The Assets

Last updated
The Assets
TheAssetsIntertitle.png
Genre Thriller
Created by
Based onCircle of Treason
Starring
ComposerH. Scott Salinas
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Morgan Hertzan
  • Rudy Bednar
  • Andrew Chapman
ProducerJames Elkus
CinematographyDarran Tiernan
EditorSteve Mirkovich
Running time42 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseJanuary 2 (2014-01-02) –
August 3, 2014 (2014-08-03)

The Assets is an eight-part American drama television miniseries that aired on ABC in 2014. [1] The series was based on the book Circle of Treason: A CIA Account of Traitor Aldrich Ames and the Men He Betrayed by retired CIA officers Sandra Grimes and Jeanne Vertefeuille. The series was executively produced by Morgan Hertzan, Rudy Bednar and Andrew Chapman. [2] The pilot episode earned a 0.7 rating in the 18-to-49-year-old demographic, making The Assets the lowest rated drama premiere ever on one of the big three networks. [3]

Contents

On January 10, 2014, ABC canceled The Assets due to low ratings. [4] ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee disclosed at the Television Critics Association press tour that the unaired episodes would be made available at some point in the future. [5] On June 21, 2014, the remaining episodes began airing on Saturdays, [6] but after just two further broadcasts, ABC again pulled the series. The final four episodes aired in a Sunday afternoon timeslot in late July and early August 2014. [7] All eight episodes of The Assets were then made available on Netflix on September 1, 2014. [8]

The Assets received mixed reviews from critics. Metacritic awarded the series a "mixed or average" score of 58 out of 100, based on reviews by fifteen critics. [9] On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 56% rating with an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, based on 16 reviews. [10] More than four years after its initial broadcast, the series was picked up by Alibi for broadcast in the United Kingdom, with broadcast set for Summer 2018, ahead of Jodie Whittaker's debut as The Doctor in Doctor Who . [11]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"My Name Is Aldrich Ames" Jeff T. Thomas Drew ChapmanJanuary 2, 2014 (2014-01-02)3.77 [12]
In 1985, CIA agent Aldrich Ames hands over top-secret files to the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C. At a counter-intelligence meeting, agent Sandra Grimes discusses a high-ranking KGB officer, who gave the CIA valuable intel in the 1970s. A money drop is scheduled, but the asset and his handler are both captured by the KGB. The handler is released but the asset is shot dead. The whole situation bothers Sandra and she investigates. She learns the asset at the money drop was a plant, as the real asset was a spy and had likely been captured long before the drop. She fears a mole in the CIA. Meanwhile, in Italy, a man claiming to be a senior counter-intelligence colonel in the KGB calls the U.S. embassy to say he wishes to defect.
2"Jewel in the Crown"Jeff T. ThomasDrew ChapmanJanuary 9, 2014 (2014-01-09)2.92 [13]
Vitaly Yurchenko defects to the U.S. Ames is assigned to be his initial debriefing agent. Ames is fearful Yurchenko will expose him as a spy, but the man doesn't recognize him. However, he does confirm a mole in the CIA. Sandra is concerned about their asset, General Dmitri Polyakov, known as "Top Hat", but he is later warned by his son of traitors. Yurchenko knows the traitor's code name, Mr. Robert, whom he has heard has problems with money, relationships, and drinking, and is now ex-CIA. The CIA is now focused on Edward Lee Howard, who was fired two years ago.
3"Trip to Vienna" [14] Adam Lucas FeinsteinAlex BergerJune 21, 2014 (2014-06-21)1.25 [15]
Yurchenko fingers Edward Lee Howard as the mole but Sandy remains concerned about other likely leaks. Sandy does her best to show that her asset General Polyakov is trying to get in touch with the CIA. With a distracted CIA, Ames forms an improbable bond with Yurchenko.
4"What's Done Is Done" [16] Rudy BednarBruce TerrisJune 28, 2014 (2014-06-28)1.46 [15]
Jeanne and Sandy are at odds over Jeanne's review of their operations. Ames is unsettled by Jeanne's presence as the Soviets are pressuring him for more information. The pressure at home on Ames is his wife's compulsive shopping habits.
5"Check Mate" [14] Trygve Allister DiesenKaren StillmanJuly 27, 2014 (2014-07-27)N/A
Sandy and Jeanne continue to clash over Sandy's review of the skills and techniques employed by the agency's spies. When a man known as GTPROLOGUE contacts the agency claiming vital information concerning a communications breach, Sandy has her doubts. Ames' transfer request to Rome is approved.
6"A Small Useless Truth" [14] Trygve Allister DiesenSarah ByrdJuly 27, 2014 (2014-07-27)N/A
With differences aside, Sandy and Jeanne proceed ahead with the mole hunt. Sandy finds out General Polyakov has been compromised. Ames gets ready for a high-stakes polygraph exam.
7"The Straw Poll" [14] Peter MedakBruce TerrisAugust 3, 2014 (2014-08-03)N/A
The CIA remains committed to finding those responsible for their assets' compromise, even after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communism. Sandy is sure the likely person is Ames but is having trouble convincing the rest of the task force. Back in America after living a charmed life in Rome, Ames finds it hard to maintain that lifestyle.
8"Avenger" [14] Peter MedakDrew ChapmanAugust 3, 2014 (2014-08-03)N/A
Even though the task force is convinced of Ames' guilt, Sandy looks for definitive proof so the Justice Department can proceed. Sandy's dedication to the job tries on Gary's patience. Ames is finally caught and brought to justice, but he mulls what—if anything—he's willing to say.

