| A Time For Every Purpose | |||||
| La Femme Nikita | |||||
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| Episode no. |
Season 5 Episode 8 |
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| Directed by | Brad Turner | ||||
| Written by | Michael Loceff | ||||
| Production code | 508 | ||||
| Original air date | March 11, 2001 | ||||
| Episode guide | |||||
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"A Time For Every Purpose" is the eighth episode of the fifth and final season of La Femme Nikita. It is the series finale. It was filmed from December 7-15, 2000.
Summary[]
Badly injured, Michael contacts Nikita and claims to have shot his way out of the headquarters of the Collective, with Adam in tow. But once Michael arrives in Section, he kidnaps Mr. Jones, revealing that both his injuries and his escape were a ruse. The Collective has demanded Mr. Jones in exchange for Adam, and Michael has agreed to their terms. Now, Nikita is caught in the middle. Who will she protect? Her lover and his son...or her long-lost father?
Plot[]
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Nikita walks alone along an outdoor market. She comes across happy couples enjoying themselves and the market. Nikita is wistful as she takes it all in. Suddenly she is pulled aside by a bloody and battered man. It's Michael, clearly injured and revealing himself to Nikita. Michael tells her that he got Adam away from The Collective. When Nikita asks where, Michael says that it's best she not know. He didn't trust them and they didn't expect him to make a move but he took a chance. He escaped The Collective's compound with Adam in tow but he needs Nikita's help. Michael is certain that they're looking for him. If she takes him back to Section One, he can guide a team back to The Collective's headquarters he tells her. Nikita is conflicted about doing so, but she helps Michael up to do ask he asks.
Act 1[]
At Comm Quinn and Jason watch as a man and a woman arrive at Section One. Quinn wonders who they are and Jason identifies them as Kelley and Mauk from Oversight. He tells her that Nikita turned down her father's request to be the head of Section One and they are the likely candidates to be the new Operations. When asked his opinion of them, Jason says that Kelley "is a pain. Nothing is ever good enough for her." Jason has nothing but praise for Mauk, which Quinn finds very unlike him. He then calls Mauk "a jerk too" but that she owes him several big favors from their time together at Oversight. He feels that if Mauk takes over Section One, he'll have it pretty good. Quinn wonders out loud how Jason is going to ensure that Mauk wins the post. He tells her that he'll need to talk to Walter about helping him poison Kelley.
Walter is surprised to learn that Myra Mauk is inside Section One. He tells Jason that if she takes over the Perch, "he's toast". He won't end up at the Farm, he'll end up in Abeyance. Jason theorizes that Mauk and Walter slept together. Walter tells him that Mauk's poor opinion of him is because he didn't sleep with her. About twenty years ago Walter was assigned to a Spec Ops out of Oversight and Mauk was in charge. They ended up in Paris with 36 hours of downtime. She wanted to spend it in bed together but Walter had plans with another woman. In retaliation, Mauk put Walter in a number of deadly situations. Given their time together at Oversight, Jason feels that time has helped Mauk get over things but Walter doesn't think so. He wants Jason to help him get some incriminating information on Mauk so he can present it to Mr. Jones. If he helps, Jason thinks that could backfire on him but Walter counters that he could be dead.
Michael and Nikita arrive in Van Access. Nikita supports Michael's weight as much as she can. She instructs two assistants to get Michael to Medical. Quinn is also present and Nikita is told that Mr. Jones is in the Perch and that Quinn is to debrief Michael. Michael immediately objects, claiming that are certain things that he needs to brief Mr. Jones personally about. Quinn takes issue and Michael presses Nikita about the urgency of the situation. Nikita acquiesces and tells Quinn that Mr. Jones should meet them in Medical.
In Medical, Michael is assessed for injuries. He waves them off, insisting that the pain helps him focus. Nikita asks that the medical team give them some time alone. Nikita silently observes Michael while he sits. Mr. Jones arrives not long after with his bodyguard. He wants more information about Michael's escape. "Refraction sequence will be in effect soon, if it's not already," Michael tells him. Jones ask about they failsafe protocols. Michael says that there are two contingencies. When everyone is distracted by a completed download, Michael disarms Jones' security. In reaction, Nikita pulls her gun on Michael while Michael aims his at Mr. Jones. Michael tells Nikita that the Collective still has Adam. "You lied to me," Nikita asks. Michael answers yes. Mr. Jones deduces that the Collective wants to make a trade for Adam. Mr. Jones orders Nikita to shoot Michael. Michael tells Nikita that once the Collective releases Adam, he'll find a way to get her father out. "He has been consistently deceiving us. Do not trust him," Mr. Jones tells Nikita. When she doesn't Jones ridicules Michael's hold over her. Nikita and Michael stare at each other until Nikita puts away her gun. Nikita agrees and Michael leads out Mr. Jones with Nikita following closely behind.
