La Femme Nikita: Playing With Fire

Michael: "We have one hour."

What is it with these two and boats? Was that even the same boat? I think it was. And is Michael a top, or what? The thing that really struck me about the love boat scene was the way he held her wrists. Michael has to be in control in Section, and in bed. Boat. Whatever.

The whole musical montage of Michael and Nikita just standing there gazing into each other's eyes was somewhat silly. (Did they run short that week?) I knew what it was for -- we were supposed to think they were going to fall into the trap that Operations and Madeline set for them. Come on. Michael set it up in the first place, for one. Walter projected his fears for them way too well with his eyes and manner, for two. If Michael and Nikita had fallen for it, what sort of super agents would they be?

The romantic in me just loved this episode, though. This entire season gave us such a strong, emotional shift for Michael. He is still the cold super agent, but when his personal life was destroyed at the beginning of the season, his only emotional outlet became Nikita. He was always protective of her (and possibly in love with her, although we never knew for sure). And now he is completely focused on her.

Nikita suggested that what they were doing was too dangerous, but note that she never said no to him, did she? Deep down inside, Nikita must have been thrilled that Michael was risking so much to be with her. If Michael is determined to have her, and Nikita will do anything for Michael, then what on earth can Operations and Madeline possibly do at this point to keep them apart, other than kill one of them?

I've always wanted to see Michael and Nikita so crazy about each other that they were compelled to make love in secret. I'd like to personally thank the writers and producers for giving me exactly what I wanted. (This, of course, was the third thing I really wanted to see them do.)

Bits and pieces:

-- Should Birkoff have lied? In a word, yeah. Although I completely understand why he didn't. I bet next time, he'll choose differently.

-- Madeline intimated that Michael and Nikita could have been doing more than making love, i.e., plotting to take over. I don't think she really believed it. I think it was an excuse.

-- Davenport was back. Is he still Michael's ally? He certainly acted like he was uncomfortable with the assignment. I mean, who likes being assigned to kill someone just because they're having sex?

-- We learned more about Mick Schtoppel. He has fun taste in brooches. He has a brother, and a possible inheritance. His mother thinks he's a dentist. And she stood him up. What a bitch.

-- My favorite Michael moment. Do I need to say it? "We have one hour." They also recreated the "Hard Landing" bit with him looking at her through the porthole, symbolic of them breaking the "look, but don't touch" directive.

-- Stupid panels. I know they don't do paper in Section, but couldn't Michael have just passed Nikita a note? For that matter, if they can meet in quiet areas of Section and talk, couldn't they also make love there?

-- Operations' mother was always ill. Unless that was just a fabrication, part of his pointless garden-getting-sick metaphor.

-- Roy Dupuis did that motorcycle stunt himself.

Quotes:

Operations: "Friendship is inevitable under these conditions. It's something we tolerate to an extent."
Yeah. Those stupid humans. Have to expect that sort of thing.

Madeline: "By helping them, you're only jeopardizing their future."
Walter: "And what future might that be?"
Madeline: "We have bigger plans for Michael and Nikita."
Like what?

Mick: "You come from a wealthy family of New Zealand sheepherders. If she asks for details, tell her that they were all tragically killed in an avalanche."

Loved this episode. Four out of four stars,

Billie