[steiny]

Karen K, on 09 August 2010 - 05:11 AM, said:

Can you ever talk about Michael too much?

Uuuuhhh...that would be a "NO"! :D

[Karen K]

Ladies, now on to Escape......

First let us return to Chris' book, Inside Section One. In Chris' profile of Escape he states "Escape is remembered by long-time viewers for one reason and one reason only - the "hand dance." Michael's attempt to seduce Nikita in the middle of this episode proves that TV characters don't need to remove their clothes in order to create a scene with highly-charged erotic power." He goes on to say "Roy Dupuis came up with the idea to stage the scene this way, but credit must also be given to director George Bloomfield, who took to Dupuis' suggestion immediately, and was daring enough to implement such a risky proposition. Developed on the set and shot on the fly, the sequence was comprised of almost nothing but extreme close-ups, and the entire concept could have easily fallen apart if the chemistry between the two leads wasn't strong enough to hold it all together."

With that, let us now go to Chris' interview with Roy where Chris specifically asks Roy about the "hand dance." Chris' first question was whether Roy had come up with the idea in which Roy stated he did. Roy stated "the moment" inspired him. Chris then asked "So that happened spontaneously on set?" Roy answered "Yeah. I probably had a flash of it before (shooting) because it was the first kind of love scene that was touched [upon] between them. It had to be something different than what we normally see or [what takes place between] normal people. That's it. [laughs] I was always trying to find a way to make it special. 'What it would be like between Nikita and Michael?' It was the way Michael would approach it mostly, because [Nikita] was leaving at that time."

Chris then asked if Roy just went to the director with the idea in which Roy responded "Usually when you have those very intimate moments and stuff like that, you get alone with the director on the set and then you explore the space. And there's where it came [from]. Just this music...let's dance, and let's just..." I can just hear Roy saying that!

Chris asked "Would you say that that scene is one of those magic monents?" Roy replied "I guess it was. [But] it needed to be well directed, also. For [the audience] to understand and see the importance of all this, because it wasn't much. You know, it's just hands. George [Bloomfield] understood it right away, and dove into it. Peta [Wilson], also. So, it was actually teamwork."

Now after this let's go to Chris' interview with Peta Wilson and see what she said about the "hand dance." Chris says "Speaking of 'magic,' one of the most talked-about scenes in the entire series was the 'hand dance' in "Escape." What are your memories of performing that scene with Roy?" Peta responded "I thought that was ridiculous when we were making it." Chris responded "Really?" Peta continued "I thought it was so ridiculous, and Roy knew it. He liked it; it was his idea. But [the viewers] loved it. It worked. It was different." You gotta wonder if that is why she was sitting on the chair like she was......I always thought that was strange. I give her kudos for at least going with it no matter what she thought.

I finished watching Escape this morning so I will be pulling my thoughts together. Hope to have questions up later today. Let me end here with what was posted by Viv on the Michael Files..........this episode was given 5 golden bullets with this explanation

Quote

Does this need an explanation?! If it does, you’are either watching the wrong programme or you’are dead.

:agreement:

This post has been edited by Karen K: 15 August 2010 - 06:45 PM

[dela69]

Hi Karen k,

I can't wait to hear your thoughts and views on this episode. and think you for all that wonderful information on the Simone episode.

Although i did post my favorites along with everyone else, I've yet to come up with a question, my mine
is a blank!!!

With everyone asking questions about their favorite episode, i am not disappointed because i still find the information fascinating away if i don;t ask a single question !!!

I am just enjoying hearing everyone's else question along with the info that you give... great job :clap: :salute:

[steiny]

Karen K, on 15 August 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:

Let me end here with what was posted by Viv on the Michael Files..........this episode was given 5 golden bullets with this explanation :agreement:

:lol: No one puts things quite as succinctly or as accurately as Miss Viv, do they?! B)

Can hardly wait for the discussion to begin!

This post has been edited by steiny: 16 August 2010 - 12:16 AM

[Karen K]

Well, as promised, here are some questions to ponder about Escape........

1. Why would Nikita put her trust in Eric knowing how Section works?

2. Did Madeline and Operations also know about Eric's plan?

3. Was Michael acting on Section's behalf or his own when trying to keep Nikita from going with Eric?

4. Why did Nikita decide not to go with Eric?

5. After Michael admits his actions were to keep Nikita alive, and Nikita responds "Why bother?", how did you read
Michael's reaction?

I look forward to hearing what you think! :D

This post has been edited by Karen K: 16 August 2010 - 02:55 AM

[SealsLady]

Ok....guess I'll take a whack at this....


