Covert Affairs Post Mortem: Show Bosses on [Spoiler]’s Betrayal and Annie/Auggie’s Future
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Tuesday’s episode of Covert Affairs — and beyond. If you have yet to watch, avert your eyes now. Everyone else, you may proceed….
USA Network‘s Covert Affairs made an unexpected move in this Tuesday night’s episode, packing a season finale-sized twist into a regular installment. After briefly flirting with the idea of running off to a remote island with fellow spy Simon, Annie and her beau were shot by none other than her mentor, Lena! Annie’s near-fatal wound will send her into a coma in next week’s episode, during which she’ll be plagued by dreams — including a very important one involving her pal Auggie.
Below, executive producers Matt Corman and Chris Ord preview the ramifications of Lena’s betrayal and Annie’s conflicted heart.
PHOTOS | Covert Affairs Hot Shots: Annie and Auggie Slow Dance in ‘Emotional’ Episode
TVLINE | Is Simon really dead?
CORMAN | Yes. He’s dead. We stand by that move. Audiences should take it at face value. And I think we talked to you about this at the beginning of the season, how our goal was to make the audience aware of real stakes and the dangers people in the life of a spy experience. It was important to us in the early conception of the season to really do dramatic, big things and show the audience the perils. And we were really excited to do it at this point, as well. Sometimes, TV shows will shoot somebody or kill somebody off as a finale. We thought it was an interesting concept to do it in the middle [of a season].
TVLINE | How much danger is Annie in after the shooting?
CORMAN | Significant. Everything has changed for Annie. Her life is never going to be the same, inside the CIA or out, after this experience.
TVLINE | How much is she going to remember when she wakes up?
ORD | Oh, she’ll remember how she got there, certainly. She’ll remember everything that happened. Beyond just her own memories, it’s certainly on the CIA’s mind. This is something that they’re going to be dealing with going forward. The dreams – we’re keeping them in their own space. We’re exploring her subconscious [in these dreams], and that’s the point of the whole Auggie/Annie dance floor scene. But whether she comes out of that dream remembering that, we’re saying no.
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TVLINE | Can you talk about how those dreams might forward relationships, even though she doesn’t remember them? They’re saying a lot about how she’s feeling for Auggie.
CORMAN | The dream can project what you’re feeling, but as Chris said, she’s not going to carry those forward. It’s almost like her conscious self needs to catch up with her subconscious self, and that will be the journey that she takes, where she comes to the realization of some of the things she’s experiencing in the coma state. It was a really interesting exercise for us, and it was fun to do something that’s a little different in its format and storytelling. We’re proud of it and feel that it’s still very much a part of the show.
ORD | Certainly the characters that are still alive and not in a coma state will be carrying forward the feelings that Annie’s situation evokes. Auggie is very honest at her bedside and really opens up to her. That may surprise him, and those are big feelings that he’s going to have to think about and question in episodes going forward.
TVLINE | Will Auggie find out that Annie almost ran away with Simon?
CORMAN | It’s interesting. The events on the ground — that they were together — are there, and it’s sort of like he would have to fill in those gaps in his mind.
TVLINE | There are a lot of feelings on all sides – Annie for Auggie, and Simon, Auggie for Annie. How do they reconcile?
CORMAN | Reconciling those different ideas is what the season is about. Annie’s a highly emotional person, and she makes emotional decisions. Sometimes, those decisions are bad for you. Sorting that out is the work of [Season] 3.5 and beyond.
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TVLINE | Moving on to Lena: What’s her game? What’s driving her?
ORD | Lena is a double for the FSB, which is a Russian spy [group], but her motivations go beyond ideology. She’s in it for herself. It’s frustrating for a spy to be working for an institution with tons of bureaucracy. Ultimately, Lena found a way to transcend that by working both sides and putting herself in a position of power where she was privy to all the information. She found that intoxicating and, ultimately, it corrupted her and made her the devil that we see in Episode 8 and 9 [airing next week] and even Episode 10 going forward. For Lena, the motivations are [about] self-fulfillment.
TVLINE | This is a woman who Annie thought she could trust and counted as a mentor. How will Lena’s betrayal shake Annie?
CORMAN | It’ll shake her to the core. For a spy, their No. 1 tool is their intuition and their ability to read people. When that’s called into question, everything about their skill set is called into question. The fact that Annie did align herself with Lena is going to be something very tricky for her to unravel.
TVLINE | What’s Lena’s next course of action? Does she have a new target?
