Series 9 Episode 5 Discussion

[NightOwl]

(21-10-2010 08:41 AM)JHyde Wrote:  Having read back on the thread, the only thing I'll add to my post is in response to picard's comment about Harry using the phrase 'leader of the free world'

When Harry uses such terms, it's usually with a grain of salt, almost as though he is mocking their very existence. I felt he did so here. I think at the same time he was prepared to use it with a degree of respect given the current occupant of the White House and the position that he holds internationally, as well as the very role he was coming to the UK to fulfil. Its usage here was quite appropriate.

I don't think Harry's ever shown any respect for any American. He can barely tolerate them. Moreover, the phrase is perhaps outdated, a relic of the Cold War. It was an odd line to give Harry. Unless the Russian ambassador is right, and Harry is a dinosaur.

I don't think it was meant to pander to the American audience, though. Or at least, I didn't feel pandered to.

[A Cousin]

(21-10-2010 12:02 PM)NightOwl Wrote:  

(21-10-2010 08:41 AM)JHyde Wrote:  Having read back on the thread, the only thing I'll add to my post is in response to picard's comment about Harry using the phrase 'leader of the free world'

When Harry uses such terms, it's usually with a grain of salt, almost as though he is mocking their very existence. I felt he did so here. I think at the same time he was prepared to use it with a degree of respect given the current occupant of the White House and the position that he holds internationally, as well as the very role he was coming to the UK to fulfil. Its usage here was quite appropriate.

I don't think Harry's ever shown any respect for any American. He can barely tolerate them. Moreover, the phrase is perhaps outdated, a relic of the Cold War. It was an odd line to give Harry. Unless the Russian ambassador is right, and Harry is a dinosaur.

I don't think it was meant to pander to the American audience, though. Or at least, I didn't feel pandered to.

I never feel pandered to with Spooks. That's part of the reason I like it so much. I like the criticism.

If it was meant to pander to an American audience, my question is what American audience? We may seem more plentiful than ever before, but we matter not at all in ratings that would determine the ongoing status of the show much less over all share of DVD sales. The stations that runs it in the US, PBS, only holds about 15% of the US TV viewing population. Even if every PBS viewing American is watching MI5/Spooks on a regular basis, most stations have only made through S6, if they are lucky. Nothing panders to US viewers in that series! The rest of us have to scurry around like "mice" (pun intended ) snatching at it where we can get it.

As for putting that term in Harry's mouth, as has been pointed out, its a Cold War era term - and Harry's a Cold War man. The HS is not - or he's trying not to be. What really makes me think that Harry intention with the phrase is one of grudging respect, and a dash of disdain, is that Harry makes it very clear that he is not very optimistic about the talks being successful no matter who is leading them. Even Lucas mentions that, for better or worse, Lighthouse holds the best chance for a compromise.

[agent68]

(Does anyone know if RA has some big roles coming up. That's always a good predictor of who might be leaving.)
[/quote]

I hope Lucas stays,thought he was brilliant leading the team in episode 5 and would like to see more.

Series 9 Spoiler: show

I can't remember when this interview was dated but I think it was some time this year, RA said he wanted to try his luck in LA. Maybe he is leaving and on a personal idea, 3 series seem to be the average time someone is in Spooks. I may of course be way off the mark.

[Maike]

He's filming a small part in Captain America right now, he will be filming ten new episodes of Strike Back and has often talked about a play (The Rover) he wants to do next year. I think IF he return it will only be to film Lucas exit.

[catwestwood]

Can't wait for more on the Lucas/John storyline and how the Chinese fit in.

I agree with a previous post about Lucas being a possible sleeper, Manchurian Candidate anyone?

[JHyde]

Disrespecting someone simply on the basis of what nationality they claim doesn't sound terribly Harry to me. Or terribly good, for that matter.

[Puppetmaster]

To make Ruth the traitor would be as unimaginable as Spooks without Harry

[elisabet]

@ Agent 68: Well, the question on whether he has a big role coming up has been answered quite spectacularly by the announcements that he has been cast as Thorin Oakenshield in the Hobbit. It will start filming in Feb apparently, so the math is not good for Lucas (and maybe not even for John Porter)....

[BravoNine]

(22-10-2010 10:40 PM)elisabet Wrote:  @ Agent 68: Well, the question on whether he has a big role coming up has been answered quite spectacularly by the announcements that he has been cast as Thorin Oakenshield in the Hobbit. It will start filming in Feb apparently, so the math is not good for Lucas (and maybe not even for John Porter)....

Well we know Richard is gonna be filming Strike Back series 2 and for the movie Captain America. So it's not impossible to juggle all the schedule, I mean, Martin Freeman who is casted as Bilbo Baggins will also be filming Sherlock series 2 next year as well. So clearly some kind of filming schedule can be fixed.

[JHyde]

Guys, please take discussion of RA and his filming schedule to his own thread.