Series 9 Episode 2 discussion

[HellsBells]

I loved this episode, I wasn't sure the split story would work out but I think it worked well to show that basically nothing was what it appeared to be. I just hope it was a one off episode like that.
It had the feeling of everyone working together, and Harry out of the Grid.
Never really a fan of H/R storyline, but this is starting to get interesting....will they, won't they ?
Best bit was Lucas accepting the position of Section Chief, really good L/H moment. Does Harry really trust Lucas ? I think Harry was pleased that Lucas made conditions on his acceptance showing that he really wanted the job (OK and Lucas does need level A clearance for his own investigations).

Dimitri in a sling talking to Lucas...clearly edited out of 9.1, but at least we did get to see it.

[lwhite53]

(28-09-2010 10:19 AM)Silktie Wrote:  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.

This was my thought, too. Lucas knows Harry is predisposed to mistrust Beth -- what better way to keep Harry's eyes off him and whatever he might be doing.

[KoiGal]

I'm a little concerned about this series I think. There is no way that that Beth character would get such top level clearance at such an early stage in her career. Two episodes in and it's a little baggy plot-wise, spreading itself far too thin with characters that I (for one) have no confidence in.

Lucas? Well, god knows who would have run a background check on him? John? And as for Laila Rouass, I've never rated her in anything.

Bargain basement. Stop doing this to Harry. Even the Ruth thing seems mis-timed. And as you will know, I have always rooted for Harry and Ruth.

[A Cousin]

(28-09-2010 05:44 AM)Silktie Wrote:  I was not a fan of splitting the story into the three parts.

I didn't mind it and commend them for doing something different but, just to nit-pick, I felt a little beat over the head with a sledge hammer when the names were flashed on the screen as we changed POV. It was unsubtle and unnecessary to me. I think that they can trust us to keep up better than that.

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

Yeah, I'm waiting for the penny to drop on the new HS. This is an actor too good to waste sitting behind a desk.

I have no problem with R&H going into the background with this one. The phone call scene was just enough for me, but, structurally in the big picture of the Beth oriented plot of the episode, I thought it was a clever idea but a bit clunky. It was there as an excuse for Beth to overhear Ruth's suspicions and to get her fingerprint.

I hope they give Dimitri a turn too. That dude can do everything!

I noticed that Tariq had a non-cast companion at the computers in background. More people on the grid!

(28-09-2010 05:44 AM)Silktie Wrote:  Geez, everyone is lying to everyone in this episode, aren't they?

I kept hearing Ros' voice: "That's the job. Don't make decisions you can't live with." And, BOY, haven't they all done that! I'm liking that part of it all.

IMO, Harry's on-going existential crisis was nicely dealt with this episode with his keeping score of the deaths and his insistence that the grid needs to be betrayal and lie free in spite of his own spotty history. New leaf? Or simple hypocrisy?

The handshake with Lucas seems to me like Harry was waiting for Lucas to step up and take control and ownership of being team leader. Not sure Harry is a convinced, but he seemed proud of Lucas for taking control. You can say a lot about Harry, but he is not a micro-manager.

This episode had the feel of the old days for me. More psychological than action oriented. And, as TeaLady mentions, the camera work is different - steadier somehow. There were less artsy tricks and steady-cam. I dug it. It helped you concentrate on the plot. And it was plot with a lot of balls in the air at once. Kudos to lwhite53 for noticing that they dropped a couple. I had a moment thinking, "What about the Russian connection?" Then promptly forgot about it.

And best of all: lots and lots and lots of gadgets and trade-craft (although I always feel a bit silly using the term like I know what I'm talking about!) for me to find out more about.

[molecatcher]

The storyline kept me engrossed and I enjoyed the first two versions of events but thought Chapman's was pushing their luck a bit on repetition. Great that Kudos are trying new ideas. Perhaps budget restrictions are helping them concentrate more on intriguing dialogue rather than special effects and I'm more than happy with that.

Not sure about Beth's character and feel Harry must be totally losing the plot to so easily agree that Lucas can keep her on, even if she did save his life. Yes, that was a disappointing anticlimax having seen the photos from the shoot.. Think I'll avoid such things next year if there's another series

I got the H/R scene which not only gave Beth a chance to overhear the conversation about the assassins in the hotel but also cleared up how Harry wants to deal with their relationship from now on even though it came across Ruth wanted to say a lot more and he wanted to hear it. Mind you, if it only takes a large glass of vino to loosen Ruth up enough to want to hear Harry's voice on the phone he should send a case of the stuff over to her. Something will throw them together before the end of the series though, I'm convinced.

