New Mr. & Mrs. Smith Series: A Fresh Take on the Spy Genre

In a refreshing new take on the spy genre, the Amazon Prime series Mr. & Mrs. Smith aims to captivate audiences without relying solely on the chemistry of its leads, Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, or the star power of its predecessors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Co-creator and showrunner Francesca Sloane introduces a different kind of John and Jane Smith, portraying them as two lonely underdogs yearning for more from life.

The premiere episode, titled “First Date,” begins by showcasing a married couple (played by Alexander Skarsgård and Eiza González) who used to be spies. Unfortunately, they have retired without permission, leading to their untimely demise at the hands of armed men from their former agency. This sets the stage for the introduction of our new heroes, played by Glover and Erskine.

In the opening montage, we witness John and Jane Smith being interviewed by their faceless employers, discussing their backgrounds and willingness to relocate. Both express a desire for something more, sharing qualities of loneliness and emotional detachment that hindered their career advancement. With previous experiences in combat and intelligence work, they are deemed fit for high-risk spy assignments.

John and Jane’s meet-cute takes place in a Manhattan brownstone, their new home. As they embark on their first day of marriage, logistical tasks such as acquiring new passports and discovering hidden gun cabinets become the norm. They start off with friendly banter, establishing an amiable but professional dynamic.

Their first mission, seemingly straightforward, involves intercepting a package at a café and delivering it to specified coordinates. While it appears inconspicuous, the episode cleverly weaves in a spy twist, providing a unique take on a traditional first-date sequence. John and Jane follow their target to a park and a theater, engaging in conversation through their hidden earpieces.

During the mission, Jane opens up about her past, recounting a strange pancake escapade during a school trip to New York City. Their target eventually retrieves a box from coat check, which turns out to contain a bomb concealed within a cake. The subsequent explosion reinforces the danger that lies ahead for the Smiths, while simultaneously thawing the initial awkwardness between them.

As the episode draws to a close, John confesses that he lied about never having killed anyone before, prompting Jane to admit that it was her friend who suggested they join a pedophile for pancakes years ago, leaving her in constant terror. These emotionally charged confessions hint at the hidden depths of their characters and the potential for future revelations.

While the premiere episode may not include all the elements that made the original Mr. & Mrs. Smith film so memorable, it introduces a fresh take on the spy genre. The series aims to explore the complexities of relationships, self-discovery, and espionage with a more accessible and relatable lens. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists, Mr. & Mrs. Smith promises to be a thrilling and enjoyable watch.