Series 9 Episode 7 discussion

[binkie]

So, trying desperately to distract myself from endlessly cyclical arguments about the salvagability of Lucas' identity, I have been thinking about some of the season threads which seemed to be reiterated in this episode:

1. Someone with greater nerve than me might have to watch again to check, but I'm pretty sure there was another mention of the chessboard / chess pieces concept which arose in 9.4. I can't recall who says it, but I think there is a line about all the pieces being in place

2. Malcolm's line about the visit he received being "from Lucas I'm afraid" is interestingly placed. Following this line, Malcolm and Harry surmise a relationship between the visit and Albany. When, moments later, Lucas calls, Harry puts the call on speaker, meaning Malcolm - who presumably is no longer in receipt of the security clearance he had when he was working on The Grid - can hear everything. There is a slightly sinister quality about Harry's note to Lucas that "you are inavaluable to me" coming right on top of the implication that Malcolm and Harry are both very aware that Albany is a matter of concern, and heightens the sense in which Lucas is a chess piece in a game of which he, alone of all the particpants, appears to be largely ignorant

3. There must surely be some comeback on the massive piece of foreshadowing that is Ruth's point about Harry being wrong to have decided already to choose to save her life... not to mention his line from 9.1 about no longer wishing to feel that he is covered in blood. We must accept that this is bound to be a tragic irony by the end of 9.8 on way or another

4. The interesting - and barely explored - parallel between Ruth and Lucas both being effectively back from the dead, and lost in the process, looks as though it could get some traction in 9.8

5. Beth's role as the personification of both second chance and faith were nicely played in the scene at the park. It would be interesting to see something come of this, even if it is only a background check on John Bateman

I have more, but I am done with rambling for now. I will try to impose some order on the rest of my suppositions about this episode in a future post. I have to do something to stop my brain going into freefall. I will be a basket case by 10:00 pm next Monday!