Episode 5.7 [re-watch]

[A Cousin]

I think this part of the two-parter is the better of the two.

I did not see the Mossad twist coming, but when it did I felt kind of stupid that I didn't figure it out sooner what with Neil and all. But, I tend to watch from a visceral level first. I just let it wash over me and think about it later.

I thought a lot about the traitor/mole quandry the producers/writers talk about, e.g. do you let the audience know right away or do you let them discover it with the team? In this episode, we knew about Neil and not about the terrorists. Interesting juxtaposition.

RPJ and PF have wonderful chemistry together. Truthfully, it makes me not miss NW so much. The scene when Adam tells Harry about Neil's wife is good. Upon first viewing, when I was still smarting over Ruth's departure, Harry's rather stilted but sincere reply struck me as a Harry moment only, but it is actually a Harry and Adam moment. Three men, similar situations, different reactions.

I like that they tackled the PTSD story line in general, I just didn't much like where it ended. At this point, Adam's PTSD is being played nicely.

Think of me what you will but I loved the reveal shot of dead Sally from a cinematic POV. It is a shot that has lived in my mind since the first time I saw it. It is such a peaceful and slow pan with Jo's voice as the only sound - no underscoring music - to a staged reveal. Neil stabbed her and then pinned her to the 'fridge. The brutality of her death is left to the imagination but it says a lot about Neil.

I am one of those who appreciated Ros from the start despite her actions of 5.5. While I don't think this episode establishes her as one of the team, it does establish her as a very resourceful and smart agent. Clearly, Harry accepted her as they were leaving the Embassy.

A question for you all: at the end, is it implied that the last of the Mossad leader is deported to GitMo? He is clearly transported to somewhere very sunny and I think the accent of the soldier is American?