Series 9 Episode 2 discussion

[A Cousin]

9.2 with Mr AC for (his) first time.

Before it started his biggest question for me was, Do we find out anything more about who Lucas is? My answer was that we get another piece to the puzzle but it is revealed in drips and drabs. He had nothing to say about Maya. I think right now he is just gathering the clues.

I also told him that it was a bit of a developmental episode for Beth, in particular. When she saved Harry, he said, "Well I guess she has redeemed herself."

Generally he thought it was a beautifully executed episode from a filming aspect but that the flashing of the Lucas, Beth, and Chapman title text was a bit heavy handed.

He liked how the plot changes direction on you a few times without warning. Esp. how they tell the viewer exactly what is going on in the very beginning, only to turn it around a couple of time, e.g. Westhouse gets wind of his assassination and hires Chapman to assassinate the assassin.

Liked the guest actors: James Faulkner and Nigel Lindsay. I really, really like Nigel Lindsay in particular. I think he does a really good job of playing his cards close to his chest, only revealing things when it is time to reveal them, switching gears in a dime and moving forward with complete conviction to every moment.

James Faulkner's role is a bit more subtle, but Mr AC loved the exchange Harry has with him in the Foxhills dining room.

He had something to say about the scene when Chapman has the gun in Beth's face demanding answers about her past, he noticed that it looked like they forgot their lines and jumped each others lines. He said that, even though you know it's not real, having any kind of weapon in your face is still pretty scary and can throw you off. I love that moment, because the acting feels very organic. Beth is very off-kilter and Chapman is completely in control of the exchange.