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**Nitrus** · 10-01-2010, 11:13 AM

The infamous "Helen" episode...

GO!

**Silktie** · 10-01-2010, 12:16 PM

It's hard to remember this episode for anything else apart from Helen's horrific end. That moment established Spooks' reputation as a show that would buck the trend prevalent in TV, where the heroes always come out on top - and live.

Besides that, the thing I enjoy most about this episode, and 1.1, is how much time and detail they spent on showing the tradecraft used by our heroes. It's great how they showed them setting up these alternate personalities, the use of Rosie to provide back-story, how our spies had to practice their cover stories to get them straight, and how one slip-up by Helen in the end blew the whole operation and cost her her life.

We also saw the introduction of Colin in this episode, and set his character up nicely as geeky, knowledgeable but a little condescending towards the non-geeks. He's just so enthusiastic about his electronic toys and what he can do with them, it's wonderful stuff.

I also loved Harry in this episode, with his "You're a little shite Derek" scene, and especially the end where Harry clearly ordered the bad guy's assassination, and the way they showed it happening inter-cut with Helen's funeral. Oh, and he looked mighty fine in his tuxedo too...

Beatriz · 10-01-2010, 01:18 PM

If in the first episode they showed us how they bugged and followed suspects, in this one it was the turn of undercover operations (which I love).

They kept a wonderful balanced between action and personal relationships I liked that in this first two episodes.

Helen's death *shivers*, I had forgotten how she suffered, I remembered it differently... Truly shocking. They wanted to state that it wasn't a common show, and that they could do what ever they like, non pre-established plots or storylines.

Tea Lady · 10-01-2010, 01:41 PM

I liked this episode but maybe not as much as the first. The storyline though has not really dated and the issues of racial tension and immigration are still very much relevant today in the UK. Actually a lot of Spooks episodes do not date.

I liked seeing what Colin could do in this episode, if not his beard!

Robert Osborne was really scum and I really did feel sorry for his wife. His wife did some great acting here and I felt for her when her two friends turned out not to be so.

I do remember the cheese tip when I watched this episode originally and have always used it.

As for the Helen incident it still shocks and I find it difficult to watch. The pain associated with a death like that is really one of nightmares. I do remember again discussing it with people at work the day after. It made that much of an impact. I would be interested to know if there are any viewing figures available for episodes 2 and 3 and whether the audience figures went up for episode 3 after all the "bad" publicity? Apparently Helen was played by quite a famous actress on the TV at that time so that helped it hit the headlines as well.

Yes I agree Harry in his Tux is always one to savour Silktie. We also got to see Harry's ruthless side in that he will do whatever it takes to avenge the death of one of his officers, whether he was particularly close to that officer or not.

**Silktie** · 10-01-2010, 01:56 PM

(10-01-2010 01:41 PM)Tea Lady Wrote: Robert Osborne was really scum and I really did feel sorry for his wife.

We also got to see Harry's ruthless side in that he will do whatever it takes to avenge the death of one of his officers, whether he was particularly close to that officer or not.

Osborne is one of only a few bad guys in Spooks that had no redeeming features whatsoever. Usually they make a point of showing that the character had understandable (if not socially acceptable) reasons for doing what they did, but Osborne was just evil through and through.

Agreed, this was a first inkling of Harry's loyalty to his team. It's interesting that he dismissed Helen so condescendingly in an earlier scene, indicating that she was only the tea lady (nothing personal, Tea Lady!) in his eyes, and yet he so very ruthlessly avenged her death.

Tea Lady · 10-01-2010, 02:12 PM

I had forgotten Harry said that to Helen in front of the others. That was really quite horrible and embarrassing for her and the others. Perhaps it just goes to show that until you have earned your stripes, you have not really earned Harry's respect.

If Helen had received a little more respect from other members of the team for her admin role then she may not have wanted to have gone out in the field, or felt the need to prove herself, so would have remained alive instead of turning into a piece of Kentucky Fried Helen.

femaleBertieWooster · 10-01-2010, 10:21 PM

I don't remember anything except the death either. The way that battered woman turned on Helen when they were trying to help her was creepy, although most likely reality.

Helen was still alive after the incident and they shot her to put her out of her misery. That was as horrible as her torture.

Spoiler: show

Kirayuki · 10-01-2010, 11:13 PM

I'm a little confused over who you're refering to i'm afraid. Do you mean Osbourne's wife? She was played by Debra Stephenson and

Spoiler: show

If you meant someone else then i'm sorry for misunderstanding.

**JHyde** · 10-01-2010, 11:41 PM

It's definitely not the same woman.

Sorry this wasn't put at the top of the thread, just a point about spoilers and discussion for the rewatch. You don't need spoiler tag for anything in season one storylines, but do try and keep to the relevant episode on the relevant thread. Nothing against what anyone's said already, just wanted to make it clear.

femaleBertieWooster · 10-01-2010, 11:42 PM

(10-01-2010 11:13 PM)Kirayuki Wrote: I'm a little confused over who you're refering to i'm afraid. Do you mean Osbourne's wife? She was played by Debra Stephenson and
Spoiler: show
the woman sent to get info about the bomb was played by Jo Joyner
If you meant someone else then i'm sorry for misunderstanding.

That was who I meant. They looked so much alike (to me.)