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Beatriz · 22-11-2009, 12:37 PM

(22-11-2009 08:15 AM)almh Wrote: Tariq seems to be a more popular character then Ben - even though we similarly knew very little about Ben. Wasn't it because everyone hated Ben because he got on their nerves? I feel sorry for Tariq - he's not involved in the episodes much, and hasn't got as much of a presence as Malcolm had - Malcolm came on screen and you assumed that he had just spent the last couple of hours researching the information, generally being Malcolm. When Tariq walks in, I just assume he went out for a cup of coffee and has returned.

At first Malcolm and Colin didn't appear much either, and went without notice, and me get to know them little by little, they'll give us small hints about this character as the show goes on. But you have a point is not the same, he has to prove he's as good as Malcolm and that's not easy at all Cool

**JHyde** · 22-11-2009, 01:08 PM

I agree - look at how long it took to develop Malcolm and Harry as characters, they were mainly comic relief or exposition in the scope of the show for the better part of two seasons.

I'm interested as to how many people think this was the best episode so far. I'm still sticking with episode 1.

almh · 22-11-2009, 01:12 PM

That's a good point - hopefully Tariq's character will grow like theirs did.

I don't think this episode was the best one, I liked 2 best so far, just because that was the episode where the HR relationship started to pick up, and because of the immortal code names Thumper and Flopsy. But back to episode 4 Wink

**Silktie** · 22-11-2009, 01:28 PM

No, I'm sticking with episode 1 as the best so far as well. I found it more suspenseful than 8.4.

**JHyde** · (This post was last modified: 22-11-2009 01:32 PM by JHyde.)

I only mention it because I think a few people have said they like it best, as do a few UK mates I'm trying to recruit to the forum. My guess is because it was a really big Lucas story, that also had links to last season, played out Harry+Ruth a bit further, developed Tariq a little and best of all: we got to see Sarah's true colours!

**Silktie** · 22-11-2009, 01:53 PM

I think it depends a lot on who your favourite character is what episode you will like best. For me, 8.4's storyline had the least holes of all the season 8 episodes to date, but on pure emotional impact I rate 8.1 the highest. I'm sure RA's naked butt will make 8.4 many people's favourite... Tongue

**JHyde** · 22-11-2009, 02:00 PM

As usual Silktie - me too Smile

that's also why episode 1 is stronger for me.

I suspect the Armitage connection is also why episode 4 will rank highly with many people. Although as I said earlier, I did like how this episode was shot. Fantastic use of locations, I think the best we've seen since series 5 and the Thames estuary. For me, London was as much a character in this episode as Lucas or Harry. (That's a very Woody Allen point to make, but oh well...)

almh · 22-11-2009, 02:28 PM

I love the episode 4 locations as many of you will know - they put landmarks and shop names in shot! Made location spotting so much easier.

**JHyde** · 22-11-2009, 02:46 PM

Surprisingly, there hasn't really been as much Lucas talk on this thread as I expected. I guess everyone was kinda shocked about Sarah. Now that it's worn off a little, I'd like to hear how people think this episode helps us understand Lucas. Does his mistake in trusting Sarah seem plausible, given his loneliness and exile in Russia? Did you find his flashback to attempted suicide shocking? (I found it harrowing, some of RA's best stuff on the show so far.) And I'd like to hear what people thought about Oleg, as I personally felt for him a little. Make no mistake, I think he was grotesque and did a lot of bad things, but there's a certain hypocrisy in handing him back to the FSB, which I still don't understand why they did. Why not keep him as an asset? It's not as though holding him with the FSB knowing they had him was problematic - after all, Lucas was held by the FSB and the British knew. That plot point didn't really make sense to me. The actor playing Oleg was pretty good there at the end. And was he selling the only thing in his gift by telling Lucas, even as he knew a last minute reprieve was not possible? A final gift to an honourable foe perhaps?

I ask too many questions.

almh · 22-11-2009, 02:51 PM

That's because we've killed off all the Lucas fans Wink

lol. Actually, where are they?