Episode 5 Discussion [re-watch]

[CONDOR]

I am inclined to agree with you about Malcolm, but I think he would have had the courtesy to warn Ruth.
I think that Harry's motives for keeping an eye on Ruth are the same as any man's who discovers that perhaps he may have feelings for somebody, at this stage I think that Harry is just keeping himself "in the loop" with what is going on in Ruth's life in the only way he knows how.
I think that perhaps you are all being a bit harsh on Sam, this is perhaps due to something that may have been lost in the editing suite, as I agree that continuity is lost between her reporting to Harry, and her encouragement of Ruth, I am sure that in the original filming there was probably a scene that explained Sam's motives / behaviour, but was cut out due to it being considered, by the powers that be , not important in respect of the overall picture. This is often mentioned on the commentaries, that they find that a lot of scenes are cut to get the central story in the one hour slot.
Besides she may not be bright, but I do like Sam, and don't think that she is any way malicious.

[HellsBells]

I agree with you Condor that Sam is not malicious at all, and is very lovely. But then how did she get to work in MI5, especially as she is so easily manipulated ?

[A Cousin]

I think you all may have answered a question for me re: Harry's last line. After he (finally) directly addresses Ruth about keeping her personal life from crossing over her professional life, she says something to the effect that they "can't let that kind of thing to get in the way of work, can we?" His reply, I think, is "Of course we can." I've always been puzzled by that reply and the look he gives Sam as he walks away. I think it might be a round-about admission that they all, himself included, have to fight against the temptation.

As for Malcolm, for lack of evidence regarding his degree of knowledge about Harry and Sam's internal investigation of Ruth and his length of service, I will just have to assume that he figured something out on his own and jumped in to keep an eye on Ruth on his own accord. I will keep Malcolm up on the pedestal I have created for him!

Sorry to get so fixated on this on strand of the plot in this episode. I have always felt that the "Death of Ruth's Love Life" sub plot was full of questions that needed to be answered. The other two plots flow better.

[CONDOR]

I hate to be too cynical, but perhaps that is the very reason that she got the job, after all she spends most of her time on the Grid, who better to use to find out what is going on on the "shop floor". I don't think that she is as daft as she looks, after all, as has been pointed out, she knew exactly how to handle the "company" psychologist.
I think that we also need to remember that this is only a TV program and the writers could have just made a mistake. I would also add that very intelligent people often do not show much common sense.
Actually I like Sam a lot, she is very natural, I loved the scene in her first episode where she winked at the hidden camera, in the video shop, much to Tom's annoyance, but she did show that she was street wise.

[Adam Carter]

One bit that I don't think has been mentioned yet is the scene early on when Harry, Adam, and Ruth are discussing Newland. Harry mentions that Newland is seeking a "longtime partner" to which Adam replies, "Aren't we all?"

Ruth's head drops a bit when he says it. Very subtle, yet very noticeable. It's little moments like that that make Spooks so great.