Series 9 Rumours & Speculation

[A Cousin]

This is from someone who is still new to S8, but ever since Lucas got back in 7.1, I have had the niggling feeling that there is something that Harry knows about Lucas' past that Harry has chosen keep from Lucas. As in, it has either been brainwashed out of Lucas or some sort of traumatic amnesia. I don't think Harry is just suspicious of Lucas. There's "something else." If it is that Lucas is Harry's son, its got to be more than that. Something that intertwines plot and character.

Maybe Ruth and Lucas are related and working together to betray Harry? They both have those arresting blue eyes.... Just sayin'.

- I want more character development of Lucas. I was on board with him in S7 but lost him in S8.
- I want more development with Tariq. Lets not go down the Zaf road with Tariq. There is so much dramatic potential there. Develop it for goodness sake!
- I want Malcolm back. Seems I will get my wish there, at least for a bit.
- I want more droll black humor.
- I want them to address the 800 flippin' pound gorilla in the room that is Harry and Ruth's "relationship" in an mature and adult fashion as befits their previous development. I don't want it sappy. I don't want it conspicuous. I almost want them to get it together off screen. e.g. something horrible happens that forces Ruth to finally take the ball Harry firmly tossed in her court in 8.4, she simply shows up at his door, he opens it, meaningful look of shared understanding exchanged, he lets her in, door closes, fade to black. If there has to be a scene, pay Silktie for Home Is Where The Heart Is, that was lovely.
- I want them to make plot decisions based on the most compelling dramatic choice and not based on sympathy or convention. Which is why I *almost* like the idea of Ruth betraying Harry.
- I want them to maintain good balance between plot/character development as well as ensemble/individual acting opportunities.
- I want more characters. With the exception of Ben, they have always been able to replace compelling characters with equally compelling, if sometimes completely different, characters. Tom => Adam, Adam => Lucas, Zoe => Fiona, Fiona => Jo, Ruth => Connie, Danny => Zaf. And in the very successful case of Ros, even bring one in from left field.
- I want them to continue to surprise me. Again and again and again. But not with someones death: real or imagined. That is now officially predictable. Malcolm's "dog tired" departure was the best in a long time.