To Russia with Love, May 19, 1998

By Shirley

I had no idea this was a cliffhanger, so I became increasingly worried as the hour wore on, and it showed no signs of coming to a satisfactory ending. When the awful 'To be continued' came up on the screen, I screamed. Four months hanging in mid-air! Arghhh!

Aside from that minor consideration, how was the episode? I found some of the material a bit contrived: the character of Alexi, obviously a stand-in for the absent Bud, the predictable Russian jokes, and the way first Falcon/Sokol, then Parlovsky appeared on the scene.

It was interesting to meet Harm's Mom and his stepfather. I do wish that they had time to delve more into Harm's relationship with Frank. I can't but feel sorry for Frank, who is made the outsider, though not by malicious intention. That little scene when Harm and Trish clinked glasses, and Frank went " ... Whoa whoa! ..." as he hurriedly picked up his glass to join in the toast is very telling. Harm had confided to Josh that he never gave Frank a chance. I believe that he was too hard on himself there. I believe that mother and son both love Frank, but the poor man is completely overshadowed by the memory of Harm Sr. Sometimes the dead (or in this case, the missing) are more powerful than the alive. I found Frank's declaration of love most moving. Harm should have had the opportunity to respond to it. Note to TPTB, a brief look is not sufficient.

This episode is about love. It's in the title, and it is everywhere. Harm is motivated by his love for his father. Trish, Frank, the Admiral, Mac, even Webb, are all motivated by their different kinds of love for Harm. Webb love Harm? Yes! They may call it friendship, but it's there, in Webb's embarrassed looks, and in Harm's acceptance of Webb's good wishes. As for Mac's love for Harm, there is no other word for it. TPTB are acknowledging this with all those long shots of Mac lovingly watching Harm as he dozed fitfully in his chair. The issue of sex was firmly and neatly disposed of by Harm electing to sleep in the chair, and waiting in the bathroom while Mac changed. This is entirely of the mind, and more powerful because of it. Of course we had the one liners and the looks - "What pajamas?" - but that was their way of dealing with the situation with both dignity and humour, plus it gave us fans something to chuckle about.

What other love is there? We have Sokol claiming to love Mac, and doing what he is doing for love of his country. Do we believe this guy, or more importantly, does Mac?

September seems a long time away.

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