CORMAN | She factors very heavily into Episode 10 [airing Sept. 18]. Our summer finale is all about Lena and Annie. (Covert Affairs resumes Season 3 on Oct. 16.)
Damn. Who keeps letting Sarah Clarke into the US government?
HAHAHAHAHA
If USA winds up bringing Political Animals back, what are the odds she’ll pop up there, too? It’s just nuts enough to make perfect sense.
Good one! LOL
hah!
LOL!
On a serious note. Would be really nice if the next roll Sarah Clarke grabs isn’t a double, a traitor or overall a bad human being. It was such an easy call at the introduction of her character — kinda ruined it for me. Casting needs to throw us off next time.
You can see her as a nun on Hulu’s Booth at the End.
Mina, you made me laugh out loud! Loved it!
For real. And stop giving her names that rhyme. I mean seriously? Lena? Nina?
Funny!
I did NOT see that coming! I knew something was off with Lena, but wow! Bummed that the dance scene is a coma induced dream, but I’m excited for the A/A bedside scene next week!
Loved Simon and Annie. They should be an end game! Annie and Auggie have a great friendship but should stay friends. Simon and Annie have or had the real chemistry. USA should reconsider his fate and soon.
TOTALLY AGREE – BRING BACK SIMON!!!
AGREE AGREE AGREE!!!!!!! Please bring Simon back–we know the stakes are high in the real spy world, but this is TV and this shooting broke my heart–their chemistry is/was totally believable and my belief in escapism TV is totally shaken. Who needs real life heartache with this sort of escape series?!?! As riveted as I’ve been to this series, if I’m going to be let down on this level (and after only a mere few episodes of Simon), I don’t know how much I can take. Plus, Simon won me over. He’s cute, witty, and totally charming. BRING HIM BACK, PLEASE!!!!
Agreeeeee
I AGREE!
I totally agree with this. The producers say they are committed to keeping Simon dead, but they should also listen to their fans. It’s foolish not to. In fact, it’s downright insulting to the fans! The relationship between Simon and Annie is SPECIFICALLY what drew me into this show, changing me from a casual “sometime” fan to a devoted, “plan my week around it” fan. I am actually watching the reruns on ON DEMAND – which I never did before! No… They need to BRING SIMON BACK. This was an incredibly well-written character to begin with, but Richard Coyle brought so much depth to Simon. He did some of the finest acting I have ever seen, making this role so much more than the words in a script. You cannot ignore the chemistry between him and Annie. They are the truest example of “soul mates” I have seen on any series – ever. We don’t want someone “like Simon” – we want Simon back. He made us care about him. Simon made Annie better… and Richard Coyle made Piper Perabo shine! She did some of her best work opposite him. None of her other romantic interests – including Augie – carries the truth and the impact of her interaction with Simon/Richard.
Simon is WAY too interesting a character to kill off! Big mistake you guys!
You got that right Sylvia! Too bad the writers don’t get it:(
He’s dead people! Move on!
Shut up!!!! Most people realize it’s a rough line of work BUT this was way too much jerking us around. If they want to put love interests in then don’t make Annie have the almost 10 she’s had in 3 seasons and get people invested!
No – no way
I agree, I loved the chemistry between the two of them also. The show was really interesting and it was difficult to wait for next week.
I agree – very good chemistry. Please don’t kill Simon off – just his voice alone captures audiences. let him stay for a while.
Loved the Annie and Simon chemistry. The chemistry just hasn’t been there for Annie and Auggie…I think a relationship between them is too artificial and forced. I’m quite bummed that they killed off Simon after he proved to be such a chivalrous murderer. Right down to pushing Annie out of the way and taking the first bullets from Lena. I knew something was off about Lena, especially when she sanctioned Annie’s trip to Cuba and fronted an envelope of cash for the passport; but I did not see her as a double agent or someone who would assassinate Annie. I hate growing fond of characters and having them killed off before they are able to find some type of peace and happiness. I realize that’s the point of fiction, but sometimes characters resonate with the audience and Simon was a prime example of such a character.
So so so sad. Can’t believe Simons gone. the chemistry was amazing. Not sure if I can still watch. Again I am devasted. Please make him a twin or resurrect him :- ( shattered
Liked Simon and Annie but I love Auggie too. I am really torn about who I want to see Annie with romantically – she and Auggie are best friends and I think there could be something very real between them romantically but I am also interested Eyal Levine getting together with Annie. They have been flirting with that for awhile so I guess Annie has a few choices since Simon is gone now.
