Having consumed all six episodes of 'The Assassin' (2025) in a single viewing, I can confidently assert the reliability of my assessment. A common sentiment among lower-rated reviews suggests an expectation of a more somber tone, akin to 'Dept. Q,' perhaps with a touch of humor and tones of cursing/F-word. However, 'The Assassin' distinguishes itself from such comparisons, save for the presence of dry British humor, which may not resonate universally out of the UK. While I also totally enjoyed 'Dept. Q,' finding it comparable to 'Sherlock Holmes,' 'The Assassin' aligns more closely with the unserious nature of 'The Black Doves,' released during the Christmas season.
What's undeniable is that Keeley Hawes absolutely shines as a retired assassin obliged to get back into murky business, continually delivers compelling moments amidst a narrative that embraces its own absurdity. The series thus eschews seriousness in favor of an entertaining and unpredictable experience, balancing humorous dialogue and actions with intense action sequences; even if those sequences occasionally stretch the boundaries of the believability and the established rules of espionage/assassin thrillers. While Freddie Highmore's performance occasionally falters, particularly in portraying stronger reactions to early violence as he's still unfamiliar with lethal territory (I firmly believe he's still stuck in "The Good Doctor" phase - since he played the role for so long that he could've easily obtained an MD degree and even further pursued a PhD in medicine - that he should take the very much needed break to try to get out of the character), his dedication is certainly quite evident.
Ultimately, I recommend viewers approach 'The Assassin' with an open mind, appreciating it for its intended nature rather than preconceived expectations.
