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BoHenley · 07-04-2011, 12:17 PM

Particularly for the writers amongst us:

Does anyone else feel 9.8 finished in the wrong place? I rewatched 9.8 again last night, and really thought it should've finished either when Lucas yelled "Turn Around!" or when Harry says (precis) "...If you're going to shoot me, shoot me now."

Either of those moments would've been a better cliffhanger (especially the latter) with the Spooks-famous-black+white-fadeout, than deflating to the Home Sec advising Harry he's going to be investigated. This part, along with Lucas's exit, would've been MUCH better in the opening sequence of S10. Knowing this now is kind of a let-down (no offence Harry fans - and I'm one).

And from memory, Kudos knew S10 would happen before they edited this scene.

I'm asking this purely from the point-of-view of a writer. What do others think?

Byatil · 07-04-2011, 12:32 PM

I agree, BoHenley, the logical place to end (for me) would have been just after Lucas had disappeared. I didn't see much point in the little epilogue, although I assume it was supposed to reassure viewers that Spooks would be returning this year.

HellsBells · 07-04-2011, 01:32 PM

I also agree, there was not a big (enough) cliff hanger. If they had to have the roof scene then either of the two places BoHenley suggests would have made for a great ending. I would have preferred the episode to end when Lucas had vanished, presumably with the Chinese, as suggested by Byatil, but that would not have been a really big cliffhanger.
The only reason I can think of was it was obvious that Lucas would not be in series 10 because RA is filming the Hobbit and people will probably see Harry filming around London and therefore we would know before the start of series 10 that Harry survived.
It was a curious place to end a series when the next is already guaranteed.
(by the way I'm not a writer!)

richliga · 20-05-2011, 10:37 AM

Saw the last episode a couple a days ago and since then have watched it 3 more times.. I actually thought it was one of the better episodes... Brilliant acting from PF,NW and RA. Have not been a fan of RA but in this last episode he rocked (especially in the scenes w H and R).

Loved the Harry Pearce one man mission in this episode. Smile

And i actually think that Alec character can be pretty fun to see in s.10.

HellsBells · 20-05-2011, 01:35 PM

This was definitely the episode for some of the finest acting in Spooks (in my opinion). I can't honestly see Alec and Harry being able to work together though, I think they are too different.

**A Cousin** · 20-05-2011, 03:07 PM

(20-05-2011 10:37 AM)richliga Wrote: Saw the last episode a couple a days ago and since then have watched it 3 more times.. I actually thought it was one of the better episodes... Brilliant acting from PF,NW and RA. Have not been a fan of RA but in this last episode he rocked (especially in the scenes w H and R).

Loved the Harry Pearce one man mission in this episode. And i actually think that Alec character can be pretty fun to see in s.10.

I agree! Definitely great acting from all three. I too enjoyed that aspect. I esp. liked RA and NW together. I came to Spooks an RA fan but have never really "understood" Lucas as a character. I was glad to see RA be able to stretch his acting wings through-out S9.

I do love to see Harry in the field. You are reminded of how brilliant he must have been in his field officer days and how tough he is and what he has had to sublimate to be able to survive in that business for so long.

I enjoyed Alec's audacity. I have since begun to wonder if he is a little tip of the hat to Le Carre's Alec Leamas in The Spy Who Came In From The Cold?

richliga · 20-05-2011, 05:12 PM

Yeah I also enjoyed Alec in this one. Liked that Harry took in him in this ´special operation´just to have some bad boy to assist him. I thought it was fun to watch his roughish kind of ´dont care attitude´. It really suited Harrys needs- no questions asked just make the job done!

Now I guess everybody wants Harry out there chasing the bad boys... well does that mean that R should be kidnapped more often? Wink

HarryPearceSpy · 24-07-2011, 05:10 AM

I like this episode...It was quite emotional, especially at the end. I have mixed feelings about Harry handing Albany over to Lucas. I do understand why he did so though (esp w/his love for Ruth and his guilt over what happened in 8.1). I also wish they didn't destroy RA's character this series, but his ending was very well done. Fantastic acting by RA and PF. NW had wonderful acting too...

Series 10 Spoiler: show

I guess I'll have to wait a year for S10 though! My PBS station will likely have re-runs of all 9 series again. Can't wait until S10 (my station usually takes about a year to show all series).

beatrice4ruth · 24-07-2011, 10:49 AM

At least your PBS station has run S8 and S9. Our PBS station is currently showing re-runs for S2 and if we are lucky we might get S8/S9 for the first time. Once again, in September I will rely on this forum and fanvids for information about S10 and I will order my DVD S10 directly from England.

inveniam · 16-11-2011, 01:03 AM

I very much enjoyed the finale, it was so angsty and well acted. It was like a smack in the face, with all the revelations, but I can't help still loving Lucas. What he did was awful, but you could see that he just wanted redemption and forgiveness at the end. Yes, he did deserve the time in the Russian prison, but I found myself actually sort of rooting for him. God knows why. I suppose when you become attached to a character, it's like that. He betrayed and lied to the team, and he betrayed and lied to us too...at least, I felt betrayed. I'm going to miss him though!