[spoilers] Lucas. Just Lucas.

[binkie]

(22-11-2010 09:25 PM)Byatil Wrote:  Lucas is so preoccupied by his need for Harry's trust, it's now a contributing factor to his sleeping difficulties. We already know that he finds sleeping difficult due to nightmares, but he now seems to be suffering from insomnia due to an over-active brain - he can't stop thinking about his job.

Until you mentioned it here, it never occurred to me that a (lack of) trust relationship might contribute to the wakefulness habit we are led to infer in Lucas' character. I like the idea of a juxtaposition of consequence (Lucas' obsession with his own trustworthiness) and cause (Oleg, representing Lucas' period of imprisonment) meeting in an explicit, albeit light-hearted, reference to Harry. This is a well-observed and well-made point.

(22-11-2010 09:25 PM)Byatil Wrote:  The fact that Lucas seems reluctant to have Sarah "vetted" seems rather significant. Almost as if he doesn't want anything to cement their relationship?

The suggestion of wilful self-denial is an interesting theme to tease out in reference to this character in this relationship, I think. This is really the first time in Lucas' post-release narrative that we see him in the context of (what seemed to be at that stage in season 8) a successful interpersonal relationship outside of the "colleagues are okay" caveat. The idea that he would, however unconsciously, place obstacles of omission or inaction in the way of a kind of acknowledgement of that relationship tells us something quite profound about Lucas' state of mind. It really speaks to the extent to which he is unable to accept that he has moved from a condition of being required to deny any sort of desire - be it something as mundane as a cigarette or something as complete as a lover - to one of being able to act on that desire. What seems to scare him about this is, as you suggest, the fact that he might find he has what he wants. The emotional consequences of this are surely quite overwhelming for someone with Lucas' recent experience.

These are subtle and embedded notes to pick up on as you watch (especially if you are scribbling at the same time!). I can't wait to read what you make of the rest of this episode :)