‘Citadel: Diana’ Recap – ‘Split in Two’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Matilda De Angelis as Diana Cavalieri in Episode 101 of ‘Citadel: Diana’ – ‘Split in Two’. (Photo Courtesy of Marco Ghidelli/Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Citadel: Diana’.

For the most part, stories that are a continuation of the original or a spin-off, have a real sense of familiarity to them. Wherein they spend little time world-building and more time exploring that world or expanding upon it, all of which are not bad things. After all, at that point… those tuning in or picking up the next chapter know what the story is about and are genuinely looking forward to see where it heads next, and the storytellers in question are ready to give the audience just that, and all are happy in the end. But now and again, you run into a story that likes to surprise its audience and do things that are in fact, unconventional for a sequel. As evidenced by the series premiere of Citadel: Diana on Prime Video.

For ‘Split in Two’ is a story that so many of us expected to pick up where the flagship series left off and take us right into newfound action. But instead, this story opted to slow things down and explore and world-build and that made for a fascinating story. One that introduced us to Diana Cavalieri. A Manticore agent that was once Citadel, who… went through a long and winding road to reach this point in her life. Wherein she is unfulfilled and lost and looking for more in life, and she is also, quite the intelligent agent. Since we learn in this story, through her tragic backstory, that there is no mystery she cannot solve, and no clue that misses her eye. Giving rise to a detailed introduction to our main character and the world-building doesn’t end there.

Simply because we also learn that Manticore in Italy, does not have the power it desires. For the government there wants to oppress their work and keep the peace through any means necessary. Which prompts Manticore leadership in this country to push hard to get what they want. Even going so far as to meet with the heads of the government and play nice to get power once again. Not to mention, a man named Edo is prepared to marry into another family if it means that at last, Manticore can take charge as it has, in other parts of the world. And this was quite unique to see and enjoy. Since you don’t often see the evil organization in question be stymied in such a powerful manner, adding new ideas and depth to this story. 

But of course, the next chapter does need to work toward something bigger, something powerful and that is present here courtesy of a bold decision on Diana’s part. For while she is out on a mission with a fellow agent, she takes charge like never before. Going so far as to blow Manticore’s cover to recover items that could potentially help the cause, or rather… Diana’s plans. Since this snatch and grab, prompts her to murder that agent in cold blood and pass a lie detector test to keep this item a secret and get it to the one man that can help her… Edo. Who knows full well the technology she recovered, which appears to be a revamp of old Citadel gear, could in fact… give Manticore the power it needs to be a force in Italy.
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All of which sets the stage, for quite the unique spin-off. One that has us questioning already if Diana is trying to curry favor in Manticore and rise through its ranks or do something noble, since she herself is former Citadel. But that’s the fun part. We don’t know and won’t know for some time. Instead, we are left with a series premiere that is unconventional in nature and took its time to plunge us into a new chapter of the story, and that’s a wonderful thing. Since it speaks to how the Russo brothers and their crack team of writers are eager to flesh this world out further and provide us with a storytelling experience unlike any other, one that indeed has us eager to continue the journey to see what Diana is after. Until next time.

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