Any Means Necessary | |||||
La Femme Nikita | |||||
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Episode no. |
Season 3 Episode 19 |
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Directed by | David Straiton | ||||
Written by | Lawrence Hertzog | ||||
Production code | 319 | ||||
Original air date | August 8, 1999 | ||||
Episode guide | |||||
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"Any Means Necessary" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of La Femme Nikita.
Summary[]
Birkoff is convinced that Operations is trying to eliminate him when he is sent into the field in order to infiltrate a high tech terrorist cult. Birkoff’s discovery of the group’s connection to Red Cell keeps him there even longer than originally planned, and worried that he will never be able to leave, Birkoff hatches an usual escape plan. However, if it backfires, he and the cult will be eliminated.
Plot[]
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At Comm, Birkoff is in the middle of providing support to a live mission. He tells the team that hostiles are splitting up, hoping to close ranks around them. The team leader acknowledges the information and tells Birkoff that they have the advantage because of it. Nearby, Greg Hillinger takes note of the conversation. Also, tapped in to the field team, Hillinger tells them of additional hostiles moving in. In the Perch, Operations watches. Birkoff confirms that there's more hostiles than expected and tells the team to move out. Alarms and gunfire go off from the field. Birkoff reacts by making some changes. Hillinger tries to give advice but Birkoff tells him that he knows what he's doing. Operations arrives and demands to know what is happening. The team leader requests positions from Birkoff. "You have to recycle to program," Hillinger tells him but Birkoff tells him to back off. Hillinger turns to Operations and tells him that he can do it. "Birkoff, surrender your post...now," Operations orders. The under fire field team continues to request information. Birkoff faces down Hillinger as he trades places with him. Hillinger takes a seat at Birkoff's chair. He immediately makes adjustments and the team acknowledges them. Their video feed is restored and Operations watches as Hillinger guides the team through the hostiles. Hillinger is smug when the team leader confirms that they've secured the base and asks for further instructions which Operations gives. The team leader thanks Hillinger and Operations praises him on his good work while Birkoff watches on. "Birkoff, my office, five minutes," Operations orders and then leaves. "How did you know we had a satellite uplink established? I didn't set it up." Birkoff questions Hillinger but he doesn't answer. "It's not likely that it happened on its own." Hillinger asks him for his point. "This isn't a game. Those are our people out there. Their lives are on the line," Birkoff tells him. "Well, it was lucky for them that I was here. You better go Seymour. You don't want to be late for your...meeting."
Act 1[]
Birkoff arrives in the perch where Operations waits. "Not your finest hour," Operations tells him. Birkoff tells him that he can explain, but Operations will not hear it. He tells Birkoff that he's going to assign Hillinger to his post. "I have other plans for you. I'm sending you out," he adds before dismissing him. Birkoff stands in shock before he leaves the Perch.
At a mission briefing, shares information about Jean-Marc Rousseau, who runs a small but effective cult of terrorists called Soldats de la Liberte. Michael inquires about their manifesto and Operations tells him that they're antigovernment and anything to do with the establishment. "But his ideologies are a ruse. Jean-Marc is a political mercenary. His services are for sale to the highest bidder." Walter points out that the recruits are practically kids. "He likes them young and vulnerable. He employs conventional cult brainwashing techniques--poor diet, fatigue, then he creates a sense of belonging. Makes them feel like they matter. He recruits heavily on the internet. In fact, his operation relies on a sophisticated computer network. Given the quality of their intelligence, they have caused considerable damage." Operations shares that Birkoff will be Section's man on the inside. Walter is surprised by the revelation. Operations tells them that he needs someone who truly knows what he's doing. Walter questions whether Birkoff is qualified to do fieldwork. Operations reminds him that computers are Soldats de la Liberte's lifeline to the world. That makes Birkoff qualified. Walter continues to press about something potentially going wrong, do which Operations says that they'll make sure nothing does. He walks away, ending the briefing.
"Birkoff's not ready," Madeline tells Operations in the Perch. "He'll have to be," Operations responds. Madeline asks about potentially failure and Operations is willing to take the chance. "Failure rate for an operative of his status is 80 percent," she elaborates but Operations is dismissive of the information.
While Hillinger settles in at Birkoff's station in Comm, Birkoff expresses his concerns to Nikita nearby. He suggests that there's more to it than just wanting a man inside. He thinks he's in Abeyance. "Anyway it goes down, either they take me out or Michael's sent in to finish up a botched up, me included." He adds that Operations knows that Hillinger can do his job and that he's a disappointment to him.
Act 2[]
Act 3[]
In the White Room, a nervous Birkoff finds himself with Michael. A bruised up Nikita stands at the open doorway.
Act 4[]
Tag[]
Cast[]
Main Cast[] |
Special Guest Stars[]
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Episode Quotes[]
- Nikita: "He doesn't like Hillinger."
Birkoff: "Operations likes anyone who spins the world in his direction. You know him. It's not a personality contest."
Music[]
No third party music was licensed for this episode.
References[]
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