Round Table - Speaking In Russian
leethet has a conversation going on HERE regarding the backgrounds of the agents of the U.N.C.L.E. That made me wonder about how the characters were developed, or the lack of development, in the series itself.
In the first season of MFU, we have a fairly good impression that Kuryakin is indeed Russian. He has that accent, the sort of stilted mannerisms that can be interpreted as having come from a more stringent environment. It contradicts, however, what we later learn of him as someone who has attented two of the world's best known, highly regarded universities; Cambridge and the Sorbonne. I am not aware if any of that was in the original character profile of Illya Kuryakin, and the lack of continuity in the series leads us on a rabbit trail of clues as to who the man is. Napoleon Solo is nearly as mysterious, although we know he fought in Korea and had a love affair with Clara.
In the Neptune Affair we have these two images of Illya in a Soviet military uniform. The Soviet Navy is referred to, as well as time spent on a submarine. It took fanfiction to flesh out these histories, however, because that is never again mentioned in the series.
The last photo of Napoleon reading a Russian newspaper is an oddity, as though the writers needed to underscore that element once again. By the second season, Kuryakin is barely Russian, the accent morphing into a strictly British one. We can explain that as being more useful in international affairs, a slightly less intimidating sound to most of the world. But why is Napoleon reading a Russian newspaper on a flight to Switzerland? Does he actually read Russian? I suppose he might, there are a few instances where he seems to have a grasp of the language, but like Kuryakin, we don't hear it except in the occasional (or is it only once), use of the word tovarisch.
The topic is of some interest to the writers, hopefully readers as well. We utilize Illya's nationality quite a lot, and there are a few really good stories out there where he returns, usually at great personal risk, to his homeland.
The Homeland Affair by ajsqdaway is one I read early on in my MFU fanfiction obsession. If you haven't read this one, take the time to travel with our heroic Russian agent.
I know many of you have written stories located in the Soviet Union, some as backstories to Kuryakin's life and others set in the series timeframe. Perhaps links can be shared in the comments, both for your own and others you would like to recommend to all of us.
The concept of a Soviet agent working with an American agent was the backdrop for the series, something that faded into the background during the last three seasons. Thankfully, writers of fanfiction have not let it rest, so that it remains a focal point to the stories we have in the huge archive of stories written for the Man from UNCLE.
I'd still like to know what you think about Napoleon and that newspaper. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In the first season of MFU, we have a fairly good impression that Kuryakin is indeed Russian. He has that accent, the sort of stilted mannerisms that can be interpreted as having come from a more stringent environment. It contradicts, however, what we later learn of him as someone who has attented two of the world's best known, highly regarded universities; Cambridge and the Sorbonne. I am not aware if any of that was in the original character profile of Illya Kuryakin, and the lack of continuity in the series leads us on a rabbit trail of clues as to who the man is. Napoleon Solo is nearly as mysterious, although we know he fought in Korea and had a love affair with Clara.
In the Neptune Affair we have these two images of Illya in a Soviet military uniform. The Soviet Navy is referred to, as well as time spent on a submarine. It took fanfiction to flesh out these histories, however, because that is never again mentioned in the series.
The last photo of Napoleon reading a Russian newspaper is an oddity, as though the writers needed to underscore that element once again. By the second season, Kuryakin is barely Russian, the accent morphing into a strictly British one. We can explain that as being more useful in international affairs, a slightly less intimidating sound to most of the world. But why is Napoleon reading a Russian newspaper on a flight to Switzerland? Does he actually read Russian? I suppose he might, there are a few instances where he seems to have a grasp of the language, but like Kuryakin, we don't hear it except in the occasional (or is it only once), use of the word tovarisch.
The topic is of some interest to the writers, hopefully readers as well. We utilize Illya's nationality quite a lot, and there are a few really good stories out there where he returns, usually at great personal risk, to his homeland.
The Homeland Affair by ajsqdaway is one I read early on in my MFU fanfiction obsession. If you haven't read this one, take the time to travel with our heroic Russian agent.
I know many of you have written stories located in the Soviet Union, some as backstories to Kuryakin's life and others set in the series timeframe. Perhaps links can be shared in the comments, both for your own and others you would like to recommend to all of us.
The concept of a Soviet agent working with an American agent was the backdrop for the series, something that faded into the background during the last three seasons. Thankfully, writers of fanfiction have not let it rest, so that it remains a focal point to the stories we have in the huge archive of stories written for the Man from UNCLE.
I'd still like to know what you think about Napoleon and that newspaper. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
