The <i>Nikita</i> Watch: Bringing a Katana to a Gun Fight

The Nikita Watch: Bringing a Katana to a Gun Fight

Random thoughts while working my way through the entirety of the CW's 2010–2013 show starring Maggie Q.

This latest installment will be brief but enthusiastic and exists solely to rave about a single scene in one of the best episodes of season one (so far, and I'm just a few episodes from finishing the season). You see, sometimes while binging Nikita, there are moments so cool, so for-lack-of-a-better-word "badass," that they provide such spiritual nourishment to the nerd soul that one begins to understand the power of transcendence. The episode "Coup de Grace" provides one such moment. Let me explain.

Nikita (the marvelous Maggie Q) is undercover once again at a swanky gala. If this one thing this show loves more than swanky galas, it's swanky galas where Nikita or Alex (Lindsy Fonseca) wear the most inappropriate clothing imaginable for intense hand-to-hand combat. Long story short, Nikita is providing aid to Alex, who's on a mission for Division to kill the Prince of Georgia. Got that? It's a rollicking good episode, full of action and intrigue. Together, Nikita and Alex subvert said mission, but really the moment where this episode elevates into the stratosphere of awesome is when Nikita, protecting the prince while wearing a shimmering silver gown that flows like a sleek, liquid-metal second-skin over her body, suddenly unleashes a katana on a couple of Division goons packing heat.

With her back to the men (!), and in one smooth motion, she slices the blade behind her and takes out both of the attackers at once. They never had a chance. Nerds everywhere gasp in collective astonishment, "Oh, no she didn't!" Yes, oh my yes, my fellow dorks, she most certainly did!

I'm just gonna call it like I see it: this is one of the greatest scenes in the history of televised entertainment. I didn't know I needed Maggie Q wielding a katana in my life, but now that I've seen it with own two eyes I know that I most definitely do need it in my life. As if that moment and the entire episode wasn't fierce enough, after the action subsides Nikita takes a moment to reflect and celebrate with a big ol' glass of red wine (while making underage Alex drink milk). She sips her vino with the exact amount of charismatic confidence you'd expect out of a woman who can fell two men in about one second with just the flick of her wrists. I am as tired of the word "badass" as anyone, so forgive me for using it earlier but look out I'm about to use it again: Maggie Q as Nikita is one of the most badass action stars in recent memory.

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