The Veil

I write this because it would have helped me. It's a well done mini series and at the 3rd episode I might have thought it was an 8, but it's one of those series that is all based on the ending and how everything comes together. I just didn't find the ending very satisfying, not worth going through the 5 episodes to get there. My rating is "fine", but I would have skipped it if I had it to do over again.

Compared to some other reviews, I liked Moss's accent.

I liked the initial premise.

I thought some of the later story lines fell apart.

I wasn't convinced of why she'd believe so much in this woman to risk it all.

I don't like to leave bad reviews. But good grief this was disappointing. It started out OK, spy thriller, hardened female specialized agent trying to outwit a terrorist. Ok, I'm in. But then it got ridiculous and unbelievable. These two women driving around in a car magically evading all the spy agencies in the world, and the agencies acting in completely unbelievable ways. The whole "bad event we are trying to stop" made zero sense. And the final episode was stupid beyond belief. I can't even begin...

I have been an Elizabeth Moss fan since Mad Men.

But I think I'm done. I can't take the over-acting and loooong closeup shots staring at the camera with her mouth hanging open a la the Handmaid's Tale. Please Hod make it stop.

Moss's English accent is a little dubious. But I'm warming to her characters charm. The scenery, so far, is beautiful. The story is very well put together. The acting is flawless.

So far, by episode two, it is turning into a game of multilayer chess. Between 2 women on a road trip. Both trying to discover each others roles and motives on this journey. And between two different countries US and France, attempting to establish control over the "mission".

As spy thrillers go, this one is one of the most interesting that I have seen in a long time. No Hollywood BS. Well worth the time, energy and focus.

A lot of money went into producing this series. Great locations and scenery, decent plot, good supporting cast. What's wrong you ask? It's Elisabeth Moss trying to play a seductive, athletic, super spy. She is not capable. Her action scenes: ridiculous. Her emotions: phony. Her seductiveness: zero. Her acting: forced. She just isn't cut out for a role like this and I think she knows it. At times, she actually appears embarrassed by herself. There's a scene in episode 3 where she's following her suspected terrorist onto a plane. Her facial expressions look like someone whose feet are on fire. There's a second scene where she has to lie her way out of a situation which, of course, she does. The problem is, no one in the world would have believed what she said and how she said it. It was bad script, poorly adapted. In conclusion, if you thought George Lazenby was the worst 007, try watching The Veil for comparison. He won't seem so bad. I still enjoyed watching but cringed whenever she was on camera. Watching her is painful.

I have to wonder if the good reviews of Elizabeth Moss in this are written by Scientologist bots! Someone gave this 10 stars! What on earth are they watching? I was so disappointed with this, though honestly I didn't expect much. I have never seen Moss as a compelling actor, but she never bothered me until I saw the series she is famous for... I'm currently watching Mad Men for the first time and I can't fathom how Moss was hired for the role. She is stiff and unnatural, often unattractive in front of the camera. Yet they act as though she's a beautiful woman. Again, the power of Scientology!

As for this series, it's overwrought and sensational, in the worst way. All Moss' roles are "Girl Power" shows. I'm a woman. I like shows with female leads, but this is NOT remotely realistic. I felt like this was a waste of my time. I'm giving it 4 stars bc I couldn't finish the series.