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?
Just bring the show back already… All these stupid reality shows which are sssssoooo dumb..I cannot believe people watch them. Who makes these decisions anyhow. So many good shows have been cancelled. Does make any sense.
Oh my God I can’t believe this show was canceled! One of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. I can not understand how these dumb situation comedy shows make it for ever but truly entertaining ones get dumped. I hope some other channel picks it up. Sad. Very sad.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this show to the point we were patiently waiting for the next show and I am now finding out this show was canceled, What happened the top political people could not handle the truth!
My husband and I loved the show and are so disappointed it was cancelled Bummer!
totally disapointed that show is cancelled !! as have been anxiously awaiting time for it to kick back in . Castle & several others have worn out their welcome . SNL ???? how dumb & dead can a show be & continued or the SIMPSONS ! wow ! does this display the mental capacity of the public & therefore the support basis of the advertiser dollars ?
I was thoroughly disappointed that this show was cancelled. Did the writers have a block or something or did the government not like the negative light they were cast in. All the junk and mess they have on TV and now I don’t get to see the next season of this show with all of it’s twists and turns in the plot.
I loved the show and have no idea why the series should have been cancelled. You had likeable heroic characters fighting shadowy government officials and an apparently clueless bureaucracy. But I do recall thinking during several of the episodes about Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President, who said, “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dwight_d_eisenhower.html#FQokgLZRMx43mMV2.99) Given that context and how often questionable integrity comes up as a campaign issue these days,… Read more »
Given that Homeland ( on it’s 5th series now ) is still being shown in the UK I can’t really see any difference between Odessey or Homeland but there you go………..
This was a great show. I think it may have hit a nerve somewhere. I was really looking forward to another season. What a disappointment.
Excellent portrayal of the collusive American political and corporate undercover rule of this nation and it’s citizen victims.
Regret a too early cancellation. Seems programs daring to reveal the underbelly are afraid to continue. Or are the pressured to continue? Kudos for a well presented depiction. Thanks for what you gave us, just wish it continued.
Excellent portrayal of the collusive American political and corporate undercover rule of this nation and it’s citizen victims.
Regret a too early cancellation. Seems programs daring to reveal the underbelly are afraid to continue. Or are the pressured to continue?
It seems to me this show was bigger than ‘the powers that be’ really wanted. They still allow Homeland to continue and I don’t think there’s much difference between them – both very good. Perhaps as I’ve said before if they decide to repeat it it might get better viewing rates. It’s a series that would do better on winter evenings.- producers take note!
Soooooooo sad!! loved this show!!!
Loved the show, I am disappointed it will not air anymore.
what a waste!!!!!!!!! i was anxiously waiting for season 2 as well.and i know i am not the only one bring it back please
I am very disappointed that American Odyssey was cancelled. I was anxiously awaiting the next season. It was a good show. There are too many reality, vampire and walking dead shows on TV, I won’t spend my time watching them. Flashpoint, Blue Bloods, NCIS, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD are all good shows.
this is a real bummer, i loved that show! Wonder why it was canceled especially since there are not that many good shows out there!