What an absolutely infuriating cliffhanger.
What the hell did Madeline do to Nikita? It wasn't clear at all. She didn't erase Nikita's memory, because what would be the point? Wouldn't Nikita just fall in love with Michael again? In fact, Nikita appeared to remember everything; in that final scene, she told Michael, "Don't. Doesn't work. I don't love you any more." So somehow, they managed to alter Nikita's emotions so that she just didn't care any more. It was like they removed her soul.
This week's Most Obvious Symbolism was the white paint. In the final scene, Nikita was painting her walls white, covering up her relationship with Michael and starting over. The paint was even all over her hands, the hands she pulled away from Michael. Gold acting stars for both Peta Wilson and Roy Dupuis for this particular scene. The confusion on her face and the heartbreak on his were subtle, but so clearly there. Operations and Madeline made a serious mistake in whom they chose to screw with. If they had "adjusted" Michael instead of Nikita, she might have been powerless to change him. Michael is the power in that relationship, not Nikita. He won't accept it, period.
As punishment for being a go-between for Michael and Nikita, Walter was forced into Retirement. Medical experiments, pain tolerance, harvested body parts? Not exactly a condo in Miami Beach. It was just weird that Retirement turned out to be not what Walter was expecting. ("It was heaven. It was better than that.") Let's face it, nothing in Section is ever a pleasant surprise. So what was really going on? Was Walter altered, too?
Birkoff showed some pretty serious ruthlessness, and all on Walter's behalf. He deep-sixed the unfortunate, eager-to-please Giles (who, incidentally, looked a lot like Birkoff) without a moment of hesitation. Did the poor kid get cancelled?
Bits and pieces:
— The opener ("You've got a strange effect on me") is my favorite romantic scene so far in the entire series. The way they communicated with their eyes was just incredibly sexy. At one point, Nikita looked like she was about to nibble on Michael's neck. I want to nibble on his neck, too, so I can understand the impulse.
— Walter was in Section for thirty-five years. Poor guy.
— I got a big charge out the Genefex plant manager making a pass at Michael. What a delightful little scene.
— Finally. To hell with panels. Michael passed Nikita a note.
— I often talk about what Nikita was wearing, particularly in Section and particularly in terms of color, because it is symbolic of her not belonging in Section. She began this episode wearing white. At the end of the episode, in Section, she was wearing black.
— That white lab coat may have been the ugliest thing Michael has worn so far in the series. Interesting (symbolically, anyway) that Michael spent most of the episode wearing white. I did like the glasses.
— In this week's hair report, did Roy Dupuis get a haircut? Why didn't they just let him grow it out this season? He looks fabulous with long hair.
Quotes:
Walter: "You can't beat Section. But you can choose your own way out."
Madeline: "Whenever your last meeting with Michael was, I hope you made the most of it."
The love boat... soon will be making another run...
Madeline: "Nikita was more focused on the mission, while Michael was repressing tension. In the past, it's been the reverse. You didn't notice?"
Operations: "No, I didn't. Perhaps I'm slipping."
Michael's final line was spoken over the closing credits: "I won't let them do this."
Too much Genefex stuff, but this was still an impressive episode. Irritating, but impressive. Three out of four stars,
Billie
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.
A thoroughly engrossing episode, one of the top three of Season Three. A superb balance of action and drama, this episode is by turns romantic, suspenseful, humourous, exciting, poignant, cruelly ironic, and heartbreaking (whew!). The story arc for Michael and Nikita is exceptional, with amazing performances by both Wilson and Dupuis. Almost as compelling is the “B” story, with Birkoff facing a horrible moral dilemma in order to get Walter out of Retirement, only to learn that his intervention wasn’t needed or wanted. Both of these arcs allow the actors to shine as they deliver complex characterization and intense emotional scenes. Unfortunately, the characters of Operations and Madeline do not fare as well in this script, essentially being used as one-dimensional plot devices. However, the rest of the episode is strong enough to make up for this deficiency.
ReplyDeleteSpoilers follow...
Favourite Scenes:
The teaser: fantastic choice of soundtrack as the visuals cut between Michael and Nikita heading for their clandestine rendezvous. The heat generated between these two when they finally do meet up is enough to melt glaciers in Iceland!
