Nikita Boss on That Shocking Twist and Amanda’s Fate – Plus, the ‘Mikita’ Ending You Didn’t See!
And they all lived happily ever after…
No, really! The CW‘s cult-beloved spy thriller Nikita wrapped its four-season run on Friday with the entire crime-fighting crew — save for last week’s fallen fan fave — being sent off in satisfied (and satisfying!) fashion.
With Amanda back in the basement — this time, forever — Nikita was finally able to let go of her past and look toward a future with her main man Michael. Alex, meanwhile, went on to earn accolades for her crusade against human trafficking, with an Owen-esque Sam by her side. And Birkhoff graced the world with Shadownet’s brilliance before retreating overseas to his lady love Sonya. Oh, and did we mention that ‘Mikita’ eloped?!
Here, Nikita mastermind Craig Silverstein delves into the series finale’s biggest twists (Amanda lives! Nikita cons us all!), reveals what he would have changed had time permitted (we’re looking at you, ‘Olex’) and shares an alt-ending for ‘Mikita’ that would have no doubt left fans up in arms.
TVLINE | First, we have to talk about that final moment in last week’s episode. Talk a little about bringing Nikita and Alex back together in such a full-circle way.
That was super important. We set that marker way out and then forgot about it, in a way, and then came back to it. I remember pitching it out in the room and [executive story editor] Kristen Reidel said, ‘That makes me happy.’ When she says that, you know something’s right. [Laughs]
TVLINE | Were you able to squeeze in everything you’d hoped to in just six episodes?
We included pretty much everything. We probably just would have liked more of what we did hit, like more of an Alex/Nikita reunion and more of them all working together.
TVLINE | Was there anything or anyone you’d considered including but it just didn’t pan out?
From the start of the season we thought it would be great to get Percy back in there, in a flashback to bring it full circle, but that opportunity never really presented itself in a real, organic way. It would have felt a little forced once we got to it.
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TVLINE | So, Amanda lives! At what point did you know that she would survive?
It was an instinct pretty early on. A few people on our staff did want to see her die, but I just felt that if it wasn’t by her own hand somehow, it was the wrong way to go. What would that say about Nikita? That’s she’s really come nowhere and just kills her? Their conflict isn’t about physical strength or violence versus violence; Division changed Nikita’s life for both good and bad, and how to reconcile that really was the more interesting question to me. Yeah, Amanda tortured her and did a lot of bad things, but she also took her off the streets and gave her these skills and taught her how to hold herself and become more powerful. Nikita’s journey is to use that power the way she thinks it should be used and not the way Division was forcing her to use it.
TVLINE | Why is seclusion a fate worse than death for Amanda?
Because she’s back in the basement, back where she came from. She started in the basement as Helen. The only other [ending] we had [in mind] was this image of her in a padded cell saying, ‘I’m Helen, I’m Helen,’ over and over again, because she had worked so hard to create Amanda and to steal her sister’s identity. [Executive producer] Albert [Kim] used an analogy about this famous golf match where two golfers are one-upping each other until the end when one of them wins by one point — but they were 20 points above everybody else. They didn’t even notice that until the end of the match. So, that was the analogy for Amanda and Nikita; they had upped their game… Amanda realized that she’s learned a lot from Nikita — and Nikita did as well, but she made the better choices.
TVLINE | Why did Ryan have to die?
Well, he was the only single guy, I guess. Everyone else was paired off… [Laughs] Really, we needed someone to die because we needed to believe that Nikita would go on a rampage in the finale. I don’t know if everyone will buy that twist; some people will see it coming that she’s pulling a con. But the only way that it could hopefully work was if there was a real outrage and we both feared and wanted her doing [what she does].
TVLINE | I didn’t see that twist coming. How difficult was it to map that out?
It was really difficult. We talked about it a lot. Albert Kim’s head was hurting. [Laughs] We were trying to make it work on the surface and then also when you look back at it. The trick with those stories is that you need to structure them in a way that if there was no twist, you would still be satisfied — but you’re even more satisfied that there is one… The idea of a con came in near the end — and maybe [the writers’] minds just naturally go there. There was something like that at the end of every season, if you look back: Percy pulled a big thing on Nikita at the end of Season 1 and he did a similar thing in Season 2, and Amanda did it in Season 3. So, for Nikita to turn that back and pull the massive switcharoo on her own, it was a better statement than her winning with an assault riffle.
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TVLINE | There’s not really a question here, but I just have to say that Aaron Stanford really delivered in these final two episodes. He was so much fun.
Aaron had a total command of that character. Seeing him smile at the end was great, I thought. He just knows Birkhoff inside and out and always makes him a little more interesting than is on the page, even.
TVLINE | And ultimately Alex and Owen ended up together–
Oh, that’s a good one, Meg! Alex and Owen could have used more time. I liked it, but it could have used more time.