I was totally shocked by the Sept. 4th episode!
I got a little suspicious of Lena when she took all the heat for Annie still working Simon, but I thought it was more that she was going to try to use it to further her career……take credit for intel or something. But once Annie walked into Lena’s office, and she suspiciously closed that file, I knew Lena was the spy. I wasn’t expecting her to shoot Annie though. I thought Annie would return to the kitchen to find Simon dead. I can’t wait to see next week’s ep, even if the bulk of it is a coma dream!
But why is Simon dead? He is far too pretty to die, that is what Malcolm Reynolds told me. Pretty people don’t die. I feel lied too.
Seriously though, excellent episode. Also seriously someone give Richard Coyle a show pronto. He is fantastic.
Agreed. And yes he does need a show already.
“Pretty people don’t die”? Are you 16 or retarded or both??? Ya think Marilyn Monroe’s been hiding somewhere all these years? Dear God. Hope you were kidding…
OBVIOUSLY the person was kidding. For God’s sake. She said MALCOLM REYNOLDS told her. Use your brain. And don’t be so offensive towards retarded people or towards sixteen-year-olds.
Pat, this is fiction & we are well aware as adults of the fact that pretty people die. Chill out! We are simply venting as this IS a message board.
It’s all part of the US anti-British plot
I’m so bummed about Simon!
Totally called it with Lena. I just want to see her go down in flames!
So bloody upset Simon is dead, I really loved him and Annie together. Please, I’m begging you, to reconsider him dying. Let him be so shaken that he runs off without telling Annie. Despite Lena, if Annie had just moved and closed her mouth, she and Simon could romping in the Maldives.
I agree 100%. I really liked Annie and SImon together; it was fun anticipating what was going to happen next. I had become a little bored with Covert until they brought them together. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that way about Annie and Auggie. So disappointed that they killed Simon.
Totally Agree. Covert Affairs had become almost boring until this summer season and Simon. No matter how dead Simon may appear, it is TV and summer TV at that. Bring him back and say it was a ruse. And Annie and Auggie should not be a couple. They are good friends.
Ever since the introduction of Lena and Simon the show has become a snoozefest.
I hate it when there is goal coupling, like Chuck and Blair on Gossip Girl or Annie and Auggie on Covert Affairs. You know that everything that happens in between is just temporary, even if it turns out that the couple has super chemistry. I would love it if Simon were still alive and if the producers could be a bit more flexible on the Annie/Auggie thing. After watching Simon/Annie, Annie/Auggie seems lame.
Bring back Simon
Agreed. So tired of the Annie/Auggie angle. Their unfulfilled relationship is not a new or original concept…it’s not even interesting. Please move forward minus the Annie/Auggie romantic relationship. *Viewers are bored.* It’s too bad the writers and producers of Covert Affairs resorted to this concept. I’d argue that nearly any other relationship Annie has been involved in has been more interesting. If viewers are going to be subjected to the trite “goal coupling” angle, we may as well bring back all dead characters – soap opera style. Let’s say Jay (sp?) is not really dead, Ben returns, Auggie miraculously regains his vision, etc. Unfortunately, the show has gotten this predictable and trite. I won’t be watching the last summer episode – no use for purely time-filling coma/dream episodes.
Didn’t see this coming at all. Super bummed that Simon is dead.
At one point, I could have sworn Arthur called her Nina. Then I thought to myself…oops wrong show…her name is Lena. But I guess I was not too far off the mark!!
Every time I looked at Lena I instantly expected Keifer Sutherland to pop and kill her!! You just can’t trust someone who’s been a double agent on another show…sad that Simon is dead. I really liked him….
Yeah Jack Bauer should’ve warned Annie lol
Lena/Nina really?? Was anything expecting something different here
Lena = double agent was a pretty obvious storyline, but the show did a reasonable job of not telegraphing it too much. Still, who else could it possibly have been, the food-oriented tech guy? Jai from beyond the grave?
Even if Simon/Annie were doomed from the beginning, I still winced when he tried to shove her out of the way and take those first few bullets for her. Kind of bittersweet to know it really was a love story on both sides, in the end. I’d wondered if Simon the master spy had been playing Annie the rookie all along- at least he did finally admit he’d identified her as CIA before they even spoke.
And hey, now Annie’s on equal footing with Auggie in the “damaged after the dramatic end of a multi-episode torrid love affair” department, and it sounds like Auggie’s on the way to developing a set of unsettling non-platonic feelings for Annie that matches hers for him. Looks like we’re progressing to a new level of unresolved sexual tension after the Lena storyline is finished!
