"Three hundred and forty two dead in nine days in Paris alone!"
This was the first missing episode of the serial so Ang and I were back to listening to this one.
The Doctor and Lamaitre have their meeting with Robespierre. The Doctor somehow manages to keep the conversation about the situation in Paris, deflecting attention from the fact that he isn't a high ranking official from provinces that he has never laid eyes on.
Robespierre is impressed by the Doctor and decides to have him return tomorrow and discuss the situation in the Doctor's province.
Meanwhile, at Jules' home, Susan is getting progressively sicker. Leon goes to make arrangements to find a physician that they can trust.
Jules and Jean return after Leon leaves carrying the unconscious body of Ian with them. Ian was following Webster's instructions about finding James Sterling and was asking about Jules at a local tavern. Ian is surprised to find out that Jules has no clue who Sterling is or how to reach him.
Ian and Barbara reunite. I can't say that this moment is evidence of Barbian, but there is something in their voices when they see each other for the first time since their individual escapes. Of course they are good friends who didn't know if the other was still living so it could be that.
Back at the prison Lamaitre insists that the Doctor spend the evening. The Doctor makes an attempt to leave after Lamaitre goes off to deal with business, but the warden insists on following orders and his gun makes a most persuasive argument.
The tailor tells his tale to Lamaitre. Lamaitre pays off the tailor and collects the Doctor's clothes and ring to keep as evidence.
The next morning the Doctor tries to walk out past the drunken warden only to be stopped by Lamaitre. Lamaitre promises the Doctor an interesting day and breakfast. His manner in no way suggests that he is aware of the Doctor's deception.
Back at Jules' home word comes through that the physician will not come to them so it's decided that Susan will have to go to the physician.
Leon has also arranged to meet Ian in an abandoned church to discuss the Sterling situation.
Leon sells them both out.
The physician turns Susan and Barbara over to the army. They are dragged back to prison where Barbara is turned over to the Doctor for interrogation. This turns out to be another one of Lamaitre tricks. He's secretly eavesdropping on the pair.
Ian is taken by soldiers when he goes to meet Leon.
This isn't the last time that Spooner will split up the TARDIS crew only to tease a reunion. His plots are intricate dances of coincidence and the characters doing what needs to be done.
I find the character of Lamaitre fascinating. Aside from the fact that he's brought to life by a fine actor. As much as I like Lucarotti's characters (especially the villains) they wear their motivations on their sleeves. At least as far as the audience is concerned. Marco Polo may not realize that Tegana is a backstabber until after it's too late, but the viewer realizes that he's an assfaced weasel right from the start.
Spooner is willing to let Lamaitre's true nature remain hidden from everyone. But he still plays fair. He gives you the clues to figure it out for yourself. Not just with Lemaitre. Angela guessed that Leon was the spy in Jules' organization last episode.
 | |
| A very dapper Ian talks things over with Jules. |
Next up: A Bargain of Necessity
No comments:
Post a Comment