Dark Wolf' Is Over, and It's So Much Better Than the Original Conspiracy Thriller Series Actorsvaultpro

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf has come to an end with a satisfying conclusion to the gripping spin-off prequel. With seven episodes of relentless spy action, it ranks among the strongest entries in the genre in recent years. Showrunner David DiGilio conceived a prequel based entirely on original material, as the story arc in Jack Carr’s original novel was told in Season 1. However, with a stronger story and richer characters, he elevated the concept to something far more compelling. The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a major improvement over the original conspiracy thriller series starring Chris Pratt.

Season 1 of The Terminal List saw Pratt’s Navy SEAL, James Reece, facing a conspiracy within the U.S. government. Reece’s family is killed in mysterious circumstances, and the skilled soldier takes it upon himself to find the culprits and avenge the deaths of his loved ones. The Terminal List: Dark Wolf takes place years before, with Reece joining his brothers-in-arms in Iraq. Ben Edwards, who “teamed up” with Reece in Season 1, is now the series lead. Considering the story in the first season, Edwards’ character had potential, and The Terminal List: Dark Wolf taps into it.

When the first season stayed within the confines of the conspiracy thriller subgenre, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf goes for something different instead. The spin-off is a spy action series, with a central character driven by a unique kind of grudge, and a threat element that resonates strongly from the beginning. Dark Wolf could have simply revisited Reece’s battle against the government, but DiGilio instead explores a layered, complex character who truly deserves the spotlight.

What Is ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ About?

It’s Not Your Average Spy Action Series

Prime Video

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf follows events prior to the original series The Terminal List. The year is 2015, and Ben Edwards leads SEAL Team 5 Charlie Platoon in Mosul. They are joined by Iraqi soldiers who are trying to fight ISIS forces. When an arms dealer forces a local Iraqi asset to attack American troops, Edwards decides to hunt everyone responsible. After going rogue and killing a CIA asset, Edwards and his partner, Raife Hastings, are discharged and quietly removed from service.

However, they are quickly contacted by CIA boss Jed Haverford. He offers the SEALs the opportunity to hunt the arms dealer, who’s now in Europe working for Iranian figures trying to develop nuclear technology for apparently nefarious reasons. Edwards sees the opportunity to continue doing what he does best in the company of talented agents. The problem is that not everything is as it seems in this murky world of global espionage, and everyone’s agenda appears to conceal some dark secrets.

‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ Is Better Than ‘The Terminal List’

The Series Has Stronger Characters, Better Storytelling, Superior Action

Tom Hopper in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.

What immediately stands out about The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is that it doesn’t feel like a forced follow-up to the first season of the show. It’s able to stand on its own, sharing a few characters, but focused on a vastly different narrative. This also allows DiGilio to develop stronger storylines following numerous characters with different motivations and causes. There is a shared sense of “going rogue,” but aside from this, you may connect more with The Terminal List: Dark Wolf‘s Ben Edwards and those who follow him. James Reece is there, of course, but he’s mostly used as a narrative device to solve a few loose ends in the final act.

The series also features enough twists and turns to keep audiences hooked. The main storyline of Edwards’ team joining a new agency is revitalized midway when the true villains emerge, introducing complex moral dilemmas. The plot becomes morally complex, with the protagonists taking questionable actions; yet, the series ultimately provides closure. The ending is somewhat rushed and predictable, making the payoff a bit underwhelming. However, fortunately, this becomes secondary to the wild journey the audience has just gone through.

Action fans should rest assured that the show consistently delivers. Several pivotal scenes give The Terminal List: Dark Wolf a cinematic feel without overwhelming the story. At its core, the slow-burning parts of the screenplay are the most compelling. DiGilio and his team of directors are notably influenced by spy cinema (not limited to James Bond films), and they incorporate several elements from the action subgenre in the series’ most exciting sequences. The best scene in the series takes place in a nightclub, when our team of heroes tries their best to capture Massoud Danawi. Scenes like these are memorable, standing out from the more straightforward storytelling of The Terminal List.

Where To Stream ‘The Terminal List’ Franchise

All the Episodes of ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ Are Now Streaming

Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

Whether you want to watch Season 1 of The Terminal List or the prequel spin-off The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, all episodes of the Prime Video series are now streaming. Season 1 consists of eight episodes, and The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is seven episodes long. Both seasons can be exclusively streamed on Prime Video with a standard subscription.