Episode 4 is “Tell Her Everything”, where we see relationships and other related entanglements become clearer and more complicated.

I’m starting to enjoy the flashbacks more than the present day storyline, because the intrigue surrounding whether there’s a mole in Citadel and who exactly that could be is more interesting to me than the cat and mouse game in trying to find out who from Citadel is still alive and how to get them home before Manticore can eliminate them. Finding Carter is likely going to be key in extracting Bernard once Mason, Nadia and Carter realize he’s still alive.

Louis writes: It has been interesting that for much of the series, when we are given a title indicating where the scene currently is, we see very little of the locale mentioned. For example, when the story is in Paris, there are no shots of travel in the city or anything to add local color. In Morocco, other than driving on sand, that is the extent of the flavor of the country.

But back to this week’s story. It is mostly told in flashback ten years ago. I liked that the action stayed in the past for the most part. The backstory of this show is much more interesting than the present for the moment.

The flashback sequence gives us a lot more backstory of how we arrived at the train in Italy and the attack that was part of Manticore’s operation to wipe out Citadel.

Nadia bringing in Celeste to be an operative mainly based on her absolute trust in Celeste and that she is an unknown face seems straightforward until more information comes to light later. Is Nadia playing a different game on the same board as everyone else, one that no one else truly sees? Mason’s blind faith in Nadia may be a factor in the events leading up to the fall of Citadel.

Louis writes: The main theme here is trust. Nadia trusts Celeste to join the Tier-One team. It seems slightly ludicrous that she can just add someone herself to the operation. But then, one of the organizational flaws with Citadel that emerges in this episode is the inability of the higher echelons, such as the Tier One team, to disengage from personal entanglements that threaten the security of everyone involved.

As far as romance goes, it takes more than a hotel bedroom scene to illustrate this fact. Even in the boudoir, the dialogue has not been able to shake the rat-a-tat-tat of snappy comebacks and one-liners.

Louis writes: On the plus side, the undercover operation of Celeste is an interesting twist. I wish that there had been more of that so that we could see how she interacts with Anders and conducts herself as a spy.

Whether it is “Zardoz” or this show’s reference, there is something compelling about the “The Wizard of Oz” movie. It has become a touchstone of quotes, images (e.g. Dorothy’s red slippers), and themes (no place like home) that has resonated with audiences.

Following the progression of how Celeste transformed into Brielle and how Anders fell in love with her during her operation to steal a device called the Oz Key is intriguing and we have to wonder how Anders’ feelings for her will affect his behavior and choices when and if he reconnects with her. I’m curious what will happen to Bernard when that reunion takes place.

Mason’s mishandling of the operation to extract Celeste seems curiously timed, and I have to wonder if other strings are being pulled to increase the feelings of mistrust some of the Citadel agents have been displaying about each other. Undermining each other’s faith in their loyalty and their operational judgment is a fascinating element, and I cannot wait to find out where it leads. Mason’s resolute belief that Celeste stole the device, while Carter’s belief that Mason is covering for Nadia are merely the beginnings of the cracks that I’m guessing lead to Citadel’s downfall.

Louis writes: I was pleased that this week’s conclusion was not a pull-a-rabbit-out-of-the-hat shocker. Instead the revelation is much more organically included in the storyline.

The screenwriting still needs to improve on dialogue and character development. But the plot is going in the right direction. This is becoming much more “must-see” as the show progresses.

There has to be another game being played behind the scenes, because Mason ending up backstopped in the same “memory care facility” where Celeste had been placed after she was backstopped 2 years earlier to me screams someone else is pulling strings. And we have no idea why yet.

The intrigue behind what really happened to bring Citadel down is getting juicy, and I like it.

Alas, I could not decipher what the song was at the start of the end credits.

Don’t miss our reviews for the other episodes in the series:
“Citadel” opens on a confusing but energetic and entertaining world of spies
“Citadel” Episode 3: “Infinite Shadows” cast doubts on everyone

Amazon Studios’ action thriller CITADEL is available now on Prime Video.

Twitter: @CitadelOnPrime, #CitadelOnPrime

Eight years ago, Citadel fell. The independent global spy agency—tasked to uphold the safety and security of all people—was destroyed by operatives of Manticore, a powerful syndicate manipulating the world from the shadows. With Citadel’s fall, elite agents Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives. They’ve remained hidden ever since, building new lives under new identities, unaware of their pasts. Until one night, when Mason is tracked down by his former Citadel colleague, Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), who desperately needs his help to prevent Manticore from establishing a new world order. Mason seeks out his former partner, Nadia, and the two spies embark on a mission that takes them around the world in an effort to stop Manticore, all while contending with a relationship built on secrets, lies, and a dangerous-yet-undying love.