Episode 7.1 [Re-watch]

[Silktie]

Two things bothered me about the start of season 7. I'll get those out of the way before I get to the many wonderful things about it.

1. The smooth return of Ros. I am deeply disappointed that her betrayal has simply been swept under the carpet. She tells Connie that she's been in Russia for six months, so apparently she was sent there by Harry pretty much right after we see her leave in episode 6.8. So she suffered no consequences whatsoever for her betrayal, not even an enforced exile? This, for me, goes against the basic principles of what this show is about - loyalty to one's country and the willingness to sacrifice everything for it. I feel there should have been some consequences for her before she is brought back and I am asked to accept her as the main hero of the show.

2. The introduction of the Lucas character. I find it highly implausable that a man who has been incarcerated, interrogated, tortured and held in solitary confinement for a large chunk of the eight years he's been gone, would be mentally and physically capable of slotting back into the job that put him in that situation about five minutes after his return. It is unrealistic and takes me out of the character somewhat.

That said, I loved the episode. The threat of the week is fantastic and quite gripping - I really cared about what would happen to poor Andy Sullivan. The parallel between his situation and Lucas' was neatly done. I thought the actor that played Andy was very good.

I'm also optimistic about the Russian angle to the season. I love the intrigues of the Cold War, and anything linking to that interests me. So I'm excited about Kachimov vs Harry from the start as it has quite a Cold War feel to it. Kachimov is a fantastic baddie.

Adam. Sob. I adored him, and am heartbroken at his death. It was a fitting end to the character, but I will miss him terribly. What a shame that he dies just as he is getting back to his best: caring for his officers (Jo), fighting for the lost man (Andy), seeing what Lucas needs to anchor him upon his return and fighting Harry to get it for him, and his excellence in the field. Sob again.

I also thought Harry was true to character in this episode (apart from apparently not caring at all that Ros had betrayed her country not so long ago). He's in a difficult position with Lucas, isn't he? He can't proceed on feelings, unfortunately. As much as he would like to hug and sweet talk Lucas, his first priority has to be the safety of the country. As such it is his responsibility to ascertain whether Lucas stayed loyal despite his ordeal, before breaking out the milk and cookies. Which is another reason I find him agreeing to let Lucas straight back on the job unbelievable. I read Harry's reaction to Lucas in the bathroom as one of shock and concern, because the tattoos really bring home the extent of the suffering that Lucas has endured. Harry, in that moment for me, is fighting his humanity in order not to lose sight of what he must do with Lucas before he can fully trust him.

[HellsBells]

I agree with the Ros return issues. At her funeral it seemed to be only Harry and Adam who knew the truth, and then Jo caught a glimpse of her leaving, so how come Connie and presumably Malcolm and Ben aren't surprised when she turns up alive and well? How do they get around the fact that she is officially dead?
And yes Lucas' rapid return to active duties was unrealistic as well, I can't really believe that Harry would bring someone in Lucas' position straight back on to the Grid for a debriefing that appears never to happen. When Lucas says that he is as fit, fitter even, than he used to be, I find that very hard to believe considering what he has endured, even Harry noticed he was malnourished.

[Silktie]

(15-05-2011 08:41 PM)kmac82 Wrote:  Let's also not forget one of the most beautiful (albeit heartbreaking) scenes of the entire series at the end there with Harry and Wes. I cried the first time I watched it, and darn near did again this time...

Agreed. It is a simple scene which says so much.

Wes' reaction makes me think that there were more instances of informal socialising between Harry, Adam and Wes than the one visit to the dog track we saw. Would Wes have immediately gone to seek solace from a man he'd only met once? What this also means, of course, is that Adam was truly a friend to Harry and not just a colleague. Adam's death must have hit him hard. Perhaps that is also why Harry uncharacteristically told Adam to ditch the car and save himself, even if it could have put other people at risk.

[JHyde]

Most of what I think about this episode has been voiced already but I would like to talk about Ros and timelines.

I agree that Ros was pretty much working for Five not long after she left. Connie we know was drawn into the circle of knowledge at some point prior to this episode. Probably Malcolm too, I'd say. Ben I think not so much and probably not Jo, although yes, she guessed about Ros not being dead, based on that glimpse of her in 6.8.

Regarding the timeline - this is why I think there was a gap of about 2-3 months between 6.9 and 6.10 (Ben would have had at least a couple of months training, just the same as Jo in season 4 [yes, I think there is a comparable gap between 4.5 and 4.6]) and then another couple of months between 6.10 and 7.1. Given Jo's age and the trauma in question, that makes sense to me, although the months were probably rounded up a bit. So there's Ros' 6 months.

I've spoken on other threads about Ros' return, but basically I buy it much more than some of the events of the 6th season and given that Hogan turned out to be a bad guy and it was mostly the Americans were the ones baying for her blood, I'm OK with her coming back. If only because Harry could play the Hogan trump card and buy some space that way. How she got back on the books at Five is another question but again - the Home Sec stuffed up big time in 6.9 and Harry could have used that to get Ros back on board. That's how I justify it anyway. My need to justify it stems from my great love for the Ros of her later seasons - she really is a changed woman when she returns. I'm surprised more people don't carry on about what an about face this character had in many ways.

I agree with Silktie about why Adam's loss is such a hard hit, he really does seem to be back on form for the first time in quite a while. And yes, the Wes scene is heartbreaking and yes, I think it also implies that there was more socialising between Harry, Wes and Adam beyond the lovely scenes of 4.9.

[HellsBells]

Despite the unexplained nature of Ros' return, I do love her in this episode, whereas before I didn't. The scene when she beats up the Russian guy tailing her and took his car keys, using a ball point pen, was brilliant and a typical Ros one-liner of not being so nice next time. Not to mention apparently killing the agent in Russia with a dinner fork....I am glad we didn't see that close-up!

[Silktie]

Interesting to note that in this episode all the characters wear their poppies on the left, except for Adam. I assume he's wearing his on the right because of his grandfather that fought in the War?