Watch Taken

Taken is a crime drama television series that aired its first season on NBC from February to April of 2017. The show is based on the popular film franchise of the same name, and follows the early career of Bryan Mills, a former Green Beret who becomes a CIA operative. The series was produced by Luc Besson, who also produced the original films, and stars Clive Standen as Bryan Mills, Jennifer Beals as Christina Hart, and Adam Goldberg as Kilroy.

The series premiered with a two-hour episode that sets up the series' premise. We are introduced to Bryan Mills, who is struggling to adjust to civilian life after his career in the military. After his sister dies, he is left to take care of his teenage niece, Kim. When Kim is kidnapped while on a trip to Paris with a friend, Mills is forced to use his skills as a former Green Beret to track down the kidnappers and save Kim. This event sets the stage for the rest of the series, which follows Mills as he works to uncover and stop various criminal plots as a CIA operative.

In the series, Clive Standen plays Bryan Mills, who is depicted as a skilled operative with a talent for martial arts and an intense focus. Standen provides a strong performance that captures the character's single-minded determination and the depth of his emotions. Jennifer Beals plays Christina Hart, a high-ranking CIA operative who recruits Mills to work with her team. Beals brings her usual compelling presence to the role, infusing her character with the authority and intelligence necessary to manage the complex missions undertaken by the team. Adam Goldberg plays Kilroy, a former hacker who brings a snarky humor to the show and provides much-needed levity to balance out the intensity of the action scenes.

The show uses a combination of flashbacks and current events to tell its story, and the gradual unveiling of Mills' backstory is one of the show's strengths. We learn about his past and how it has influenced his present, and the deep emotional wounds he carries as a result of both his military service and his personal losses. The show is also notable for its exploration of themes like the impact of violence on soldiers and the importance of family ties.

One of the things that sets Taken apart from other crime dramas is its commitment to providing realistic action sequences. The show uses a mixture of wire work, traditional stunts, and choreographed fight scenes to create intense and thrilling action sequences that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Standen, who is an accomplished martial artist, performs many of his own stunts, which adds to the authenticity of the fight scenes. The show also features a distinctive visual style that is reminiscent of the films that inspired it, with a gritty, slightly desaturated aesthetic that adds to the suspenseful tone of the show.

Taken was well-received by audiences and critics, who praised its exciting action sequences and engaging characters. The first season performed well in the ratings and was renewed for a second season. However, the second season underwent significant changes, with Clive Standen being replaced as the lead by actor and director, Noah Mills. The show also moved away from the storylines of the original films, opting instead for standalone missions each episode. Despite these changes, the show continued to receive positive reviews from viewers and critics alike.

In conclusion, Taken is an exciting and suspenseful crime drama that effectively captures the tension and drama of the original films. With its talented cast, realistic action sequences, and compelling storyline, it is a must-watch for fans of the original franchise and for those who enjoy action-packed television dramas. While the show underwent significant changes in its second season, it still manages to deliver the same thrilling and engaging content that made the first season such a success.

Taken is a series that ran for 4 seasons (55 episodes) between February 27, 2017 and on NBC