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2.13 Not Was Michael: "I must be a real jerk." Nikita: "Actually, I'm very fond of you." Yes, amnesia plots can be fun. This one certainly was, because we probably got a glimpse of the man Michael could have been if he hadn't ended up in prison, and in Section. Michael, who looked younger and more innocent here, was such a sweetheart, so charming, and so open about expressing his feelings for Nikita. We saw every emotion flit across his face, from affection to confusion to panic to despair. Nikita stayed calm and professional, but note that she was also finally free to care for Michael and express her affection for him; she touched his hair repeatedly, caressed his face, and even kissed his hand. Did she wish he could be like this forever? Or does she prefer the real Michael, just as he is? There were so many fun scenes that it was hard to choose just one, but my favorite Michael moment was the scene in bed in Nikita's apartment, when Michael asked Nikita about his friends and family, and referred to his former self as a real jerk. I also loved the scene in Michael's office, when he was in a panic about what to do. And then there was the nightclub opening scene, where Nikita walked up to Michael and took hold of his lapels, and he took her hand and slowly dragged it down his body to his... gun. Understated sexy. Or would that be overstated? This week's Most Obvious Symbolism was when Nikita rescued Michael, he was half-naked and she put her own jacket on him, literally covering his body as well as covering for him in Section. And Michael's hair was loose, symbolizing that his real self was finally unrestrained. In other news, we learned something new about Madeline: she showed a surprising weakness for good-looking young men, and Operations didn't like it one little bit. Madeline was clearly aware throughout of what Operations was doing, and didn't rise to the bait. Lucky Russell got to live awhile longer only because Operations allowed business concerns to trump his jealousy. I believe this was the first reference to the term "valentine op," something we know Michael does particularly well. Bits and pieces: -- Michael now has a last name (Samuelle), a birthplace (Marseilles), and a date of birth (1965, which would make him 33 years old). Why Michael and not Michel? And since he had amnesia, why wasn't he speaking French at least some of the time? -- Amnesiac Michael said that he had strange dreams. In "War," Michael's file said that he was prone to nightmares. -- Michael is a "class five operative"? What's that? -- Michael's cover name in the "library" mission sequence was "Mr. Bonniere." This must have been a nod to Rene Bonniere, who directed this episode as well as many others. -- In the same scene, we saw the "twins" exchanging a newspaper and something else that I couldn't quite see, as if they were passing the surveillance baton. -- This time, Nikita was the one to turn on the jamming device in Michael's office. -- Nikita again turned to Walter for help, and trusted him with Michael's life. -- Michael was shot again. How many times does that make? -- Christopher the Section chef (that's chef, not chief) was mentioned again. -- This week's villain, Orlando Perez, was both ordinary-looking and utterly revolting. What was he doing with the three shaved, naked people? On second thought, I don't want to know. -- Loved Nikita's exotic chauffeur uniform. In the "library" mission scene, Michael wore a green shirt and a particularly ugly tie, with a pair of particularly ugly glasses. And he was wearing white at the end, like he did in "War." Maybe that's standard Section hospital garb. -- Cancelled scenes: (1) In the van before Nikita takes Michael into Section; she briefs Michael on how to act. "Just stay vague. Be terse." (2) A conversation between Madeline and Walter, who are trying to figure out what Perez was doing with the three shaved, naked, and now dead prisoners. Quotes: Nikita: "Please don't." Michael: "Why not?" Nikita: "Because this is not who you are." I dunno... I think I would have gone for it, Nikita. Operations: "Let them remain convinced that they fooled us." Why, I wonder? Because it wouldn't have accomplished anything? Or to keep the upper hand? Nikita: "These people are trying to kill you." Michael: "Why?" Nikita: "Because you're their enemy. You're an anti-terrorist operative." Michael (giggles): "No, I'm not." Michael: "Did we ever dance?" Nikita: "Only under orders." C'mon, Nikita. More than that. What about "Escape" and "Mercy?" I loved this one. Four stars, Billie |
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