Trinity, February 7, 1997

By Shirley

This is the Irish episode. The production people must be commended. This episode had the ambience and feel of Ireland. One could almost believe that it was filmed on location in the Emerald Isle.

Lt. Linda Nivens' child by an IRA terrorist, nicknamed The Ghost by the British, is kidnapped. The note left in the baby's crib led them to think that it is the child's father who is responsible. Harm and Mac are sent to Ireland to head up the negotiations for the safe return of the child.

It is extremely difficult trying to discuss the situation in Ireland with any degree of common sense. This is because there has been so much emotion and bloodshed that common sense does not seem to belong in the picture any more. All sides are at fault, and all sides have contributed to the senseless bloodbath. We find out that it is not the terrorist who is the threat to an innocent child's life; it is a British policeman. Everything is topsy-turvy. And Harm and Mac are caught in the midst of all this turmoil. Their only objective was to rescue the child, yet against their will, they must take part in this terrible conflict.

It was quite clear that Barnes had little respect for the American sailor and his "easy life", at first. This viewpoint changed rapidly, and in the end, it is Harm whom he trusted to take his child to safety. Harm may not understand his fight, but he knew that he could depend on Harm and trust him with something more important to him than his life, his child.

Season One did not give Harm and Meg much opportunity to wear their civvies. It got so that sometimes I got tired of looking at the uniforms every week. TPTB are remedying the situation with aplomb this season. Here we are, episode six, and already, we've had our hero and heroine in civvies in four episodes. Nice civvies, too, if a bit conservative, but then, they are on duty.

I really like David James Ellott's body language in the closing scenes when he is protectively escorting Mac and the baby to the American Embassy. The picture they made was breathtaking in its impact, Mac cradling the child, hurrying along, and Harm, big and alert by her side, putting himself squarely in front of any danger to the woman and child. Good work, Mr. Elliott.

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