Sam Fisher’s Return in Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
Sam Fisher has made his Netflix debut in Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, promising to be a treat for fans of the series. For anyone who doesn’t know Fisher from his hits stealth adventures back in the 2000s, the character stars in an 8-episode series of episodes. But, fans who played Omega Boost may find the experience somewhat nostalgic
Based on the characters and story, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch has great potential. Liev Schreiber gives an incredible performance, replacing Michael Ironside as the voice of Sam Fisher. The speed is just right, so the audience can’t wait to watch the next episode. Though Splinter Cell Conviction is a great game show, you just feel a little pang of sadness knowing that we will be waiting ages for a new Splinter Cell game.
Picking Up from Blacklist
Set years after Splinter Cell: Blacklist, the series sees a retired Sam Fisher living quietly in Poland in the present day. At the same time, Anna Grim Grimsdottir leads 4th Echelon. The story follows agent Zinnia McKenna, played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, who finds herself in a high-stakes mission that quickly goes awry. The chaos drags Sam back into his old life of being a spy.
In the second episode Sam Fisher again becomes the central character, as showrunner Derek Kolstad of John Wick fame ensures all focus is on him. Fans can take comfort in the fact that Fisher’s legacy is safe from the interference of McKenna. Sam’s character is much deeper than you could imagine thanks to Schreiber’s ability to capture his sharp wit and stoic toughness. His relationships with friends, enemies, and his dog, Kaiju, are especially important.
An Eye-Opening, Violent Ride
Compared to the games, the series ramps up the violence with even more intense espionage and war scenes. Although not everyone might be wowed by the sheer brutality we see, it demonstrates the stakes that these lone wolves are dealing with. The show balances this intensity with thrilling stealth missions that highlight Sam’s trademark spiesmanship.
The narrative is bolstered by a strong cast, with Grim, Jo, Thunder, and McKenna complementing Fisher’s story. The main character’s daughter of the familiar character Douglas Shetland, which is a reference to classic Splinter Cell lore. Fresh touches from the excellent Chaos Theory and other older titles will return when Splinter Cell is revealed.
A Bittersweet Enjoyment
This show is so fun that it makes you think about what will happen with Sam Fisher if it goes on. Though exploring Fisher’s prime via flashbacks might keep the animated series from dying altogether, we’re not sure how long Sam will be the main character. Fans are hoping their favourite character stays around for longer as Netflix has not liked to invest too much into long seasons for similar adaptations.
In short, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch may be a short journey, but it delivers a surprisingly fun adventure in the franchise. The thrilling action combined with nostalgia makes this series a very good watch. Hope Ubisoft picks up the pace on the remake of Splinter Cell game.
