Series 9 Episode 8 discussion

[A Cousin]

WOW! I have read the whole thread. Just - Wow! I don't even really know what to say. But I'll find something, I'm sure.

Erm...I fall into the camp of being slightly disappointed with this finale. And not only because they stopped Harry stripping at his tie - damn them! Would a little chest have killed them? Anyhoo, maybe my expectations were too high and I read too many spoilers or had too much banana bread and Johnnie Walker Red. I dunno. I was a little discombobulated that all the paranoia and betrayal and lies and deceit came down to something as simple as a file for a horrific program that didn't even work? I am still working out whether I think this is intentional or not. I'm going with intentional for the moment.

I really like the camera work. It struck a nice balance between artsy-fartsy-ness of 9.2 and 9.3 and the rest of the season that was very stock Spooks camera work. Stupid location question time: what is the church/catherdral with the white interior Lucas met the Chinese man in? I loved that tracking shot.

Acting - brilliant!

Nicola Walker - someone just hand her her BAFTA now. Pretty please? Soooooo relieved that must suspicions about Ruth were wrong. Seems the best of Ruth is what is destroying Ruth. She may be perfection in her job, but her personal life is a mess!

Ahhh, ultimate betrayal = Harry and the service. All for lurve! Good man. I don't think he is very concerned that he made that choice. I think he did it with his eyes wide open. Harry was skirting the edge in this episode too. That was fun to watch.

The two-dimensional doe-eyed plot device got some redemption. Glad to see that. Nice work her.

Alec White amused me. I dig his insolence. Best line in the episode Alec - Harry: "Its very kind of you to say borderline." *snort!* I hope (and think) he continues. I can see storyline potential. And he had definite "history" with Beth. I don't think they would imply that if he were a one off. Alec gave some perspective to everyone else on the grid who are very personally involved and invested in the outcome.

And Lucas. Lucas, Lucas, Lucas....The line that pulled it all together for me plot-wise was that he has been hiding for so long and that he is just trying to get back to that time where everything seemed right. Roof top showdown with Harry, I found an interesting echo in Lucas telling Harry that Vaughan gave him the chance to be someone and to make a difference and what Blake told Harry in 9.1 that Harry's morals are what holds him back from really making a difference.

Second best line: Tariq to Alec: "Relax!?! I just crashed an entire French mobile network to spam every hotel switchboard in London! Oooohhhhh....is Tariq getting a bit testy? Sure can't take a punch though.