Episode 2 Discussion

[JHyde]

I really felt this was different though. And truthfully, I don't think Jo necessarily gets attached to her charges so much. I mean, it wasn't as though she loved Anna (7.7) or Rowan (5.1/5.2). And Leigh Bennett is season 5.3 was genuinely a casualty that probably shouldn't have happened.

The only people she really gets worked up over are people she has every right to be angry about - Adam, Ben, Zaf.

[lwhite53]

I liked the "look" of this episode more than ep 1 -- not so much hurky-jerky camera work, way less somber color palette in the filtering, no severe downward camera angles, fewer extreme close-ups -- much more the look I associate with Spooks.

Liked the Ruth/Harry scenes a lot -- they're slowly feeling their way toward something. Using Jo as the go-between is a brilliant stroke and helps their dynamic. I think the writers have finally taken the hint that we want this relationship to happen!

Still don't like the way too obvious hook-up between Lucas and the CIA lady (I dislike her so much I can never remember her name). Too pat and predictable -- I have to believe Lucas is smarter than that.

Also, liked the Traiq character -- he's a good addition to the group and the antithesis of Malcolm, which is a good thing as Malcolm can't be replaced. Actually, Tariq is kind of a combination Colin/Malcolm -- computer geek and gadget boy. I guess budget crises hit even MI5.

I'm glad that Nico was dispatched back home (in about three lines of dialogue) -- didn't see how Ruth was going to get back on the Grid with a traumatized 10-year old to look after.

[JHyde]

Was I the only one who giggled every time Urazov was called "Thumper"? I'm sure there was a Disney cartoon rabbit called that because he had a big foot.

And the idea of Ros being a nurse was very amusing.

I don't think it was the FSB who paid off the kids who took the photo. I think it was the Americans and they sent it to them.

Alrick Riley directed both 1 and 2. I honestly don't like the "hurky jurky" camera stuff much at all either (especially as I'm watching it on a bare few inches of screen) but it worked for episode 1.

I'm enjoying this episode more the second time around. I love that Ros is the one convincing Lucas that this morose Harry is different.

[lwhite53]

Yeah, I chuckled at "Thumper." There was indeed a Disney rabbit called Thumper but I think Ros had something other than his foot in mind when she code-named Urazov! Actually, don't both Thumper and Flossie (code name for the poet) originally come from Beatrix Potter?

I agree, JHyde -- it was the Americans who took the photos and sent them to the Tazbeks. The CIA folks made it very clear from the get go that they would do whatever it took to keep the deal from happening.

[JHyde]

Yeah I was just giggling about it with my sister. Flopsy was in Beatrix Potter.

I do like Sarah Caulfield quoting Lear at Lucas - it's one of my fave bits in the play.

[lwhite53]

Just re-watched -- Flopsy was code name for the assassin, not the poet.

Great Ros one-liner: Harry likes the Norwegians . . the Christmas trees. lol.

[Silktie]

I loved this episode. The main story about an energy crisis is very timeous, and I could empathise with the rolling power cuts. We had those a while back over here due to power shortages, and it is extremely disrupting. It had a huge economic impact and a lot of people lost their jobs.

Loved:
- the interplay between Ros and Jo, almost every discussion they had they were saying one thing whilst making each other understand that they would actually do the opposite.
- the flashes of humour, there were some great one-liners in this episode.
- Harry being a miserable sod because Ruth was mad at him, and everyone around him knowing this. Lucas' quote that Harry chose his frown with his tie each morning was brilliant.
- The discussion between Jo and Ruth.
- The interaction between Harry and Ruth. Blimey, those two are really awful at the whole communication thing! I loved Harry's bumbling effort at making things right with Ruth at the beginning, and then saying she knows his limitations when it came to these things, and Ruth's resigned look indicating that she does indeed, lol. The mutual apology was very sweet.
- I like Tariq so far. A bit of double standards with Ros moaning about his t-shirt though, erm Ros, Adam used to wear them all the time but it didn't bother you then, lol.
- Glad they didn't sweep the whole Ruth is supposed to be dead and a traitor thing under the rug, but that they showed Harry sorting it out with the Home Secretary.
-The kid is a goner, thank you TV gods! And Ruth was never really married - that would explain why she didn't have a wedding ring. Also, that probably means she hadn't been with George for that long?

Hated:
- Sarah Caulfield still. Also hating where they're going with her and Lucas. Please Lucas, you're smarter than this!

I agree that the Americans probably told the Russians that MI5 took out the slimeball.

[JHyde]

Re: the t-shirts. Silktie, I totally thought the same thing!

And the bit about choosing frowns with ties was really awesome.

Is it just me or is Harry really hitting the scotch heavier than usual?

[Silktie]

(07-11-2009 08:10 AM)JHyde Wrote:  Is it just me or is Harry really hitting the scotch heavier than usual?

I thought so too, JHyde, although to be fair he's always consumed a fair amount. Didn't they use that against him in the interrogation scene in 7.7? But still, there has to be some fall-out from what he endured in 8.1, so maybe his drinking more than usual is an attempt to show that he's still traumatised by almost being executed and having to sacrifice Ruth's family.

[JHyde]

They did - he's always had "a propensity for hard alcohol". Frankly, I don't blame him either. I'm also wondering if every episode will end on Harry's face!

I've also just posted a major spoiler in the "who will be killed thread?". Looks like both the actors involved have let the cat out the proverbial bag. And I'm pretty sure it's just one cat. Although they did do it a week apart....guess they caught it and let it out again.