Read this The Copenhagen Test review to see if the episode “Copenhagen” is worth watching.
The Copenhagen Test sets the stage like it’s about to redefine the modern spy thriller — sleek visuals, tense vibes, and the promise of moral complexity. You can feel the show reaching for something big and meaningful. But as the episode moves along, the momentum slips, the tension thins, and the spark never quite lights. It’s the kind of premiere that looks impressive on the surface yet leaves you waiting for a payoff that never really arrives.
About The Copenhagen Test
- Season 1, Episode 1: “Copenhagen”
- Directed by Jet Wilkinson
- Written by Thomas Brandon
- Synopsis: Trying to prove he’s not the mole at his agency, an analyst makes a discovery that upends his life.
- Airdate: December 27, 2025
- Starring: Simu Liu, Sara Amini, Melissa Barrera, Kathleen Chalfant, Hannah Cruz, Brian d’Arcy James, Sinclair Daniel, Neha Kohli, Marnie McPhail, Loriel Medynski, Nicole Moller, Solen Morales, Christine Noble, Mark O’Brien, Adina Porter, Matt Wells, and Chance Orion Wood
If you want to avoid The Copenhagen Test spoilers, skip to the overall section at the end.
Warning: Spoilers for The Copenhagen Test Season 1 Episode 1 “Copenhagen” “
Recap The Copenhagen Test (2025): S1E01 – “Copenhagen”
In the opening episode of The Copenhagen Test, Alexander Hale (Simu Liu) heads to Belarus with a team to rescue hostages. After he expertly covers the mission as a sniper, he’s injured during extraction. Then, out of nowhere, he receives a message from a mysterious woman who claims there are more hostages — and insists he prioritize rescuing Americans.
However, along the way, he encounters a young Belarusian boy, and everything becomes morally complicated — because of course it does. An American woman begs Alexander to take her with him, and the scene fades into ominous on-screen text. It’s powerful, thought-provoking, and honestly, a bit haunting.
And yes — it’s still slightly wild imagining Simu Liu as a ruthless sniper. But here we are.
The episode also introduces The Orphanage, a secret agency founded under President George H. W. Bush. It quietly oversees American intelligence operations while staying buried in the shadows like every ethically questionable spy organization ever. You know — classic spy thriller energy.
Spy Drama Breakdown: Promotions, Panic Attacks, and a Desk Job Nobody Wants
Three years later, Alexander prepares for a potential new position in Washington, D.C. During an interview, he discusses his Special Forces background, the sudden (ahem, suspicious) desk reassignment, and his current analyst role at The Orphanage. He hopes to join Operation Poseidon, proudly insisting he still serves his country — just with more paperwork and fewer explosions.
Unfortunately, the interviewer brings up his panic attack in Belarus. He brushes it off as no big deal, but the flashback makes it very clear it was, in fact, a big deal. Later, he rides the subway, develops a migraine, and updates friends in a chat. Totally normal government analyst things… except, not really.
At a gathering, he zones out during a conversation, leaves for the bar, and sees his ex-fiancée arrive. He confesses to the waitress that he showed up just to confirm whether she’d come. Therapy might help, but instead, we soldier on.
The bartender, Michelle (Melissa Barrera), talks about her homicide-obsessed father and his insane clearance rate, setting the mood for more conversations about obsession, loyalty, and work that destroys your personal life. Soon after, Alexander meets with his ex, Rachel Kasperian (Hannah Cruz), to get pills for panic attacks. She warns him that this is the last time and gently nudges him toward therapy. Spoiler: he ignores that advice.
TV Recap: Conspiracies, Compromises, and That One Terrifying “Upstairs”
Back at work, Cobb (Mark O’Brien) informs Alexander that he’s being promoted — congratulations, I guess — and immediately drops bad news about compromised assets. Apparently, three operatives died in North Korea within four months due to hacked communications. Meanwhile, Cobb casually notes Alexander’s status as a first-generation American as an “added risk,” which is both rude and deeply unsettling.
As the Tachyon program shuts down, suspicion spreads. Alexander talks to Frances (Marnie McPhail), wonders whether Choi was hacked, and realizes the only common factor among all the compromised assets is… The Orphanage itself. Not terrifying at all.
He then visits Victor Simonek (Saul Rubinek), who reminisces about the “game” and warns Alexander about how far Upstairs will go to protect secrets. Translation: if you even look suspicious, congratulations — you’re probably dead.
Later, Alexander prepares for a trip, receives a mysterious work message, hides cash and a gun inside a book (normal!), and attends a meeting. There, he learns their asset betrayed them. He’s also told he’s going Upstairs, which is basically the sinister spy equivalent of being “invited to a meeting.”
Streaming Thriller Review: Secrets, Hacks, and a Test You Really Don’t Want
Ellie (Sara Amini) welcomes Alexander to the new Eisenhower wing — bubbly, charming, and already warning him she doesn’t have time for office romance. Good boundaries. He meets John “Peter” Moira (Brian d’Arcy James), who assigns him to operations and introduces a mysterious source called MOSAIC.
Back home, Alexander remembers Belarus and the young boy he refused to leave behind. He eventually put the boy on a helicopter, admitted more people needed help, and triggered the arrival of a second rescue team. Later at the bar, Michelle reassures him about his promotion, flirts a bit, and hands over her number. Life advice included: “Go enjoy your life.” Spoiler again: he won’t.
Back in his apartment, Alexander discovers the “Choose one” scenario — The Copenhagen Test — forcing him to choose between saving an American or a foreign child. Yes, the exact scenario he faced. Subtle? Not really.
He visits Victor again, gets warned (again), and still goes back to work, where Ellie notices he didn’t scan in. He brushes her off and digs into surveillance programs — including Cassandra RU-258, which, conveniently, gives test subjects migraines. Meanwhile, Upstairs spies on him. Because of course they do.
Soon, Moira suspects Alexander, discusses wet teams, and considers eliminating him if he runs. Casual workplace policies.
Spy Thriller Analysis: Betrayal, Control, and One Paranoid Agent
Alexander pretends to calm down, passes Frances a note that he’s compromised, and finds himself dragged into a security briefing inside the Cage. He’s accused of treason — light afternoon activity — while officials grill him about loyalty, family history, and The Copenhagen Test.
Moira finally admits they planned to manipulate him without his knowledge. Cool, cool, cool.
They present two choices: remove the hack and end his career, or leave it — letting them control his perceptions and, basically, his life. Because nothing says patriotism like forced brain surveillance.
Alexander leaves, determined to maintain appearances, even as Victor warns him to stay alert. Someone watches his every move. And yes — The Orphanage knows more than it admits.
And that’s just episode one. No big deal. Totally relaxing viewing.
Overall: Watch The Copenhagen Test (2025): S1E01 – “Copenhagen”
Watch The Copenhagen Test episode “Copenhagen” because it’s a promising start. The opening episode is a mixed bag. It’s a somewhat interesting premise where a hacker gains access to Alexander’s actions and US intelligence. However, it struggles with weak character development, making it difficult for viewers to connect with Alexander. It also feels low-budget and suffers from a lengthy runtime. It feels like it drags on. The critique would benefit from shorter episodes and a more engaging narrative to captivate the audience over the planned seven episodes.
I’m giving this episode 3 out of 5 stars
All episodes of The Copenhagen Test are available to stream on Peacock. All episodes of The Copenhagen Test are available on Peacock.
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