99 Words About … ‘Strike Back’s’ tamer ‘Origins’

In this Jan. 21, 2017, file photo, a crowd fills Independence Avenue during the Women's March on Washington, in Washington. Organizers of the January Women's March are calling for women to take the day off and encouraging them not to spend money Wednesday, March 8, 2017, to show their economic strength and impact on American society. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Ever wonder what “Strike Back” would look like without its almost comical blend of bullets, bombs and breasts?

Or why “Strike Back” wasted Richard Armitage (the “Hobbit” trilogy) on a tiny cameo in its premiere?

Both answers lie in “Strike Back: Origins” (10 p.m. Friday, Cinemax).

The original British series that aired before Cinemax got its exploitative hands on it, “Origins” stars Armitage, as a damaged special-forces soldier, and a decidedly British Andrew Lincoln (“The Walking Dead”).

The action drama is so much more straightforward, if someone walks in, it won’t feel like you got caught watching softcore porn.

— CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE