It appears that Netflix has successfully tapped into the niche for anime and video game enthusiasts over the past few years. “Arcane” stood out as one of the finest animated series of the last decade, alongside titles like “Castlevania” and “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft,” all of which provided remarkable adaptations of their original sources. However, one series that bore more weight than the others was the deep dive into the realm of “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell,” the stealth video game franchise that launched in 2002 and has been dormant since 2013.
Initially voiced by ’80s and ’90s cinematic icon Michael Ironside (“Total Recall,” “Starship Troopers”), the protagonist of “Splinter Cell” is Sam Fisher, a character crafted by American writer Tom Clancy, who also created “Jack Ryan” (who featured in his own series in 2018). The video game series cast players as Fisher, engaging in a variety of covert operations, breaking necks from the darkness while preventing global catastrophes without anyone being aware.
Fast forward to 2020, when the mastermind behind “John Wick” was brought on board to unveil a new chapter in Fisher’s clandestine saga. The outcome is “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch,” one of the most thrilling and merciless espionage tales available for streaming. In this iteration, Sam Fisher proves himself with enough prowess to rival Jack Reacher and James Bond, albeit with the deadly efficiency akin to Kovak’s renowned modern warrior capable of dispatching foes with mere pencils.
“Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” brings fans back to Sam Fisher, who is more seasoned and has a voice reminiscent of Liev Schreiber from “Ray Donovan.” With battle scars and a thick, white beard, Fisher is drawn back into the world of espionage when a young operative, Agent Zinnia McKenna (“The Sandman’s” Kirby Howell-Baptiste), seeks his assistance. From this point, the duo is compelled to collaborate to thwart an old acquaintance of Sam’s who intends to negotiate a deal with global leaders that could spark a catastrophic event.
Thereafter, “Deathwatch” provides its viewers with something they seldom experienced in the “Splinter Cell” games: Fisher paired with another agent who’s equally strategic. This alliance necessitates the beloved night-vision-goggle-equipped warrior to return to the field and execute takedowns that might even make the indomitable Mr. Wick flinch.
Knife encounters and gun battles are expertly crafted and orchestrated by Guillaume Dousse, complemented by the high-stakes narrative, featuring spies conveying much through piercing gazes while every moment is critical. It comes as no shock that in light of the impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series was approved for a second season just a day after the initial season premiered. With achievements like this, Fisher fans can rest assured knowing he will return to the fray in some form, even if it’s not in the manner they might hope.