[spoilers] Harry and Ruth Strike Back

[molecatcher]

(07-10-2010 05:39 PM)Naivety Wrote:  I think her look at the end of that scene is more inward looking, ie she is examining herself at this moment.

I thought it was interesting that in the story so far sequences at the start of 9.3 the focus was not on 'we've never been more together than we are right now', but on 'the things we've done' and at the beginning they only showed 'I can't, Harry'.

I just got the feeling this week he is trying to win her round with his actions without compromising his own character. Harry has always, all the way through all the series, had the most thorough moral core. Thus when his decision ended up getting George killed, he was thinking about the bigger picture. I think he's deserate for Ruth to forgive him for that. She must understand that he couldn't have done anything else.

Fascinating isn't it how, from one look or a few words, we come up with different theories and conclusions as to their meaning. Whatever the answer I do think this series is far superior to the last in allowing so much character development with these two. Harry would have to be made of stone not to finally begin to crack under the strain and Ruth has had to build such a bloomin' thick wall around herself her mind's messed up too. I wasn't particularly interested in the H/R debate last year but this extremely clever writing, portraying such heartrending human frailties in what are usually the strongest of characters, is enthralling. Add to that a grumpy Harry being so adorable, I can't do anything other than love this series!

[Silktie]

Re the preview for 9.4,

Series 9.4 Spoiler: show

it seems as though Ruth will be put in harm's way. I wonder if we'll get reaction shots from Harry while it happens, and see them interact afterwards? We didn't get that after Harry was nearly shot in 9.2, but I'd really like to see them talking to each other after one of them has had a narrow escape for once.

[Naivety]

I agree Silktie, that would be a fabulous thing to watch. I'm sure the outcome would be as frustrating as ever, but for a delicious moment we could all sigh happily - and then scream at the telly again!!

[Tea Lady]

(08-10-2010 06:34 AM)Silktie Wrote:  Re the preview for 9.4,

Series 9.4 Spoiler: show

it seems as though Ruth will be put in harm's way. I wonder if we'll get reaction shots from Harry while it happens, and see them interact afterwards? We didn't get that after Harry was nearly shot in 9.2, but I'd really like to see them talking to each other after one of them has had a narrow escape for once.

Series 9.4 Spoiler: show

Considering how Harry has acted and reacted throughout this series, it would be out of place if we didn't see him act unprofessionally in some way, if Ruth goes undercover and possibly gets injured (looking at the trailer.) Ruth's shell has got harder though, so it remains to be seen whether she will appreciate Harry giving her any special treatment. It will also be interesting to see if Harry manages to hide any concerns he has from the rest of the team, or just sits in his office with his head in his hands. To be honest, I am surprised he would even allow Ruth to go undercover even if she is their Mandarin speaker.

[JHyde]

Series possibly9.4 Spoiler: show

That kind of breaks with canonical Ruth knowledge though. Ruth never learned Mandarin. Maybe while on Cyprus? Because that's where we all go to learn it.

[Tea Lady]

(08-10-2010 11:21 AM)JHyde Wrote:  

Series possibly9.4 Spoiler: show

That kind of breaks with canonical Ruth knowledge though. Ruth never learned Mandarin. Maybe while on Cyprus? Because that's where we all go to learn it.

Series 9.4 Spoiler: show

Perhaps Ruth did an away day. First half of the day was how to become an expert on Russia. The second half of the day was teaching her to become fluent in Mandarin.

[A Cousin]

(08-10-2010 12:39 PM)Tea Lady Wrote:  

(08-10-2010 11:21 AM)JHyde Wrote:  

Series possibly9.4 Spoiler: show

That kind of breaks with canonical Ruth knowledge though. Ruth never learned Mandarin. Maybe while on Cyprus? Because that's where we all go to learn it.

Series 9.4 Spoiler: show

Perhaps Ruth did an away day. First half of the day was how to become an expert on Russia. The second half of the day was teaching her to become fluent in Mandarin.

Hahaha! You two are cracking me up!

Series 9.4 Spoiler: show

And finished her knitting during the luncheon break, eh, TL? Is there nothing Ruth can't do? NW's Wylie interview does say that Ruth is crap at combat. So clearly she can't throw a punch. That's something!

I also hope they show some sort of HR fall out re: Ruth in the field and, according to the 9.4 trailer, her apparrant involvement in an explosion. It wouldn't make sense to me if they didn't address it even just a little bit given the theme embodied in their interactions: everything they go through and do makes them have to revisit and redefine the nature of their personal relationship.

[xxgaylexx]

Series 9 Spoiler: show

hopefully some kind of scenario where he may need to make one of his "decisions". ruth has said that they need him to make these choices but what if the choice means she might come to some harm?? hmmmmm could be trouble!

[Naivety]

Just rewatching the H and R moments again from 9.3 and noticed that during the first interrogation of Dr Kirby Harry and Ruth sit quite far apart, but after they have that talk in the corridor, they return to the interview room and sit very close together, in fact Ruth is leaning into Harry's shoulder slightly. It's like they have a definite thaw to their relationship during the second half of this episode.

[A Cousin]

First off, I am so glad I am not the only one who does things like watching *just* the HR scenes!

Secondly, the reason I think the HR plot line works so well in 9.3 is that it is a little play in and of itself. If you watch just those scenes, it has its own beginning, middle, end, set-up, conflict, resolution, its all there.