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2.10 First Mission Operations: "This is not a scout troop, Nikita. There are no merit badges for fair play." Nikita got a promotion and a chance to prove herself "three years ahead of the usual curve." Of course, she did run a mission before in "Noise," but this time she was the big cheese, and wholly responsible for its success or failure. And she succeeded. She worked her butt off to get it right. This episode was full of delicious character interaction, with Operations and Michael both giving Nikita leadership training. (I kept thinking of one of those touchy-feely seminars, but with Section kill-or-die principles instead.) Michael again threw Nikita to the wolves, but at least he coached her this time, especially on how to be ruthless with her operatives. "The best thing that can happen to a team leader is to have a rebellious operative," he told her, and revealed that it was why he kept putting Nikita on his team when she was new. What makes Nikita a good leader, but Michael an exceptional one? Is it ruthlessness? Poor Vizcano. I thought at first that Michael had slept with her and discarded her, but it was nothing so overt; she was in training and he was just around acting god-like and infallible (being Michael, in other words). Vizcano suggested that Section wanted their operatives to fixate on someone, to imprint, like an animal. She was right. Just look at the way Michael manipulated Nikita in season one. Vizcano told Nikita that Michael needed a quest, and advised Nikita to stay just out of his reach. But she wass wrong. This is pretty much the opposite of what Nikita has done from the beginning. Nikita has never played games with Michael, has never hidden her feelings, and I think that's one of the reasons he has difficulty resisting her. Bits and pieces: -- There was a tidbit about Michael's early days in Section: Operations said that Michael was promoted early, and that "there aren't many like you." -- Operations was again arguing on the phone with "George," and suggested George "use the agency." As in Central Intelligence? -- Nikita and Vizcano replicated the Nikita/Michael scene in the pilot, where Vizcano thought Nikita was going to kill her, but instead, Nikita shot the guy behind her. And Nikita got a karmic reward, because Vizcano almost immediately saved Nikita's life in return. -- The revolting Peter Stark was greenlisted. Too bad. -- No Madeline again. Alberta Watson was not in this episode. -- Nikita wore black throughout, symbolizing that she was in sync with Section for a change. -- There was one instance of silly hair, when Nikita was working late and alone in Section. Quotes: Michael: "It's best to be ruthless. But if you're not, it's essential to appear that way." Nikita: "Is that your secret, Michael? You just appear to be ruthless?" He didn't answer her. Typical. Michael: "Tell them only what they need to know. Establish dominance." Nikita: "In other words, treat them like animals." Michael: "Animals with guns." Walter: "You get the fuel rods, all is forgiven." Nikita: "And if I don't get the fuel rods?" Walter: "All won't be forgiven." Walter: "Personally, being in love always made me want to live." Nikita: "Sometimes I don't know if you're incredibly wise, or just really full of crap." Walter: "Yeah, I have the same problem myself." At least three stars, and possibly four. This was a very interesting episode, Billie |
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