Operations: "I don't have to justify anything to you."
Nikita: "Today you do. Section is on trial. Defend it."
This episode was like graduation day for Nikita. She finally came into her own, and she wasn't afraid any more.
The first time I watched this episode, I honestly did not see the end coming. Although perhaps I should have. Nikita was so cool and professional, showing tremendous sangfroid during her sojourns through unauthorized areas of Section. The fact that she was doing it for Operations explained her lack of nerves to some extent. But did she kick ass in that final scene, or what? All of them -- Operations, Madeline, and Adrian -- were forced to defer to Nikita. I think Peta Wilson did a marvelous job here; it was one of the best scenes in the series.
Nikita deceived everybody, even Michael. Michael knew she was lying, but not why. Even though he was in the dark about what was happening, he did his level best to save her from making what he thought was a terrible mistake. And he was even silent and supportive in that big final scene. All of these things were a reversal of their previous roles, a sign that their relationship had changed.
I had two favorite Michael moments. The first was when he handed her the gun and told her to run. ("Outside you have a very small chance. Back at Section, you have none.") The second was that final scene when she apologized for lying to him, and he said, with grief in his voice, "They'll cancel you", and kissed her cheek. Showing emotion like that, in Section, gave it weight. He really does care deeply for her.
Adrian was a very likable character. We wanted to believe her, while all the time hoping she was wrong. She was even able to forgive Nikita for betraying her, even though it meant her own death. The whole Gemstone file with the future scenarios concerning Saddam Hussein and his role in keeping the Middle East stabilized was just eerie, considering what has happened since this episode aired. I just hope that the rest of Operations' simulation wasn't on target.
And now, Operations and Madeline want Nikita dead, but they won't cancel her for fear of fomenting rebellion among the other operatives. They plan to increase her mission frequency, and hope for the best. Looks like Nikita will be in even more danger than usual next season. Like that's possible.
Bits and pieces:
-- Operations now has a full name: Paul Wolfe. Sort of fits, if you consider the meaning of the word "pall." And for that matter, the word "wolf."
-- When Nikita was doing her clandestine surveillance in forbidden areas of section and trying to get into Michael's personnel file, the monitors were labeled, "Plague Scenarios" and "Invasion of Canada." :)
-- Michael said that Nikita was a level two operative. Has that been explicitly stated before? I don't think so.
-- The security on level five operatives appeared to be high, since no one would give Nikita Michael's home address.
-- We can add flower arranging to the growing list of What Nikita Does At Home.
-- Cancelled scene: If you're a new viewer and haven't seen it yet, do not watch this cancelled scene! Trust me on this one. I'll mention what it is in my review of the season three opener, "Looking for Michael."
Quotes:
Nikita: "What's up with Ames?"
Birkoff: "I don't know. He's with Madeline, though. My guess is he's not having fun."
Nikita: "The Section sent you."
Michael: "Yes, they did. But they don't control me."
Definitely four stars,
Billie
3 comments:
A dramatic and emotionally draining conclusion to the two-part season finale. On the plus side: Nikita’s suspenseful forays as a double-agent in Section, a poignant dilemma for Michael, two excellent plot reversals in the last act, and the completely authentic evolution of Nikita’s character. However, Adrian’s plan is far too simple for someone with an intelligence that supposedly rivals a Cray supercomputer, and therefore is far too easily countered by Section. Very anticlimactic. Also, there is minimal action in this episode, culminating in a final act is that is essentially a static and talky courtroom drama. At least the episode ends logically, with the promise of even more risks for Nikita next season.
Spoilers follow...
Nikita continues to invade the deeper levels of Section to give Adrian access to classified files. She is lucky the first time, since Walter chooses not to report her. But the next time she triggers an alarm, and only escapes with Adrian’s help by zapping one operative (with what looks like a Star Trek forcefield) and framing another. I found Nikita’s willingness to use Michael to penetrate Section security, and then sacrifice her fellow operatives to hide her unauthorized access, to be quite out of character. Of course, all this is explained later...
Though Nikita keeps her cool, Michael is not convinced. When a general inquiry is ordered, Nikita electrocutes herself (Wilson does a very convincing job here) to foil the “IT” test, but she is still a suspect. Consequently, Operations tasks Michael with finding the mole. Michael then has to make an impossible choice: he knows that Nikita is the traitor, but also knows that she will be cancelled if he turns her in. Their confrontation in Nikita’s apartment is one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the entire series.
When Adrian and Nikita are captured and brought to Section, I was completely surprised by the revelation that Nikita was working for Operations all along. All I could think was: poor Michael! He thought he was sentencing Nikita to death by reporting her. My next thought was: how cruel! Operations must have been testing Michael all along to see if he would report Nikita.
Then in one final plot twist, Nikita risks her life to put Section “on trial”, which is marvellously true to her character (see “Mercy”). In the previous episode, Adrian said to her “The only coping mechanism you have intact is your belief that Section protects the innocent.” When the data in the Gemstone file seems to contradict this (“We’re supposed to be fighting these people, not helping them!”), it makes perfect sense that Nikita needs to be sure that all the evil deeds that Section perpetrates really are for the greater good.
The episode ends with a plausible reason to delay cancelling Nikita, though we know that Operations’ promise (“... you’ll regret this”) is still hanging over her head.
Favourite Scene:
Michael confronting Nikita in her apartment: his repeated offers to help, his obvious pain when she continues to lie to him, his plea that this is their “last chance”. All of these heartfelt gestures make the audience sympathize with him even though he rats on her to Operations. Wilson and Dupuis are fantastic in this mesmerizing scene.
Continuity Issues:
Nikita should not be wearing noisy high-heeled shoes when sneaking around Section!
Oh, such a great season-ender! Both your reviews are spot on and I couldn't add anything else.
But I do have to add that I agree with:
Billie -
1.) This episode is where Nikita came into her own.
2.) Your favorite Michael moments are my favorites, too.
Serena -
Favorite scene: The confrontation between Michael and Nikita in her apartment is one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the entire series. It was gloriously acted by Roy Dupuis and Peta Wilson. It made me cry.
Oh man, you guys are absolutely right...the scene with Michael holding Nikita against the wall and brushing her hair from her face, and pleading with her to not betray Section is probably the top moment of the series, except for maybe Michael's awesome "death" scene with Elena's father in the hospital. Such superb scene craftmanship all around.
Another word on Roy...I cannot think of a single acting performance on another TV as brilliantly done as Dupuis' Michael...it is utterly astonishing as nearly every movement the guy makes, no matter how subtle, conveys deep meaning. And as a completely straight male, I am not taken in by his looks, so this is stated with a subjective appraisal. =)
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