Nikita: "We've been cancelled." Michael: "I won't let them do this." © 1999, Warner Bros All Rights Reserved

It has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt—I'm not the only one with impeccable TV taste out there.

I am, of course, talking about my addiction to television's best-kept secret and one of the smartest, most stylish and action-filled TV dramas to ever come along, USA's "La Femme Nikita."

Back in April of this year I stumbled across what is widely known as the Heyn's Hussies board, in honor of Christopher Heyn, Assistant to the Executive Consultant of this fabulous show, dedicated to all things Nikita and populated by fellow fanatics. Nikita-dom, it turns out, is a widespread phenomenon with a considerable online fanbase. Latest intel indicates I'm just one of more than five million people from over 55 countries who follow the heart-wrenching trials of operatives Nikita and Michael, the ruthless schemes of those in charge, Operations and Madeline, and the missions of the most covert anti-terrorist organization on the planet, Section One.

A while ago the fans accepted a mission themselves. The objective: Revive Season Five—by any means necessary.

Lively message board discussion concerning the tight fit of Michael's mission pants and Nikita's hidden agenda had come to a momentary halt in May when USA nonchalantly gave the cancellation order for the series. They cheerily added that the network would instead concentrate on offering new original content such as the critically un-acclaimed "The War Next Door," "Manhattan, AZ" and "The Huntress."

As it turns out, USA had underestimated the dedication and stubborn determination of the Nikita fans. Adapting an infamous line from the Season 2 episode "End Game," many fans immediately announced "It's not over until we say it's over," and set to letting The Powers That Be know just how they felt.

Early campaign efforts included e-mail, snail mail, and countless faxes to head honchos Stephen Chao at USA, Peter Roth at Warner Brothers—which owns the rights to the series—and other top network executives. Chao and Roth kept pointing fingers at each other, insisting it was all a money issue. This prompted the 'dollar bill campaign'; fans mailing dollars to Roth and Chao, with the other's respective return address, asking that the money be donated to the favorite charities of the LFN cast. Some took it a step further and mailed countless sunglasses, gloves, and shoes—all Nikita trademarks—remote controls and old, gutted TV's and VCR's with a note that read "Since LFN isn't coming back, I won't be needing this anymore." In those first weeks, the fans' campaign was driven by outrage and disbelief.

But every successful campaign needs a strategy. An entity known as First Team, "a diverse group of fans from countries around the world," recognized this need for coordination and launched the "SaveLFN" campaign, giving focus and direction to the fan's efforts from their headquarters, a web site called saveLFN.org, which has to date received over 70,000 unique hits.

"Our wonderful 'LFN troops' were always a source of many ideas," First Team says about mapping out their campaign strategy, "and they have proven to not only be dedicated and intelligent, but very creative and committed. It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with them." But it's difficult to estimate just how many fans have participated in this organized effort, First Team adds, since they can only keep track of those who are online and report their campaign activities.

One of those loyal fans, CelineDeux from New York, has been at the campaign forefront since the cancellation was announced on May 6th. "I have spent a small fortune on stamps and postage," she explained in an e-mail interview, campaigning relentlessly under her personal motto, 'Vive La Femme Nikita.' E-mails, faxes, letters, TV's, VCR's—you name it, she sent it. The thought that the campaign might not succeed has never crossed her mind. Another diligent contributor is Northstar from Ontario, Canada, who took a momentary break from campaigning to e-mail back the answers to my prying questions. Hooked since the episode "Love" in Season One, she began campaigning last fall when cancellation rumors first began to float through cyberspace. In addition to various forms of mail, Northstar posted any and all information pertaining to the campaign to the lists she moderates, the immensely popular 'Michael's Harem' and 'Covert Lovers.' And she will keep campaigning until the bitter end, "until TPTB give us the final answer—this is all you fans are going to get."

By now reports have come in from about 40 countries. "Our online guest book has 6,000 comments in it," First Team says. "Based on what has been reported back, we have tallied at least 30,000 letters, e-mails, faxes and other correspondence in support of LFN's fifth season that have gone out to USA, WB, advertising sponsors and the media."

The ultimate goal, a full season five, 22 episodes, with the entire phenomenal ensemble cast, has not been reached—yet. While USA announced on August 29 that eight new episodes are coming in January, with the cast making appearances throughout, the fans aren't satisfied this easily. "This is a one day at a time, one battle at a time affair," First Team explains. "But we promise to continue until we are satisfied that we did the most complete and efficient job possible." Their motivation—their love for the series, the faith the fans have placed in them and in their own voices—is still strong. And it won't be over until they say so.