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lwhite53 · (This post was last modified: 18-01-2010 08:00 PM by lwhite53.)

I liked this ep, not so much for the supposed intent -- the siege -- but because we learn a lot more about the spooks crew.

Even though he's the "villain" of the piece, I liked Johnny Marks. Thought his whole thing of using the Kurds to divert attention from his real game -- getting the service's money and the names of the agents -- was brilliant. And he's the first in what will be a long line of officers/ex-officers going rogue, so he's setting the bench mark, in a way. And the politics of his explanation is overt: "I'm not done yet. You see, you created me, you trained me, manipulated me. Just like the west manipulate entire countries and then act so shocked when they turn around and rip off the hand that fed them." Think Afghanistan and Bin Laden when the west helped arm them in the fight against Russia. Or Iran and the Shah against the fundamentalists. Johnny Marks metaphorically becomes the terrorist he's been trained to destroy -- love that image.

Also love the history between Marks and Harry -- HP mistakenly killed his brother, so this is also personal, as it is for him with Tessa. What happened to all the people Marks believed in and trusted? They tried to manipulate him, so he "rips off the hand that fed him." Great parallels in the writing.

But there is also sincerity and honor:
HP: How do I know that I can trust you?
JM: Because I have never broken my word.
And, he leaves the disk of names with Tessa.

The only reference to Helen's death is Harry and Danny, clearing out her desk and their computer files. Poignant moments with Danny going through her stuff (the McDonald's toys she collects for family) and Harry deleting her file (DECEASED in red). And both specifically not talking about it. But the look on H's face says it all.

Harry asking for permission (from DG?) to call the bank owner (Roger) -- may be first and last time we see him ask anybody for permission to do anything! LOL.

Also, Harry yelling at Tessa for coming into office without knocking -- funny bit that carries throughout the show.

**Silktie** · 19-01-2010, 01:22 PM

Marks was a cool bad guy, but I think he used all that talk about how the country tries to punch above its weight and how they created him and manipulated him to hide his real purpose, which was greed pure and simple. None of those things he said justifies what he's done. When Harry talks to Tessa about Marks he gives a long list of people and operations that Marks wrecked, all for money. Harry went after him in the first place because his actions were costing other officers their lives.

HellsBells · 19-01-2010, 01:54 PM

But in the end Marks doesn't take the disc with the names on it, which was probably worth a fortune. He is not so bad, after all, he changed his mind and left the disc with Tessa. I think MI-5 got away quite lightly, only losing £15 million ! It highlighted how dangerous spooks can be when they turn rogue.

**Silktie** · 19-01-2010, 04:30 PM

Or maybe Marks knew that leaving the disk behind was the only way they wouldn't hunt him down to the ends of the earth, and he can live happily on his 15 million...

lwhite53 · 19-01-2010, 05:01 PM

(19-01-2010 01:22 PM)Silktie Wrote: Marks was a cool bad guy, but I think he used all that talk about how the country tries to punch above its weight and how they created him and manipulated him to hide his real purpose, which was greed pure and simple. None of those things he said justifies what he's done. When Harry talks to Tessa about Marks he gives a long list of people and operations that Marks wrecked, all for money. Harry went after him in the first place because his actions were costing other officers their lives.

I disagree about his motive -- I think it was revenge, against the service which created him and then tried to punish him. Johnny Marks is a cautionary tale about what happens when you try to morph a human being into pieces (legends) and then neglect to reassemble him.

**JHyde** · 20-01-2010, 02:12 AM

I can't believe you all kinda like Marks!! He left the disc behind because he knew Harry would never rest until he was drawn and quartered in front of him. This way he had a shot.

**Silktie** · 20-01-2010, 11:19 AM

(19-01-2010 05:01 PM)lwhite53 Wrote: I disagree about his motive -- I think it was revenge, against the service which created him and then tried to punish him. Johnny Marks is a cautionary tale about what happens when you try to morph a human being into pieces (legends) and then neglect to reassemble him.

But the reason they were trying to punish him in the past was because he sold information to the country's enemies for lots of money. They weren't persecuting him for no good reason. They created him to protect the country, not sell it out to the highest bidder. And he was treated the same as the other officers who continue to serve their country loyally, so why did he decide to sell the information in the first place? For greed.

**JHyde** · 20-01-2010, 11:48 AM

Exactly. He and Tessa were a good match. There's a difference between being wronged and feeling like the Service isn't giving you enough so just taking what you feel is owed you at the expense of others' safety.

lwhite53 · 20-01-2010, 07:55 PM

I don't disagree that he was a greedy bastard and turned on his friends and associates. But I also don't see him as totally evil. One of the things I like about spooks is that no one all black or all white -- they're all shades of both. He used what the service had taught him, but not in the way they wanted it used. Manipulation can work both ways, if one is clever enough.

**JHyde** · 21-01-2010, 06:32 AM

I'll agree with that broader point. It was something they began right from the start with Mary Kane - they wanted villains with shades of grey. There are obvious exceptions to the rule, like Osborne, but that was a big thing for Wolstonecraft and the executive producers.