The Terminal List: Dark Wolf – Episode One Review

Dark Wolf kicks the door down and doesn’t look back—Taylor Kitsch is lethal, layered, and leading the franchise into bold new territory.

The Terminal List universe just got a whole lot grittier—and better—with its new prequel series Dark Wolf, putting Taylor Kitsch’s Ben Edwards front and center. If you were hungry for more tactical action, brotherhood, and boots-on-the-ground storytelling, the pilot episode, Inherent Resolve, wastes no time kicking in the door and delivering all that and more.

Set during Edwards’ final days in Mosul, this first chapter drops us into a hostile, high-stakes world where every decision can mean the difference between life and death. The pace is relentless from the jump, launching viewers into intense urban warfare with cinematic flair and a rawness that sets it apart. The action is tight, brutal, and unflinching—think SEAL Team but with a harder R-rated edge. This isn’t sanitized combat; this is war, up close and personal.

Kitsch, long overdue for a role that lets him truly lead, absolutely nails it. He brings a quiet intensity and vulnerability to Ben Edwards, adding layers to the man we only got glimpses of in The Terminal List. Here, he’s not just a supporting player—he is the story. And if this episode is any indication, we’re in for one hell of a ride.

The introduction of Tom Hopper as Hastings is another standout. The chemistry between Hopper and Kitsch is electric—they’re two different types of warriors with a shared purpose, but there’s an undercurrent of tension that promises explosive developments down the line. Hastings is smooth, deadly, and a wildcard you won’t be able to stop watching.

And yes, fans of the original series will get a satisfying dose of familiarity. Chris Pratt’s cameo as James Reece adds just the right amount of connective tissue to remind us we’re still very much in the Terminal List world—but without stealing the spotlight from Edwards’ story.

By the time the credits roll on Inherent Resolve, it’s clear: Dark Wolf isn’t just a throwaway spin-off—it’s a vital, visceral expansion of the franchise that deepens the lore and raises the stakes. It’s the kind of pilot that grips you from the first scene and leaves you itching to hit “Next Episode.”

Taylor Kitsch finally gets the spotlight he deserves in this brutal, adrenaline-charged prequel. Dark Wolf sets a high bar with its first episode—and if it keeps this up, it could become the crown jewel of the Terminal List universe.