Michael reaches out to Haled about Mr. Jones. He tells Haled he wants to turn over Mr. Jones to him because he doesn't trust Graff. Haled is initially dismissive Michael's concerns until Michael points out that Haled used to be Graff's equal. Now Haled works for Graff. "If you brought in Jones, things might change," Michael tells him. Haled agrees to come for Jones. Michael tells him to bring Adam.
Act 2[]
At Comm, Jason tries to get another op's attention. Once he does, Jason starts giving him instruction regarding some data that he wants transmission delayed but he's interrupted by the arrival of Myra Mauk, who wants the information transmitted immediately. She asks if Jason can still be counted on. "Jones wants Kelly and me to run Section for a few days before he makes his choice," she shares. Jason wonders about Jones' whereabouts. "He's been called away for a few days and I'm covering Comm while he's gone." Jason asks for a code to verify and Mauk provides a disk, which Jason verifies. "Alright, I'll forward everything to you," he tells her. Satisfied, she pulls Jason away from to talk.
Once they're sufficiently away, Mauk asks Jason if he's aware of what's been going on. "You can Kelly are both up for Operations," he tells her. "That's right and I intend to get it. Can I count on you to help?" She inquires but Jason unsure what he can do. "I want a list. Three columns--allies, detractors and irrelevant." Jason tells her that he doesn't know how to make those evaluations. "Most of these people don't know you," she tells him. "You know my politics. You can do it," she assures him. Jason agrees. Mauk walks away pleased and she runs into Walter. She says nothing and keeps on walking away.
At a hidden warehouse, Michael restrains Mr. Jones with handcuffs. "You know your profile does not suggestion that you would jeopardize a global security for any one person...not even your son," Mr. Jones tells him. "Nor does it suggest that you would encourage Nikita to murder who own father." Michael says nothing starts to walk away. "You know the Collective will want you perform many more tricks before they release your son. Handing me over is simply the first." Michael takes a moment to take in Mr. Jones' words. "If you need anything, knock," Michael tells him and he closes the door.
Haled and several other from the Collective arrive at Michael's location. "Where's my son?" Michael asks. Haled tells him that he's safe and Michael reminds him of the agreement to bring Adam. "Give me Jones first. There may be one or two other services we need from you. Then we discuss the release of the boy. You want to see your son, give us Jones." A troubled Michael gestures towards a nearby door. Haled instructs one of men to open the door. When the man does so, Nikita inside and she fires. Michael fires on the remaining men accompanying Haled. "That was not smart," Haled tells Michael. Michael punches him and Haled falls to the floor. Michael picks him up and shoves a gun to his chin wanting to know where Adam is. "You just killed him," Haled says. "If he dies, you die," Michael vows. "You think you can trade me for the boy? Graff won't make that deal," Haled explains. "Then let's take Graff out of the equation," Michael suggests. "With Graff gone, you'll be in charge. We give you the Collective, you give us Adam," Nikita adds. "Or I can kill you right now," Michael threatens. Nikita wants to know when Graff if vulnerable. Haled reveals that he's making a weapons purchase the following day.
Michael returns from securing Haled. Nikita points out that Haled has been gone for a while and that Graff could get suspicious and cancel the planned purchase. Nikita asks Michael to consider if the plan doesn't work. Michael says he'll think of another plan. "Like what?" She asks. "I don't know," Michael admits curtly. Nikita reminds Michael that Mr. Jones is her father. He considers her words for a moment. "He hasn't been much of one," Michael counters. Nikita tells him that she won't turn her father over to The Collective to be tortured and killed. "Adam's my son," Michael tells her, appealing her duty to protect the innocent. "I won't let him die." Michael hands Nikita a gun and tells her that they have to go. She takes the gun and walks out with Michael behind her.
Act 3[]
At a large warehouse, Michael and Nikita are position in the rafters. Nikita is at a long range rife with Michael at her side. The gates open and several vehicles arrive. Using the scope, Nikita spots Graff in one of the vehicles. Several of the vehicles occupants begin to exit. Michael tells Nikita that he's going to get a different angle. Graff lowers the windshield and Nikita informs Michael that she has a clear shot. Nikita shoots and she get the man who was standing at Graff's door. Graff immediately closes the window and those on the floor begin firing back at Nikita, who is now engaging with them. She takes out the tires of Graff's vehicle. Michael fires down at the group of men from his own position, descending some stairs. The remaining vehicles drive away but Graff's stays still. Together Nikita and Michael eliminate whatever men still remain on site. They both approach Graff's vehicle. Michael positions himself on Graff's door and Nikita on the opposite. As they open the doors they hear a gunshot. Graff is inside, dead. Michael fires two additional shots at him and walks away.
