Based on 2 seasons, 20 episodes · through December 26, 2021
Young CIA analyst Joe Turner stumbles onto a dangerous deep-state conspiracy. He must go on the run to survive after his entire office is killed. The show features a diverse cast, including a female assassin and a lesbian FBI agent. Characters also criticize American history and capitalism during some scenes.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Condor.
Woke representation / casting
The show features diverse casting, prominently shifting the original male assassin Joubert into a competent female operative. It also introduces Sarah Tan, Joe's Asian-American coworker, and FBI agent Sharla Shepard, who are depicted in a committed lesbian relationship. This LGBTQ+ storyline, which drives a major subplot in season one, adds significant weight under our rules.
55%
Woke political dialogue
The show includes several scenes where characters voice contemporary activist talking points. A notable Thanksgiving dinner sequence features debates criticizing capitalism, European colonization, and America's historical treatment of Native Americans. Some characters also engage in critiques of environmental neglect, adding noticeable political preaching to the thriller's dialogue.
Production
35%
Identity-driven story themes
While the main plot centers on a traditional deep-state conspiracy and biological terror, a significant motivating subplot in season one involves FBI agent Sharla Shepard's grief and quest for justice over the murder of her lesbian partner.
35%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The series goes beyond generic government corruption to critique core Western systems through a modern activist lens. The central conspiracy involves a group of nationalistic, right-wing Christian extremists seeking to deploy a biological weapon against Muslims, framing Western patriotism and Judeo-Christian extremism as systemic threats. Thanksgiving is also criticized as a colonial holiday.
40%
Woke character or canon changes
The adaptation makes deliberate changes to the source material to increase modern representation. Most notably, the cold professional assassin Joubert—originally a male character played by Max von Sydow in the 1975 film—is gender-swapped into a female assassin played by Leem Lubany. Additionally, a minor office colleague from the original story is adapted into a lesbian character.
45%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
The series received moderate backlash from viewers on niche platforms and forums. Online critics complained about the show's inclusion of left-wing talking points, criticisms of American history, and clichés like highly competent female fighters defeating larger male opponents. However, because the show aired on lesser-known networks, the backlash remained relatively quiet.
30%
Creator track record context
The key creators and writers, including Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg, have neutral track records focused on traditional thrillers. However, a few figures have mild progressive leanings. Director Kari Skogland has a history of helming politically charged dramas like *The Handmaid's Tale*, and producer Marcy Ross has supported LGBTQ+ and industry diversity initiatives.
15%
