Season 1 Plot
The Night Agent Season 1 is a political thriller series on Netflix, based on the novel by Matthew Quirk. The show follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland as he gets caught in a high-stakes conspiracy involving government corruption, assassins, and a mysterious phone call that changes his life.
Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is a low-level FBI agent assigned to monitor a secret emergency line in the White House basement. One night, he receives a call from Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), a tech entrepreneur whose aunt and uncle—former Night Agents—are murdered by assassins. Peter rescues Rose and learns that her relatives were investigating a mole in the U.S. government.
As Peter and Rose dig deeper, they uncover a conspiracy that involves the highest levels of power, including the White House Chief of Staff, Diane Farr (Hong Chau), and Vice President Redfield (Christopher Shyer). With assassins hunting them, they must race against time to expose the truth before it’s too late.
Season 1 Twists & Turns
The White House Conspiracy
Peter discovers that someone inside the White House is working against him. Diane Farr initially acts as his ally but is later revealed to be part of the conspiracy.
Vice President Redfield’s Involvement
Redfield and his daughter Maddie are at the center of a plot involving a terrorist attack. Maddie is kidnapped as leverage to ensure her father complies with the conspirators’ plans.
The Real Mole
Gordon Wick, a powerful businessman, is the mastermind behind the conspiracy, working with Farr and Redfield to orchestrate a false-flag terrorist attack.
The Terrorist Plot
The plan is to bomb a Metro train carrying foreign diplomats, which would justify future government actions. Peter and Rose work to stop it before disaster strikes.
Season 1 Ending Explained
Peter exposes the conspiracy and prevents the bombing.Diane Farr and Redfield are arrested, while Gordon Wick escapes, leaving room for a potential sequel.President Travers acknowledges Peter’s heroism and offers him an official role as a “Night Agent,” a covert intelligence operative.Rose, having avenged her family, moves on with her life, while Peter embarks on his new mission.
Season 1 Reviews
Critical Reception:
- Rotten Tomatoes: The season holds a 74% approval rating based on 31 critic reviews. The consensus states, “Bingeable as a beach read and just as forgettable, The Night Agent is a routine spy thriller told with commendable bravado.” Rotten Tomatoes
- The Guardian: Awarded the series 4 out of 5 stars, praising its propulsive and slick nature, with particular commendation for Gabriel Basso’s performance.
- RogerEbert.com: Described the show as reminiscent of ’90s and ’00s thrillers, noting its confident storytelling and effective pacing.
Audience Feedback:
- IMDb User Reviews: Opinions vary, with some viewers appreciating the fast-paced action and character chemistry, while others criticize the plot’s plausibility and dialogue quality.
- Reddit Discussions: Viewers have expressed mixed feelings, with some finding the series engaging after the initial episodes, and others pointing out weaknesses in writing and character development. Reddit
Season Two Plot
The Night Agent Season 2, released on January 23, 2025, continues the gripping narrative of FBI agent Peter Sutherland as he navigates deeper into the world of espionage and political intrigue.
Following the events of Season 1, Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is now a fully-fledged Night Agent. The season opens with Peter and his partner, Alice Leeds, on a covert mission in Bangkok, trailing intelligence broker Warren Stocker. The operation is compromised, leading to Alice’s death and Peter going off the grid, suspecting a leak within the agency.
Back in the U.S., Peter reunites with Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), who is now working as a programmer. Together, they uncover a conspiracy involving a defunct chemical weapons program called “Foxglove.” Their investigation reveals that a faction plans to deploy a chemical attack on U.S. soil, targeting the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Parallelly, Noor Taheri (Arienne Mandi), an aide to the Iranian Ambassador at the UN, seeks asylum in exchange for intelligence, adding layers to the intricate web of espionage.
Season 2 Key Developments
- Peter’s suspicion of a mole within Night Action proves true, complicating his mission and trust within the agency.
- The revival of the “Foxglove” program introduces a new level of danger, with plans to release a deadly chemical agent during a high-profile UN event.
- Noor’s internal conflict and her role in the intelligence community provide a nuanced perspective on loyalty and survival.
Season 2 Ending Explained
In the season finale, Peter, Rose, and their allies converge at the UN Headquarters to thwart the impending chemical attack orchestrated by Viktor Bala’s faction. Through coordinated efforts, they manage to prevent the disaster, but not without significant personal and professional costs. Peter is arrested for his unsanctioned actions during the mission, leading to a complex moral and legal quandary. Meanwhile, intelligence broker Jacob Monroe manipulates political events, resulting in Governor Richard Hagan’s ascension to the presidency, hinting at deeper conspiracies and setting the stage for future conflicts.
Season 2 Reviews
Critical Reception:
- Rotten Tomatoes: The season holds an 89% approval rating based on 19 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The consensus states, “Growing more assured in its second season, The Night Agent executes its mission to entertain with no muss or fuss.”
- Metacritic: The season has a score of 67 out of 100, based on 9 critic reviews, indicating “generally favorable” reviews.
- The Guardian: Praised the season for its engaging narrative, stating, “The Night Agent season two continues to be a highly engaging spy drama, reminiscent of Homeland.”
- Forbes: Described the season as “a thrilling, action-packed ride,” noting its binge-worthy nature. Forbes
Audience Feedback:
- Reddit: Some viewers expressed disappointment, citing a convoluted plot and character development issues. One user commented, “The story is generally boring. They made Rose sadly annoying and inexplicably demanding and entitled.”
- Metacritic User Reviews: The user score stands at 4.9 out of 10, based on 21 ratings, reflecting mixed or average opinions.
Conclusion
How I Became a Gangster (2020) is a gripping and intense crime film that blends action, drama, and psychological depth. Unlike many gangster films that glamorize crime, this one offers a raw and realistic portrayal of the dark side of power. It serves as both an entertaining crime saga and a tragic cautionary tale about the dangers of the criminal world.