1. Why would Nikita put her trust in Eric knowing how Section works?
I think, because she needed to have hope that there MIGHT be a way out.

2. Did Madeline & Operations also know about Eric's plan?
I would say yes....Madeline stopping to talk to Nikita about Michael (even though that was an add on scene to fill time) and the reaction by all of them when she dumps out the cameras at the end.

Now....another question might be....was it ALL a set up? Could Eric have been a 'plant' whose job was to TRY and get Nikita to leave - while Michael could give her insentive to stay. As twisted as Section tended to be - it's possible. The first mission at the stadium...it was awfully convenient how everyone BUT Nikita and Erik were somewhere else supposedly 'spread out' yet they all arrived back at the same time and Michael's comment about "We'll have to start all over"...a bit out of character. Also when she comes down in the elevator after the second mission...there was NO ONE else there to stand lookout? Just a thought - a little something to mess with the head.

3. Was Michael acting on Sections behalf or his own when trying to keep Nikita from going with Eric.
Both I think....though not necessarily under orders. Nikita WAS a good operative and she worked well with Michael...they made a good team. He couldn't TELL her they knew...it had to be her choice........but he would have wanted her to stay.

4. Why did Nikita not go with Eric?
This one is tougher.......the obvious would be because of Michael but......I'm not sure that was all of it. She had good instincts and it may just have felt 'off' to her - she didn't trust it. Also, she had just come off a successful op...a good feeling. They made a positive difference there. Section DOES do some good...it isn't ALL bad. Combination of all the above maybe.

5. After Michael admits his actions were to keep Nikita alive, and Nikita responds "Why bother?" - how did you read Michael's reaction?
"If you can't figure that out I'm not going to bother telling you." That was what went through my head the first time I saw it, still does. There was a LOT packed in the look he gave her..........a bit of suprise that she didn't understand, that she was a good operative, he cared and wanted to keep her around. But aside from thinking she SHOULD have known (from his perspective) none of it was stuff he COULD tell her.

Ok....there are my thoughts..........hope we here some othes soon!

This post has been edited by SealsLady: 22 August 2010 - 06:29 AM

[Enjbee]

Karen K, on 15 August 2010 - 09:54 PM, said:

Well, as promised, here are some questions to ponder about Escape........

1. Why would Nikita put her trust in Eric knowing how Section works?

I think she was surprised to find out that she was being watched at home, a further indignation to Section's control over her life. Eric showed her the proof that she was being monitored and also seeded doubt in her mind about Michael's true disinterest (because he claims he'd been watching him too). And I think that was why she initially trusted him. It didn't take much more after that to talk her into the rest of the plan given her ardent wish to get out.

2. Did Madeline and Operations also know about Eric's plan?

It's possible since they claim to know everything!! :rolleyes: And presumably they had been watching him as well. LOL

3. Was Michael acting on Section's behalf or his own when trying to keep Nikita from going with Eric?

Ha! This actually sounds like a trick question! We had to assume most of what Michael does is on behalf of the Section at least up to this point in the show. He certainly kept me guessing. But I think it may have been more to his benefit because he certainly did care for her and didn't want her killed.

4. Why did Nikita decide not to go with Eric?

After the famous hand dance, I think Michael got to her emotionally. And during the last scene as she looks back at Michael, the hopeless romantic took over and thus, her heart took over her head. And staying with the familiar was worth the risk than going with Eric, someone she frankly didn't know at all and with no plan beyond the actual escape.

5. After Michael admits his actions were to keep Nikita alive, and Nikita responds "Why bother?", how did you read
Michael's reaction?

Alright, the hopeless romantic in me saw "what, seriously? You can't see that I care about you?" But it probably only meant, I just told you, to save your life are you deaf? :lol:

I look forward to hearing what you think! :D

[Karen K]

Quote

But it probably only meant, I just told you, to save your life are you deaf?

Enjbee, you had be laughing with that! :lol:

Quote

Now....another question might be....was it ALL a set up? Could Eric have been a 'plant' whose job was to TRY and get Nikita to leave - while Michael could give her insentive to stay. As twisted as Section tended to be - it's possible. The first mission at the stadium...it was awfully convenient how everyone BUT Nikita and Erik were somewhere else supposedly 'spread out' yet they all arrived back at the same time and Michael's comment about "We'll have to start all over"...a bit out of character. Also when she comes down in the elevator after the second mission...there was NO ONE else there to stand lookout? Just a thought - a little something to mess with the head.

