The second episode is a substantial improvement over the first one that introduced us to this interesting series. The plot is clearer, the pace is fast moving but coherent and Reilly as a character becomes more fascinating as he gives us revealing glimpses of just how a neophyte spy without a playbook would operate at the turn of the nineteenth century. Reilly is continuously exposed to danger and tension as he navigates his secret British identity between Russian and Japanese contacts just before a shooting war begins at Port Arthur. Reilly's wife Margaret continues to be a fascinating and distracting character in the narrative-----we just do not know the entire extent of their relationship or her influence on the fast developing story.
The special effects and and art/set direction elements employed in this episode are quite impressive, and speak to the generally high level of the series's overall production values. Sam Neill as Reilly seems more at ease with his role than he did in the first episode, although he is still a much more subdued and understated character than any of the subsequent players of James Bond in film. Does the fact that Reilly is a married man have any influence on the narrative? Perhaps.
We get a distinct sense of Russia's foolishness, tunnel vision and overall incompetence that lead up to its war with Japan. It reminded this reviewer of the Captain's purported response as the Titanic struck an iceberg when he was reputed to have said "she can't sink. She's unsinkable!". Well------theTitanic did sink-----and Russia did suffer an unexpected and humiliating military defeat by a nation it perceived as racially inferior shortly after hostilities had begun. The stupidity/arrogance of the Russians at Port Arthur is on full display in this top-notch episode. So is the clearly superior focus, preparedness and discipline displayed by the Japanese that quickly led to the inevitable and overwhelming outcome.
This episode provides a strong reason to invest the time required to view the entire series. It is intelligent, absorbing and entertaining. Definitely it is a presentation well above the ordinary.
The special effects and and art/set direction elements employed in this episode are quite impressive, and speak to the generally high level of the series's overall production values. Sam Neill as Reilly seems more at ease with his role than he did in the first episode, although he is still a much more subdued and understated character than any of the subsequent players of James Bond in film. Does the fact that Reilly is a married man have any influence on the narrative? Perhaps.
We get a distinct sense of Russia's foolishness, tunnel vision and overall incompetence that lead up to its war with Japan. It reminded this reviewer of the Captain's purported response as the Titanic struck an iceberg when he was reputed to have said "she can't sink. She's unsinkable!". Well------theTitanic did sink-----and Russia did suffer an unexpected and humiliating military defeat by a nation it perceived as racially inferior shortly after hostilities had begun. The stupidity/arrogance of the Russians at Port Arthur is on full display in this top-notch episode. So is the clearly superior focus, preparedness and discipline displayed by the Japanese that quickly led to the inevitable and overwhelming outcome.
This episode provides a strong reason to invest the time required to view the entire series. It is intelligent, absorbing and entertaining. Definitely it is a presentation well above the ordinary.
