[spoilers] Sir Harry Pearce 2.0

[Silktie]

It's an interesting issue, which I have been thinking about with the rewatch going on. If one takes into account the information given about Harry in his diary, it's maybe a little easier to understand why he hasn't buckled under the pressure yet. I would argue that he has already had his breakdown, when his friends and colleagues Archie and Amanda and their little daughter died in a car accident after helping him search for his son that had disappeared. If I remember his diary correctly, it was also around this time that his brother died. Harry mentions in the diary that he basically lost it then, and drank a lot. It took the intervention of his former boss and friend Clive McTaggart to drag him out of his depression, which helps one understand why he took Clive's murder so personally.

I theorise that after this incident Harry basically conditioned himself to become numb to the losses suffered due to the job. Perhaps taking the sort of approach that soldiers do to ensure they don't freeze in battle - basically thinking of yourself as already dead. He mentions various times in the diary that he feels an obligation to continue the struggle to honour the sacrifice made by those who had died in the line of duty. Therefore, we see a much more emotionally distant Harry in the first three seasons, never really establishing close personal bonds with any of his officers.

But then, he seemed to begin to soften from season four onwards (perhaps due to slowly falling in love with Ruth and this breaking down the emotional barriers he has put up?). He lets in Adam and little Wes after Fiona's death, and actually risks a relationship with Ruth. This leads to the very personal reaction of killing Kacvhimov to revenge Adam's death. (I still think he wasn't planning to do it, but when Kachimov so coldly referred to Adam as a resource that could be easily replaced, he lost all reason and decided there and then to kill him.) I also think the writers slipped up in not letting Harry have more of a reaction to what happened to Ruth in season 5, by taking revenge on Mace in some way. I further find it a little unbelievable that he had absolutely nothing to say to Ros about ratting out Ruth to Mace. Ros had done nothing at that point but bitch at Harry and the rest of the team, and showing no gratitude whatsoever for the chance they'd given her despite being involved in the coup attempt. It's totally unbelievable that the whole team, and especially Harry, weren't a bit aloof towards Ros after that.

I think the developments in season 7 and 8 severely dented Harry's self-control. Remember, he was the one that brought Connie back into the fold and allowed her the opportunity to continue spying for Russia. Adam's death, Connie's betrayal and what happened with Ruth's return have all chipped away at his defences, which is perhaps why we see a much more subdued Harry in season 8, who feels the need to defend his decisions to Ruth in particular on some occasions. Perhaps it also explains why he tries so hard to maintain his facade on the roof with Ruth in 8.8, because if he allows any weakness to show, the whole dam might burst. All this should contribute to some spectacular act of revenge should Ros and the HS die in that explosion, methinks, dependent on Harry being able to identify a culprit to take revenge on.

[JHyde]

Not to mention, he isn't exactly himself since the events of 8.1. I think that day, that experience took a little of his soul. In much the same way as Archie, Amanda and Lucy dying did too.

[Kazters]

i agree, ive just orderd harrys diarys be here on monday, i ound his notes in the adam one very interesting in terms of his relationship with adam!

i often woner if he has kept up a relationship with Wes after all they did go to the dogs and things after fiona died.

i do think if ros is dead it will really and properly affect harry especialy his relationship wiht the americans. also because they dont get much time to greve they die, and they get replaced

[Tea Lady]

Wow! some great points there Silktie.

If Ros and/or the HS doesn't make it, then surely the writers can not ignore the effect this would have on Harry? You can't just have him carrying on like a robot. As you say, the dam will have to burst.

I also feel that Harry felt the loss of the old HS in S8. I know he didn't die but I think Harry did consider him a friend and a friend that he let down, because Nightingale got to him. Someone else Harry got close to especially as Harry probably had to confide in him about Ruth. He lost Blake because of the job, and will "possibly" never see him again.

[Kazters]

i think he felt the old hs was a good man not just a politician! he listend to harry he understood that he knew what he was taking about and most importantly he trusted him even thought he orderd a kill on his team! i think as well if the new HS does die harry will feel responsible because he sent him in there

[Nia M]

I've got Harry's Diary but have not yet read it; will have to do so imminently

Very interesting points there though Silktie!

[Kazters]

looking forward to reading it myself! you find out alot from adams one frokm harrys perspective but still be interesting!

[Silktie]

Hey, it's my 1000th post, and I wanted to make it in the first thread I ever created on this forum (the original Harry thread). Luckily for me, it coincides with the 4.9 rewatch so I'll actually have something to say.

What a wonderful Harry episode 4.9 is. It is my personal favourite episode, I think. It shows all the best characteristics of Harry - his unwillingness to just let injustice take place, the loyalty he inspires from his team, his ability to figure out what is really going on when everyone else is still wondering, how good he must have been in the field in his day, his care for his officers, his soft spot for Ruth and of course, that he has a dog which he cuddles and calls "baby." Awww.

What's not to love?

[JHyde]

It is a great episode. And yes, lots of good Harry moments. A personal favourite bit is that moment where he faces off with Juliet and says: 'What? Juliet?' It never ceases to make me laugh.

Congrats on number 1000 Silktie! I've been watching your number creep towards 1000 for a little while now.

[Silktie]

Here's a question for you all - do you think Harry is a completely different person away from the office? I'm asking because of how he was portrayed with his dog at home; he seemed much gentler. It was even a little evident during his meeting with Adam at the dog track, and then again with little Wes.