At Section, Walter flags down a nearby Jason, who reluctantly goes when called. Walter asks Jason if we was able to sort out what they'd talked about earlier. Jason tells him that the situation is complicated and he doesn't know if he can do it yet. "You mean you don't know how you're going to do it or if you wanna do it," Walter asks. "Look Walter, don't lay a guilt trip me, alright," Jason answers. "You and my brother may have been close, but you and I don't go back that far." Walter reminds him that if Myra Mauk gets the job, he's dead. "Keep her out of the Perch," he tells Jason. "I can't. Jones has given her control of Comm. That means he's already made up his mind. Best I can do right now is cover my own ass." Walter points out Jason's self-serving attitude. "What else can you do in a place like this," Jason tells him. "You take care of your friends and your friends take care of you," Walter responds. "Your brother gave his life to save everybody else's here. Anybody tell you that?" He adds. "I'm not my brother," Jason tells him indifferently. "You know, I'm kinda glad that he never really got to know you. He would have been ashamed," Walter tells him and walks further into Munitions. Jason leaves after hearing Walter's words.
At the warehouse where Michael was detaining Haled, Graff's dead body is dumped inside. "We've done our part. Now I want my son," Michael quietly demands. "I have to go back to the Collective to assume command. When that's settled, I'll deliver the boy," he tells Michael who wants to know how long that will take. "I'll contact you on an open channel." Michael releases Haled from his handcuffs and he starts to leave but Michael stops for a moment. "Section's intel base is thorough...recently you moved your family to Tunisia. A small village called Medinin." Michael lets the threat hang between them. Haled walks away after a few more moments. Nikita asks about their next move and Michael says that Jones should be released and taken back to Section. Michael will need Section resources to provide security for Adam's return. "Jones will tell them to cooperate," he adds. "After what we've done, I'm not so sure," Nikita tells him skeptically. "He claims Section exists to protect the innocent. Let him prove it," Michael says.
Section One is busy. Myra Mauk speaks with Mr. Jones in the Perch. At Comm, Jason receives an incoming message from the Collective with coordinates. He informs Michael, who is still at the warehouse site. He transmits the message and after receiving it, Michael rises to act on it.
Michael and Nikita across a snowy property. Via Comm, Jason informs them that the coordinates that were received were for a small structure on site. The exterior is clear and infrared for the inside of the structure indicates warmth. Jason shares the reading with Quinn but he tells her that the intensity is diminishing. "It's cooling down," she tells him after reviewing it. Jason is concerned. "It should be Adam," he says. "Not anymore...temperature readout. Whoever it is has been dead for at least a half hour," she tells him.
Michael and Nikita arrive at the structure. They enter a locker room with several stalls. They walk past each one to find them empty. In the final one they see spilt blood and they stop. When they get closer, they discover a dead and bloody Haled on the floor. Disappointment crosses both Nikita and Michael's faces.
Act 4[]
"I have to find out who's in charge now and negotiate with them," Michael tells Nikita, determined but clearly distraught at the turn of events. Together they start walking out. Nikita asks him what he has to negotiate with. "Whatever they want," Michael answers. As Michael opens the door outside, he and Nikita are greeted by a large and armed Section team pointing their weapons at them. "Jones wants you back in Section, now," they're both told.
While in Munition, Walter hears a woman laugh. He looks up at Comm and sees Myra Muak standing close to Jason and being quite familiar with him. She asks Jason if he's had any luck with the list she asked for. He shows it to her on his screen. Walter continues to observe them from a distance. Suddenly, a pair of Section guards approach them and request the Muak go with them. Jason and Walter watch as she is escorted away. Confused, Walter approaches Jason at his station and asks him about what just happened. "Guess they found something in a file they didn't like." He claims not to know much more other than that.
Michael sits confined in the White Room. The door opens and Mr. Jones enters along with guard. "Have you heard from the Collective?" Michael asks Mr. Jones. "No, they're obviously going through a change of leadership. Their behavior will therefore be erratic for some time," Mr. Jones answers. Michael asks about Adam and Mr. Jones confirms that they still have him and have moved their base so they don't know where he's being held. "There is one hope. I could contact them through an open channel and offer to exchange you for Adam." Michael wants to know why the Collective would accept such an offer. "Well now that I am out of reach, it will let them save face and give them your complete knowledge of Section," he suggests. "Why would you permit it?" Michael asks. "Because you will commit suicide, rather than give them that knowledge." Michael points out that Collective will be watching for that. Mr. Jones holds up a small container. He informs Michael that it contains a membrane. "It fits the roof of the mouth. Virtually undetectable. You press it hard with your tongue for five seconds, five seconds later you are dead. You will now give me your word that you will use it, the minute you know that Adam is safe," Mr. Jones requests. "You have my word," Michael responds. Mr. Jones signals to his guard to release Michael. He hands Michael the container with the membrane and Michael walks out of the White Room.