SL, good points. Also, all of a sudden Eric is on two missions with her when she has never seen him before? Wouldn't that bring question marks in her head? Of course this was never explained as alot was not. To me, it certainly adds doubt to Eric. And how would Nikita really know if Eric actually tried to escape? Michael would have told her what ever story he had to (I think the "To keep you alive" was from him personally). Eric obviously could have been reassigned elsewhere.

Just a thought for now.

[Nik4sure]

Here's my take on the questions!!

1. Why would Nikita put her trust in Eric knowing how Section works?
She didn't trust Eric or Section; after monitoring Nikita's apartment, Eric knew he had found someone
that wanted out of Section as much as he did, thats when he confronted Nikita and told her about the
camera's in her apartment and his plan to get them out of Section. Eric knew of her feelings for
Michael and was not if necessary oppose to using Michael's secret to get Nikita to come with him.

2. Did Madeline and Operations also know about Eric's plan?
Of course they did, Eric had a lot of surveillance tapes on the Section. OP, Maddy, and Michael knew
it. They didn't want to kill him before they founded out where Eric had them and who was involved.
They watch him and when he approached Nikita they saw there chance, thats when Michael was sent in
to find out how involved Nikita was and do whatever was necessary to get the tapes from Eric.

3. Was Michael acting on Section's behalf or his own when trying to keep Nikita from going with Eric?
Yes and No. When Michael found out Nikita was planning to leave with Eric he went into valentine
mode, hoping her feeling for him would out weigh her desire to leave the Section. IMO, he
should have told her the true instead of manipulating her feeling for him the way he did.

4. Why did Nikita decide not to go with Eric?
Nikita had a six sense about Eric, she know something wasn't right. I think after the incident in her
apartment and the mission, she knew she would stay in Section rather than put Michael in a position
of having to come after her on the outside.

5. After Michael admits his actions were to keep Nikita alive, and Nikita responds "Why bother", how
did you read Micheal's reaction?
Stuned! In his mind he though she would be thankful!! She on the other had saw the whole thing
thing as a setup by the Section. If she had taken the time then to think about, which she
probably did later, she would have realize Michael did what he did because he loveed her.

[SealsLady]

Hey Ladies!!!!! Let's not forget about this topic!!!! It's really fascinating hearing the different viewpoints about our favorite episodes!

[Karen K]

Thanks, SL. Unfortunately I had some other issues to deal with recently and I never got back to post my thoughts. I will get over there this weekend and add some more. I hope to see some other comments too! :agreement:

[Karen K]

Well, finally, I get to this. Right now I have a topical storm coming close by but not expecting much except for some wind and rain. This season has been crazy so far!

1. Why would Nikita put her trust in Eric knowing how Section works?

I think Nikita was very leary of Eric and that is why she went to Walter to see what he had to say. I've often thought she would have disregarded Eric totally if not for the incident in the home they invaded where the mother was killed in front of her children. She could not accept this happening. Also, I think she was disgusted when Eric showed her that Section observed their operatives. What I find interesting is that Eric is supposedly in love with her, she doesn't know who he is so obviously he has not been on missions with her and then all of a sudden there he is on the missions........design of Section? There just seems so many signs of something just not being right.

2. Did Madeline and Operations also know about Eric's plan?

Was this a mission they assigned to him? Could he get her to leave with him? Even it not, yes, I think they knew and made sure he didn't know about the secondary directory....apparently a secret until Michael told Nikita! I also think this was a test for Nikita that Michael was well aware of.


3. Was Michael acting on Section's behalf or his own when trying to keep Nikita from going with Eric?

IMO Michael was at Nikita's apartment to manipulate her. Just watching that whole scene (many, many times.... :woohoo:) Michael knows exactly what he trying to get from Nikita. When they are kissing he keeps his eyes open (slightly)and he is watching Nikita. When his phone rings, he closes his eyes very quickly as Nikita opens hers and then he opens his eyes and then gives a body "sigh" as be walks away to answer his phone. I think he was probably acting on his own. He definitely needed to confuse her about leaving with Eric.


4. Why did Nikita decide not to go with Eric?

I do think her feelings for Michael entered into her decision but I think it mainly had to do with her remembering that Section actually does do good when she saw Michael helping the soldier walk away.

5. After Michael admits his actions were to keep Nikita alive, and Nikita responds "Why bother?", how did you read Michael's reaction?

Was it a fight within himself? He wanted to tell her how he felt but yet he knew he could not. What could he say? He closed up and walked away.....the total Michael response. Why would Nikita figure things out? She realized she had been played.....again. One of the best Nikita lines in this whole episode was when she is crying and says "Welcome back Michael" as he is walking away.

Well, those are my thoughts........... :salute: