Episode 4.09
Finally caught up and can I say OMG! Harry/Ruth!!
OK, the main plot was interesting and topical but, let's set that aside for a bit. Holy shit. Those two scenes between Harry and Ruth were way more blatant than what we are used to seeing. I am both conflicted and a-squee-ful. Because a big part of the appeal of their interactions was that it remained subtextual--plus, we *know* that this relationship, in the context of the show that rarely allows prolonged happiness in its leads, can't really go anywhere overt. They won't be buying a pretty little cottage together with shelves and shelves of books and a beautiful garden in the backyard in which Harry's dog and Ruth's cat will happily frolic together until they die of old age. I know this, yet despite all that, there was a small part of me that rather desperately wishes such a future were possible for them, and that part of me clapped its hand over my mouth at that hand-clasp that went just a little longer than it was meant to, and made little whimpering dolphin-like noises at all the unspoken things in their eyes. Look, I'm not proud of it, but I may have just turned into a full-fledged shipper. Damnit. And damn Peter Firth and Nicola Walker for imbuing their smallest gestures and expressions with such wealth of meaning.
The preview suggests that they will be *gasp* addressing this issue further next week, but the previews have been known to be rather misleading on this show, so we shall see.
The episode had generally excellent Harry, not just the Ruth bits. I loved how dogged (heh) and resourceful Harry was despite having his wings clipped; all his machinations were delightful, especially his encounter with Adam at the dog race. They are doing a nice job following up on Fiona's death and Adam's grief--in a much more restrained fashion than it would have been if it were Tom, but very in character for Adam. Particular highlights included Harry's whistle trick, and later on the aww-inducing revisitation of the dog race with Adam's little boy Wes and Harry and Wes together taking a piss out of Adam. Such lovely familial warmth.
The case itself might have felt preposterous a few years ago, but it seemed not at all farfetched in today's political climate. The writers really don't think much of American secret service, eh? I can't recall a time when an American agent wasn't 1) evil or 2) generally incompetent. Well, I guess Christine didn't start off a fool, but by the time they were done with her, she didn't have much dignity left over.
I liked that Jo made what could have been a devastating error, had Adam not cleaned up after her. A very rookie and a human thing to do. Ditto Jo's siding with Juliet re. Harry's mistake. The little glitches and dissension make her integration into the team realistic. As for Juliet herself, she's an overbearing, opportunistic hag, but she's also competent and tough and I like that about her. Anna Chancellor seems to be having a ball playing the character.
Not much for Zaf to do, but my, he has fantastic hair. The tentative friendship (and perhaps an overture of something more) between Zaf and Jo continues at a snail's pace, which is the way I like it.
I loooooooved Harry's little smile in the office at the end of the episode. Man, I can't believe we only have one more episode to go! Damn BBC and its uber-short seasons!!
OK, the main plot was interesting and topical but, let's set that aside for a bit. Holy shit. Those two scenes between Harry and Ruth were way more blatant than what we are used to seeing. I am both conflicted and a-squee-ful. Because a big part of the appeal of their interactions was that it remained subtextual--plus, we *know* that this relationship, in the context of the show that rarely allows prolonged happiness in its leads, can't really go anywhere overt. They won't be buying a pretty little cottage together with shelves and shelves of books and a beautiful garden in the backyard in which Harry's dog and Ruth's cat will happily frolic together until they die of old age. I know this, yet despite all that, there was a small part of me that rather desperately wishes such a future were possible for them, and that part of me clapped its hand over my mouth at that hand-clasp that went just a little longer than it was meant to, and made little whimpering dolphin-like noises at all the unspoken things in their eyes. Look, I'm not proud of it, but I may have just turned into a full-fledged shipper. Damnit. And damn Peter Firth and Nicola Walker for imbuing their smallest gestures and expressions with such wealth of meaning.
The preview suggests that they will be *gasp* addressing this issue further next week, but the previews have been known to be rather misleading on this show, so we shall see.
The episode had generally excellent Harry, not just the Ruth bits. I loved how dogged (heh) and resourceful Harry was despite having his wings clipped; all his machinations were delightful, especially his encounter with Adam at the dog race. They are doing a nice job following up on Fiona's death and Adam's grief--in a much more restrained fashion than it would have been if it were Tom, but very in character for Adam. Particular highlights included Harry's whistle trick, and later on the aww-inducing revisitation of the dog race with Adam's little boy Wes and Harry and Wes together taking a piss out of Adam. Such lovely familial warmth.
The case itself might have felt preposterous a few years ago, but it seemed not at all farfetched in today's political climate. The writers really don't think much of American secret service, eh? I can't recall a time when an American agent wasn't 1) evil or 2) generally incompetent. Well, I guess Christine didn't start off a fool, but by the time they were done with her, she didn't have much dignity left over.
I liked that Jo made what could have been a devastating error, had Adam not cleaned up after her. A very rookie and a human thing to do. Ditto Jo's siding with Juliet re. Harry's mistake. The little glitches and dissension make her integration into the team realistic. As for Juliet herself, she's an overbearing, opportunistic hag, but she's also competent and tough and I like that about her. Anna Chancellor seems to be having a ball playing the character.
Not much for Zaf to do, but my, he has fantastic hair. The tentative friendship (and perhaps an overture of something more) between Zaf and Jo continues at a snail's pace, which is the way I like it.
I loooooooved Harry's little smile in the office at the end of the episode. Man, I can't believe we only have one more episode to go! Damn BBC and its uber-short seasons!!