7.4 [re-watch]

[Silktie]

I find this episode quite interesting, from the point that I think it reflects reality closely. History has shown that it is oftentimes the Intelligence Services that lay down the first foundations for future negotiation between sworn enemies. It is in fact what happened here in SA as well. Harry is right when he says that they have to take the chance at establishing some sort of relationship with Al Qaeda, even if they're not sure that Khordad is genuine in his approach.

I do wonder what happened since we last saw Khordad in season 3, though. At that stage he was Britain's new best friend, for whom Mace sold out the bookseller that Danny was protecting. Apparently that arrangement didn't work out as planned, then.

Harry seems on edge throughout the episode. He realises, perhaps more than anyone, just how much is at stake here, and what they are all risking in 'supping with the devil', as Connie puts it, but that there is no other choice. And as though the pressure of this operation is not enough, the Sugarhorse betrayal is also hotting up, and he faces the prospect that one of his oldest colleagues, whom he seems to consider a friend, is the one that betrayed Sugarhorse. That has to hurt. Connie's comment at the end, about the Americans killing Khordad: "God protect me from my friends; from my enemies I can protect myself," can turn out to be prophetic for Harry if Connie is indeed the traitor.

And of course, it is already true for Qualtrough, who we know is working against Harry. But does this mean that Qualtrough is setting up Connie to protect the real traitor, and that Connie is innocent? It's all very intriguing.

Malcolm made me laugh with his comment that they couldn't track Khordad either because he's somewhere from where the microwaves couldn't be picked up, or they'd chopped off his hand. Haha!

Lucas and Ros were doing their thing well this episode, whilst Jo seem to be sliding towards a breakdown. Ben is still boring.

I enjoyed watching Robert Glenister in the House scene - he does the speechifying politician very well.