Brain-Hacked Analyst Anchors Peacock’s New Thriller

Peacock‘s new espionage thriller, *The Copenhagen Test*, has premiered. The series stars Simu Liu as a compromised intelligence analyst. Early episodes have drawn criticism for slow pacing. The show finds its footing significantly in its second half.

This sci-fi drama deals with themes of trust and technological invasion. It is executive produced by horror maestro James Wan. The eight-episode season is now streaming in full.

Simu Liu plays Alexander Hale in the new series. He is a low-level analyst for a secret U.S. agency. His department is called “The Orphanage.” He desperately wants a promotion to their elite operative floor.

He loses the promotion to a colleague. Around the same time, he begins suffering severe headaches. They are not migraines. He discovers his senses have been hacked by an outside force.

Nanites are the cause of this invasion. They allow an unknown enemy to see and hear through him. This is a major security breach for an intelligence worker.

His superiors bring him to the secure top floor. Their goal is twofold. They must determine if he is a willing traitor. They must also find who hacked him if he is innocent.

Melissa Barrera co-stars as Michelle. She is a bartender with a hidden past connected to Alexander. Their history relates to a pivotal event called the Copenhagen Test.

The supporting cast features notable actors. Brian d’Arcy James and Kathleen Chalfant play agency leaders. Saul Rubinek and Adam Godley fill key mysterious roles.

According to Reuters, the series filmed in Toronto. The locations double for Washington, D.C. The early episodes feature generic sets and murky lighting.

Slow-Burn Narrative Tests Viewer Patience

The show’s first four episodes move very slowly. Critics note excessive exposition and recap. Characters repeatedly explain the premise to each other.

This has led to negative early reviews. Some call it a two-hour pilot stretched over eight episodes. The pacing struggles to build tension or momentum.

The narrative structure uses a common prestige TV trope. Each episode starts with a flashback snippet. These glimpses of backstory are often more compelling than the main plot.

Alexander’s refugee background is a key element. His parents fled China. This fuels his desire to belong and prove his loyalty to America.

The show takes a long time to explore this psychology. Simu Liu’s performance remains flat for much of the season. He has little character depth to play initially.

Melissa Barrera’s character also feels underdeveloped. Her backstory suggests deep trauma. This rarely surfaces in her calm, collected demeanor on screen.

The plot involves internal conspiracies and double-crosses. The “Orphanage” agency investigates other intelligence bodies. It creates a fog of distrust around every character.

Series Gains Momentum in Final Episodes

A noticeable shift occurs in episode five. Director Vincenzo Natali delivers the first memorable set-pieces. The action becomes more coherent and engaging.

Episode seven, directed by Nima Nourizadeh, features better fight sequences. The choreography and filming improve markedly. The story finally gains forward thrust.

The final episodes utilize the timeline more cleverly. The show becomes smartly tricky instead of evasive. All plot threads connect back to the central test theme.

Supporting actors elevate the material throughout. Sinclair Daniel stands out as a recruit named Parker. Her backstory provides welcome humor and intrigue.

Adam Godley is a scene-stealer as the shadowy Henry. His motives keep the audience guessing. Brian d’Arcy James gives a subtle, controlled performance.

The finale sets up a potential second season. It establishes a team dynamic and a clear narrative engine. The show could adopt a more procedural format moving forward.

*The Copenhagen Test* is a slow-starter that rewards patience. The story of a brain-hacked analyst improves dramatically in its back half. It leaves a foundation for a more confident and exciting second season.