Episode 3 Discussion

[JHyde]

Can't we just have Ros and Lucas show us that a man and woman can work together as equals with just mutual respect and admiration and no attraction?

OK, time to rehash. For me, this was a bulky script that really could have used a better job on the script editing part. It was an episode with great potential that fell over a bit due to the fact that it didn't kick off until the 30min mark and that none of the main characters really progressed. It was mainly plot, maybe with a bit of Harry/Ruth development (which I love, by the way).

The moments that saved the episode: the showtrial by internet vote. Who doesn't think about something like this when they see an ad for X Factor or the equivalent? And what showtrial from accused witches in Salem to hang judges and barristers Stalinist Russia hasn't masqueraded under the guise of "justice"?

Ros and Jo. I loved that they slowed it down, those few seconds seemed much longer and they tuned out the noise the same way they did in 5.6 with the fake bomber and his wildly thrumming heart. I can't wait to see where this takes Ros.

And I adored the Harry and Ruth moment right at the end. I said earlier how brave it was to let the camera just stay on Peter Firth and let us and him listen to her crying. He's so great. One of the better directorial decisions in a dicey mix. As for Harry not comforting her: he had ordered Jo to go in. How many officers has he ordered to their deaths? He was crippled, and we know well that Harry has his "limitations". Not to mention it would be a little condescending for him to follow her given that she made the choice to leave the room before breaking down in front of him. When you care for someone and you're not really intimate, the last thing you want to do is bawl in front of them. But she was still near enough for him to hear her distress.

How exciting is the trailer????!!!!

But the short answer posed by this thread's question: no, not really. But I do think this is a season to be judged as a whole, not a single episode. Think album, not single.