Liberty Crossing

Subtle and humorous, Liberty Crossing is a series brimming with office-related comedy and drama, focusing on life within the intelligence community where important decisions are made-- yet, these characters are often far from serious. Debuting in 2018 on Go90, this unique series offers a combination of workplace comedy and spy thriller genres, providing a distinctive mix of satire, humor and thought-provoking social commentary.

The show centers around the life of a young, rather modest intelligence analyst named Carly Ambrose. Freshly graduated and aspiring to change the world, Carly finds herself plunged into the complicated, secretive world of the National Counterterrorism Center, or, as she soon likes to call it, "the office where they sort out all the terrible things happening in the world." Carly naively thought she'd be preventing international catastrophes, but little did she know, her life would revolve more around a daily routine littered with office politics, nonsensical bureaucracy, and absurd agency protocols.

Throughout Liberty Crossing, Carly’s team at the agency grapples with varying degrees of competence, personal oddities, and often misplaced priorities. Universal challenges of office dynamics—a nauseatingly ambitious boss, annoyingly over-enthusiastic colleagues, and a challenging-to-navigate corporate ladder— become the crux of the humor and narrative drama in the series. Among these characters is an eccentric cast of colleagues: Steven - the ambitious, power-hungry boss, a paranoid counterintelligence officer, an IT guy who doesn't know how to fix a printer, and a selection of bizarre bureaucrats - each with their quirks, each contributing to the chuckle-worthy chaos.

The premise of Liberty Crossing is a satirical take on the people whose job it is to protect our nation. Its genius lies in bringing forth the portrayal of human elements in stark contrast to the weighty roles these characters play. What makes it unique, and in many ways relatable, is how Liberty Crossing brings human fault, idiosyncrasies, ambition, and competition into focus, contrasting sharply with the seriousness generally associated with national security.

Fundamentally, the series is a cheeky examination of the inner workings of the intelligence community and operates around the concept of how the most ordinary of people are behind some of the most crucial decisions shaping our world. It beautifully captures the paradox of a workplace where they often find themselves debating vending machine selections in one moment, and the next, discussing life-and-death decisions related to national security.

As the show progresses, viewers witness Carly’s journey in navigating this unusual work landscape. Carly learns to balance her ambition with reality, her private life with professional boundaries, and the heavy burden of national security with a sense of humor. The narrative thread is Carly’s evolving comprehension of the high-stakes world she’s in—the moments where bureaucratic idiosyncrasies give way to the grim reality of their work, make for truly gripping sequences.

Liberty Crossing also delves into Carly's personal life, providing an interesting contrast to the bizarre world of her workplace. As Carly navigates workplace dynamics, she also confronts personal relationships and the challenge of maintaining a sense of normalcy in her life outside the office. Her relationship with her roommate, her romantic interests and her determination to stay true to her idealistic worldview provide layers of depth to her character and the storyline.

With Liberty Crossing, creators Daniel Radosh and Michael Harrison prove successful in balancing humor with drama, all the while plunging into the mundane reality of bureaucratic life. Bringing to life an assortment of endearing and eccentric characters, the show takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of awkward humor, emotional turmoil, and thought-provoking insights.

Stitching together elements of comedy, drama, and a peculiar glimpse into national security work, Liberty Crossing is a pleasing blend of light-hearted humor and dramatic tension that makes for entertaining viewing. If you're on the lookout for a show that feels like 'The Office' colliding with 'Homeland,' Liberty Crossing is certainly a series worth adding to your must-watch list.