The Michael Files - 318 All Good Things

318 - All Good Things Note : This has a higher production number than Third Party Ripoff, but it makes no sense to discuss these two in production number order. Roy would have been aware of the content of both scripts while filming each of them.
Writer/Director	Ed Horowitz / Terry Ingram
Michael's POV Onscreen: 30 minutes	OK, so let’s get back to the plot where we left it at I Remember Paris. Michael was gazing purposefully at Nikita, and now we open in a post-coital haze. ‘Together’ at last. So far, so un-LFN. Operations officially hands over control of Section to Michael while he is away at Centre, asking only that Michael not pursue the Bergomi mission, Oversight’s pet project. Michael appoints Nikita as his second-in-command, keeping her protected from danger in the field. At an Oversight meeting Michael creates an impression by out-manoeuvring other Section heads, and gets to hear George’s side of the Bergomi story. Having tested the waters of power by parrying threats with Madeline (his new love-life for their treatment of Adrian) he now blatantly contravenes Operation’s orders by instructing Nikita, the only person he feels he can trust, to go full out for Bergomi. The mission is a success despite the enormous risks involved. Seeing how ruthless he can be, Nikita believes she is seeing a new Michael, corrupted by power. Operations returns to Section mightily displeased with Michael’s recklessness and disloyalty, but Michael calmly threatens him before handing back command. In the end, however, he is forced to consider how his actions have affected his relationship with this woman who still doesn’t appear to understand him.
Michael Moments	The early morning scene in Nikita’s bedroom, particularly the way Michael runs his left hand over her right ear before kissing her (obsessed – moi?!) The glance up at the perch as Operations leaves Section, with Michael now in command Blacking out the perch window so he can snog Nikita right in the middle of Section! Telling Madeline to go back to work – is the man insane? All the times he juggles his personal feelings for Nikita with his determination for the Bergomi mission to succeed The final confrontation with Operations, calm but defiant Michael
Words of Wisdom	"I have command." "You do as you’re told and keep your opinions to yourself." "We create a layered matrix, central source, single access, data shared through a pre-determined grid." "Don’t fail me Nikita, you’re the only person in the world I trust." "This is Section, missions are carried out, people die, and sometimes the reasons are not always clear." "I’m who I’ve always been."
Performance Rating	I remember watching this episode for the first time, and as the title music kicked in I realised that, from the first shot of Michael’s arm sticking over the side of Nikita’s bed, I had forgotten to breathe. Granted, David Perrault (photography) and Blaine Johnson (music) were pitching in too, but Roy is indeed a Master of the Sensual Moment in a literally breathtaking way. Great writing, great lighting give Roy the necessary back-up to show off his flair as an actor, and this turned out to be one of his best performances ever. Although, apart from the opening few moments in bed, his screen time is all spent in conversation within Section, the diversity of emotions portrayed makes for riveting viewing. The now perfectly honed Michael minimalism is an ideal canvas on which to paint all these exciting new feelings in the subtlest of hues – toying with Section loyalties, the buzz of supreme command, showcasing his strategic savvy amongst the big league, and, in particular, building the ‘commitment factor’ into his interactions with Nikita. Even when she is being impossible, he has a noticeably softer tone with her, as if the consummation really meant something to him. Just feel the gripping in his stomach when he realises that he’s responsible for her being at the heart of the most dangerous part of the mission! As well as Michael Moments, there are also many fleeting Michael seconds to enjoy – the apologetic look on his face while waiting for Nikita to return with the hard drive, the slight surprised hesitation when he realises Operations is back in the perch, the hint of disappointment as he removes the tag to give back to Operations. All Good Things is equal to any of the best of the Season 1 episodes, but it probably needed a Season 3 Roy to make it work quite so perfectly.