In one scene from *Splinter Cell: Deathwatch*, Netflix’s animated take on Ubisoft’s stealth series, Sam Fisher nonchalantly strolls past a security camera. For a long-time fan, this moment felt jarringly out of character. The Sam Fisher I remember would *never* make such a careless move, intentional or not.
The truth is, the Sam Fisher many of us grew to love from the early 2000s no longer truly exists. Ubisoft has consistently shifted his identity over the years, diluting the essence of the character. We’ve seen his daughter “killed” and then resurrected, Sam becoming a fugitive, and a 2013 reboot that stripped him of his signature dry humor and charisma. His appearances in *Rainbow Six: Siege* and recent *Ghost Recon* titles (even with Michael Ironside returning) further demonstrate Ubisoft’s struggle to find a consistent direction for the iconic operative.
This pattern of character uncertainty persists in *Splinter Cell: Deathwatch*, a Netflix animated series marking a new, albeit troubled, chapter in Sam’s story. With Derek Kolstad (*John Wick*, *Nobody*) at the helm, the show places Sam off the grid in Poland. However, Liev Schreiber’s portrayal feels shallow; his Sam is stoic, direct, and calculated—more akin to the version from 2013’s *Splinter Cell: Blacklist* than the beloved original trilogy, which is a letdown.
But if Sam Fisher is truly the beating heart of *Splinter Cell*, then *Deathwatch* presents a pulse that’s tragically faint.
That said, *Deathwatch* isn’t a complete failure. It functions as a competent spy thriller, enhanced by beautiful animation and intense action. The highlight undoubtedly comes in the final two episodes, which cleverly expand upon and recontextualize one of *Chaos Theory’s* most iconic moments, leading to a surprisingly dark and unexpected conclusion.
Ultimately, if Sam Fisher truly defines *Splinter Cell*, then *Deathwatch* struggles to capture his essence. He feels less like a unique character and more like a generic, hardened operative molded to serve a specific narrative. What originally set *Splinter Cell* apart and allowed it to rival *Metal Gear Solid* was Sam’s distinctive personality. Without him, the franchise risks becoming a standard military-action game with inconsistent stealth mechanics. The original writers established Sam’s grounded nature through sharp dialogue, a credible backstory, and his engaging banter with his intelligence team. His dry wit was a constant, always ready to lighten the mood, no matter how dire the circumstances.
Naturally, any discussion of Sam Fisher must include Michael Ironside. The legendary actor voiced the operative for five mainline games and, notably, was instrumental in shaping the character’s identity. He initially declined the role twice, feeling Sam lacked emotional depth, agreeing only after being granted creative input by the development team.
Ironside’s influence is evident throughout every game where he wore the iconic night vision goggles. Even his brief appearance in *Ghost Recon: Wildlands* carried significant emotional weight. I often revisit the scene where Sam reflects on being the last espionage agent, a poignant nod to the apparent conclusion of the *Metal Gear Solid* franchise.
For me, it’s always been challenging to separate Sam Fisher from Michael Ironside. The *Splinter Cell* series, especially *Chaos Theory*, was incredibly significant during my formative years. I’ve replayed *Chaos Theory* countless times, and a major reason for my enduring affection is Ironside’s performance. It wasn’t until his temporary departure from the role due to a battle with cancer (which he thankfully overcame) that I truly grasped his irreplaceable impact. *Deathwatch* only reinforces this, as the Sam Fisher presented in the series not only lacks Ironside’s voice but also his definitive characterization.
Truthfully, I don’t believe Michael Ironside needs to return as Sam Fisher; he has already contributed so much to the character. The real issue is that every subsequent iteration of Sam has felt hollow. The distinctive humor, confidence, charisma, and wit are consistently absent, a flaw also present in Liev Schreiber’s performance in *Splinter Cell: Deathwatch*. The emotional depth Ironside originally crafted has been sidelined, replaced by a sullen professional who can be arbitrarily inserted into any military narrative Ubisoft conjures.