TVLINE | How important was it for you to give everyone some sort of happy, peaceful ending?
For me it was important… if it was earned. I don’t have a real desire to see someone come to a bad ending. I’m never quite sure what the point of that is in something that is essentially entertainment, where everyone is striving hard to find that happy ending — is it for surprise value? [Laughs] For that one moment it’s great, but then it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and I’m not sure what the value of that is.
TVLINE | And Michael and Nikita received the sweetest, most satisfying sendoff of all. Were you happy with how their story wrapped up?
We did think of a lot of endings in which Michael and Nikita didn’t end up together. I still think that there is a satisfying ending out there, one that I saw hazily, in which Nikita went off on her own and Michael got back to a normal life, which is something that he always wanted. But with everything going on, there wasn’t enough time to make that ending right and satisfying and to have a real, viable alternative for him that caused the audience a lot of heartache but that they understood. So, the happy ending worked, too. [Laughs]
This show deserved 6 seasons and a movie. Not to mention a network who deserved it. The story was fantastic, the acting superb, hate to see it go. I’m happy we at least got 6 eps, but wish it was more. So sad :(
I thought CW was being quite generous to give it 3 seasons and 6 episodes. By conventional standards, by ratings alone, it is expected to last only 2 seasons at most.
Your comment is very ignorant. If Nikita was on any other network it would have been cancelled after one or two seasons. You should thank the CW for keeping it around this long.
If Nikita was on a network like ABC or CBS, it would have known another fate and the rating would have been much better. Anyway, like you said, we gotta thank CW for keeping it around 4 seasons. It’s not their fault if they don’t have the right audience for this show.
If ANYONE had to die I’m glad it was Ryan. He was okay during seasons one and two in a recurring role, but that was just too much of him in seasons 3 and whatever time he had in 4. Also, the constant shocking ‘oh my God’ look he would give every episode was really losing it’s value.
I liked Ryan! He shouldn’t have died. But I’m all for Alex and Owen
Season 4 didn’t make up for the crapfest that was season 3. Too much Amanda, too much Ryan. I wonder how season 3 would have been if they hadn’t killed off Perry.
I do think killing of Percy then was a bit of a misstep, but I feel pretty satisfied with the ending overall. Can’t help but wonder if it would’ve lasted longer with him living into season 3 though.
I disagree. Either Amanda or Percy had to have died by season two. With major villains like that, either they overstay their welcome and stop being intimidating because they’re losing all the time or they make the heros look weak because they win too much. At some point they have to die.
Percy, his name was Percy. But somehow I think you knew that.
I absolutely did not see that twist coming! When Nikita was telling Amanda how they set up the con, I was awed! Everyone got their happy endings and Mikita ended up together in the best way possible. This is my second favorite series finale of the year, Fringe is the first!
I will forever love this show. This series finale was epic, no doubt about it. That twist was crazy! Nikita had a really good run. I’ll definitely miss it .
I do love Mikita but it did feel that the show lost the original premise which was Nikita/Alex against Division.
Because they already fulfilled that by the end of Season 2 but then, we have Amanda to worry about, whose antics towards the end of that season merely setting up events for Seasons 3 and 4.
Loved everything about the whole series!!! I’m glad there was a happy ending for Mikita!!! Sad that the series is over but pleased we have 4 seasons on dvd to watch over n over!!!
I was pretty happy with this finale. It does suck that we only had 6 more episodes, but the writers did the best they could with that limit. Looking forward to the extras when the DVD comes out.
It was a very fitting ending. I was floored by the twist in the pilot and I am floored by the twist in the finale.
Olex? Barf!
What annoys me is everyone keeps saying it’s Owen and Alex but it’s not. It’s Sam and Alex and Sam is very different than Owen…unfortunately. I still miss Owen tons.
I love that they just straight up stopped pretending they didn’t kill Sean purely so Owen could take his place. I mean, in the end Sam/Owen was her bodyguard/sort of boyfriend, aka Sean’s literal exact roll in late season 2/early season 3. If they wanted Alex to end up with a guy they should have continued to develop Sean/Alex rather than shove a 4th love interest down our throats in 6 episodes. Alex was never allowed to NOT have a love interest, it was gross. At least with Sean it was built up over an entire season. With only 6 episodes Alex should have been allowed to find her happy ending without throwing dick at her. Oddly enough we women don’t always need men to be happy and fulfilled.
Preach!
Man-hater much?
Great series finale! Yeah Craig, let’s not forget Nikita & Alex teaming back up (finally in season 4 it took awhile but satisfying). And one of the best lines & twist of the series: “Welcome back to the basement, Helen” (drops the mic)
alex/owen will never make sense to me. not a fan of mikita. more a fan of owen/nikita. i don’t like sam. it did tie things up though so that’s a good thing. this season should have at least got 12 eps to properly stretch out the characters intertwining- like alex/nikita. they deserved way more time together & so did owen/nikita.
