriller lays the foundation of an action-packed emotion-fueled drama. Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the lead roles of Mason and Nadia, Citadel set them on a dangerous mission. Both these spies are part of an independent spy organization entitled Citadel that works for a global cause. Or are they truly a part of it? Citadel’s first two episodes make the audience question the true identity of Mason and Nadia as they weave past explosions, betrayals and secrets.
Filmed in several iconic locations in Spain, Italy, India and many other countries, Citadel commences with a bang. It is no surprise that the protagonists are made to carry the weight of their pasts and battle against the immoral. That is what each of the engrossing spy thrillers out there does. So, what makes Citadel stand out? Let us find out!
Citadel Season 1 Episode 1 Is An Explosive Introduction
From the upside-down view, the showrunners, David Weil and the Russo brothers, introduce us to two well-dressed, smirking people, Nadia Sinh and Mason Kane. They start bickering with such friendliness that it is evident they have a past history–a rather violent history to be precise. The light bickering and the sweet budding romance halt to a stop when Nadia holds a man at gunpoint and asks him to deliver the uranium to her. It is another Citadel operation but one that goes unexpectedly wrong.
The uranium retrieval mission was a trap and Mason and Nadia walked headfirst into it. Now, Nadia and Mason, struggle to survive the grenade explosion. Meanwhile, the narration shifts to the titular organization’s anti-nemesis, Mantocore’s leader, Dahlia Archer. A short glimpse at her devious intentions and it is obvious the Citadel series has much more to offer than a toe-curling spy drama.
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Do Nadia And Mason Survive The Explosion?
Yes, they do survive the explosion but the cost they have had to pay is insanely huge. For a spy, intel and memories, are at his core. Mason and Nadia have lost both, they are robbed of memories and have no clue how that happened. Since Mason was undercover and has been found as an ordinary guy, no one has any idea what happened to him–not even Mason or Nadia.
It has been 8 years since the uranium retrieval mission went wrong and Mason and Nadia’s memories have vanished. Now, Mason, under the name Kyle, has started a family of his own. He has a young daughter who dreams of explosions and apocalypses due to her classmates. Little does she know, her father endures the same issues. He, too, has extensive dreams about explosions and wars. Only, his dreams are a fragment of his past memories that Mason aka Kyle is desperately chasing.
Fueled by this desperation, Mason ends up knocking on the website and lists his DNA on there as suggested by his shrink. Mason is heartbroken over the fact that no one has come looking for him in the eight years he has been amnesiac. But when someone does come running away, looking for him, it isn’t the heartfelt meeting Mason aspired it to be.
Why Do Manticore And Citadel Now Stand On The Threshold Of War?
Bernard, the only Citadel spy who has made it out alive, is a phenomenal tech genius. When he finds Mason’s DNA registered under Kyle’s name, he goes on knocking on his doorstep and drags Mason out of his spiceless life. Bernard tells Mason everything about his past, including the mission that robbed Mason and Nadia of their memories. More importantly, Bernard emphasizes the Citadel X case–a top-secret briefcase that holds the key to the Citadel organization’s past. And, oh, it does possess a vial that holds Mason and Nadia’s memories.
So, both Bernard and Mason, embark on a mission to retrieve the Citadel X case and Mason’s beloved memories. These deadly spies succeed in their mission and a flashback reveals how Manticore and Citadel have never been able to collaborate together. While Citadel is a small group of highly dedicated and competent spies, Manticore is an organization founded by the top 8 rich families scattered around the world. Manticore serves these families and helps them stay on top of everything–legal or not does not matter. Citadel poses a threat to Manticore and the leader, Dahlia Archer, is nowhere closer to letting that happen.
Citadel Season 1 Episode 2 Ending Prioritizes The Past Of Citadel
On her quest to keep Manticore floating higher, Dahlia has lost her senses. It is no surprise infinite power has fueled sadism and immorality. As Citadel jumps into the present, Mason and Bernard have successfully retrieved the Citadel X case. They are now running away with it, smiling victoriously. The twist arrives here and so does Manticore’s people. Mason gets out unscathed and injects the vial into his body, retrieving his memories fully. Bernard’s luck isn’t on his side though.
Bernard is captured by Manticore and tortured brutally by Dahlia and her people. Believing that Bernard is dead, Mason stands at a crucial point in his life. He cannot return to his family and put them in danger but he doesn’t have any other option left. Keeping aside his dejection, Mason embarks on a journey to find Nadia and assemble Citadel once again. Nadia is in Spain and has no recollection of her previous memories but she, too, has a nagging feeling that hints at an action-packed past.
Nadia injects the vial into her and her memories start to resurface and so does the tension between them. Given that they have a history, they aren’t able to easily collaborate together. The main question remains; who betrayed Citadel? The answer will be found in the upcoming episodes of the Citadel series, premiering on Fridays only on Prime Video.
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