Series 9 Episode 2 discussion

[saucybetty]

This season got off to a great start and I am surprised by how much I like not trusting Beth! Refreshing to have a villainess that I love to hate, as opposed to miserable Ros.

Thank goodness they didn't off Harry, hopefully he can hold on to the end of the series at least, but I too am so depressed at how quickly a marriage proposal has gone 180° to let's just keep it about work. Your bad, Ruth.

The introduction of Maya was less interesting than I had hoped but Lucas' whole "I've been married twice (So he's the Elizabeth Taylor of the security services, who knew?), spent 8 years in a Russian gulag and who knows how long in Africa, and I'm 6' 4" and the meer sight of suitcases sends me into a panic" thing is turning into an unbelievable tall tale. Hopefully the writers can rescue the character from his crazy backstory.

As for Dmitri, I'm sure the tight shirt technique could be used instead of waterboarding, as I imagine dressing like that impairs breathing.

[Jhokur]

Consider too that this is technically a two-part episode, with 9.3.

[lwhite53]

I liked that the perspective from which the ep was told changed as Lucas, Harry and Ruth learned more about what was going on -- thought it was an interesting way to underscore the "discovery" moments (moved from Lucas to Beth once Ruth uncovers Beth's secret and from Beth to Chapman when it becomes clear that Chapman is not the assassin but instead works for Westhouse). And the red herring of the plot, the Columbians going after Beth, was integrated into the plot well.

The HS ordering Harry to keep away from Westhouse seems to have ended their lovefest from last ep! Though the govt. is new, seems the same old rules apply -- keep away from the important guys! Harry, unsurprisingly, is less than happy with that edict!

I thought it interesting that for a security-conscious group, none of Westhouse's minions noticed a strange driver (Dimitri) hanging about in their back yard! And for a new boy, D is pretty damn good with a computer. (Yeah, I noticed the sling too, TL -- he definitely was not wearing it at any point in the last ep.)

Loved Tariq's delivery of, "I'm like a shark, Lucas, I never sleep," -- sounded like he was actually talking in his sleep.

Ruth dressed in black throughout ep -- is that a tribute to Ros?

Beth's lift of Ruth's fingerprint with a band aid -- very nifty! Not sure how realistic it was, but certainly gave some idea of B's resourcefulness.

Harry's line about a "British sponsored coup" harks back to some of the best villains of past series -- Mace, Collingwood, Jocelyn Myers, Juliet, etc.

Whole ep sets up the themes of lying, deceit and betrayal which will

Series 9 Spoiler: show

apparently be the story arc for this series.

Love the Harry and Lucas dialogue about lying: H: "I don't like liars." L: "It's our business . . " H: "Not to each other." Seems someone needs to remind Harry about pot, kettle and black here!!

Even after their handshake and Harry giving Lucas control of the team, I'm not really sure that Harry wholly trusts Lucas. Not sure why I feel that way, actually -- just something about how easily and quickly Harry gave in . . . and his smile didn't seem totally sincere, imo.

Loved Lucas' line to Beth: "Don't think it's because I care" -- he's channeling Ros!

I found it strange that the ep ended with no resolution as to the Ukranian who supplied the nerve gas and the Nigerian security men who took a shot at Harry -- very unspookslike to leave those kinds of loose ends.

I'm less than happy about what's happening with Lucas -- Maya provides yet another woman for him to agonize over and the mysterious Vaughn's pressuring of him seems to lead you to believe that he's being offered up as a traitor. That was the only false note of the ep -- way too obvious.

[Quill]

About Dimitri's injury: He was in the arm when he tried to knocked down the gun from the Somali Al Qaida operative, as he was about to execute the ship's engineer. He managed to strangle the guy in the end. When he called Harry to report, Harry asked if he was hurt and he moved his arm and answered "it's just a scratch."

[Silktie]

I was not a fan of splitting the story into the three parts. For me it took away a lot of the tension from the episode. If they'd shown the three integrated, and we knew the whole time how everyone was trying to doublecross everyone else, the tension would have been much higher.

