Ep 17. War

Section 1: Overview

"War" is the seventeenth episode of "La Femme Nikita" season one. The episode originally aired on USA Network in the United States on April 27, 1998. The episode was directed by Jon Cassar and written by Mark Amato. The episode features Nikita's mission in the Serbian countryside where she has to find and stop a man who is stealing weapons.

Section 2: Plot Overview

The episode opens with an assassination mission that goes bad, and Nikita is forced to complete the mission herself. After she successfully completes the mission, she meets with Michael, and Section One gives her a new assignment. This new mission takes Nikita to the Serbian countryside, where she must stop a man named Zakarian from stealing weapons and selling them to terrorists. Nikita's cover is that she is a French journalist who is writing an article on the Serbian mafia. She gains Zakarian's trust by exposing a group of Serbian police officers who were involved in a drug smuggling ring.

Section 3: The Mission

Nikita's mission to stop Zakarian becomes complicated when she realizes that there is a separation among the Serbian forces. Nikita learns about two groups that are fighting against each other, and Zakarian is working with one of them. In addition, the Serbs see the French as enemies, which makes it more challenging for Nikita to complete her mission successfully. In the midst of the fighting, Nikita also has to protect a group of French aid workers who have been taken prisoner by the Serbs.

Section 4: Characters

The main character in this episode is Nikita, played by Peta Wilson. Nikita is a former criminal who has been recruited by Section One, a secret organization that uses criminals to carry out its missions. Nikita is known for her beauty and her ability to use her charm to get what she needs to complete her missions. Michael, played by Roy Dupuis, is Nikita's handler, and he guides her throughout her missions. He is also a love interest for Nikita. Other characters in the episode include Zakarian, a Serbian war criminal, and a group of French aid workers who are taken captive by the Serbians.

Section 5: Themes

One of the main themes in this episode is the futility of war. Nikita sees the destruction and chaos that the war has caused in Serbia, and she strives to end Zakarian's weapons trade to stop the violence. The episode also explores the idea of loyalty and trust. Nikita must navigate a complicated web of alliances among the various Serbian factions, and she does not know whom she can trust. Finally, the episode highlights the importance of teamwork. Nikita is joined by a group of French aid workers, and together they must work to stay alive and complete their mission.

Section 6: Reception

The episode was generally well-received by critics and viewers. Many praised the show for its action sequences and the strong chemistry between Peta Wilson and Roy Dupuis. The episode was also commended for its exploration of the horrors of war and the need for peace. Overall, "War" was seen as a strong episode in the first season of "La Femme Nikita."

Section 7: Conclusion

"War" is a thrilling episode of "La Femme Nikita" that explores themes of war, trust, and teamwork. As Nikita navigates through the Serbian countryside, she must use her charm, wit, and combat skills to complete her mission. The episode showcases the strengths of the show, including its strong action sequences, compelling characters, and exploration of important real-world issues. Overall, "War" is a must-watch episode for fans of the series, and it is a strong example of the spy thriller genre.