Netflix’s The Spy series premiere recap: The Immigrant

Welcome to Show Snob’s recap of Netflix’s new show The Spy starring Sacha Baron Cohen. The true story about the life of Egyptian-born Israeli spy, Eli Cohen.

In The Spy you may be surprised to see actor Sacha Baron Cohen playing what Vulture describes as “unblinking straightness”. That is because he is best known for creating and portraying iconic comedic characters like Ali G and Borat. Now, as Eli Cohen the real life spy from Israel, we witness a new acting side of Baron Cohen. There will be spoilers ahead.

The Spy season one premiere

Beginning with a series of flashbacks in 1965, The Spy starts at Le Bourget Airport, Paris France; two men rather covertly mention Damascus, Syria, and the need to talk to the Israeli Prime Minister. We then shoot straight to Cohen family home where a worried woman wakes suddenly. Then directly to Mossad Field Office in Tel Aviv, Israel; where an agent asks a subordinate if they’ve “heard from the frog?”. A codename.

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Following those fast-paced jumps, the show moves to a Jewish ghetto in Damascus. A Rabbi is taken by Syrian military police to a jail where beaten, interrogated spy Eli Cohen is being held. Station Radio Damascus announces the capture of the agent.

Now we the audience are informed of a six-year backtrack for the next scene; Eli is frantically accounting at his former job at Hamashbir Department Store in Tel Aviv, Israel. He has a humorous note from his wife, Nadia, telling him not to be late. At home, he gifts her a dress.

They learn of Syrian attacks on farmers in Israel but still venture out for the evening to a party. Eli is insulted and believes he is only invited to add “color”. He quarrels with Nadia that her friends are stuck up, and complains that he is seen as an Arab, yet Jewish.

On the Israeli-Syrian border, we see the missile attack where civilians are hurt and killed. Transitioning to the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, other agents decide on planting a fresh Israeli recruit in Syria. Aerial shots provide information, data, and locations of equipment used in the bombardment; they discuss war tactics and their need for intelligence.

Back at Mossad’s Tel Aviv office, other government workers assess the prospects of possible new secret agents. Eli is on the list due to smuggling Jews out of Egypt. Though he’s been arrested before so the currently unnamed official decides, for now, not to approach Eli.

However, Eli is invited to work undercover, having previously applying to Mossad, as well as passing a test. Committing to risk his life for his country, he enlists. Nadia and Eli have a passionate relationship together but it is imperative that he now lies to her, whilst also keeping secrets.

Eli learns evasive tactics first during his training: such as walking in unpredictable patterns; details of war equipment and covert operational material. Along with an abundance of fitness work. During this time Nadia discovers he left his usual job.

Superiors at Mossad instruct Eli’s handler that they need him as an operative now, as six-months have passed; although the handler explains that his conscript can refuse. Eli’s wife confronts him over perceived infidelity about his being AWOL from work. Consequently, he tells her he’ll be working a safe government job; she implores him to accept.

In 1961 Eli travels to Zurich, Switzerland. Where he meets another colleague who thoroughly debriefs him. Eli’s original boss discusses his exposure and apparent learning trip to Argentina; where many Arabs are expatriates.

Kamel Amin Thaabeth is Eli’s new identity. Taking on an Arabic role, he has a completely new back story; including being a wealthy Syrian patriot with no living relatives. The premiere episode of The Spy ends with Eli being tortured in a Damascus holding cell; he gives the name: Kamel.