Episode 8 Discussion [rewatch]

[Silktie]

I actually quite liked this episode, as it addresses an extremely thorny issue. How do you get your grievances taken seriously when you're not allowed to strike? It is unlawful in most countries for the Security Forces to strike, and that would include the army and MI5. Unfortunately Major Curtis, in the end, got so caught up in his own legend that he believed he had the right to take any action. Somehow it became less about the genuine grievances and more about Curtis establishing himself as the hero. I might actually have cheered when he strutted around claiming that no soldier in England would dare take a shot at him, only to be shot promptly. His arrogance was his downfall.

While the snitch may have been a set-up, Curtis handed himself gift-wrapped to his superiors by his stupid actions. Tom may have believed he could have talked him down, but Harry could not take that chance as there was an awful lot on the line. Let's not forget we were dealing with nuclear waste here, and Harry was correct that the guy seemed to be losing it. He could not gamble on Tom's persuasion skills here.

I also think Tom fell for Curtis' charms awfully easily, and was blinded by his intense dislike for the snitch. He should not have been so quick to judge that just because the snitch was a weasel, he did not have some grain of truth in his accusations against Curtis.

Loved Ruth giving Harry an earful, he clearly was not expecting her to make her case so forcefully. Danny and Sam was hilarious organising the secret party, but I would bet a good bottle of 25 year old malt that Harry knew about it anyway. And Harry actually wearing the 'I'm the Boss' pin makes me laugh every time.

I'm with Tea Lady on wondering what the hell Christine was doing at the party - she's a member of another country's service, for pity's sake! She should not have the run of the grid like this. Loved the show-down between Tom and Harry, neither of them handle confrontation well, do they? I'm definitely with Harry on Tom and Christine dating being unacceptable. But he should perhaps not have brought it up in the midst of a huge row.