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5.8 A Time for Every Purpose Jones: "Always trust your father." This episode had a certain symmetry to it, a synchronicity bordering on predestination. His son, her father. It was satisfying to see Michael and Nikita working together and trusting each other under the most serious and emotional of circumstances. Early in the episode, Nikita chose Michael over her absentee, manipulative father. Not a surprise. Jones sacrificing himself was a surprise, though. He redeemed himself in the end. He gave his life, not so much for Adam or Michael, but for Nikita. That bridge scene was amazing. Michael really believed he was going to his death, and so did Nikita. Nikita kissed his hand, a gesture of adoration and respect, more moving than a kiss on the mouth. Nikita kept her sunglasses on, and we couldn't see her eyes. (I kept thinking, geez, Nikita and her eternal sunglasses.) She also kept them on during the train station scene, right up until the very end. When she finally removed them, she was crying. I thought this was so appropriate. We were finally seeing the real Nikita again. She was symbolically unmasked. There was a ton 'o symbolism in these last two episodes, in fact. They've used glass many times to illustrate the artificial separation between Michael and Nikita. In "Let No Man Put Asunder," which was chock full of rampant wedding symbolism, Michael and Nikita met at the altar of the church in front of towering stained glass windows. In the train station, they again stood in front of towering, arched windows. The last shot of the series was Nikita in the perch, once again behind glass and unobtainable. The bridge also symbolized the transition to a new life for Nikita, Michael, and Adam, and the end of life for Jones. Possibly not intentional, but the shape of the bridge resembled the perch, too. Yes, I would have preferred a happier ending, but it makes sense when you place it within the context of the entire series. Michael got his freedom, and the chance to raise his son in peace. Nikita got to remake Section in her own image, something that meant a great deal to her. That last look at Nikita, alone in the perch with a resigned look on her face, was so sad, but right somehow. And it won't be forever. Nikita would never give up Michael permanently. Someday, they'll be together. A time for every purpose. And I can live with that. Bits and pieces: -- I'm so glad they brought Matthew Ferguson back for the final episode. And it was great to see him save Walter's ass one last time, almost in memory of Birkoff. -- Loved the scene with Michael and Nikita, in black, walking together in the snow. Stark and beautiful. -- Why did the Collective kill Jones? Did they know he wouldn't permit capture? Or was it simply the final instance of loose-string-tying on the part of the writers? After all, if Jones had walked off with them, we'd always wonder. -- Kelly and Myra. Two women vying for control of Section, that eventually went to a third woman. Section must be an equal opportunity employer. -- The first line of this review is a recycled Buffy quote: "There is a certain dramatic irony that's attached to all this. A synchronicity that borders on predestination, one might say." If you're not a Buffy fan, this may be a good time to tell you that I use Buffyisms in my reviews all the time. Quotes: Jason: "You did her." Walter: "Worse than that. I didn't do her." Nikita: "Very clever. Did you think you'd found a way to kill Michael that I'd find acceptable?" Jones: "My dear girl, none of us have a choice. Least of all me." A little hint about what was coming. Michael: "He claims that Section exists to protect the innocent. Let him prove it." He did, didn't he? Nikita: "You'll know where I am." One final note. Four of the producers/writers of this series created the series 24. There were unsubstantiated rumors that they offered Roy Dupuis the lead, and he turned them down. It recently occurred to me (today, in fact) that they may have originally intended to spin off the Michael character. Wouldn't 24 have been a fascinating vehicle for Michael? Saying goodbye to reviewing this series is hard for me. But I guess it's that time. Four out of four stars, Billie View all comments or post a comment. |
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