The tag: a cruel reversal of the teaser, as Michael searches for any sign of the passionate woman he loves inside the empty shell left behind by the Gelman process. Sean Callery’s beautiful piano score is punctuated by echoing dissonance whenever Nikita no longer reacts as she normally would. Wilson’s face is mesmerizing as she portrays Nikita subconsciously mourning something she can no longer feel, and Dupuis matches this performance by allowing the audience to glimpse Michael’s utter devastation when Nikita declares that she no longer loves him. Kudos to both actors for such marvellous work!
What else can I say? You and Serena are right on the money as always. You said it all.
ReplyDeleteBut allow me to add that I felt equal parts furious and heartbroken for Michael and Nikita in this episode. Just as they get together, they're cruelly torn apart.
The acting by Roy Dupuis and Peta Wilson are first-rate.
It is again unanimous, my favorite scene is the teaser - where they prove yet again that their chemistry is explosive. I'm a wet puddle with their eyes alone ;)! I appreciate both your descriptions so much, they tickle me pink:
Billie:
"The opener ("You've got a strange effect on me") is my favorite romantic scene so far in the entire series. The way they communicated with their eyes was just incredibly sexy. At one point, Nikita looked like she was about to nibble on Michael's neck. I want to nibble on his neck, too, so I can understand the impulse."
Serena:
"The teaser: fantastic choice of soundtrack as the visuals cut between Michael and Nikita heading for their clandestine rendezvous. The heat generated between these two when they finally do meet up is enough to melt glaciers in Iceland!"
So what happens in retirement exactly?
ReplyDeleteUnknown, I think they often left things unexplained on this show because they liked leaving it up to our imaginations.
ReplyDeleteWas it a private island with unlimited mojitos? Or was Walter tricked, or drugged? I often feel a bit frustrated about questions we'll never get answered. But reading your comment I've realized it might be actually part of the magic.
DeleteThere are a few absolutely perfect scenes throughout this series. Usually teasers or tags. The opening mission scene in "Rescue" perfectly timed to the Enigma "Beyond Invisible", the opening sequence to "Hard Landing" featuring Michael with Depeche Mode's "Love Thieves", the scene with Nikita and Michael in her apartment towards the end of "End Game" and this ending tag scene with Dean Callery's scoring. Absolutely marvelous. This one in particular the writer, Peter Lenkov, said the actors went beyond what was written on the page. It has that magic that you get every once in awhile in theater and movies. Bravo.
ReplyDelete"If they had "adjusted" Michael instead of Nikita, she might have been powerless to change him. Michael is the power in that relationship, not Nikita. He won't accept it, period."
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. What you say reminds me the dialogue between Sala Vacek and Mischa about Michael:
Mischa: "He was interesting. There was something in his eyes."
Vacek: "What?"
Mischa: "Power." (3x2)
Madeline and Operations forgot about the determination and commitment that Michael always has with his work and lately with Nikita:
"We should stay together." (3x18)
"I just came by to tell you something. It's not over. We will be together." (3x18)
"We'll be together soon. I'll make it happen." (3x22)
"I won't let them do this." (3x22)
Initially I haven't planned to stick with the series for so long, so I didn't mind spoilers. I knew what was gonna happen, and I still found the scene with Madeline terrifying, Orwell-style. In reality similar process would probably include damage to some parts of the brain, slow or even impossible to reverse, and it makes it even scarier.
ReplyDeleteIt was obvious secret meetings will end soon, one way or another. They got overconfident, especially Michael. It made me think of how he lost Simone (she requested backup, he said no need). Fortunately, this time he can fix things instead of blaming himself for the rest of his life.
I agree with the review: if Section management had "adjusted" Michael, they might have achieved their goal for good. But Nikita seemed a "problematic" one and also more expendable when it comes to experimental technology.
The last scene was impressive. I wasn't sure at first what to think about Nikita's emotional response. Aren't her emotions completely erased? But the process is gradual, and probably more focused on empathy and ability to bond. As the top comment precisely described, she was "subconsciously mourning something she can no longer feel" :(
On a side note, Giles seemed such a nice guy, how did he even get to Section?
Also, Genefex manager's short attempt to flirt with Michael was hilarious, didn't see that coming! Too bad Michael killed that guy himself, right after breaking his heart :D