Countdown episodes 1–3 ignite a promising action thriller fueled by grit, guns & a ticking clock

Jensen Ackles leads Countdown like a man with nothing to lose—and that’s not just acting, it’s literally baked into the plot. As Mark Meachum, an LAPD officer with a ticking time bomb in his head and an entire cartel conspiracy to unravel, Ackles is front and center in a show that wears its genre DNA on its tactical vest. The first three episodes are a blur of gunfire, inter-agency smack talk, and plot revelations that arrive like incoming rounds—fast, hard, and without much warning.

Created by Chicago Fire and FBI alum Derek Haas, Countdown is Prime Video’s latest bet on high-stakes procedural action, and so far, it's mostly paying off. While the pilot spends a lot of energy on introductions—assembling a multi-agency task force with all the gravitas of a superhero draft—it quickly shifts gears into more kinetic territory.

And once the show stops explaining itself and starts blowing things up, it becomes clear that Haas is playing to his strengths. But what sets Countdown apart isn’t just its action. It’s the unexpected moments of vulnerability, especially from Ackles’ Meachum, that give this series the emotional edge it needs to rise above the usual shoot-first tropes.

Disclaimer: The article contains writer's opinions.

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A cast of specialists, not sidekicks

One of the show’s early triumphs is how it treats its ensemble. Instead of simply orbiting around Ackles’ wounded cowboy, Countdown takes the time—albeit briefly—to let the rest of the team breathe. Jessica Camacho’s Amber Oliveras is introduced not just as a foil, but as a tactical equal with her own network, her own stake in the mission, and a cool-headed confidence that’s easy to root for.

Uli Latukefu, Elliot Knight, and Violett Beane are still given small portions of attention, and although none have been fully developed thus far, the interaction between them within the task force is beginning to come together. The group’s resourcefulness in handling a cartel operation at the border in Episode 2 was quite impressive—it feels more Sicario than network TV.

With this level of professionalism on display, it is incredibly entertaining to see their interactions as tension progresses. At the same time, Eric Dance continues to portray Nathan Blythe, Meachum's provocative commander, in a near mesmerizing fashion. While eating up the scenery is something he hasn't done quite yet, his power play tension build up is something I'd happily enjoy under all the action as one of the players, and it adds nuance in contrast to everything.

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The action delivers in Countdown—but so do the surprises

Let's make one thing clear; Countdown is not subtle, but it does get the job done. As of this writing, every episode contains at least one memorable sequence, whether it be a suspenseful car chase or an underwater prison breakout. Even the choreography isn't lazy. However, what stands out even more is show's willingness to surprise the viewer.

In Episode 1, a major guest star—Milo Ventimiglia—is introduced, only to be killed off minutes later. That sort of blindsiding keeps attention on the plot instead of what will happen next while signaling that the show will mess with expectations. The same goes for the end of Episode 3 where a character death—a devastating one at that— is used which has potential to suddenly shift the team dynamics for how they operate moving forward.

On another note, Meachum’s illness breaks away from providing shallow emotional appeal for sympathy. Rather, it serves like an omnipresent pressure cooker filled with build up and tension waiting to explode while he suffers through headaches throughout the mission that adds compound weight to his character acting as a time bomb before the closing credits roll.

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Behind enemy lines—and inside their heads

In the third episode, Countdown begins to reveal the psychological motives behind the shootouts. One pivotal prison break allows Meachum to dig into a villain's operation while battling debilitating symptoms. Ackles strikes just the right tone between defiance and desperation which keeps Meachum from becoming a caricature.

There’s also a mystery forming around Volchek, who is currently absent but is already hinting at everything. The show's approach to sculpting its villain through blueprints, murmur names and connections tends to build unease over time instead of simply revealing him, which makes it all the more appreciated; that type of restraint in storytelling during first seasons is uncommon and contributes much-needed substance to Countdown.

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Final verdict: Keep watching—this clock is worth the time

For the first 3 episodes, this show definlitely deserves an 8/10⭐

Countdown doesn’t reinvent the action genre wheel—it throws some nitrous on it, slaps a few grenades underneath and tells you to buckle up. The first three episodes amazingly deliver exhilarating momentum alongside an ensemble that is (often) intriguing, with a lead performance that surprisingly carries the emotional weight amidst all of the chaos.

Not every plot twist lands cleanly, and there are times when it feels like the show is sprinting past its own world-building. But when pacing issues aren’t present, it’s utterly captivating in a darn good way and makes paying attention feel worthwhile.