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Nikita does Inception and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

We finally see Nikita and Michael kiss, and Michael figures out Alex’s link with Nikita. One of these things happened in reality and the other in a dreamscape. Guess which.

- Season 1, Episode 16 - "Echoes"

“What exactly is the plot?” – Birkhoff

Once again, Nikita masters the surprise ending. After two phenomenal episodes back to back, I knew we would hit filler this week. Initially, I felt they added the Inception/Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind/Adjustment Bureau /Matrix dreamscape to distract us from the lack of adherence to the overarching theme. In fact, Birkhoff’s deliberate question spoke to my initial thoughts about this week’s episode. For awhile I felt they used the experimental CGI to divert us from the lack of focus. But, instead, they used it to deter us from the actual plot, Michael’s secret investigation. All I can say is DAMN to the ending. Seriously. DAY-UMN. It made the entire 55 filler minutes worthwhile. Nikita writers, you are far too clever for me. My hat is off to you. Once again you mastered the fake out.

A couple other things I liked/noticed:

  • The Michael and Nikita kiss. I don’t care if it happened in a dream. It still happened and it was freakin’ hot.
  • The linkage between Nikita and Division finally manifested within Alex’s dream. Considering both act similarly, treat Alex similarly and try to pretend difference despite their parallel reactions, I liked seeing Alex connect the three more blatantly.
  • While I’m shocked that Michael found Nikita, I’m actually not considering Nikita’s sloppiness. Really? Using the loft and funds from a former division mark? Really? She didn’t think they might eventually do some accounting work?
  • The confrontation between future Alex and present Alex seemed anti-climactic as future Alex seems more like present-day Nikita/Division.
  • FINALLY, they use Jaden in the proper way.
  • The covert parallelism between Amanda and Jaden (through their hairstyles and clothing) and Amanda and Alex (through their final scene body language and expressions) –
  • Even when she doesn’t have all the answers, Amanda’s 99% accurate.
  • Nikita’s dreamscape phone message.
  • Last week Alex proved herself stronger to Nikita by killing her captor, but this week Alex proved herself even stronger by overcoming Amanda while drugged. All throughout the Fall, Alex couldn’t stop herself from leaking information to fellow recruits or giving herself away through facial expressions. However, in the past two weeks she’s proved stronger than her recruit days, like a Matroyshka, the nested Russian doll.

What did you guys think? What about the kiss? What about the ENDING? What do you think will happen in March?

Photo Credit: CW

Categories: | Episode Reviews | Features | General | Nikita | TV Shows |

One Response to “Nikita does Inception and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

February 25, 2011 at 2:09 AM

Amazing episode. The last couple episodes have really kicked it up a notch. I must say though, I really do want to see what Michael will do. They’ve set up enough motivation for his character to do just about anything, from shooting Nikita on the spot, to joining her, to reporting Alex and her to Percy. (OK, fine we know you can’t kill the title character, but I feel like that would have been a good poll question. My bet is that he helps Alex escape division, but in a way that keeps her from getting in contact with Nikita easily.)

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