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| 310 - Slipping Into Darkness |
| Writer/Director |
Peter M Lenkov / Rick Jacobson |
| Michael's POV Onscreen:
23 minutes |
Apparently in cahoots with some
baddies, Michael poisons Operations causing him to become paranoiac and to pursue
irrationally a long-dead terrorist, Gustav Pogue. After Nikita disobeys orders on a
mission, Operations orders her to the White Room from where she escapes, but is recaptured
– by Michael himself. Michael finally seizes command of Section, locking up
Operations and Madeline, and reveals to Nikita that he has been working for Philo, a
high-level Red Cell contact, who will help him remain in control. However, it is all an
elaborate plot to flush out Philo. The mission succeeds (don’t they all!), Operations
recovers and takes back control, and we hear him say to Madeline that even Michael
doesn’t yet know the extent of his own ambition. |
| Michael Moments |
Conspiratorially obtaining the
poison (that all-purpose green liquid again!)
The wrist grab of Nikita as she attempts to escape from the White Room
Taking two face slaps off Operations, but not a third
The super-indulgent slo-mo walk while his potential as Operations’ successor is
discussed
OK, a cheat, it’s a Carlo Moment but it does refer to Michael! Carlo trying to borrow
condoms from Nikita and the immortal line "I’m sure you and Michael practise
safe sex." |
| Words of Wisdom |
"Intel was bad, resistance was
non-aggressive."
"Let’s just go
through this mission. I’ve seen Operations like this before and it turned out he was
right. And if he’s not …..I’ll help you."
"There will be no
more phantom missions, no more cancellations."
"You’re not well,
sir."
"I’m relieving
you of your duties and assuming command of the Section."
"If anyone here
disagrees with what I’ve done today, feel free to come and see me."
"I want them to approve
your transition to my … second-in-command." |
Performance Rating
 |
After several episodes
with relatively little Michael action, we now get our money’s worth! Roy gives us the
whole enchilada: Mission Mikey, Manipulative Mikey, Machiavellian Mikey, Mutinying Mikey,
briefly Main Man Mikey, but ultimately as ever, Perfect Operative Mikey. Whether he’s
whispering conspiratorially in a corner, glancing watchfully up at Operations in his
perch, authoritatively taking over the firm, or confessing his treachery with just a hint
of remorse, this is one of his most masterful all-round performances. Michael’s relationship with Operations always provides good
entertainment – he’s respectful without being subservient, and there’s an
obvious mutual regard even although sometimes they find themselves in disagreement. Gene
and Roy play so well off each other, and in the latter half of Season 3 there are several
more opportunities to enjoy the interaction between their characters, (particularly I Remember Paris, and All Good Things),
before the writers finally assassinate this relationship. |
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