Nikita

This CW series is at least the third remake of Luc Besson’s stylish 1980 French film La Femme Nikita. The basic concept is the same -- a secret government unit takes tough punks off the street, fakes their deaths, and then forces them to become assassins. But the new version smartly departs from the "origin story," starting not with Nikita’s recruitment and training but after she's escaped from Division and is taking aim at her former employers. This sets up a long-running war between highly trained killers and promises plenty of exciting action sequences.

Still, we've seen much of this high-octane spy action before, from James Bond to Mission: Impossible to Alias. The missions are different, but the taut sequences with ultra-competent agents seem familiar. What sets this show apart is Nikita, whose thirst for vengeance combined with her strong sense of humanity creates a complex character that is both empowered and likable. It also allows room for some quiet reflection, as Nikita begins to acknowledge the dangerous impact her personal mission will have on the people who she begins to care for the most.