In FX’s gripping new miniseries “The Veil,” right versus wrong isn’t a straightforward calculation, and truth is more confounding than it seems. The action series follows cunning MI6 agent Imogen Salter (a captivating Elisabeth Moss), whose ability to assume a new identity in the blink of an eye makes her a singular asset for the most challenging missions. When Imogen is tasked with extricating a woman named Adilah El Idrissi (an outstanding Yumna Marwan) from a Turkish/Syrian refugee camp and enticing her to disclose her secrets, the spy finds herself analyzing her own moral code and a past shrouded in riddles. Exciting and astonishing, “The Veil” beautifully balances stunt-filled escapades and a rich narrative.
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Though the series will take its audience on a journey to Turkey, through Paris, and into London, the story begins amid chaos. In the snow-covered refugee camp during a disorganized food drop, Adilah is accused of being a terrorist and becomes the target of horrific violence. Isolated for her own protection, she is fixated on finding a way out. As it happens, mayhem and disorder are Imogen’s specialties. Whisking in to get Adilah to safety, she must convince her dangerous new companion to divulge information that will save thousands of lives. Her direct orders from France’s Directorate-General for External Security and the CIA — the liaisons on her assignment — are to turn Adilah in. However, in attempting to ascertain Adilah’s circumstances and motivations, Imogene unearths some shocking facts, leading her to go rogue.
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Armed with a mostly believable English accent, Moss is exceptional. Imogen is the persona her character now inhabits. Yet in hauntingly quiet moments when the secret agent is alone, the shadows of her true self and anguish-tinged fragments of her past briefly make themselves known. Despite her profession and personal experiences, Imogen never comes off robotic and unfeeling, a testament to Moss’ mastery of the character. Driven by her desire to understand Adilah, Imogen never stops searching for her humanity in the face of her perceived egregious transgressions.
Amid knife fights, shootouts and intriguing dialogue, a delightful web of humor weaves throughout the series. Most of the comedic elements are centered on the testosterone-fueled animosity between DGES agent Malik Amar (Dali Benssalah) and CIA agent Max Peterson (Josh Charles), who have their personal opinions about Imogen, their respective governments and the handling of the case. Though the pair are working toward the same outcome, egos and tensions lead to a physical boiling point on more than one occasion.
Despite the comedic scenes involving gripes about France’s 35-hour workweek, the CIA’s often overblown reactions to any new revelations and a tech guy with putrid body odor, “The Veil” is no comedy. Stuck together in a tenuous truce and deeply skeptical of each other, Imogen and Adilah slowly reveal the shocking pieces of their different lives. These mirroring paths make them more similar than not, although they might be reluctant to admit it. Episode 5, “Grandfather’s House,” concludes with a breathtaking confrontation between the two women. It showcases how individual experiences and perceptions contribute to our interpretation of what’s true and possible.
The six episodes of “The Veil” are flawlessly paced and thoughtfully executed. Elegantly placed clues gradually shed light on Adilah and Imogen’s past lives, which are fully exposed in the final hour. In the end, the show is a reminder that though we may be taught to navigate life in black and white, our choices are frequently born somewhere in the gray.
The first two episodes of FX’s “The Veil” premiere April 30 on Hulu with new episodes dropping weekly on Tuesdays.
