I've been watching (for the third time since the beginning of July) each
episode critically, copying relevant bits of dialog, and noting
interesting things - such as, how often is Neil twitted about his very
own Special Relationship with Wellingham, and when does he threaten to
quit vs the times his masters claim to be saving his job. I'm struck with
how richly textured the episodes are. If I had only watched the series as
it was broadcast, and not had the luxury of rewatching, I know I'd miss a
lot of the humor and interaction setups that I really enjoy. Apparently
it wasn't very popular when it was originally broadcast. Yet I find it to
be one of the better series I've ever watched (and rewatched).
So on to questions and thoughts: in the first episode, Neil makes a big
case for adequate planning and research to mount effective ops. He
fights with Peele, C and Wellingham several times about this. He must
have, in his 7 years as a Sandbagger, benefited from this planning - and
learned hard lessons when it was not done. So who are the mission
planners? Ex-Sandbaggers? Willie mentions that as a possibility, I
believe, one of the times he threatens to quit. What happens to
ex-D-OPS? Not all of them, obviously, get to Deputy Chief.
Heads-of-station seem to not appreciate Sandbaggers (I can just see Neil as
Head in, say, Warsaw, arguing bitterly with Sandbagger 1 [Willie] about a
mission.)
Karen asked:
> In the episode a Feasible Solution, why did Neil react
> so abruptly with Willie when Willie returned from Cyprus? Was
> Neil really angry that Willie wasted an opportunity in giving
> Jill false information (I don't know the correct term when you
> give an known plant false information).
First off, putting Jill in the station wouldn't have worked for several
reasons, among them: both Neil and Willie know her real origins (her
cover is blown) so her masters would not be able to believe anything she
collected, also the real Jill must eventually be found (dead or alive) and
the substitution recognized by someone else. I don't think Neil was
serious with this recommendation. But I think he was very worried about
Willie; by shaking Willie a bit, he may be trying to make him realize how
close Willie came to losing the special edge an Sandbagger has to have.
Trusting your best enemy is not long term servival tactics.
Of course, on the other hand I often think that the most common phrase in
Neil's inner dialog is 'I have morons on my team', when not a string of
hearty unprintable explitives.
Nicole
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Blessed are those of us who can laugh at ourselves, for we shall never
cease to be amused.