Although I didn’t love this hour, it contained some great character work for Michael which ultimately makes it a necessary step in the show’s mythology this year.
I’ve often harped on Shane West in the past but he was superb here, perfectly embodying Michael’s pain and torment after losing his hand. While I wasn’t pleased that the episode began three weeks after the accident, I was glad that they didn’t gloss over Michael’s suffering and we still got to experience his trauma. In addition, his relationship with Nikita has undoubtedly been affected and I’m looking forward to seeing it evolve going forward.
I wish I could praise the episode’s standalone plot, but the psycho cleaner wasn’t particularly compelling. I know that Melinda Clarke hasn’t signed on for the whole season but Amanda’s absence was definitely felt with this week’s disposable villain. After her imposing presence in the previous weeks, I do hope she returns soon because we can’t have our Big Bad disappear for episodes at a time.
One aspect I quite liked about this hour was Owen’s involvement as it kind of seems like the writers are hinting at the love triangle once again. They never really went there with Owen and Nikki but he was a bit too protective of her in this one, and it gave off a romantic vibe instead of a sibling one. Devon Sawa did some good work and I’m glad he’ll be more active in the proceedings in the future.
And can someone please tell me where Sean is? Seriously, it’s laughable that one of the core members of Team Nikita has been such a non-presence this year, particularly as Alex is going through such a difficult time. At least mention his whereabouts with a line or two because it’s getting quite frustrating.
Bits & Bullets
– Michael’s robot hand is admittedly cool.
– The heated conversation at the gun-range between Nikki and Michael was a good one. Less appreciated was Owen overhearing them, soap-opera style.
– Excellent Owen and Michael scene. Particularly with the latter jealously exclaiming “she’s with me” before getting punched in the stomach.
– Nikki-Alex bonding at the end was way too short. And what is Alex’s reason for medicating? They really seem to be setting it up as some sort of big revelation.
– The episode’s closing scene was undoubtedly effective, with Michael blaming Nikki, and banging the wall in a haunting moment as she cries outside.
Nikki Notables
Michael: Take a good look everyone. If you’re nice to me, I’ll even let you touch it. But no high-fives.
Liam: Owen? What are you doing here?
Owen: Cleaner class reunion.
Ryan: The day I met Nikita, Michael shot a rocket-propelled grenade at her so it’s not like I don’t expect some fireworks.
Owen: It’s not right, what happened to you. It sucks.
Michael: You always had a gift for poetry.
Michael: She’s with me. Stay out.
Owen: You get her a ring and what? You own her? You’re the only one that can care about her?
Birkhoff: I got eyes like Beyonce got thighs.
Conclusion
Great character work but an average plot made this one a so-so episode of Nikita.
Nad Rating
C+
This ep is purely a Nikki/Michael ep.
The Operation Liam is just a prop this time to
give us a update on how things are with these two.
Michael needs closure to what happened.
It would be interesting to see how the writers will
approach Michael's closure of this particular incident.
IMO, that closure will come once Michael's brain has
“accepted” his new hand, thus, giving him control over it.
Operation Liam gave him a bit of his confidence back
by doing what he do best: orchestrating an operation.
Work wise, he's on the mend; personally though,
he's still not over the lost of his hand.
It actually is a choice: Nikki or his hand.
I love Birkoff referring to the opening credit lines of
the original The Six Million Dollar Man TV series. 🙂
I'm just wondering about the mech hand.
There are shots that make it look like a bit bigger than
when a glove is on.
Especially on the first scene it was shown.
The trigger finger looks like it won't fit in a gun's
triggerguard.
But, yeah, it is a cool hand.
I'm with you, Nadim, regarding the sudden disappearance
of Sean.
I guess the writers are still trying to come up with a
scenario. 🙂
I agree with you on the thought; to at least drop a line
or two wherever he is.
What deep secret is Alex withholding?
I have a feeling that Nikki knows but is letting Alex
voice it out or accept it herself.
If the powers that be is not bringing back Amanda, might
as well develop a new Big Bad.
But Amanda has “roots” that will be quite difficult to
pull-out.
There are more than 20 former Division bad and evil
operatives they can develop, though.
Sean told Alex quite clearly that he wanted nothing more to do with Division and that she should get out of it too. He only came back that one episode because the others specifically called him for help. So I'd say he and Alex are on the outs and he probably knows nothing about the relapse.
The whole cleaner story was blah, but it was good background for the Michael-Nikita issues! What was missing was a scene of Amanda gloating! ;o)
It's just so weird how much of a non-presence Sean is this year apart from that appearance. And yes why the hell isn't Melinda Clarke signed on a regular? This is the year that needed her more than ever since Percy is gone. Weird. I miss her terribly already!
true Rosebud. I just want miss Clarke. She's beyond perfection!