I liked the final.
I never understood how people could root for a romantic relationship between Owen and Nikita.
Even though the two actor had an amazing chemistry, I feel that if that ever happened it would have diminished Daniel’s importance in Nikita’s life…
I mean, of course Nikita forgave Owen for killing Daniel, the whole premise of the show is that even people forced to become assassins can redeem themselves, but, for me, a romantic relationship between the two never made any sense. It was always out of the question.
And while the Nikita/Micheal relationship had (huge) flaws, I’m glad there was a show in which a couple overcome obstacles and took breaks from each other without there being swapping of couples (I’m looking at you, Rookie Blue’s 4th season).
It felt closer to real life – you know, apart from the spy drama, evil fake hand and so on.
It was a satisfying ending with Mikita eloping. I do prefer Owen to Sam. I was happy to see Alex starting a new path just wish it was with Sean.
I miss Sean!
I did NOT see that twist coming at all. It was extremely well done and for me that was a satisfying series finale. I too would have loved to see Amanda killed but then like they said if Nikita did do that then she learnt nothing. I’m going to miss this show because it was a great series and i am glad CW gave us the final 6 episodes to end the series on a good note. Kudos to them.
I think the series finale was the perfect ending! This series was a favorite of mine for it’s entire run. I am sad to see it go, but I am very satisfied with the way it ended. I just missed Sonya.
One of the better series finales I’ve seen, and I didn’t see the twist coming. Well done to all imvolved!
really powerful episode, did NOT see that twist coming! i was actually wondering throughout the episode how they were gonna fix this in such a short time.
loved Nikita/Alex teaming up again, loved Birkhoff being his usual badass nerd-self, LOVED Olex ending up together. ultimately, i feel like these are two people who are connected in such a way that it woulnd’t make sense for them to NOT end up together.
too bad we didn’t see sonya though. she was never a fave of mine, but she was a part of birkhoff.
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Holy meatballs. That finale was incredible. There are some things I don’t like – “Olex” for instance, the lack of a happy, normal “family” scene with all of them, no Sonya, didn’t get to see the Mikita wedding, etc. – but ultimately it was satisfying and brilliant and god am I so bummed that this show did not have as big an audience as it deserved. Truly an intelligent, entertaining, mindblowing masterpiece. Thank you, cast and crew! What a great ride it has been watching this amazing little show and I’m certainly going to miss having my mind blown week after week!
Just one thing jarred this awesome ending – where was Sonja ?? They kept referring to her and I would have expected her to be at the “star wall pardoning” scene but no. Did something happen to her ?
As for everything else, wowzers and I didn’t see it coming either and the writers deserve a big hug for giving all us Nikita fans a cracking round off to the series.
I assume it was an availability issue – the actress in now on Sleepy Hollow, in a role with an actual personality and plot line that utilizes her skills.
of course :) – shame but understandable
she’s the chick off sleepy hollow?! Wow she like totally different cause she’s a bad azz on that show! She is a great actress and I missed her in the last Nikita!
I’m glad to read that the show’s creator Craig Silverstein acknowledged that they could/should have spent more time on the Nikita/Alex reunion, but due to time constraints, they didn’t. I still think it was a bad decision to wait until the end of the penultimate episode to have them reunited.
For me, this show has always been about the relationship between Nikita and Alex and this is why I wasn’t a fan of this season because that relationship wasn’t explored deeper and in a satisfying way. The first few minutes of the finale almost made up for this misstep because we got to see both of them being total badasses and being a great team. And I loved Alex saying to Nikita that “If you want to invade the moon, I’ll find you a rocket ship.” Talk about loyalty.
All in all, it was a satisfying finale to a great series. I’m going to miss this show and I hope to see the cast in new projects in the future. I know the guys (Shane West, Aaron Stanford, and Noah Bean) already have new TV projects lined up, so I’m hoping the ladies will follow suit. I know Maggie is going to be in the Divergent movies, but what about Lyndsy Fonseca? I’m not ready to say goodbye to her pretty face!
Lindsy Fonseca is gonna be on How I Met Your Mother, but I’m not sure if it’s gonna be a pre-recorded piece of her as a child.
I look forward to the show every Friday, I will miss it. why did you give it more time?
je ne l’ai pas encore mais je suis sur que c;etait jolie j;espere que nikita et michael ont eu une finn heureuse
I was very satisfied with the way things ended. It’s too bad that Ryan died, but I liked that little unexpected moment where Nikita saw his ghost. I liked the way things ended for Michael and Nikita. I also liked Alex and Sam together, but it would’ve been nice if they’d had more episodes to develop that relationship. The twist was really good. I would’ve liked to have actually seen Sonya in the finale and Michael meeting up with his son again.