Related Research Articles

<i>A to Z</i> (TV series) American romantic comedy television series

A to Z is an American romantic comedy television series created by Ben Queen. He served as an executive producer with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack for Warner Bros. Television. The series debuted on October 2, 2014, on NBC. Viewership fell by nearly 50% by the fifth episode, which aired October 30, and NBC canceled the series the next day, though choosing to air the final eight episodes, which had already been produced. The series finale aired on January 22, 2015.

The 2011–12 network television schedule for the five major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers prime time hours from September 2011 through August 2012. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2010–11 season.

<i>Dont Trust the B---- in Apartment 23</i> American sitcom

Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 is an American television sitcom created by Nahnatchka Khan. It was broadcast on ABC between April 11, 2012, and September 6, 2014, comprising two seasons and 26 episodes. Originally a mid-season replacement, the network renewed the series for a second season in May 2012; six episodes from the first season were aired as part of the second, without regard for continuity.

<i>Malibu Country</i> American TV series or program

Malibu Country is an American sitcom that ran on ABC from November 2, 2012, to March 22, 2013. The series was created by David A. Stewart and marks Reba McEntire's return to series television, following up her previous sitcom Reba (2001–2007).

The 2012–13 network television schedule for the five major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 2012 through August 2013. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2011–12 season.

<i>Zero Hour</i> (2013 TV series) American TV series or program

Zero Hour is an American conspiracy television series, created by Paul Scheuring and starring Anthony Edwards. In the U.S., the pilot episode became available on Hulu Plus as of February 1, 2013, then the series began airing on ABC on February 14, 2013 as a midseason replacement. On March 1, after the third episode, ABC canceled the series due to low ratings and immediately removed it from the schedule. On April 26, 2013, it was announced that the remaining episodes would be burned off through the dead of summer, beginning with two episodes on June 15 and ending on August 3, 2013.

<i>Betrayal</i> (TV series) American drama tv series (2013–2014)

Betrayal is an American drama television series that aired on ABC from September 29, 2013, to January 19, 2014. The series was developed by David Zabel and starred Hannah Ware. It is based on the Dutch drama series Overspel, broadcast by VARA. The pilot episode was directed by Patty Jenkins. Betrayal joined ABC's Sunday line-up after ABC's dramas, Once Upon a Time and Revenge.

<i>Super Fun Night</i> American television sitcom (2013–2014)

Super Fun Night is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from October 2, 2013, to February 19, 2014. The series was broadcast during the 2013–14 television season on ABC in the Wednesday night 9:30 pm (ET/PT) slot after Modern Family. The series stars and was created by Rebel Wilson; it was green-lit by ABC for a series order pick-up on May 10, 2013. On May 9, 2014, ABC canceled the series after one season.

<i>Killer Women</i> American crime drama television series

Killer Women is an American crime drama television series that aired on ABC from January 7 to March 25, 2014. The series is based on the Argentine crime drama Mujeres Asesinas, which was adapted into an American setting by writer Hannah Shakespeare. Shakespeare also serves as an executive producer alongside Sofía Vergara, Ben Silverman, Luis Balaguer, and Martin Campbell for Pol-Ka Productions, Silverman's Electus Productions, Vergara and Balaguer's Latin World Entertainment, and ABC Studios. The series stars Tricia Helfer. The pilot episode was directed by Lawrence Trilling.

