Recapping Relationships: Covert Affairs

From its impetus, though perhaps less obviously than other shows, 'Covert Affairs' has always created an attraction between two key characters. Annie and Auggie were destined to be together from the very beginning.

 Initially the attraction was on Auggie's end. We saw his attraction in small gestures and actions; a hint of a smile when he heard her approach, his ability to recognize her based on her perfume, his unwavering loyalty while she was on missions and his commitment to helping her learn the ropes at the CIA. The lack of romantic movement on his part was always surprising. Of course, initially
Annie was still hung up on Ben, the rogue spy who (unbeknownst to her) first lead her to the CIA. But after that there still appeared to be something standing in Auggie's way. In many ways it was too soon for these two key characters to get together. Though 'Covert Affairs' has not had to rely heavily on a will they/won't they narrative, the coupling of Annie and Auggie would have distracted from the show's main focus: sexy spy intrigue. I would argue that the writers excuse for keeping Annie and Auggie apart was, at least during the early seasons, Auggie's fear that he would lose Annie's friendship and Annie's inability to see what was right in front of her.

This season the writer's have certainly escalated their relationship, but not in a way that has made any Annie/Auggie fans particuarly happy. Auggie's relationship with Parker is perhaps a necessary evolution for his character, but that doesn't mean we need to be pleased with it. From what I can garner, while in the first season Auggie was a bit of a lothario, he wasn't open to a committed relationship. His insecurities surrounding his blindness made him feel less than worthy. These insecurities are illustrated in the storyline where Auggie is searching for a cure, his belief that regaining his eyesight is possible, and his eventual acceptance that he may be blind forever. Proposing to Parker shows that he has finally grown enough to accept who he is and accept a relationship. Unfortunately, it's clear to just about everyone that his relationship should be with Annie. After all, Auggie is the one who told Annie that if you're in the CIA it's easier to have a relationship with someone in the CIA.

Now that Auggie is with Parker Annie seems to finally be waking up. Piper Perabo does some of her best acting during the scene where Auggie shows her the engagement ring that he picked for Parker: she has a look of sadness and disappointment along with an uncanny ability to make her tone sound like forced excitement--just forced enough to feel forced, just excited enough to make it believable that Auggie doesn't ask her what's wrong. Longing looks are something that Perabo has excelled at this season.

But of course, while Auggie was off playing with Parker the writers couldn't leave Annie to pine after him for too long. Because that just wouldn't be sexy spy intrigue. Hence the addition of Simon Fischer as the bad guy, who may be a good-enough guy, who provides this season's sex with benefits (it's like friends with benefits, except Annie gets intel each time she beds him). The complex feelings that Annie has been developing for Simon seem to be pushing her further away from Auggie, though I'd argue she's only masking her interest in him.

The key distinction about the will they/won't they relationship between Annie and Auggie is two-fold. First there's the fact that the will they/won't they scenario doesn't drive the show. It helps with character development, and is understandable considering the fact that Auggie is Annie's "best friend" (her words not mine), attractive, and male. But unlike 'Castle' or 'Bones' their relationship doesn't drive the storyline, it is merely a part of it. Second there's the fact that Auggie is blind. Annie can give give Auggie longing looks and he's none the wiser. She can say something and her face can show that she means something completely different. On another show the other character would have to respond in some way but not on 'Covert Affairs'.

The question of how this season will leave Annie and Auggie's relationship has yet to be answered. It will be interesting to see how their relationship is left at the end of this season, and whether resolution will be reached in the fourth season.

'Covert Affairs' airs on USA on Tuesdays at 10/9 C.