ProsWatch: Need to Know

[agentxpndble]

I've always loved this one for a lot of reasons, big and small. One of my small fascinations revolves around the artwork in Bodie's apartment and you can catch up on all the discussion I've had about it in my archive: Original topic HERE, and the resolution HERE.

Comments

[carbonel]

If Cowley fits anywhere, it'd be Slytherin. He's sneaky, and he's willing to break the rules (the bad rules, he says, but still) to get what he wants.

[agentxpndble]

But what's *underneath* those actions...? For a Slytherin it would be personal ambition - for a Hufflepuff it would be justice and/or a strong work ethic - For a Gryfindor it would be the courageous defense of others - for a Ravenclaw it would be about the sheer love/pursuit of knowledge. It's not so much about a person's skills and/or actions (or even if they are good or evil,) it's about what motivates them.

I still hold with Hufflepuff or Gryfindor.

[carbonel]

I think there's a certain joy in twistiness for its own sake that goes with Slytherin.

[msmoat]

This is a great Cowley episode,isn't it? I love how he turns the tables on his interrogators--and they know it. They're prepared for it, and he still does it. Heh. He is a very dangerous man.

And you're right, the lads are very much a team here. And the tulip scene? Priceless. *g*

Thanks!

[sc_fossil]

Good points you brought out. I admit, now that you've mentioned Cowley stroking Bodie's face, it was a bit creepy! LOL! I think it was the actor myself. I don't see Cowley being the stroking kind of boss. *g*

[franciskerst]

Seriously it must have been a spontaneous move of gentle and tender-hearted Gordon Jackson. But the first time I saw this I wondered about the actor's sexual leanings! Later I found the slash version (B/C) much more interesting. And for me it's moving, not creepy. I like to see a true hard man displaying unexpected weaknesses. That makes Cowley's character more complex and vivid.

[sc_fossil]

I think it was guilt myself! After all, he'd put his own men in that position without knowing if they'd survive. It was a bit of weakness, probably because he didn't want the paperwork with dealing with two dead agents on his watch. They were alive so that it didn't interfere with his evening Scotch, and he was happy about that! *g*

[saintvic]

Cowley really doesn't let anything bother him. No matter what happens he always seems to be about 10 steps ahead and that is one of the main things I see in this episode too.

[erushi]

I do truly love Cowley in this episode. There is just something utterly fascinating about the way his mind operates, and seeing him take control of his interrogation is always such a joy.

As for the stroking thing, I think it was either a) a fatherly gesture because there are instances when he's almost a father to the lads or b) just a means of providing stimuli to another of the lads' five senses in order to get them back into action faster. Touch would have been the next best thing after hearing (he was already talking to them), as smell was out with their need to breathe and sight out with their eyes closed. Shaking them would probably have been to drastic and more damaging than Cowley could have afforded, I think.

Was incredibly amused to see Cowley being discussed in terms of Hogwarts houses. Out of curiosity, where would you place Bodie and Doyle?

[franciskerst]

Your interpretation is very rational and plausible (though a mere, gentle, slap on both cheeks would have done it). However I prefer the slash vision of the scene with all its dramatic possibilities...