Network: NBC
Episodes: 13 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: April 5, 2015 — June 28, 2015
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Anna Friel, Peter Facinelli, Jake Robinson, Jim True-Frost, Sadie Sink, Omar Ghazaoui, Nate Mooney, Elena Kampouris, Daniella Pineda, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Treat Williams.
TV show description:
This action drama series is a journey through global politics, corporate espionage, and military secrets. It revolves around three strangers who have one thing in common — the truth. An international cover-up explodes when the lives of a female Special Forces soldier, a disillusioned corporate lawyer, and a political activist from a privileged family unexpectedly collide.
After a team of American soldiers battles jihadists in North Africa, they’re shocked to learn that they’ve stumbled upon and killed Al Qaeda’s top commander. Sergeant Odelle Ballard (Anna Friel) — a soldier, mother, wife and the unit’s only female member — discovers computer files that prove a major United States corporation is funding the jihadists.
But before Odelle can tell anyone, her team is attacked and killed. The world is told that the unit was wiped out by enemy militants, but the truth is that Odelle survived and must now find a way to get home. She is the only witness to her unit’s true assassins: private military contractors named Osela.
In New York, former United States attorney turned corporate litigator Peter Decker (Peter Facinelli) finds himself embroiled in a merger with the same company that funded the jihadists. He soon begins to connect the corrupt dots of this company’s terrorist involvement.
Meanwhile, political activist and trust fund kid Harrison Walters (Jake Robinson) meets a hacker named Bob Offer (Nate Mooney). Bob claims to have unearthed a massive military-industrial-complex cover-up. It turns out that he’s stumbled onto the same cover-up that Odelle discovered, which will soon become a national headline with lethal implications.
The only way they’ll ever save their country, their families and themselves is by joining forces and exposing the people behind it.
Other characters include Ron Ballard (Jim True-Frost), Suzanne Ballard (Sadie Sink), Aslam (Omar Ghazaoui), Maya Decker (Elena Kampouris), Ruby Simms (Daniella Pineda), Frank Majors (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), and Colonel Stephen Glen (Treat Williams).
Episode #13 — Real World
With news about Odelle’s survival sweeping the nation, Peter begs Tsaldari not to strike a deal with Societel, confident that Odelle’s story will lead to a conviction of Alex Baker. She fears the risk is too high for her country and rejects his pleas. After a quick conversation with Harrison, Peter learns the troubled activist wrote an article detailing the links between Osela, Black Sands, Odelle and Yusuf Qasim – and the New York Times agreed to publish it with his byline. Peter confronts the same writer at the Times and takes a major risk of his own – he gives him the flash drive full of stolen data from Societel. He emphasizes that it will support all of Odelle’s claims.
Meanwhile, Bob shows Harrison evidence that proves Ruby and Osela’s role in the conspiracy – a trove of emails from Michael Banks, all left in draft mode. Harrison seethes at the detailed account of his father’s murder and Ruby’s string of other misdeeds. Bob sends the trove of emails to contacts at the FBI who join Harrison at a cemetery to arrest Banks. However, as they cart away the tainted Osela agent, Banks accuses Harrison of killing Ruby, which triggers a sudden flashback for Harrison… whose memory suggests he did kill Ruby. The revelation sends him into a spiral…
Odelle and Aslam arrive in Barcelona where they find safety with Luc’s ex-wife, Christina. Odelle quickly connects with Isabel (the New York Times reporter), reaffirms their meeting and learns Ron and Suzanne will soon join them in Spain. Her overwhelming joy at the prospect of seeing her family carries through to the next day as she makes her way to see Isabel – until a familiar face stops her head-on. It’s Colonel Glen, the man she once viewed as a father and now considers an enemy. He forces her to meet and bombards her with threats about her reputation and the potential loss of her family. Both Glen and Odelle fight through tears as he details how the government will spin her story and turn her into a calculating traitor – unless she walks away from the interview. Shaken by the intense encounter, Odelle meets Isabel at a café… and chooses to tell the truth.