Please, please let's not have Lucas turning into a lovesick puppy again. If he only wanted promotion in order to gain access to high level security files there's no hope for him and someone needs to put him out of his misery.

[JHyde]

Some initial thoughts, as I am exhausted and it's very late. But I'm a shark, I never sleep.

I saw most of the major plot twists in this one, but it didn't make it any less great to watch. The fight sequence early on in the hotel was a bit predictable, along with Lucas palming the pill, and W's surveillance was a bit too easy to get around, but I think apart from that I really went along with the story.

RA played his scene when looking up Rouass beautifully, really nicely done, just a tiny scene with him and a chair and a laptop. He does those rare moments of quiet so well. I was equally impressed by how well the scene with Harry and Ruth and the phone went. I doubt anyone but NW and PF could keep me going, in others' hands it would be trite, but it's working.

Harry when he's quiet and lethal is chilling.

I ADORED the Harry and Lucas scene. Harry isn't quite telling the truth about trusting Ros - it wasn't always so. But Lucas looked him in the eye and demanded his due. I just hope he tells Harry what's up when Mr Vaughan starts going crazy. And I think Maya is in on it, whatever 'it' is.

OK, that's enough. I'm interested to see what everyone came up with when I come back on tomorrow night.

Bloody internet! Took *forever* to watch.

[Hunted]

Overall less macho action (horray!) and the dissecting of the Spooks is great so far in this series. I watched episode 1 almost frame by frame from abroad (damned slow internet connection!) and loved it. Episode 2 was good, but I am finding it hard to warm up to this series. Can't quite put my finger on why, but there's little warmth radiating from all of them. The storylines are terribly serious, and people are being killed at will in each episode. I remember the personal crises Danny went through before and after he killed the scientist on the boat in series 3; but now it seems that no-one has a bad conscience after taking out one or two people in each episode.

We could usually depend on Ruth for the human touch, but she's in bad place, she doesn't know what she wants (Harry or not?). It's a great storyline. Sensing a big row brewing between them, as she tries to continue her role as his confidant, and he brushes her off. She can't have it both ways! Which way will it go is keeping me glued.

Lucas in love again! The focus on his love-life is beginning to grate a little after Series 7 & 8. I'm hoping in next week's episode it's a character background story and putting in place the pieces with Vaughan rather than Lucas running around after skirt.

Hoping Dimitri and Tarik get a good story-line soon. Really enjoying Beth's character. Last night was the first time I watched a whole episode of Spooks 'live' in front of the box. It was great!

[Silktie]

(28-09-2010 01:54 PM)A Cousin Wrote:  I have no problem with R&H going into the background with this one. The phone call scene was just enough for me, but, structurally in the big picture of the Beth oriented plot of the episode, I thought it was a clever idea but a bit clunky. It was there as an excuse for Beth to overhear Ruth's suspicions and to get her fingerprint.

The handshake with Lucas seems to me like Harry was waiting for Lucas to step up and take control and ownership of being team leader. Not sure Harry is a convinced, but he seemed proud of Lucas for taking control. You can say a lot about Harry, but he is not a micro-manager.

All I kept thinking as Beth got Ruth's fingerprint off the glass, is see what happens when you don't clean up after yourself? And was that shootout with Beth and Chapman in Ruth's flat?! She must be doubly thrilled with Lucas for saddling her with the roommate now...

Interesting interpretation of the Harry/Lucas scene, A Cousin. I like that view of things. Let's hope Lucas doesn't bugger it up by not coming clean about his past before it's too late.

[Tea Lady]

(28-09-2010 04:08 PM)Silktie Wrote:  And was that shootout with Beth and Chapman in Ruth's flat?! She must be doubly thrilled with Lucas for saddling her with the roommate now...

Was it supposed to be Ruth's place?? I just thought Beth had another place in London which she hadn't told anyone about. I will have to go back and check now. They did clean the mess up after themselves though, so maybe Ruth never knew.

[lwhite53]

The shootout was definitely in Ruth's flat (you could see her kitchen). I figure they had to clean up real well for R not to suspect something.