Jupiter
Episode 6 of Citadel: Diana begins with a flashback after the attack on the Citadel. Diana leaves a voice message about how she’s a Citadel agent operating inside Manticore. She’s trying to find other operatives and after 19 days, it seems like a bleak endeavour. Manticore Italy is under heavy sanctions as a result from its sister agencies… but we know all of this, why are you wasting our time Citadel: Diana? Get on with it!
We also get a recap of everything that’s happened up until this point during the past timeline, and the extent of Diana’s issues. Specifically, how alone she feels. Just then, she receives a visit from Edo. He asks about his brother, and Diana is quick to point out how they had a few interactions together but he was a good leader.
Back in the present timeline, we’re a month after the events of episode 5. Diana shows up to see Sara, who’s on the verge of selling her house and making her way to Iceland. She promises there will always be a place for her if she needs it, but for now the pair hug and say their goodbyes.
What is Jupiter?
With a lot that’s happened between them, just like in episode 1 our terrible foursome (Cecile, Wolfgang, Edo and Ettore) all try to discuss their next steps. They talk about their weapon called Jupiter, which the Zanis believe is the future of Manticore Europe. They’re going to dispere it via the world’s water supply.
This weapon is parasitic in nature and embeds itself directly into the human body on a microscopic level. This would mean Manticore Italy would be able to track any person at any time. They’d be the ones in control of all the power and “promise peace and prosperity”, but at what cost? The worst part, is that Manticore would have power of life or death over anyone via a specific protocol brought on, thanks to Ettore’s interjection.
How does Edo use his power?
The European council are going to share their access to Jupiter as a result of Italia having the weapon. However, Manticore first analysis of the agency’s data from both France and Germany. They’re almost on equal footing, but of course Italy have the upper-hand in this new world order. Edo has real power now, and his father is quick to point out that he needs to figure out what he’s going to do with it.
The wildcard here though is Diana. She replays Gabriele’s message in her mind before meeting Edo. He’s angry that she’s back, but Diana has decided that she wants more from her life. Specifically, being with him. After sleeping together, she brings up how she contemplated destroying the weapon but eventually decided not to, given it would just get her in more trouble. As for Edo, he reveals that Manticore killed her parents, which we knew anyway. And furthermore, Edo wasn’t involved in that decision apparently.
Edo pitches to Diana what he’s invented, and then speaks to Ettore about Diana’s change of heart. He’s suspicious over her, especially the way Diana’s opinions have changed. It’s hard to know if it’s actually because she’s playing both sides or just bad writing. He’s onboard with her though… at least on the surface anyway.
Who double-crosses who?
After a heart to heart with his father, Edo decides to give him the code to Jupiter. However, Edo wants Diana to manage the running of Manticore Italy. Ettore agrees, and they’re going to make it official that night. However, as soon as he gets the code, he immediately decides to block Diana’s communications and take her out after the operation is complete, via Matteo. Julia is shocked, but Ettore believes he’s doing this for Edo’s sake.
Diana’s life is hanging in the balance, and when Edo finds out what his father intends to do, he tries to communicate with Matteo. However, he’s off with Diana at the local water plant, where they disperse the first batch of Jupiter. At the same time, the government manage to pass the law to deregulate firearm purchases.
How does Citadel: Diana end?
After the test is complete, Diana and Matteo immediately begin fighting. Diana defeats Matteo while Edo reveals the shocking twist that he actually has some of Jupiter inside his father. Ettore is horrified, as Edo reveals a controller in his hand, knowing it will affect his nervous system.
As for Diana, she’s shocked when she finds the other agents dead and out of the shadows comes Gabriele. She’s not alone in taking down Manticore after all but what will she choose to do? Will she choose to be with Gabriele? Or her lover, Edo?
The Episode Review
The spin-off to 2023’s big flop, Citadel, is here and Citadel: Diana’s finale is… poor, to be honest. Sure we get the little twist that Gabriele is still alive and operating from the shadows but beyond that, Diana’s storyline has been poor and her characterisation is lacking to the point where it’s hard to gauge her motivations.
It also doesn’t help that by the end we don’t really get a good justification or closure over her killing Luca, nor do we actually see the pair in any meaningful interactions within the past timeline. We saw them on a mission together but nobody thought to add that into the script to help them bond?
This is a consistent issue with characters in this show and even worse, it’s littered with meaningless exposition. The opening segment with the flashbacks basically recaps the entirety of the plot leading up to episode 1. It’s so clunky.
But in the end, the entire series has been built on the idea that Citadel has been this big success… and it hasn’t been, making this spin-off pretty redundant, all things considered. I’m not quite sure who this is intended for, but for espionage fans, this has been a poor showing overall, and the ending leaves the door open for a second season that seems very unlikely.
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