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2.11 Psychic Pilgrim Michael: "I thought it would be an opportunity for you to improve your field mechanics." Yes, we know that if Nikita and Michael got married and moved to the 'burbs, there would be no series. But still, there was something satisfying and delicious about this episode. Nikita and Michael have a relationship that is hidden and unacknowledged. This is the second episode in which they expressed their feelings for each other while undercover, pretending to be married... and interestingly enough, in front of an audience. (The other was the first season episode, "Love.") When Nikita told Michael that she loved him, and that she didn't expect his support but she did expect his love, we could tell that she wasn't acting. When Michael told Nikita the morning after that "it was a mistake," we knew he meant it literally as well. Nikita always protests when she is given an unreasonable order, but she didn't so much as blink when Madeline ordered her to have sex with Michael. I think that at this point, Nikita was just willing to take anything from Michael that she could get. What was interesting was that, despite the fact that he is exceptionally strong-willed and has said no to Nikita more than once, Michael didn't even attempt to resist her; he immediately succumbed. Saying no to her could possibly have endangered their cover, but I think Michael could have found a way around it if he had wanted to do so. What would have happened if Madeline had instructed Michael, not Nikita, of the "necessity" that they have "intimate relations"? Would Michael have followed through, or decided not to risk it? My favorite Michael moment was when he told Nikita that he chose her for the assignment so that she could improve her "field mechanics" and that they were convincing as two people in love; he gave her a look that meant something totally opposite from what was coming out of his mouth. In the closing scene, Michael confirmed (sorta) that he does indeed love Nikita ("What you need to hear, I can't tell you yet.") And that he must keep a part of himself hidden, that he has no choice. It is likely that at this point, the writers had already decided on a certain future plot line and that was where this statement came from. I'm going to drag myself away from Michael and Nikita now, because that wasn't the only good thing about this episode. We also had two other plotlines, both involving parents. Making Armel such a good father gave him more dimension than the usual villain, and I could feel his pain during all of the "psychic" scenes with Nikita. Nikita's final gift to Armel was touching, and I thought Joaquim de Almeida, who played Armel, did a wonderful job conveying such strong emotion while bound and gagged. Although we cannot know for sure because she was senile and because we were only seeing her through the lens of Madeline's perceptions, it appeared that Madeline's mother never forgave Madeline for Sarah's death -- accidental or not. Poor Madeline. Imagine growing up with that insane level of guilt. It explains a lot about her. Bits and pieces: -- Personally, I think it takes serious chutzpah to make love knowing that there are several people watching you. Especially when you work with some of them. Did Birkoff eavesdrop? I'd like to think that he tactfully left his station. -- Operations again made an exception for Madeline that he would make for no one else. -- Nikita appeared to be topless during that second bedroom scene. -- As Michael was "leaving for work," I could see one of the "twins" walking his dog. -- Roy Dupuis had a visible bruise on his thumb. Yeah, I know, I'm obsessed. -- Michael in normal business clothes: yum. In the final scene, Nikita wore white. (And dreads. White people shouldn't do dreads.) Plus, she and Michael both looked out of place in Section wearing their undercover clothes. Apply any appropriate symbolism to these observations that you like. -- Cancelled scene: An extended version of the opener, with Michael and Nikita as a couple talking after their dinner party guests have departed. Michael has had a little too much to drink. Very cute. In fact, this is one of my two favorite deleted scenes. (The other is in episode 5.7.) Quotes: Walter: "So. How's things in the suburbs?" Nikita: "Normal." Walter: "Yeah. We all remember normal." Madeline: "The average couple who have been married under five years have intimate relations at least twice a week. Also, I would suggest a small argument, perhaps about finances or in-laws." This scene was such a hoot. I loved it. Another lesson in Section terse. In the closing scene, Nikita asked Michael how he felt about what happened between them. Michael's response, at first, was one word: "Conflicted." Four stars, of course. This is one of my favorite episodes, Billie |
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