The Beating – Episode two kicks off with a lunch meeting at the “Occidental.” Joe (Zoe Saldana) fills Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) in on the “Lioness” mission. She says although Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveria) claims “The Mark,” Aaliyah Amrohi (Stephan Nur) is prohibited from utilizing social media, they have shared text correspondence. While Kaitlyn is impressed, Joe requests authorization for Cruz to have more extensive training. Reluctantly agreeing, Kaitlyn recommends Recon but Joe has her mind set on the Combat Applications Group “CAG.”

Neal (Dave Annable) and his colleagues discuss a malignant tumor on 6-year-old Maddie Rawlins’ (Nora Winter) frontal lobe. A colleague warns of potential facial disfigurement and chemotherapy being ineffective. With Maddie away, Neal reveal her diagnosis to Mike Rawlins (Alex Podulke) and Vickie Rawlins (Marguerite Simpson). With the help of Dr. Elsa Ramierez (America Olivo), Neal warns that the operation would require the removal of Maddie’s eye. Vickie breaks down sobbing. Mike physically assaults him when he warns of permanent damage, even if the operation is successful. A call from Kate’s (Hannah Love Lanier) school diverts his attention from the distraught parents. Neal later scolds her for attacking a classmate. She claims the girl called her something terrible. As he continues to badger her, she says, “I can’t have this conversation with a white man.” Stopping the vehicle, he assures her that he is her father above all else. Kate’s suspension results in a forfeit for her team.

Neal And Joe’s Suburban Home – Joe returns home to find Kate upset over Neal confiscating her phone. After an unsuccessful attempt at talking to Kate, she joins him outside when his bruised faced grabs her attention. While trying to explain, he recalls his old classmate, Valentino, from medical school became plastic surgeon to avoid dying patients. He tells her how Valentino’s medical career came to an end when Kate asks for her phone. Joe orders her to go back inside before going to her bedroom. They briefly discuss Kate’s desire to be important when she grows up. Joe warns that it can come with a price. Before returning her phone, she assures her that her problem is minor compared to Neal dealing with the Rawlins family. Kate apologizes to Neal while he prepares dinner.

Georgetown Apartment – Cruz works out to quell her anxiety. Unable to sleep after a shower, she goes for a run when five assailants in disguises apprehend her.

Neal And Joe’s Suburban Home – Joe and Neal are amid an intimate encounter when their phones ring. Ignoring the interruption, they finish the entanglement before checking their phones. Neal promises the call to be there in 30 minutes while she issues orders for someone to be taken to Langley. Neal gives Kate some last-minute orders before his departure. Kate goes to Joe’s room to find her concealing a gun. She questions why she has a gun. Joe claims it is for protecting her co-workers.

At Sea – Cruz is in a fishing trawler en route to a small island. Still black-bagged and practically nude, a man sprays her with a powerful hose. Amid the torture, the black bag detaches from her head and panties fall to her ankles. Loud noise emits from speakers. When she comes to, she is restraint-free. While dressing, several masked men enter the room and start berating her in a foreign language. Once again, she is attacked and restrained with plastic cuffs. She puts up a good fight but a man quickly subdues her. They demand her name before waterboarding her. In the end, she is knocked out cold with a right hook.

Restrained to a metal chair, she comes to as Joe enters the room. She is outraged to discover it was a training exercise. She reminds her that she already underwent extensive “SERE Training.” Joe says the training is necessary to determine the time she will have to rescue her if her cover is blown. Cruz assures her that she will not break. Joe tells her that everyone breaks, some even make a mess of Edgar (Ethan Jones Romero).  She inquires about her stint as a strip dancer before asking if she gave it up after someone put their hands on her. She warns that round 2 will be tougher.

Joe watches live footage of Cruz being tortured while a man spews out questions about her family. Threatening her with a cattle prod, Cody (Matt Gerald) asks her father’s name and if she feels responsible for his death. Pointing out that her mother and brother were away, the man suggests she was at fault. When he removes her restraints, she physically attacks him. He eventually subdues her with a chokehold while she restrains against his control. Delta Captain (Josh Crofty) demands the torture to end. Joe begrudgingly calls it off but Cruz isn’t finished. A man restrains her. Joe warns that Cruz believes she won.

Fort Bragg – Beaten and battered Cruz is taken to Fort Bragg. Joe questions her about Amrohi (Bassem Youssef). Cruz denies any knowledge of him. Joe warns that he is one of the worst kind of terrorists who is motivated by greed.

Bobby (Jill Wagner) is cleaning her weapons when Two Cups (James Jordan), Randy (Austin Hebert), and Tex (Jonah Wharton) pelt her with plastic bullets. She drops before setting off a smoke grenade. The area feels with smoke as the profanities fly. She asks about a shower. Two cups leaves to give her some privacy. Bobby is not happy when she sees the battered Cruz. Her anger is further incited by the revelation of a repeat “SERE Training.” Grabbing her things, she aims to make it right.

Charlie Mike’s Bar – Bobby confronts Cody about the additional SERE training. Claiming Joe wanted her broken, he boasts of their success. Two Cups shocks him with a taser, enticing a bar fight. Cruz strangles Cody nearly unconscious. In a fit of rage, she fights with a teammate until recognizing his face. A call from Aaliyah brings her back to reality. After asking about her well-being, she claims to have been in a car wreck. Aaliyah asks for a photo. Chalking it up as embarrassment, Cruz refuses to comply. Aaliyah invites her on a trip to Chesapeake.

 

Special Ops: Lioness Review

The episode added little to nothing to the storyline. Too much screen time wasted on irrelevant scenes. While it is sometimes helpful to steer away from the plot, too much makes for an uneventful episode.

The scene in which Kate addresses her father as a “white man” is agenda-laden. She lives a luxurious life that affords her with much more than the 11 million children currently living in poverty in the United States. Hannah Love Lanier does a fabulous job giving her character, Kate, an intolerable attitude.

The horrendous beating is aimed at generating shock among viewers. It could easily be compared to “G.I. Jane,” which I consider one of the best female-based military films ever developed. Unfortunately, Lioness and G.I. Jane have nothing else in common.

The show contradicts itself in just two episode. In episode one, she defeats men in one-on-one battles. In episode two, she struggles to keep up.

I would have to say the episode earned a 5.4 out of 10. Get more Special Ops: Lioness recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our site. Our onsite advertising builds online awareness, click the link to learn more.