Oh, this episode. More lovely Harry and Ruth moments! At long last - their old flirting back on the grid - short lived though it may be . . .
This is my Ruth (and for this ep - Harry) review. Further thoughts can be found on the SC Forum - along with some really great observations by the forums there - so this will just focus on Ruth (and Harry)
Ruth back on the grid - "You look all flustered." Well, Ruth that's really because you're back. You're back, you're back, you're back! It has nothing to do with the terrorists - Harry's just really excited to see you again now that you're done being angry and ready to move forward. So are we.
On a side note: Anyone else think it odd that Ruth's wearing basically the same clothes she was kidnapped in? Somehow, if I were ever kidnapped, held hostage, and watched someone shoot my husband, I'd never want to see those clothes again. Honestly, I would have burned them. But evidently Ruth doesn't feel the same way . . . Are they the same clothes? A little different perhaps? Watch out more clothing commentary later . . .
And then we have the now infamous muffin conversation:
"And on my first day back to. Harry, you shouldn't have."
"It was either that or a basket of muffins."
"No, you really shouldn't have."
They are so cute. Yes, I just typed that. They are. The way he says "muffins" is hilarious. And they're gently flirting throughout the whole scene. Both trying so hard to not make it hard to start all over again.
Then it's back to business! Yes!
"You come with me." Reflections of 2.10? I think it was? With Tom on the blink and the first scene ever of them on a bench . . .?
In to his office they go - with Ruth giving it a slight look as if she really can't believe she's there. And he's soooo nervous! And finally gets to give her her life back. Can you imagine? He's waited for this for a very long time - and the stupid Bendorf group is getting in the way . . .
"I hadn't intended for this to happen on your first day." Ruth, Harry remember this line later on . . .
And then he immediately confides in her - he'll always share things with her he won' t tell anyone else - not even Ros! You know, if Ruth was really smart, she'd have said, "You know Harry, this is what got me into trouble last time, I'm out of here." Now, I'm thankful she didn't (aren't we all!), but still - Harry - she just walked in the door! Arg. I love these two.
"Change can be good." Yeah, I just went to an embrace change workshop - its not its all cracked up to be . . . Harry agrees with me.
And Ruth realizing what Harry's just entrusted her with. Oh.
"I'm going to need you today, Ruth."
"I damn well hope so."
Oh, pumpkin - he's needed you every day for the last 2 and a half years! - not to mention he's severely reduced staff needs you too.
I really like Tariq! I do! I miss Malcolm (sob)! But its nice to see the new character being eased into the Grid. And man do we need some more new peeps . . .
I can't wait to see the Ruth and Tariq interaction! I think its going to be great - speaking of which - I'm also looking forward to some Lucas and Ruth interaction, which we completely missed in this ep with Lucas stuck off the Grid and Ruth stuck on it! Fingers crossed for next week.
And now - The Chair scene. Which is really a scene going into who the Bendorf group members are - which of course after 2 years out of the scene Ruth can recite immediately. Of course she can - she's Ruth! Ok, back to the IMPORTANT part of the scene - which would have escaped my attention if Jodie hadn't pointed it out. Harry gets Ruth a chair. He sees he hunched over the desk looking at the computer and gets her a chair. Aww. He's such a gentleman. And I'm willing to bet this wasn't in the script but NW and PF working their little moments of magic for us. Thanks guys! We love you!
Side note: Rudy Corn. Snort. Running short of names? Or is this an inside joke, oh mighty writers of Spooks?
I think one of the reasons I have a hard time really liking this episode (besides the eventual killing of Jo) is my lack of empathy for the hostages. I know I shouldn't like the terrorists, and I don't - but I don't like the hostages, so it's a little blah for me. And I read the synopsis for next week, so I knew Ros made it alive - so until they put Jo in jeopardy I really wasn't sweating.
Then we're back to Ruth giving us the info! Oh, I have missed this - she always has the answers. I think most viewers have missed this - she makes sense. Harry's missed it to -
"And Ruth?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"Good to have you back."
"It's good to be back."
Someone - pardon - can't remember who - pointed out it's the exact conversation in reverse they had at the end of 4.9. That deserves an Aww. And I love how he doesn't look at her, but ends with that soft smile.
And then the trial and vote. At first I didn't think they were going to show the guy getting whacked, but then I realized, silly DC this is Spooks! And they show the actual execution on the monitor on the Grid. Poor Ruth! "They're going to kill them all." She just watched her almost husband get shot in the head and she was just in a hostage situation and its her first day back! Some people have all the luck - she's not one of them. Harry please fix this.
Then Ruth and Harry tag-team Christine 2.0. Its awesome. She doesn't stand a chance - R/H are such a team. And for me - this is where the episode just kick in gear - and it's a down wards slide to the end.
And the two of them sitting and breaking down the situation - just the two of them - two great minds. Oh, man.
The little look they share when Harry tells Jo to go in the elevator. Poor Ruth looks so worried (she has reason to be).
And that last scene - with Ros shooting Jo - Not Ruth related but - OMG!! The look on Ros' face - wow. Way to go HN!
The horror on Harry's face when word reaches him - and the lack of words used once Ruth is in the room, the quiet shot of them inside the office but the camera outside the office. And NW just moves her head very discreetly.
Then back in the office the full effect of the news - still wordless. And all Harry can do is sit there in shock and she just has to get out. Its like she can't bear to cry in front of him, they haven't progressed to that point. And her sobs echoing across the grid with the close-up of Harry's face. God, I think they're trying to kill me. Followed by the final shot where they are literally separated by the wall.
Ok, remember I was going to talk again about wardrobe? Ruth in the blue outfit on the Grid main room bathed in blue light/ Harry in his red office - wearing a red tie! Brilliant! OMG! That is one of the most stunning shots I have ever seen. Seriously. Oh, my. So well thought out, I'm in love.
And then the cut to negative completely caught me off guard. I jumped (I also though Jodie was crying when it was Ruth at the end, it took me a second to figure it out.)
Wow. Can't wait for ep. 4, especially after that preview - one scene I think a lot of us have been waiting for, but will it end the way we hope?!?!
Very long winded - apologies.
