Series 9 Episode 2 discussion

[RedClover]

(28-09-2010 07:53 PM)Elphie Wrote:  This is a really good point but how could Lucas be mixed with the nigerians?? any ideas???

(28-09-2010 07:56 PM)A Cousin Wrote:  Good point. And he knew his name - Mr. North that is. I had a bit of a "huh?" moment there. I didn't *think* there was a reason given that he should know Lucas' name? We know that Lucas was in North Africa but I am not sure Nigeria would be considered North Africa?

I Didn't realize Lucas said North Africa, I just heard Africa.*needs to watch episode again* I still think there's a clue in there somewhere.

(28-09-2010 08:51 PM)BravoNine Wrote:  FINALLY....after years and years of waiting for my much deserved Lucas/Harry moment....at least I got a handshake!!

I get the feeling Harry might know something about Lucas's past life. You would think Ruth in all her brilliance would have dug up something by now and told Harry. The handshake didn't seem sincere to me for some reason.

[tyme4t]

I enjoyed this episode - harkens back to the team atmosphere of the earlier series. I am hoping for a bit more from Dimitri & Tariq...

Favorite scene hands down was the glass elevator race between Lucas and the Nigerian! I loved it!

Looking forward to 9.3...although is it just me or is it hard to believe that we are already at ep 3!

[AnnMarie]

@Silktie,

I think Lucas wants her on the team for a few reasons: 1) She was pretty darn clever when it came to logging in as Ruth (lifting fingerprints!), hiding dead bodies, not letting on to Ruth what she had been doing in their apartment, etc. and just overall staying under everyone's radar. I could see where skills like these could be invaluable in their line of work. 2) Of all people, Lucas knows what is is like to have to fight to win trust and the opportunity to prove one's self can mean everything. 3) The old Sicilian saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer".

And am I the only one who finds that they are dressing (in normal everyday wear anyway) Beth a bit frumpy?

[A Cousin]

(28-09-2010 11:27 PM)RedClover Wrote:  I Didn't realize Lucas said North Africa, I just heard Africa.*needs to watch episode again* I still think there's a clue in there somewhere.

My mistake. He just says Africa. Maybe you are onto something. However, the Nigerian knew who Lucas was but I don't think Lucas knew who the Nigerian was.

[BravoNine]

(28-09-2010 11:27 PM)RedClover Wrote:  

(28-09-2010 08:51 PM)BravoNine Wrote:  FINALLY....after years and years of waiting for my much deserved Lucas/Harry moment....at least I got a handshake!!

I get the feeling Harry might know something about Lucas's past life. You would think Ruth in all her brilliance would have dug up something by now and told Harry. The handshake didn't seem sincere to me for some reason.

I do think Harry may know something, but not all of what happened, assuming that after what happened in Africa was when Lucas was recruited by MI5 or Harry himself, I would assume that Harry would at least try to find out about the person he's recruiting or take in as his "prodigy". For a man like Harry who seems to keep everyone at arm's length for most of the times, he wouldn't easily accept someone unless he really knew them, and I assume that since Lucas was Harry's "prodigy", there must have been some close connections.

I always assumed that Harry's suspicions towards Lucas only started building up since Lucas came back from the Russians.

Who knows....Lucas's life history is a bit of a mess, I think my brain hurts trying to decipher it...

As for the handshake and smile, I do agree that there is less sincerity involved in both acts, but I can glimpse what I think was a flash of pride in Harry's eyes as if he's proud of Lucas....maybe it's an act....

But then again, who else can Harry put as Section Chief with the experience to lead it except Lucas at this point.....

[Naivety]

When Harry shook Lucas' hand I was thinking it was about time Harry smiled like that. It was the first one to reach his eyes this series, it looked pretty genuine to me. I don't trust Lucas at all, and I'm sure he's going to let Harry down. He thinks with what's in his trousers instead of his brain half the time.

[JHyde]

Completely agree about Beth's costume! I felt like we were back in season 1 a bit.

I also agree that the Home Sec knew more about this than he told Harry. Did he know about the coup? Perhaps not that much. But enough.

One thing I loved that I forgot to mention: the little bits with Lucas in the cars during the episode. That felt like vintage Spooks, very Adam/Harry. Also the fact that Harry went in himself to get the job done at the end, I want to see more of that.

I have a feeling that little scene at the end of 9.1 about the flat share was tucked there purely to set up reveals in this episode. Possibly others to come as well. I don't see Ruth and Beth sharing wine and getting cosy, that just doesn't feel true (sorry, I can't remember who wanted this).

I disagree with people who thought Harry was having a love in with the HS last week. I thought Harry was suitably detached and disbelieving. The scenes Harry has shared with various HSs over the years are amongst my favourites on the show, and that tradition seems set to continue. Towers is a fussy old man who doesn't actually like to say the codewords but wants the really unpleasant stuff done. He's possibly the most stereotypical politician we've seen in that chair so far.

A lot of things were in this episode that fans requested at the end of last season: late night phonecalls with Harry and Ruth, more Harry and Lucas actually talking about what matters and also more of the personal moments that make the show what it is. I'm finding the tone of the show a little hard to qualify this year: it has bits of all of them.

I do want more Dimitri though. And Shazad Latif is doing great work with what little he has. Especially given most of his stuff is exposition and technical jargon at that, I think he's ace.

I agree with Aria on the whole - it was a good but not spectacular episode and I agree with lwhite53 about most of the major plot points. My major issue with splitting it up was that I was several moves ahead. By telling us it was initially from Lucas' point of view, that automatically meant there was at least another to come and surely that would 'fill in the gaps'. In the interests of keeping the plot going, it really wasn't a great leap from there to anticipate the big reveal, namely, Beth covering something up.

I will say that I drew breath sharply after the ID was given to the shooter and you saw Harry with the bag. Even if we knew how that one was going to pan out, it was still one of the few bits I hadn't figured out.

Minor point about the score: it was very annoying while Lucas was doing his bit in W's house. Disappointing as the 'tense music' is usually of a high standard.

[Dieder]

At some points I thought I was watching an episode of Hustle, with the big mansion and the security camera's and all...

[BravoNine]

(29-09-2010 07:13 AM)Naivety Wrote:  When Harry shook Lucas' hand I was thinking it was about time Harry smiled like that. It was the first one to reach his eyes this series, it looked pretty genuine to me. I don't trust Lucas at all, and I'm sure he's going to let Harry down. He thinks with what's in his trousers instead of his brain half the time.

Chances are Lucas will most likely mess up and do something rather stupid, sometimes he just pushes the boundaries too much when it comes to his past and his loved ones.

But when the chips are down, it's still Lucas who comes through when it matters in the end, so I have faith whatever that is going on, whatever mess Lucas is gonna make, he'll fix it in the end and come through for Harry like he always did.

There's a lot of things about Lucas that I'm not sure about, but his loyalty to Harry and MI5 is the one thing I am most sure. He came through for Harry all those times Harry asked him, so he'll come through again, it's just a matter of when.

I am just glad I finally got a Lucas/Harry moment that I had wished for since Series 7!

[watchstrap]