Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (TV Mini Series)

Smiley Sets a Trap (1979)

Anthony Bate: Sir Oliver Lacon

Quotes 

• George Smiley : There are two of them, and Alleline.

  Oliver Lacon : You've definitely cleared Esterhase?

  George Smiley : Oh, yes.

• Oliver Lacon : The Minister's main concern is this: in his own words, how much porcelain gets broken at the end of the day? Scandal, of course, is the name. If we unmask the mole, will the Russians turn around and reveal to the press of the world how they've made fools of us all?

  George Smiley : I think not. If you make your enemy look stupid, you lose the justification for taking him on.

  Oliver Lacon : Yes, I've told him THAT, George.

  George Smiley : So isn't his mind at rest?

  Oliver Lacon : He hopes there'll be nothing messy. Nothing that would provoke Moscow.

  George Smiley : But proceed?

  Oliver Lacon : Oh, heavens, yes!

  George Smiley : Clean the stables. Problem: flush out the mole.