I knew it was Lena the whole time. Too close to Nina. I thought it was supposed to be some kind of tribute to her 24 character since they’re practically the same. That said, I’m disappointed they killed off Simon. He was turning out to be a great character.
I’m so-so sad that Simon is killed off. Please bring him back…. :( :(
I LOVED this episode… it was awesome! I thought Annie and Simon had great chemistry but I think Annie has great Chemistry with a lot of people. I can NOT wait until next weeks episode… seeing Auggies reaction is going to be the highlight of my week lol
OMG I was wishing Simon and Annie would make it as a couple. What a sad story plot! Now I just hope someone kills off Lena.
This is the first ep in 3 seasons where I was truly blown away. Great job cast and crew! However, I’m bummed that they killed off Simon. He was one of the only characters on the show that got me interested in the Annie storylines. Hate to say it b/c I love Piper Perabo, but I only watched Covert Affairs for Auggie.
This is very upsetting that the writers chose to not bring back Simon (Richard Coyle). Annie and Simon have the best chemistry, more than anyone of Annie’s pairings. Simon is such a great character, and I think the writers have made a huge mistake in killing him off. Simon and Annie are the reason why I was watching this season.
I’m guessing that means Lena killed Jai then right?
Don’t kill off Simon! He’s too good of a character to kill off! I feel like Annie is getting warped with relationships too quickly, and she and Simon were really good together!
What??? Why?? Well that’s just no bueno. Im going tools Simon!
Typo- going to miss Simon!
My heart is broken about Simon. I can’t believed they killed him off. Him and Annie had fantastic chemistry together. This is such a letdown. This was the best ep though of Covert Affairs until the end. I was somewhat shocked about Lena, but more so shocked that she shot both Annie & Simon. Not sure as if now how I feel about the show. I love Auggie, but think him and Annie are great as friends only.
Simon was the best character introduced on the show up to this point, and the best part of season 3. And you killed him off for “shock value”? Establishing stakes I can get behind, but this…I saw it coming because he was the only expendable character on the show, and that just makes it worse to me that they went this route. Predictable and terrible terrible writing.
That’s it. I am done with this show. I sincerely hope it gets cancelled.
So, because you don’t enjoy it anymore, no one else should be able to enjoy it either. God, I love mature people -.-“
Sorry to agree because “Covert Affairs” was previously one of my preferred shows, but I’d also support the show’s cancellation. The plotlines have become trite and boring and the writing unoriginal. While the “Covert Affairs” was initially a novel, different show on television these days, resorting to (as another viewer commented) “goal coupling” has led to a going-nowhere, predictable, uninteresting show. I’ve stayed with the show this season out of hope it would improve, but it is clearly declining.
Unfortunately, if viewers are going to continue to watch Covert Affairs, they must lower their expectations.
Am surprised that they haven’t tried getting Keifer Sutherland to make a few cameo roles as a black ops/wet works operator like Ben Mercer, could even call him, Jack Bauer if they got Fox’s permission, could bring him in as someone that knows all about Lena being a double agent and helps Annie nail her her ass to the wall
I don’t really have any interest in Annie/Auggie getting together. So….
Noooo, come back Simon!
I had started to really care about him. And was hoping and looking forward to more of him and Annie. Totally bummed.
Simon brought out a side of Annie which is extremely appealing. We got to see that side for a brief second in season 1, since then she has had her guard up. Simon succeeded where several others have failed on the show & brought that guard down. Which, added depth to the show, by adding depth to Annie. Piper did a excellent job in conveying that moment of surrender when she told Simon she would leave with him.
At that moment every male fan of the show wanted to be Simon.
It would have been interesting to see if the master spy could have managed to find a way to be with the woman he loved the woman he lied, killed and betrayed so much for. That story line would have made the show about Annie and Simon not Annie. I understand but I’m still disappointed!
She will recover and go on but finding another to take his place, as much as I enjoy Auggie, will be next to impossible. Good luck to the writing staff they will need it!!
I agree Ethan, the chemistry Annie and Simon had is irreplaceable. I watch several television shows and have not seen that kind of chemistry in a very long time. I am pretty much done with the show now because I have no interest in the Annie/Auggie relationship or anyone else at this point. You are right, good luck to the writing staff.
Thanks Cathy I’m glad someone agrees with me.