Her move sends ripples across the world – Tsaldari decides not to sign the deal with Societel, and Jennifer Wachtel lambasts Alex Baker for his failure. With his career and reputation in jeopardy, Baker exits the building in a haze and, as Peter watches from across the street, walks deliberately in front of a bus – and commits suicide. Moments later, Tsaldari informs Peter that the IMF wrote off Greece’s debt, and now the only person she owes is Peter for all his help. They reaffirm their friendship, and Peter sighs in relief, finally validated for all his work. But Jennifer Wachtel further complicates Peter’s life with a job offer. He rejects her outright at first, then appears to consider when she counters with a connection at the Justice Department. Perhaps it’s time to return to the DOJ…
In Spain, Ron and Suzanne arrive at the Barcelona airport and enjoy a long-awaited, emotional reunion with Odelle. A photographer captures the moment as a tearful Odelle shocks her family with another unexpected move – she can’t stay and they can’t go with her. She pleads with Ron and Suzanne to believe the forthcoming story from Isabel and to ignore the propaganda that will refute it. And then, as Colonel Glen and his men rush into the airport, Odelle flees – and escapes out the back with Isabel. Ron, irate at the turn of events, confronts Glen and punches him in the face for his lies.
When news travels back to Aslam and he learns that he will not join Odelle in America, he exits Christina’s house, both confused and worried for Odelle. A different kind of confusion envelops Harrison, though, despite the update that supports all his claims. Both Bob and Harrison’s ex-girlfriend Anna try to lend their support, but he pushes them both away, almost catatonic, clearly devastated by his earlier revelation.
Much later, at the Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., Odelle walks through customs… only something’s changed. Her hair’s a new color, her clothes different – and her passport says Isabel Rainey. The customs agent clears her through, and Odelle – undercover and under the radar – re-enters America. Home at last. (Courtesy NBC.)
First aired: June 28, 2015.
What do you think? Do you like the American Odyssey TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
I thought it was just a mini series that would have an ending. I was watching and waiting for the conclusion of her being back in the US; with her family, all the guilty folks caught, she and all those involved in helping her get back home would be cleared, and the young teen who helped her, would be brought to the US as she promised. I was waiting for the final episode. The network should have at least had a finally for all those who were faithful watchers. Real downer.
In my 60 years of watching television, I was never so dedicated to watching a TV series. Episode 13 left so many questions that should be answered, and cancelling the series is the greatest disappointment that television ever brought to me. It was so well written, and the characters were so well developed that it made the story real and difficult to deal with the ending when so many issues were unanswered.
LOVED THE SHOW; sorry to see it go…
must have been too controversial for the American Government and or other cronies
I don’t think American Oddysey should be cancelled. I watched every show and I am really disappointed that it has been cancelled!!!!!
I agree with Diane Reetz, I think this show should continue. There are so many ridiculous, meaningless shows being televised every night, and this was a rare exception! It actually gave the American people, especially the younger generation, an idea of the sacrifices that our military personnel live with and die, for us, daily. It gave us a Glimpse into the unbelievable stress they live with all the time, not knowing who to trust, when our military are sent to other countries to both protect the innocent citizens, and try to set up some sort of normalcy in their everyday… Read more »
I totally agree !!!
This was a great series. It was different than all the others. Really enjoyed it. You shouldn’t have cancelled it. We watched all of the episodes. Sometimes we were not home, but always found it “on demand” so we could keep up. I don’t think you take into consideration that a lot of people watch shows “on demand”. That must not be counted in your ratings. You made a mistake canceling this series.
I guess I thought once she got home all would be well…the baddies would get their comeuppance and be punished and life would resume for her….the bad guys were really evil….the young boy sweet and loyal should have been rewarded…ah well, we all know you can’t dig up scandal and expect to remain unscathed….but I don’t know if I could take anymore excitement!! it was a favorite of mine
Great show. Should have been renewed.Probably political pressure against the truth,again.
Big mistake by NBC…Great show and bad time slot..well written and timely events running parallel to actual news….I hope a cable channel picks it up…Might have been too smart for broadcast TV..bob
Sorry to see one of my favorite shows go. Won’t you reconsider and return this highly entertaining show to it’s MANY FANS!
Please don’t cancel this show!!! It’s great, exciting and I cant’t wait for the next episode. I like Odelle a lot and her daughter is so strong. We need more characters like that on TV not less!
This show should never of been cancelled. One of the best series out there. Shame on the network.
I loved the show , it kept me on the edge of the sofa. did not get to watch the season finale
because of a news report of the prison convects in new york. i thought i could see it on line.so i am so disappointed that it has been canceled.
excellent action drama that definitely deserves to be renewed or purchased by another franchise
My husband and I loved and could not wait to watch American Odyssey every Sunday. With all that is on television these days, this was a welcome change…with all going on in the world today, with racism, religion and such, this brought so many of these issues to the forefront by bringing these into the show. It also brings family, love, loyalty, revenge, etc., to the show. Why NBC would even think of cancelling this show is beyond me. It Is a shame that with any thoughts of canceling this show so early on that there would have been a… Read more »