<i>Back in the Game</i> (2013 TV series) American TV series or program

Back in the Game is an American sitcom about a newly divorced single mother who has to move back home to live with her ex-minor league baseball manager father. It aired from September 25, 2013, to February 23, 2014, on ABC. The series stars James Caan and Maggie Lawson and aired during the 2013–14 American television season as a Wednesday night entry. Back in the Game was co-created and executive-produced by brothers Mark and Robb Cullen for 20th Century Fox Television. The series was green-lit by ABC for a series order pickup on May 10, 2013.

<i>The Carrie Diaries</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second and final season of the American comedy-drama television series The Carrie Diaries premiered on The CW on October 25, 2013, and concluded on January 31, 2014, consisting of 13 episodes. The series serves as a prequel to the HBO series Sex and the City.

<i>Kirstie</i> (TV series) Television series

Kirstie is an American television sitcom starring Kirstie Alley that aired on TV Land from December 4, 2013, to February 26, 2014. TV Land cancelled Kirstie on July 29, 2014.

<i>American Dad!</i> (season 11) Season of television series

The eleventh season of American Dad! consisted of only 3 episodes. The season was broadcast on Fox, with two episodes airing September 14, 2014, and one episode on September 21, 2014. This was the last season to air on Fox; one month later, TBS premiered the twelfth season on October 20, 2014.

<i>Cristela</i> American sitcom

Cristela is an American multi-camera sitcom television series that aired from October 10, 2014, until April 17, 2015, on ABC. The series was created by stand-up comedian Cristela Alonzo, who also starred in and wrote for the series and served as an executive producer with co-creator Kevin Hench, Becky Clements, Marty Adelstein, and Shawn Levy for 20th Century Fox Television. This made her the first Latina to create, produce, write, and star in her own primetime comedy. The series was canceled by ABC on May 7, 2015.

<i>Marry Me</i> (American TV series) American sitcom created by David Caspe for NBC

Marry Me is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from October 14, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The remaining 4 episodes aired on Channel 4. The series stars Casey Wilson and Ken Marino and aired Tuesday nights at 9 pm (ET/PT)/8 pm (CT) as part the 2014–15 television season. Marry Me was created and executive produced by David Caspe with co-executive producers/director Seth Gordon and Jamie Tarses for Sony Pictures Television.

<i>Manhattan Love Story</i> American romantic comedy television series

Manhattan Love Story is an American romantic comedy television series created by Jeff Lowell, who also served as an executive producer alongside Peter Traugott, Robin Schwartz, Rachel Kaplan, and Jon Liebman for ABC Studios. The series aired on ABC from September 30 to October 21, 2014, airing at 8:30 pm (Eastern). Following modest viewership, the series' cancellation was announced on October 24: the first from network television for the fall schedule and for the 2014–15 season overall.

<i>The Great Christmas Light Fight</i> American TV series or program

The Great Christmas Light Fight is an American reality television competition show that premiered on December 9, 2013 on ABC. The seasonal miniseries is traditionally scheduled in a double-run of two hour-long episodes, all airing Mondays in the first three weeks of December annually as part of ABC's seasonal programming lineup.

References

  1. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 19, 2013). "ABC Releases Midseason Schedule: 'Betrayal' in Limbo, 'Revenge' Moves to 10PM, + 'Suburgatory' Premieres January 15". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 22, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  2. ↑ Rose, Lacey (July 23, 2013). "ABC Orders Limited Series About The Cold War". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ O'Connell, Michael (January 3, 2014). "TV Ratings: ABC's 'Assets' Bombs, Dipping 'Community' Tops NBC Comedies in Return". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  4. ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 10, 2014). "'The Assets' Canceled by ABC After 2 Episodes". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Assets: Canceled Episodes Coming — Someday". TV Series Finale. January 23, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  6. ↑ "ABC to Burn-Off Unaired Episodes of 'The Assets' on Saturdays Starting June 21". Archived from the original on 2014-05-30. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  7. ↑ "ABC to Now Wrap 'The Assets' on Sunday Afternoons". Futon Critic. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "The Assets (2014)". All Flicks. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "The Assets : Season 1". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  10. ↑ "The Assets: Season 1 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Jodie Whittaker drama the Assets to air on UKTV ahead of Doctor Who premiere - Radio Times". Archived from the original on 2018-06-22. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  12. ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 6, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'The Taste' Adjusted Up; 'The Millers' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  13. ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 10, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Parks and Recreation' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Shows A-Z - assets, the on abc". The Futon Critic. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  15. 1 2 "The Assets on ABC: latest ratings | canceled + renewed TV shows". TV Series Finale. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  16. ↑ "(#104) What's Done is Done". The Futon Critic. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.