Ochoa’s strength as a lead actor has the potential to give the show a solid anchor around which to adjust and evolve if given the opportunity. The groundwork the show lays in fleshing out its characters raises the stakes for the episodic missions and the longer-term mystery framing the season.
To its credit, Valor avoids any ill-advised attempts to flaunt a sense of geopolitical literacy it doesn’t possess, sticking instead to building three-dimensional characters whose relationships to one another are strong, though not terribly complex. Given that the CW tends to target a younger audience, and with a slate of issues including post-traumatic stress, addiction, and grief, it may be excusable to give viewers at least some slack when it comes to navigating the various threads the show lays out. The pill problem once again serves as a symbol of how little Valor relies on nuance when we get a glimpse into Nora’s past and an added (and unnecessary) layer to her unfolding addiction by way of a flashback - angst-filled color wash and all - in the fourth episode. While it’s commendable that the show takes on the effects of PTSD, it’s baffling that anyone trying to keep a painkiller habit on the downlow wouldn’t think to carry their pills in something a bit less obvious.
It’s not without merit - the most egregious example of this is the recurring appearance of the orange pill bottle carried by the series’ central character, Warrant Officer Nora Madani (played by Christina Ochoa). Critics have been hard on the show, giving it a paltry 24% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and complaining that Valor doesn’t go for subtlety. Of the new slate of military shows, Valor is the only female-co-run, female-led show, and it hasn’t been given the credit it deserves for bringing something new to the table.
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