Series 10 - Episode 6 Discussion

[Sparky]

I've given myself a few hours to calm down before posting my response aas my initial reaction was pure devastation! I haven't moved on completely from that, but I have watched it a second time, and though I personally think they chose the wrong ending, I can kind of see why they did it. As a few others have said in this thread, Spooks/Kudos don't do happy endings!.

Up until the 50th minute or so I thought it was one of the best episodes Spooks had done, up there with the greats. The tension was high and I was on the edge of my seat. The acting from all the main players was fantastic (H/R, Gavriks and HS) and I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen (obviously as it turned out)!

Ruth's death seemed to be something that Kudos felt they needed to do for a reaction. My issue isn't the fact that she died, it's how she died. If Elena had lunged for her in a tense scene during the time in the bunker, or if she'd been caught in a bigger bomb blast or in genuinely saving Harry's life I could have lived with it. But for want of a better term, it was as other have said 'Meh'. Yes, in a way she was saving Harry but there was no tension, no build up, it just happened and really didn't need to! She kind of walked into Sasha and I really don't believe a piece of glass that size would kill someone so quickly!

The death scene itself was heartbreaking, purely down to PF and NW's acting. It would have had more impact with a better script and just the 2 of them there. The others distracted from that. I think the fact that Ruth's last line ever indicated that she didn't think they deserved a normal life could have also been much improved - a women's touch was needed I think. Although I did quite like the conversation about the house and Harry saying thay would live there and make a home there together! The fact that they never told each other they loved each other didn't bother me, I think they just both knew how the other felt and have done all series. That taking the love for granted I thought was well done and in keeping with the characters.

The final scene between H/R where for all of 2 seconds they were going to leave and live together was beatifully done (until Sasha popped along) and I think would have been an apt finish (in my head anyway). In the smiling at each other it felt that they were on the same page for the first time since 5.3 when Harry asked her out for the first time, and that they were finally, at last, able to move on together. I am gutted that we didn't get a kiss though - well until she was dead!

Other things that rankled, again as others have said, is that I think we've given to much credit to the writers, picking up on things/clues way more than they ever intended. Things that they could have used but chose not to.

I'm also unsure at the definate ending that Kudos talked about! Harry, to me, was the show. And as much as I loved Ruth, she's left before and both Harry and the show carried on. For me more definate endings would have included Harry or both of them dying or them leaving MI5 either together or apart! I'd have preferred a cliff hanger instead of the 'life goes on' theme, too similar to 5.6, with Harry back on the Grid with a broken heart.

The end scenes were all beatifully done, Harry at the house, in the car, at the memorial and returning to the Grid but felt too rushed in a way. And I'm also confused at why he's suddenly allowed back, there's still Albany (which I guess the HS could have got him out of) but also Jim Coaver's death. It was as if, oh Ruth's dead, you're obviously heartbroken, we'll sweep all this other nasty business underneath the carpet shall we!

From what I've said it probably sounds like I hate this episode and I really don't! I've thoroughly enjoyed the 10th series and will buy the DVD and, in time, watch again, I just think they chose the wrong ending and for me it could and should have been better. I'm looking forward to hearing the final episode commentary from the writers where hopefully they'll give an insight into the thinking behind the end!

Rant over - I also enjoyed Tom's vey brief return, the smiles from Harry and Ruth when they saw each other again, Ruth defending Harry to Elena and some of the lines from Harry, Calum and the HS throughout.

My eyes are now dry though my heart is still in my stomach, and writing this has been a little like therapy - I feel a bit better already!