Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Patriot, which stands as one of the most underrated and brilliantly crafted spy series ever created for television.
Originally premiering on November 5, 2015, and concluding in 2018, Patriot ran for two seasons with a total of 18 episodes, each approximately 45-50 minutes long. Available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, this darkly comedic spy thriller was created by Steven Conrad and follows intelligence officer John Tavner, whose latest assignment to prevent Iran from going nuclear requires him to assume a perilous non-official cover. The series blends elements of dark comedy, psychological drama, and espionage thriller to create something entirely unique in the television landscape.
Patriot operates as both a character study of a deeply damaged operative and a satirical examination of modern intelligence work. The series doesn’t glorify spy work but instead presents it as a soul-crushing endeavor that slowly destroys the people who dedicate their lives to protecting national interests. What makes Patriot exceptional is its commitment to showing the psychological toll of undercover work, exploring how maintaining false identities can eventually make it impossible to remember who you really are.
The series masterfully balances absurdist humor with genuine emotional depth, creating a tone that’s both unsettling and deeply human. Patriot challenges traditional spy thriller conventions by focusing on the mundane, bureaucratic aspects of intelligence work while never losing sight of the human cost of such operations.
A Mission That Demands Everything and Offers Nothing in Return
The central plot follows John Tavner as he must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities by infiltrating a Midwestern industrial piping firm and manipulating a complex web of international business deals. Patriot doesn’t focus on high-octane action sequences or glamorous international locations. Instead, it grounds its espionage story in the dreary reality of corporate America, showing how modern spy work often involves mind-numbing bureaucracy and soul-crushing cover identities.
The series explores how John must completely submerge his true identity to become “John Lakeman,” a mid-level employee at McMillan Industrial Piping. This cover isn’t temporary – it’s a long-term deep cover assignment that requires John to live an entirely fabricated life while slowly executing his mission. Patriot brilliantly examines how such assignments can become psychological torture, as operatives lose themselves in their fabricated identities.
John Tavner: The Spy Who Lost Himself in the Mission
Michael Dorman delivers a masterclass performance as John Tavner throughout all 18 episodes. His portrayal of a deeply damaged intelligence operative is both heartbreaking and darkly funny, showing a man who has become so skilled at pretending to be other people that he’s forgotten how to be himself. Dorman captures John’s gradual psychological deterioration with remarkable subtlety, showing how years of undercover work have left him emotionally numb and disconnected from genuine human relationships.
What makes John such a compelling character is his complete dedication to his mission despite the personal cost. Patriot presents him as the ultimate professional – someone who will sacrifice everything, including his sanity, to complete his assignments. Dorman’s performance reveals a man who uses dark humor and musical expression as coping mechanisms while slowly falling apart internally.
Tom Tavner: The Father Who Demands Ultimate Sacrifice
Terry O’Quinn brings gravitas and complexity to Tom Tavner, John’s father and superior in the intelligence community. Tom represents the old guard of American intelligence, someone who believes that personal sacrifice for national security is not just necessary but noble. His relationship with John forms the emotional core of the series, showing how family dynamics become twisted when filtered through the world of espionage.
O’Quinn masterfully portrays a man who genuinely loves his son while simultaneously being willing to destroy him for the greater good. The father-son dynamic in Patriot explores how patriotism can become a form of emotional abuse when taken to extremes.
When Identity Becomes Performance: The Point of No Return
The series reaches its psychological climax as John’s various cover identities begin to blur together, making it increasingly difficult for him to distinguish between his real self and his fabricated personas. Patriot excels at showing how deep cover work can become a form of psychological warfare against oneself. The show demonstrates that sometimes the most dangerous enemy a spy faces is the gradual erosion of their own identity.
These pivotal moments reveal the true cost of intelligence work, showing how even the most dedicated operatives can lose themselves completely in service to their country.
Critical Recognition and Amazon Prime Success
Patriot received widespread critical acclaim for its unique voice, exceptional writing, and outstanding performances, though it remained criminally underviewed during its original run. The series has found new appreciation on Amazon Prime Video, where viewers have discovered its distinctive blend of dark comedy and psychological depth. Patriot stands out in the streaming landscape for its willingness to subvert spy thriller conventions and its commitment to exploring the psychological reality of intelligence work rather than its fantasy.
The show’s exploration of identity, duty, and sacrifice has resonated with critics and audiences who appreciate its sophisticated approach to the spy genre.
A Hidden Gem That Deserves Your Immediate Attention
If you love darkly comic thrillers that explore the psychological cost of duty and sacrifice, Patriot is the perfect series to discover on Amazon Prime Video. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a profound examination of what happens when patriotism becomes personal destruction, wrapped in some of the most intelligent writing and performances you’ll find on television.
Why This Series Represents Peak Television at Its Most Uncompromising
Patriot stands as proof that television can tackle complex themes with both intelligence and emotional authenticity. It’s a series that trusts its audience to appreciate sophisticated storytelling while delivering genuine psychological insight, making it essential viewing for anyone who appreciates truly exceptional television that refuses to compromise its vision.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 18 (completed series)
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Years: 2015-2018
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Genre: Spy Thriller, Dark Comedy, Psychological Drama
Status: Completed series
Protagonists: Michael Dorman (John Tavner), Terry O’Quinn (Tom Tavner), Kurtwood Smith (Leslie Claret)
Antagonist: The psychological toll of deep cover work and institutional demands (no single antagonist)