Series 9 Episode 7 discussion

[lwhite53]

I had some trouble with this ep -- as A Cousin said, the usually impeccable integration between "the threat of the day" and the spooks' character development was sorely lacking, thus the ep dragged a little, imo. In fact, the French assassin/Mafia boss op seemed to be there solely so we could see the emotional devastation receiving Nico's pic had wrought for Ruth.

The parallels between Ruth and Lucas are striking -- both become emotionally unhinged after seeing pics of loved ones lost because of their jobs. Ruth's "What's the limit on grief?" pretty much sums up her life, at the moment.

I thought using Vaughn as Harry's contact was a stroke of genius -- poor Lucas just can't seem to escape the ever tightening noose!

I can't figure out the Lucas/Maya relationship -- he's apparently willing to destroy his life for her but we don't see any real love between them. She's a cipher -- there to move his story along but without any real history of her own, a two-dimensional character, at best. I find it very difficult to believe he's going to these lengths for her, as I don't see the proof of their supposed great love.

The Lucas/Harry story took a giant step forward in this ep. Finally, we get some idea of the terrible secret Lucas has been trying to protect (maybe) and even with that revelation, Harry is willing to give Lucas his weapon back and let him go out alone to find Vaughn. Is Harry just being loyal to a fault? or is there more to this story? I think the latter. I believe there are yet a couple of puzzle pieces to be uncovered about Lucas, a couple of twists that may show that instead of being the "ultimate betrayer" Lucas has been ultimately betrayed. I don't for a second believe that if Lucas were indeed the evil John we've been shown, he would have spent 8 years in a Russian prison continuing to be loyal to crown and country -- that person would have cut a deal and sold out everyone. And I think Harry believes that too: "You were foolish but you're invaluable to me."

And the Ruth/Harry relationship . . . god, what a mess! Ruth is still so overwhelmed by grief and guilt that nothing Harry does or says gets through to her. The only emotion she is truly able to tap into is anger and she gives in to her rage when she shoots the assassin over and over again, channeling all her hurt, fear, hate and self-loathing onto him. Her total loss of control doesn't purge her, though: . . . "I killed a man last night and I'm fine."

Outstanding acting in this ep by NW, PF, RA and IG. IG, in particular, finally got to show what a terrific actor he is. The "you're a killer . . . the dream is over now and the killer is awake" scene was absolutely phenomenal.