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Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
10-01-2010, 11:37 PM
Post: #21
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
Just a point of order: you don't need to put season 1 storylines in spoiler tags, but obviously everything else should be. But try and keep the discussion for each episode to the appropriate thread, that is, try and talk about episode 1 in this thread. Just so we don't overlap.

My favourite bit in this episode was when Tom comes home to Ellie as Matthew and when she asks him how his day was he says "Fine." Because of course he can't tell her anything more. It introduces the main theme of the first season, that of how spooks manage to have anything outside their work; how do they have normal relationships?

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11-01-2010, 12:00 AM (This post was last modified: 11-01-2010 12:41 AM by lwhite53.)
Post: #22
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
(10-01-2010 10:57 PM)Kirayuki Wrote:  Christine Dale wasn't badly introduced in this episode. . . She wasn't overbearing, her accent is fine.

Her accent should be fine -- she's American!Wink
Great first ep for a new series that quickly establishes this wouldn't be your usual tv fare. I loved the first shot of the grid -- hi-tech, modernistic, a hive of activity.

Also liked all the tightly cut, back and forth patter between and among the principals -- it quickly established the major characters (without resorting to traditional exposition) and the high-anxiety tension that would go on to become a trademark of spooks.

Cat and hair dryer scene -- absolutely hilarious!! Made you understand that this wasn't going to be a "James Bond" type show -- these people make mistakes and have to deal with whatever circumstances are thrown at them.

The relationship between Tom and Ellie is quickly established as being built on quick sand. He loves her; she loves Matthew. She's uneasy about him but doesn't seem to be able to (or doesn't want to) put her finger on just what exactly it is that makes her uncomfortable.
Tom: "There are things." Ellie: "I know." Tom: "You don't know. . . . Whatever you think it is, it isn't."

Mary Kane -- lousy American accent, right out of the gate!Thcussing

Decidedly anti-US slant right from the get go, via Christine Dale:
CD: America wants Mary Kane back and America's gonna' get her. We want our Kodak moment.
Tom: I though we were equal partners.
. . .
CD: You actually have to get off your butt sometimes and do exactly what we tell ya'.

Danny: Bloody yanks. Everything's a sodding competition.

[The UK v US issue is an interesting one, given that David Wolstencroft (creator and writer of eps 1 and 2) is a Brit who was raised in the US. Probably some interesting psychology there.Wink]

LOVED the alias-tagged boxes containing all the various paperwork for their different legends. A wonderful visual image that defined and underscored the compartmentalization needed to do the job. Great, great symbology.

Favorite lines:

Harry: I signed up here because I knew who the enemy was and I wanted to fight them. These days, the enemy don't even have a flag.
F.O. Guy: At least you knew where they were, I suppose.
Harry: Gave them something to put over the coffin.

Tom: I believe killing people in the name of life is just about the stupidest thing I've ever come across.

Tom: Remind me, Helen, why do I do this job?
Helen: Because you like the idea of a secret life. Come on, Tom, it's true.

Great end shot -- Tom, Zoe, Danny -- walking away from the car. Whiteout.

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"What is the truth?"
"Betrayal is a cancer. Let it eat your soul, not mine."
"Please tell me this isn't going where I think it's going."
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11-01-2010, 06:24 AM
Post: #23
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
(11-01-2010 12:00 AM)lwhite53 Wrote:  Mary Kane -- lousy American accent, right out of the gate!Thcussing

Decidedly anti-US slant right from the get go, via Christine Dale:

Actually they say on the commentary that the actress playing Mary Kane is also American...

Agree about them setting up the US as overbearing and domineering from the get-go. Was this episode shown before the Iraq invasion, or after? This sentiment would be more understandable if it is as a result of the negative reaction to the UK joining in that war, perhaps. Otherwise you could be right that it's the author's own predujices manifesting in the story.

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11-01-2010, 06:34 AM (This post was last modified: 11-01-2010 06:36 AM by JHyde.)
Post: #24
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
It was a year before the Iraqi invasion, but was certainly written during a time of anti Americanism in Britain and then revised during the fear of late 2001 and early 2002. One of the things that assisted this show and others like Alias and 24 that came out within the same six month period is that spy dramas suddenly became very timely viewing.

Spoiler: show
The anti US thing didn't really kick in until season 4 (when it was done really well, more subtly and was written late 2003, aired 2004) and season 6 (less well done, subtle as a brick and aired in 2007).

Christine only appears in that one episode in season 1. I think she was introduced to highlight how the collaboration between those two services increased after 9/11, but also that the relationship shifted greatly in the wake of the Thatcher/Reagan years.

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11-01-2010, 12:33 PM
Post: #25
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
I agree with lwhite53 that the Grid looks really great in this episode, so modern and spacious. I hadn't noticed before how the door in the corridor was just another wooden door but this opened in the pod area and Grid, showing that not everything is as it appears.
The ending when Tom lied to Mary (and sent her to Florida), I feel, really showed where this programme was heading, that Spooks lie all the time, hopefully to protect their country.
The storyline with Tom and Ellie was wonderful and totally believable. It worked very well demonstrating how the private lives of spies could be complicated.

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11-01-2010, 12:44 PM
Post: #26
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
Really? I hate how the Grid looks in Season 1, although I did laugh a bit at how big it was. Harry's office was still red though.

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11-01-2010, 12:48 PM
Post: #27
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
Yes, I had forgotten that Harry's office must have always been red, not a very calming colour !

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11-01-2010, 12:51 PM
Post: #28
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
I didn't particularly the look of the Grid in this season... It was painted in light yellow Dodgy

I also liked the wooden door (access to the "cafeteria"), and after it, the pods! And I notice there are 2 pods, it's amazing how they change throughout the series... 2, 3, no pods... Tongue

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11-01-2010, 12:53 PM
Post: #29
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
I like the red office, even though it's changed a few times, it's always been red.

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11-01-2010, 01:43 PM
Post: #30
RE: Episode 1 Discussion [Rewatch]
I'm sorry but the pods reminded me of Get Smart and I almost lol'd at the first glimpse.

Rooftop scene:
Beth and Dmitri sneak up and disarm Lucas, cuff him and lead him away.
Lucas screams, "No Harry please, I'd rather die!"

Harry: "We're sending you to rehab ................. in Texas."
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