‘Counterpart’ Works Because The Bad Guy Is A Girl

Counterpart is already proving to be one of the most exciting and interesting new shows of the year. The Starz drama is unconventional and suspenseful and completely unique in the way it explores parallel universes. J.K. Simmons stars as everyday nice guy Howard, and badass spy, Howard Prime. And opposite him, Italian actress Sara Serraiocco serves as the slick bad girl, a move that only makes this show exponentially better and separates it from the rest.

Honestly, in 2018, I have close to zero interest in watching a bunch of straight white men do really anything on-screen. Those stories have been told over and over and over and over again. It’s why I had any hesitation towards Counterpart: Simmons is great, but what makes this spy guy show special? That answer lies in Serraiocco’s Baldwin, the intelligent, trouble-making woman who has set two separate universes on fire with her mere presence (and absence). Also, this is not a spoiler if you’ve seen even the first few minutes of the show — and if you haven’t, you can do so now for free on YouTube.

In last night’s episode, the second of the series so far, we learn more about Baldwin, and about her talented counterpart, in a collection of scenes that are as decidedly physical as they are emotional. Only two episodes in and we know this woman is tough, resilient, and sneaky enough to outsmart an entire group of secret agents. Staying two steps ahead of these men makes the chase that much more frustrating for them, and exciting for us, as viewers.

Deciding to make the bad guy of the series not a guy at all, but a woman instead, makes the story at hand so much more intriguing and emotionally charged. We’ve seen what happens when dudes let their egos get in the way and become the villains. But a woman, well we haven’t seen that as much. This could, and is proving to, be the set up for something special. Especially because this woman, she’s been damaged, so she’s motivated, she’s got a damn good reason to get entangled in such a dangerous mission, and it makes the experience that much more captivating for viewers that can’t wait to figure out why.

So much of what Counterpart has presented so far, in either universe, is about much more than crime and bad guys. The action is tied directly to an emotional complexity, in relationships and family and business. Placing a female directly in the middle of all the action as a catalyst and antagonist, is still a bit unexpected. It probably shouldn’t be at this point, but it is. And as far as interesting roles for women go, this one certainly qualifies. Plus, her upcoming interactions with Nazanin Boniadi’s Clare give a whole new fascinating dimension to the show.

What Serraiocco is bringing to Baldwin is pretty damn exciting and completely badass, but ultimately it’s just plain interesting and so freakin’ fun to watch. From the moment we met her, faking scared and shivering, to a mere moments later when she was expertly taking out her human obstacles, to the journey we’ll continue to follow her on, along a series of locations and revelations, is keeping the show and its viewers on their tippy toes every exciting step of the way.

Where to watch Counterpart