2.2 DVD commentary

[lwhite53]

Info from 2.2 dvd commentary:
-Classic set up at beginning of ep -- something happening a few feet away that you can't control -- obbo van vs. asset in mosque, powerlessness of officers.
-Problem of finding Asian agents -- real issue for Western security services.
-Christine Dale brought back into show because Megan Dodds made such an impression in 1.1.
-Howard Brenton created the character of Ruth Evershed (also Jools Siviter).
-HB wanted to do an ep about a Muslim hero.
-Khaldun (Alex Siddig) -- "noble face" -- you can see who he is, his character, immediately.
-Tom (with Johnny at Truro) -- ruthless but also heroic, needs info quickly -- fine line but compassion shows through -- his questioning right on the edge of acceptability.
-Tried setting up Danny and Sam as an item, but didn't go anywhere, "didn't click."
-Danger of drama -- dramatize both good and bad in a conflict, give voice to the bad -- a Western notion. Why communists and religious fundamentalists ban drama.
-Young boy playing Abu Hassan -- first role ever, from Birmingham -- success of ep depended on the boy.
-Plan was for Tessa's company to take off in a big way -- she'd be a grand, rich villain -- didn't pan out.
-Paradox -- if security service is successful, no one will ever know; failure hits the front pages.
-All the spooks writers loved writing for Malcolm -- had to be restrained from putting him in every scene.
-Game with Khaldun character -- so balanced in the writing that you never knew what side he was really on until the end.
-"Slight rap on the knuckles from BBC" for using COSTA coffee cup. Problem because BBC is publicly funded -- showed favoratism.
-Hugh Simon hates chocolate -- had spit bucket next to him in scene when rigging Black Magic chocs -- took 7 takes to shoot it!
-Tom's women: Ellie a "normal, decent person;" Dr. Vicky a "flaky lover problem;" Christine Dale splits the difference between them.
-Scene with Rashid, Hassan and bomber vest -- terrifying; martyrdom as a sacramental religious act.
-Whole other drama going on in Azzum's house between father and daughter.
-Scene with Tom and Khaldun in dorm room -- montage scenes great way to make reporting info more exciting (unusual for spooks but used a lot in this ep) -- "measured pace of scene winds the clock for the final sequence."
-Father beating daughter to get info -- Tom at another "knife edge" moment -- good character (Tom) behaving in a bad way but "he has to do it" -- means justifying the ends.
-Sequence of boy with bomb originally was to be in a shopping center, then on a bus but decided to do it in a playground full of children (children killing children).
-Abu Hassan on basketball court at end -- like on a stage -- theatrical set up -- you think the day is going to be won.
-Football as a universal language -- brings Khaldun and boy together as it brings world together.
-Location used for New Scotland Yard -- back of National Theater.

[Tea Lady]

(31-01-2010 11:33 PM)lwhite53 Wrote:  Info from 2.2 dvd commentary:
-All the spooks writers loved writing for Malcolm -- had to be restrained from putting him in every scene.
-Hugh Simon hates chocolate -- had spit bucket next to him in scene when rigging Black Magic chocs -- took 7 takes to shoot it!
-Whole other drama going on in Azzum's house between father and daughter.

Lovely comments about Malcolm. Who likes Black Magic anyway?
As for Azzum, I thought that woman was his wife, not his daughter...doh!
Thanks for posting these.