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2.22 End Game Operations: "I don't have to justify anything to you." Nikita: "Today you do. Section is on trial. Defend it." This episode was like graduation day for Nikita. She finally came into her own, and she wasn't afraid any more. The first time I watched this episode, I honestly did not see the end coming. Although perhaps I should have. Nikita was so cool and professional, showing tremendous sangfroid during her sojourns through unauthorized areas of Section. The fact that she was doing it for Operations explained her lack of nerves to some extent. But did she kick ass in that final scene, or what? All of them -- Operations, Madeline, and Adrian -- were forced to defer to Nikita. I think Peta Wilson did a marvelous job here; it was one of the best scenes in the series. Nikita deceived everybody, even Michael. Michael knew she was lying, but not why. Even though he was in the dark about what was happening, he did his level best to save her from making what he thought was a terrible mistake. And he was even silent and supportive in that big final scene. All of these things were a reversal of their previous roles, a sign that their relationship had changed. I had two favorite Michael moments. The first was when he handed her the gun and told her to run. ("Outside you have a very small chance. Back at Section, you have none.") The second was that final scene when she apologized for lying to him, and he said, with grief in his voice, "They'll cancel you", and kissed her cheek. Showing emotion like that, in Section, gave it weight. He really does care deeply for her. Adrian was a very likeable character. We wanted to believe her, while all the time hoping she was wrong. She was even able to forgive Nikita for betraying her, even though it meant her own death. The whole Gemstone file with the future scenarios concerning Saddam Hussein and his role in keeping the Middle East stabilized was just eerie, considering what has happened since this episode aired. I just hope that the rest of Operations' simulation wasn't on target. And now, Operations and Madeline want Nikita dead, but they won't cancel her for fear of fomenting rebellion among the other operatives. They plan to increase her mission frequency, and hope for the best. Looks like Nikita will be in even more danger than usual next season. Like that's possible. Bits and pieces: -- Operations now has a full name: Paul Wolfe. Sort of fits, if you consider the meaning of the word "pall." And for that matter, the word "wolf." -- When Nikita was doing her clandestine surveillance in forbidden areas of section and trying to get into Michael's personnel file, the monitors were labeled, "Plague Scenarios" and "Invasion of Canada." :) -- Michael said that Nikita was a level two operative. Has that been explicitly stated before? I don't think so. -- The security on level five operatives appeared to be high, since no one would give Nikita Michael's home address. -- We can add flower arranging to the growing list of What Nikita Does At Home. -- Cancelled scene: If you're a new viewer and haven't seen it yet, do not watch this cancelled scene! Trust me on this one. I'll mention what it is in my review of the season three opener, "Looking for Michael." Quotes: Nikita: "What's up with Ames?" Birkoff: "I don't know. He's with Madeline, though. My guess is he's not having fun." Nikita: "The Section sent you." Michael: "Yes, they did. But they don't control me." Definitely four stars, Billie |
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