4.8 DVD Commentary

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Info from 4.8 DVD commentary [Lance Narayan - Director, Special Features; Omar Madha - director; Francesco Reidy - asst director]:

-Opening recap -- gives an idea of where Adam's mind is when this ep begins.

-Ghost of Fiona passing behind Adam while he's watching the tv -- question of whether that read to the audience.

-Wandsworth Prison used as a location.

-Hugo Ross -- Howard Brenton (writer) wanted George Baker to be cast in the role. Actor has an inherent softness and pathos but can also seem very menacing -- a gentle giant. Portrays a great sadness behind his smile.

-Ross house -- location in Hartfordshire. Rambling mansion with "mildewed grandeur."

-Great on-screen chemistry between Ross and his wife -- the affection between them is palpable.

-Hampton Court House -- location for Tring. Fiona's parents place just around the corner from the this location.

-First scene between Harry and Adam (discussing Ross) was undirected -- just let the actors do their thing together.

-First scene between Adam and Ruth at doghouse -- very weighty, gives the grist of the ep [info usually disseminated in meeting room scenes].

-Club scene -- location the Cross in King's Cross.

-Harry and Hugo Ross -- two grand masters squaring up to each other in their first scene together. Great writing by Howard Brenton -- well structured scene.

-Excelsior Hotel -- location at Trinity Square, opposite ticket window for the Tower of London.

-Ben Daniels (Oleg Korsakov) -- one of those actors who appears to really be the person he's playing. Ability to keep his face still but convey that a lot is going on underneath.

-Korsakov's flat -- a designed set. Hinted at power, very cold -- hard to film because it was so white.

-Raza Jaffrey very good at action sequences (fight in Korsakov's flat) -- lots of technical stuff to get right while staying in character.

-Special ops team that smashed into Korsakov's flat -- real spec ops personnel.

-Discussion about what should happen to Ross -- memory loss or have him die. Thought they were killing off too many people so went with memory loss -- more poignant end for his character.

-Adam and Wes at end of ep -- very touching, especially with piano underscoring.

[Sorry folks -- this was one seriously uninformative commentary; they spent most of it discussing camera angles, tracking vs. hand held camera shots, editing, etc.]