I liked Beth, though. I kind of hope that's the end to whether she is trustworthy, because if we're going to have both her and Lucas off on their own personal agendas the whole season, it will get a bit much for me.

Geez, everyone is lying to everyone in this episode, aren't they? (Okay, with the exception of Tariq and Dimitri, but that's probably only because they got very little screentime.) I also thought there was tremendous double standards from Harry about Beth, and it was especially glaring as it came in the same discussion when he said he trusted Ros implicitly. Yeah, Harry, but only after she was part of a coup, went behind your back to shop Ruth to Mace, betrayed you to Yalta, and then nearly caused your death by planting a tracker on you when you followed her to the Yalta house. But she came back for you at the house, so apparently everything else was forgotten and forgiven. Well, Beth saved your life here, but she doesn't get a second chance from you?

Lucas is off to a really bad start as Section Chief, as it seems he mostly did this so he could get clearance to look at the information on Vaughn. Way to win Harry's trust, there, buddy.

I also think Ruth was lying at the beginning, and that the late night call about work was really just an excuse to talk to Harry. She couldn't have waited to tell him until the next morning? Especially seeing as she would only do something about her suspicions once she got to the office. I like that Harry said they should stick to work, though. Ruth can't have it both ways.

Harry seemed bone-weary thoughout this episode. Yes, he's still as effective and professional as ever, but he's definitely missing the twinkle from his eye - so still feeling the effects of his existential crisis and Ruth's rejection. I like that it wasn't just swept under the carpet.

I hope we get to know a little more about Dimitri in the episodes to come.

And hey, we've had two whole episodes without a CIA villain! Now that's something to cheer.

[Animal_Mother]

I agree with nothingisasitseems. It would be great if we explored Dimitri a bit more and actually find out how he joined the grid. A bit more info on Tariq would be nice too.

[Tea Lady]

(28-09-2010 05:44 AM)Silktie Wrote:  And hey, we've had two whole episodes without a CIA villain! Now that's something to cheer.

LOL. Yes, and the accents in this episode were Ok as well.

I guess this episode may split opinion a little. I like the fact though, that the writers are trying something different and the camera work was very good throughout. Just silly little scenes which were missing in series 8 such as Harry and Lucas in the car. Those scenes just make an episode for me, instead of the camera always just being on the action.

Yes Harry seemed to have forgotton about Ros and her/their past. Maybe Lucas doesn't know about these things and it only serves Harry well to make Lucas think that his relationship with Ros was rock solid and that Ros was the best section chief in the world. Just so Lucas thinks he has big shoes to fill.

[Silktie]

Interesting role reversal between Harry and Lucas over Beth in this episode. Last week Lucas didn't want to know anything about her, and didn't want her on the team, and Harry is the one that decides to hire her. This week, as soon as Harry says he doesn't want her on the team, Lucas decides his first act as Section Chief will be to keep her on the team. I wonder what his motivation is? The suspicious part of me wonders if it is because he hopes Harry will focus on her possible untrustworthiness, and not cotton on to the fact that Lucas has something big to hide.

[Kazters]

not sure what to make of this ep a 2nd viewing is definatly needed! i dont like how they are making us mistrust lucas i dont particualt care abotu Beth yet i like the charactor in week 1 but not last night.

harry and ruth on the phone was just odd, but he was desperate to keep talking to her.

Dont like Maya i dont see how they can find a reason to keep her in, i think lucas is better on his own without romantic things going on.

Also i hope they dont draw it out what ever is going on with him being John and thing because it will become boring.

im just not sure of last nights ep at all i couldnt even tell you if i enjoyed it. i think i still miss ros.

not enough tariq or ruth!

although I did like Beth saving harry and that lovely lip thing he does with his mouth!

BTW did anyone else think the home sec knew exactly what was going on?

[Tea Lady]

(28-09-2010 11:07 AM)Kazters Wrote:  BTW did anyone else think the home sec knew exactly what was going on?

Mmm, good point. You may well be right there.