Episode 7.1 [Re-watch]

[A Cousin]

I have only ever watched this series once, so this is my first rewatch of it. My goodness, there was a lot of business to get done in this episode! They do it rather well. There is so much happening but its all done succinctly and cleanly.

The primary order of business is to get the S7 team established. I like how Lucas, Ros and Jo are brought in from the cold - to borrow a phrase. Ben Richards works his character magic. There are a lot of little character threads, with Harry and Adam interwoven with them all, that only come together at the very end when Jo returns to the Grid. Ladies and Gentlemen, your team for Series 7!

Lucas - man of mystery for me from the get go. Its a good intro. He is clearly damaged but wanting, needing even, to get back into it right away. I agree with Kazters, Adam and Lucas seemed to work together so very well. I had forgotten that Adam is the one who goes to bat to get Lucas back on the team - and then Adam dies. Lucas' fight with Tranquility is really well choreographed. My goodness, he has some rage though! His scene with Harry in the bathroom is fraught with distrust and doubt and regret for both of them. Great acting by both. Harry is really simply not emotionally forthright, and never has been, and Lucas needs him to be in that moment. Lucas seems to really need Harry's approval or apology or sympathy or something. Not sure what but he seems to be on the defensive to me, almost like an impertinent child. Then there is the promise of "the proper talk." Who else has Harry ever done that for? No one. It remains to be seen if the work will allow them that talk. Their work always gets in the way.

A concept that is no better illustrated than when Adam and Ros are "reunited" only to have the demands of the work get in the way. *sniff* Adam *sniff!* I did not know he was going to die. One of their better CGI moments though. Harry's scene with Wes (and maybe even PF's saying good-bye to James Dicker?) was heartbreaking. I really liked Adam, but I am torn by his demise. Sure, they could have kept the character going, but I think they had explored the Adam character sufficiently. "So long and thanks for all the fish" to RPJ!

I was very relieved to see Jo. I completely bought that she was dead. Her character had developed so nicely in S6, I was really sad about that. I liked how they reintroduced her from her perspective so it took you a while to figure out who it was. They also very nicely established that Jo is now a very different person and officer. Her return from her emotional melt-down back into the duty of the work in order to honour Adam's death is a major Spooks theme. Self-control, self-denial, etc.

Ros as Rangefinder. OK. My impression is that she was instrumental in getting Lucas back? I think (I hope) the experiences of S5 and S6 have solidified Ros' loyalty. I love the moment when she takes the big Russian guy down and sits on his neck pointing the pen at his eye. The single tear running down her face when Harry promises retribution is really well done.

Interesting that Connie is the only one in on Ros' Rangefinder status. It shows the level of trust that she has with Harry.

Ben - *meh!*

Malcolm - still being wonderful Malcolm. His realization that it has been 8 years is great. Do we think he is gobsmacked for Lucas' sake or his own or both?

Sorry this is so long. So much going on....