In the Perch, Nikita and Mr. Jones have a tense conversation. "You think you found a way to kill Michael that I’ll find acceptable?" Nikita asks him. She doesn't believe The Collective will give up Adam and that Mr. Jones is sending Michael to die in vain. "Do you think with Michael gone, I’m going to stay and run Section?" She tells him that she'll never stay. He gives her a melancholic response, "We'll see."
On a snowy, desolate bridge Michael and Nikita arrive to make the agreed upon exchange. On the far end of the bridge stand members of The Collective. One of them holds Adam by the hand. As they continue to walk forward Michael confirms that Nikita will take care of Adam. "I will," she tell him. Solemnly, Michael and Nikita turn to each other. They quietly and stoically say goodbye to each other. Nikita reaches for Michael's hand and brings it to her lips, giving it a reverent kiss. Just as Michael is about to walk away, he is interrupted by Mr. Jones who apologizes for the charade. He adds that "they certainly wouldn't allow me to give myself up." He tells them that it isn't Michael that The Collective truly wants but him. "We were under constant observation by my colleagues," Mr. Jones says. He cannot willingly make the sacrifice without assurances that Nikita will take over as Operations at Section One and then eventually take over for him at Center as he always intended. He holds in his hands the dog tags that belong to Operations. Nikita looks at Mr. Jones and then to Michael. She reaches out and takes possession of the dog tags. "One day you will realize that it is the right decision. Always trust your father," Mr. Jones tells Nikita and he begins to walk across the bridge. When he passes Michael, he places a single hand on his shoulder. On the other end of the bridge, Adam is let go and encouraged to walk across the bridge. When Adam and Mr. Jones cross paths, Michael calls out to Adam. Surprised, Adam calls out to his father and starts to run the final way. Michael goes to him too and picks him up in his arms. Mr. Jones arrives before the members of The Collective. They all fire upon him and he falls to the ground. He dies from multiple gunshot wounds. Nikita reacts strongly to the violence and is held back by Mr. Jones' security team. Michael, holding Adam in his arms, looks back towards Nikita. The Collective departs, leaving Mr. Jones' corpse on the other end of the bridge.
Tag[]
Michael and Adam sit on a bench at the train station. Michael looks up to see Nikita approaching him and he stands to meet her. Looking towards Adam, she advises Michael to take Adam as far away as they can get. To "help him forget". He tells Nikita that there will come a time when Adam will no longer need him. The implication is that he will come back. "You'll know where to find me," Nikita answers. They kiss lightly on the lips. Nikita tells Michael that she loves him. They embrace. Michael whispers into Nikita's ear that he loves her. They hold each other just a while longer until they finally part holding hands. Station loudspeakers announce departures. Michael reaches a hand towards Adam and he takes his father's hand. With one final look at Nikita, Michael lets go of Nikita's hand and walks away with Adam. Nikita stands in the middle of the train station alone. Tears are streaming down her face before she puts on her sunglasses.
Nikita now stands alone and stoic in the Perch overlooking Section One. She is now the new Operations and the head of Section One, just as she promised her father.
Cast[]
Main[] |
Special Guest Stars[]
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Episode Quotes[]
- Nikita: (bitterly) "Very clever. What? You think you found a way to kill Michael that I’ll find acceptable?"
Mr. Jones: "It is important to save the boy."
Nikita: "The Collective have promised to let Adam go twice. Twice, they haven’t done it. Why should it be any different this time?"
Mr. Jones: "It is Adam’s only chance, and Michael has agreed."
Nikita: "Michael doesn’t have a choice! You do."
Mr. Jones: "My dear girl, none of us have a choice. Least of all, me."
Nikita: (fighting back tears) "Do you think with Michael gone, I’m going to stay and run Section?"
Mr. Jones: "Well, we’ll see. Ah. An answer’s coming through from the Collective."
Nikita: "Never going to happen."
Mr. Jones: "We’ll see."
- Nikita: "Take him as far away from here as you can. Help him forget.
Michael: "They'll come a time when Adam won't need me anymore."
Nikita: "You'll know where to find me."
Music[]
ORIGINAL MUSIC
- always trust your father | SEAN CALLERY
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