I'm sure he loves them (Christmas trees, not the Norwegians.) Like Peter Firth said in an interview, Harry is really a lover, not a fighter, so his romantic side would love to decorate Christmas trees with Ruth, I'm sure. Or maybe, if that is moving too quickly for the current awkward state of their relationship, they could take a turn around the Christmas tree the Norwegians donate to London each year, sharing furtive glances and awkward conversation.

Erm, but back on topic - Harry I think doesn't really hate the Russians, rather the Tazbeks. He likes that the Russians are at least not tee-totallers. And he had a grudging respect for that old geezer that used to spy for Russia, can't remember which season that was in. I suspect, like many of us, he preferred the old Russia to modern Russia after the fall of communism though. At least back then the struggle was more about ideology, rather than the greed and commercialism of today.

(08-11-2009 01:56 PM)Silktie Wrote:  I'm sure he loves them (Christmas trees, not the Norwegians.) Like Peter Firth said in an interview, Harry is really a lover, not a fighter, so his romantic side would love to decorate Christmas trees with Ruth, I'm sure. Or maybe, if that is moving too quickly for the current awkward state of their relationship, they could take a turn around the Christmas tree the Norwegians donate to London each year, sharing furtive glances and awkward conversation.

Definitely I love the last bit

Yeah, now it's just more of the "velvet fascism" his friend in The Book talked about. But let's not sugarcoat it - the FSB is not so independent as to not issue orders for a nuclear strike on London without consulting the Kremlin.

Yes, I know, it's just entertainment.

The Norwegians donate Christmas trees? Is that some tradition that dates back to Trondheim (WWII) or something?

(08-11-2009 02:00 PM)JHyde Wrote:  The Norwegians donate Christmas trees? Is that some tradition that dates back to Trondheim (WWII) or something?

Yes they do. Not sure about the reasons behind it, though. Maybe because they have really pretty pine trees?

Or because Harry once was owed a favour by the Norwegians and as a thank you they decided to give us a Christmas tree every year.

The tree is a thank you every year from Oslo to London, because the Norwegian Head of State and their Govt were exiled in London in WW11.

[in RL !]

Of course! I should have known that, thanks (blushing)

I'm hoping we get some backstory about Tariq. His introduction was fairly understated except for the bike crash (think Adam as the bum, Jo the would-be reporter, Ben stumbling into the middle of YALTA, Connie with the de-commissioned shelter under her house). With Tariq it was "Hi, I'm here" and then he's onto the computer and doing a really good job as the newbie, even in the field (remember Ben's first field job!) Tariq's had more than the standard MI5 training course -- his skills are too well developed, he's done this stuff somewhere else already.

Did anyone else think the estate Tarkisian took Harry to looked a lot like the YALTA headquarters place?

(08-11-2009 01:26 PM)almh Wrote:  BTW, the conversation between Harry and Jo at the end, when they're talking about Ruth is really annoying me - I love their conversation but the light keeps blocking them out and it's annoying me!

Yes I agree. Keep the camera still and out of direct sun light. Actually some of the moving camera work at the start of the episode made me feel a bit ill. Also there are too many close up shots of Harry's left eye brow or Ros's hair roots. We really dont need that many close up shots to work out that someone is stressed or upset etc.

Not to mention the recycling of that hotel. That's been a location many times over.

I'm sure we'll get more back story to Tariq. If he lives long enough!

What annoyed the hell out of me in that scene with Harry and Jo was rather than panning out to see the reactions of both of them to each other, they slid the camera from one face to the other. It's not a doco or reality TV or Arrested Development! It might work well in tense scenes in the conference room but otherwise it's not appropriate. It's the only thing Alrick Riley does as a director that drives me MAD. And he's been doing it since season 3.