Egypt

The Night Manager: Episode 6

When you have a suspicion about something, you try and confirm it.  That is exactly what Roper did in this, the last episode in the series.  As expected it was too little, too late.

With barely any resources at her fingertips, Angela Burr finally outsmarted Richard Roper. Watching Roper’s final realisation as his house of cards toppled was delicious.  His arrogance up to the last minute made it all the more sweeter.

I was convinced that Jed’s betrayal would lead to her death, thankfully that wasn’t the case.  With some careful footwork and some fortuitous timing, she was saved just as Roper’s deal was going up in smoke.

What surprised me most was the secret source inside Angela’s team.  His few lines were enough to show what he had done and who’s side he was on.  It was a pity that the senior members of MI6 didn’t suffer the same fate but I guess you can’t have everything.

From the start the acting was excellent.  Olivia Colman’s portrayal as a woman under siege felt human.  You too would feel harrassed and betrayed as your enemies, former friends, pulled the rug from under you.  From there it only got better.

Tom Hiddleston’s performance as Pine/Birch was fascinating.  Using friends he had not seen in years, Pine turned the tables on Roper.  A clandestine meeting followed by a late night drive set in place a plan which would see Roper ruined in front of a client.  As the deal went sour, Hugh Laurie’s skill as an actor shone through.  The mixture of vexation and haughtiness was wonderful to watch.

There has been a suggestion that this series was a perfect audition for Hiddleston’s potential hiring as James Bond.  There were many similarities including playing roulette (a convenient plot device to pass a code to Pine) so I can see why people would think this.  While it is not up to me to decide who should play Bond, it would make a refreshing change to see Hiddleston in the role.

In conclusion, after watching this series, I find myself wondering what accolades it will win.  One more thing, I had better add another John Le Carre novel to my collection.

The Night Manager (Episode 1)

I confess, I love books by John Le Carre so I was more than a little intrigued when I saw the trailer for this six part mini series.  I admit now though, that this is not one of the books I own.  As such I could watch this with fresh eyes much like I did some years ago when Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was repeated.

Ignoring the prologue, which tells us briefly about the antagonist, we start in Egypt in 2011.  Starting as it does, I began to wonder where the story would progress.  We begin by following the unflappable Johnathan Pine, night manager at a top-class hotel in Cairo.  Used to dealing with problems discreetly, I wonder how well prepared he was for what happened next.

One of his guests, a woman by the name of Sophie, wants to copy a document.  This is no ordinary document as it is in fact, a request to purchase and ship arms to Egypt from an arms dealer called Richard Roper.  The woman in question is none other than the mistress of Freddie Hamid, young playboy of the Hamid family.  This isn’t just any family either, the Hamids own most of Cairo.

Johnathan’s orders don’t just cover copying the documents either.  If anything were to happen to Sophie, he is to take the copy straight to his friend, Simon Ogilvy, working in the British Embassy.  Matters start to unravel when Johnathan hands the copy over the following day.  Word gets back to Freddie and Sophie is soon found dead.  With an investigation into Richard Roper strangled at birth, there is nothing more anybody can do.

Four years later sees Johnathan as the night manager in a hotel in Switzerland where chance has brought him into contact with Richard Roper himself.  Taking the opportunity to re-establish contact with Simon’s friends, Johnathan does his utmost to keep tabs on Roper and his entourage.

Tom Hiddleston proved to be an excellent choice to play Johnathan Pine.  He is instantly watchable but never to the point where he hogs the screen.  Johnathan must be the object of discretion so cannot take centre stage.  His characteristics must include; impeccable manners, cordiality, trust and the ability to get things done.  Tom brought those to the fore with ease.

From watching ‘House’, I can say that Hugh Laurie does ‘evil’ admirably.  His opening scene gives but a glimpse of what his character is like.  Roper’s public image is little more than a paper thin façade designed to distract the public.

Tom and Hugh were joined by Olivia Colman and Tom Hollander, both bringing their talents to their characters too.  All four actors, and the supporting cast had me hooked from the word go.

Episode one was a gentle start into what I reckon will be an interesting and exciting adventure.  And if episode one is a good indicator for the other five episodes, then I want in.