Katherine Heigl
Alfre Woodard
Adam Kaufman
Sheila Vand
Cliff Chamberlain
Tommy Savas
David Harbour

Created by:
Alexi Hawley

2014-2015
Drama, Thriller
NBC
TV-14

“State of Affairs,” created by Alexi Hawley, should be called “The Blacklist: CIA Edition.” Both “The Blacklist” and this show share Joe Carnahan as one of their executive producers. He also writes and directs for both shows. Unlike “The Blacklist,” this show doesn’t have James Spader to make it better, though.

Katherine Heigl, who’s also one of this show’s executive producers, is not believable as a top CIA analyst. This isn’t simply due to her appearance. (Every now and then, she wears glasses, which is our clue that she’s being serious. Really?) Her character just doesn’t come across as a serious person.

A big reason for that lies in the way that “State of Affairs” starts. They should have begun by establishing Heigl’s expertise and authority. Instead, we’re shown the moment when she witnessed her fiancé’s death when they were part of the president’s entourage in Kabul, Afghanistan. (The president, by the way, happens to be her fiancé’s mother and is played by Alfre Woodard, who naturally conveys authority regardless of the underwritten role that they’ve given her. I hope that they give Woodard more to do and better lines to say in the future.)

We’re given the information about Heigl’s fiancé’s death, via flashback, as part of an unnecessarily busy opening scene between Heigl and her therapist. We also learn that she participates in one-night stands, as a result. Unlike in “Homeland,” that bit of information is too on-the-nose here.

After receiving that information, we’re introduced to Heigl’s team. Their first interaction is closer to what goes on in college dorm rooms than in the CIA. Well, I hope it is. I know that adults behave in childish ways, but that just doesn’t come across convincingly in the order that “State of Affairs” presents it. If they had established Heigl’s authority first, then, as a contrast, they could have introduced some jokes among her team. Now that could have worked.

On a positive note, David Harbour (WGN America’s “Manhattan”), as the president’s chief of staff, and James Remar (Showtime’s “Dexter”), in a guest role as a former CIA agent who currently runs a clandestine service, are welcome additions to the cast. Courtney B. Vance, another welcome addition, will join the cast in a guest role as the president’s husband.

Regardless, “State of Affairs” is glossy and overly active. And just like in “The Blacklist,” intellect takes a back seat to action. Yet, when it comes to spies, intellect is vital. Grit is vital, too, unless their goal is to make a comedy. It’s not.

Furthermore, the dialogue is awkward. For instance, an exchange between Heigl and a new colleague features dialogue that simply doesn’t work. There’s no way that it could have. She says: “You’re very handsome.” He says in return: “Thank you.” Then, she says: “And very old.” He replies: “Well, no thank you.” It’s writing that looks good on paper, but doesn’t sound quite right when spoken. It’s off, just a bit.

Overall, while “State of Affairs” has lots of energy, the balance is off. It won’t make you fall asleep, but your mind will be numb afterward. Based on the pilot, I can’t take this seriously. But there’s enough here for them to turn this show into something watchable. We’ll see. …

After three episodes, I’m done. “State of Affairs” goes nowhere fast.

Verdict: Whatever to Pretty Bad Overall

About: (Source: stateaffairs)

Each day the president is faced with dozens of life-and-death decisions, and to prioritize the biggest international crises facing the country, one top CIA analyst – Charleston Tucker (Katherine Heigl, “Grey’s Anatomy”) – assembles the President’s Daily Briefing (PDB). This list of the most vital security issues facing the nation brings with it moral and political judgment calls for Charleston and her trusted group of brilliant analysts at the agency. Aside from the political minefields she has to walk, Charlie has a close personal relationship with President Constance Payton (Alfre Woodard, “Desperate Housewives”) because she was once engaged to her son before a tragic terrorist attack took his life. Charlie survived that attack and is now determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. Navigating a complex personal life and a pressure-cooker profession is, of course, a challenge, and Charlie sometimes engages in boundary-pushing behavior to avoid facing her grief. But when the clock strikes 2 a.m., she is all about her job – protecting her nation, serving her president and still trying to get to the bottom of her fiancé’s murder, which will reveal itself as a shocking mystery.

The cast also includes Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas and David Harbour.