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Episode 10 Discussion [rewatch]
08-08-2010, 12:06 AM (This post was last modified: 08-08-2010 12:21 AM by JHyde.)
Post: #31
RE: Episode 10 Discussion [rewatch]
If I was trying to convince someone to watch Spooks, I think this is the episode I would show them. I think it's brill and I never get tired of watching it. Although there are significant developments for lots of characters, it also stands alone in a lot of ways and can be watched separately from others too.

There are so many things I love about it: Lindsey Duncan, my favourite guest star on the show so far (closely followed by Anthony Head in 1.4), the fact that everyone gets at least one or two good moments, the terrific stand off between Ruth and Angela with the sevengola that really isn't, the Coriolanus reference (one of many throughout the show's run, and a comparison which I actually made myself some minutes before Harry did), Adam siding with Ruth about Angela before the reveal takes place - I love it all.

There's also a plausibility to it that plays upon the conspiracy theorist in all of us. In much the same way as
Series season7 Spoiler: show
Sugarhorse in season 7.

Again, it's a beautiful balance between personal and professional beats, with a very strong script, excellent acting and superb direction. The fact that this is an operation built upon things that have happened in Ruth's and Angela's personal lives makes for compelling viewing and allows for so much depth in what might come next. And the terrific HR moments scattered throughout are both hilarious and very revealing. I love that line from Harry's own mouth about how he knows that Ruth sees him as 'a limited man'.
Series season8 Spoiler: show
In 8.2, this line comes back in a slightly different incarnation, but is equally impressive.

One of the reasons this episode works so well is that it is like a play - the bulk of the episode takes place on the Grid in a claustrophobic manner akin to that of 2.5. The difference is that I think this episode remains gripping in a way that 2.5 doesn't - I still sit on the edge of my seat for this one, even though I know what comes next and that Angela's mission is a bluff all along. They both have the same screenwriter too - Howard Brenton. I've done some bitching about various episodes he's written, but I can forgive him almost everything because of this, his final and (I think) best episode on the show. I honestly wouldn't change a thing about the writing on this episode.

Malcolm's freezing up is also the beginning of another phase in his development as a character, I honestly see this as the beginning of Malcolm properly having his own moments that are more than just exposition, comic relief or portents of what is to come. This is where the audience really starts to be invested with Malcolm as one of the team.

There is also, I think, a subtle difference with Adam in the episode. You really feel that he is not the same man as he was before Fi's death and yet he is still the operative with the terrific instincts that we know so well. The cockiness from the early days in season 3 is also back - something that wasn't in season 4 writing so much. Reckless Adam is on his way, well and truly, although there are only glimpses of it in this episode.

Of course, what I love most about this episode is the insight we gain into Ruth. I've said earlier on this thread that lots of people have drawn conclusions about exactly what Peter was to her. (I have my own strong opinions about this one.) But more than any of that, this is the episode where Ruth steps up and becomes more than the exceptional analyst she already is. It's true that we can wonder whether Angela actually knew she was bluffing, nor do we know how close to reality Ruth's story was, but I think what she does is exceptionally brave and the beginning of a new phase for her character. She can mix it with the best of them, because she IS one of them, and NW turns in a terrific performance, one of her best. I also think fan fic writers who portray Ruth as a victim or as overly weepy obviously haven't watched this episode closely enough.

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Messages In This Thread
Episode 10 Discussion [rewatch] - bertowud - 03-09-2009, 02:56 PM
RE: Diana - Silktie - 03-09-2009, 04:32 PM
RE: Diana - bertowud - 03-09-2009, 05:14 PM
RE: Diana - almh - 03-09-2009, 06:26 PM
RE: Diana - Silktie - 04-09-2009, 05:32 AM
RE: Diana - bertowud - 03-09-2009, 11:15 PM
RE: Diana - almh - 04-09-2009, 04:28 PM
RE: Diana - Sanctuary - 04-09-2009, 03:31 PM
RE: Diana - The Grid - 04-09-2009, 05:15 PM
RE: Diana - Silktie - 05-09-2009, 02:14 PM
RE: Diana - almh - 04-09-2009, 05:55 PM
RE: Diana - Sanctuary - 07-09-2009, 12:07 PM
RE: Diana - Silktie - 07-09-2009, 04:22 PM
RE: Diana - Sanctuary - 08-09-2009, 09:47 AM
RE: Diana - almh - 08-09-2009, 04:10 PM
RE: Diana - Silktie - 09-09-2009, 05:21 AM
RE: Diana - Alpha One - 09-09-2009, 06:58 AM
RE: Diana - almh - 09-09-2009, 04:18 PM
RE: Diana - Silktie - 10-09-2009, 05:42 AM
RE: Diana - almh - 13-09-2009, 05:20 PM
RE: Diana - Silktie - 13-09-2009, 06:38 PM
RE: Diana - Adam Carter - 11-11-2009, 04:29 AM
RE: Diana - almh - 11-11-2009, 06:33 AM
RE: Diana - JHyde - 11-11-2009, 09:00 AM
RE: Diana - almh - 11-11-2009, 09:05 PM
RE: Diana - watchstrap - 27-05-2010, 09:12 PM
RE: Diana - JHyde - 28-05-2010, 05:13 PM
RE: Diana - tyme4t - 30-05-2010, 12:23 PM
RE: Diana - almh - 30-05-2010, 02:26 PM
RE: Episode 10 Discussion [rewatch] - JHyde - 08-08-2010 12:06 AM
RE: Episode 10 Discussion [rewatch] - Noam - 11-01-2012, 09:44 AM

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