Ep 1. Episode 1

Queen Sono is a thrilling new South African espionage series that follows the titular character, a highly trained spy working for a Johannesburg-based secret intelligence agency specializing in high-profile criminals that Africa can't handle. In the first episode, we are introduced to Queen Sono, a woman who has spent her entire life within the shadows of espionage, who is now thrust into the spotlight through a mission that will test her in ways she never imagined.

The episode opens with Queen on a mission in Zanzibar. Dressed in African-style clothing she is seen running after a group of men on a motorbike along the beach, playing cat and mouse. She ultimately manages to catch up to them, overpowering them in a violent fight. Queen is then seen meeting her boss, the Director General of the agency, named Miri, who offers her a new assignment. The mission is to assassinate a wanted Zimbabwean criminal, Shandu, who is hiding out in Nairobi, Kenya.

Queen is initially hesitant, as Shandu is the man who was responsible for her mother's death. However, she ultimately accepts the mission, driven by her need for revenge. Queen is sent to Kenya, where she begins to track down Shandu, who she discovers is posing as a SA businessman named Samson. Queen uses all of her spy skills to get close to her target, including seducing his right-hand man, William, played by Khathu Ramabulana, in order to sneak into Samson's penthouse.

Queen discovers that Samson’s penthouse is heavily guarded, and things are complicated further by the arrival of Dr. Sid, a top surgeon that Shandu has brought in to perform surgery on a soldier. Queen takes advantage of the extra guests and gains access to the penthouse disguised as a member of Dr. Sid’s surgical team. While she’s in the penthouse, she meets Ejikeme, a Nigerian agent posing as a chef, who is there to keep an eye on proceedings. The chemistry between Queen and Ejikeme is immediately palpable, even though it's clear that neither of them wants to encourage it.

Queen sets up her surveillance gear and begins to infiltrate Shandu’s communications, but she is quickly spotted by the guards, and after a few narrow escapes, Queen finds herself trapped in the penthouse with no obvious escape route. This leads to a high-octane action sequence, where Queen puts all of her skills to use to take out the guards, and eventually, she manages to capture Shandu but not without suffering serious injuries.

Pedro Pascal of Game of Thrones and Narcos fame plays the leader of a private military company hired by Shandu. The Commander, played by Pascal, only has a few scenes in the episode, but he definitely makes an impression as a ruthless and efficient mercenary leader whose sole interests lie in his profit margin.

The episode ends with Queen being congratulated by Miri for her successful mission, and the appearance of a mysterious character who appears to be investigating Queen. It’s clear that Queen's mission has only just begun, and that this is going to be a highly entertaining and action-packed series.

Overall, Queen Sono season 1 episode 1 is an exciting and visually striking introduction to the series. The show takes us on a tour of Africa, highlighting its natural beauty, its people, cultures, and customs. The episode features impressive action scenes and stylish shots that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, while also providing insight into Queen's personal motivations and conflicts. The world-building is excellent, and the characters are well-drawn and developed, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating what's to come in future episodes.