NIKITA: Shane West and Craig Silverstein on Season 2’s ‘Paradigm Shift,’ Mikita, and Why Alex is ‘In Over Her Head’

NIKITA fans, as someone who didn’t start watching the show from day one (trust me, I saw the error of my ways around midseason last year) but has since caught up at an alarmingly fast pace, it was a thrill to be able to watch this year’s season opener. I can tell you with certainty that it does not disappoint. There’s a reason I started watching the show, and it’s because of episodes like this one! So let’s talk “Game Change”…

There’s so much packed into this episode helmed by Danny Cannon and written by the show’s creator Craig Silverstein, that it gives off a broad, even cinematic feel. This episode wastes no time is setting up where pivotal characters are, what they’ve been doing, and their primary motivations leading into the rest of the season. But that’s not to say it will stay that way, according to Silverstein.

“I saw the second season as a paradigm shift,” he says. “Everyone is in a different place, almost every character has shifted, musical chairs style, to a different position of power. Or lack thereof.”

From the episode’s exciting opening moments, we see Nikita engage in a classic caper, with boyfriend/partner Michael providing back up. They’re on the run, with Division hot on their heels, and money has become as issue. So they turn to some good ‘ol thieving from bad guys. Simple. Except that nothing is ever simple for Nikita, as you’ll find out rather quickly.

However, as complicated as things may seem, ‘Mikita’ fans should be pretty pleased with what they see in this episode, with the two lovers tapping into their domestic side. There are many moments throughout the hour that suggest they mean business. Both against Division, and with each other, and Shane West claims that it’s one of his favorite parts about Michael this season.

“This year being on the run, it’s far different, but the scenes I get to do with Maggie are more intimate, and just a little bit more fun in trying to figure out how their relationship even works,” he says. West was quick to add that it won’t be all smooth sailing for the couple. “There will always be issues because it’s just them trying to figure themselves out, and actually living together and being together. Which is something they never really had.”

I wouldn’t worry just yet, though, ‘Mikita’ fans, as Silverstein claims that “there’s a big moment in episode 5…that is a great ‘Mikita’ moment,” and West added that it was one of his favorite scenes so far in Season 2.

As for another of the show’s essential relationships, Silverstein indicates that the dynamic between Alex and Nikita this season will be…complicated. “There’s going to be hot and cold periods between them. Things are going to get better, they’re going to get worse.”

Although as evidenced by the premiere, fighting each other will be a singular element in a much larger story. Though Alex is working with Division to track down Nikita and the black box, actually helping Division is the furthest thing from her mind. However, she makes it clear that doesn’t want to help Nikita either. Alex has a lot of ‘ish’ to sort through, and according to Silverstein “she’s not with Nikita’s agenda but she’s reluctant to kill Nikita. That reluctance isn’t gone now, but it’s severely chipped away.” That reluctance-chipping that Silverstein is referring to? That relates to a VERY pivotal moment in the episode that Silverstein says is his favorite of the hour. Might have something to do with a certain fight scene…

The “paradigm shifting” second season opener also sees Division’s key players Amanda and Percy in very different scenarios from when we saw them last. Amanda may appear in charge now, but it’s obvious that she still answers to others, including Percy. Although he’s been stripped of his title and all the power that comes along with it, he still manages to be a master manipulator and is “a bit of Hannibal Lector” this season according to Silverstein. That’s a scary sight, and one that Alex will have to contend with (presumably) often, as she is the only person with whom Percy will communicate.

On to lighter matters, there are noticeable tonal shifts in this episode, and some very much-needed comic relief provided by a Division-free Birkhoff. Silverstein says there’s a conscious effort to bring a little more humor into the show, something you can definitely sense in the premiere. “There’s a little family dynamic now between Michael, Nikita and Birkhoff.”

That family dynamic element, and all of the other key storylines woven throughout “Game Change” makes for one very solid, very entertaining hour. And while it does raise many questions, I believe that fans will be more than happy to stick around to find out the answers.

What say you, fans? Are you excited for that “family dynamic” between Nikita, Michael and Birkoff? What about more ‘Mikita’, or conflicted Alex? Let us know your thoughts, and tune in to “Game Change” Friday night at 8/7c on the CW!