Getting Out of Reverse

	Getting Out of Reverse
	La Femme Nikita
Episode no.	Season 4; Episode 01
Directed by	Jon Cassar
Written by	Michael Loceff
Production code	401
Original air date	January 9, 2000
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"Getting Out of Reverse" is the first episode of the fourth season of La Femme Nikita. It was filmed from October 12-20, 1999.

Summary[]

Four months have passed, and the brainwashing process implemented on Nikita has taken a firm hold of her personality, much to the satisfaction of Operations and Madeline. Nikita is becoming the perfect operative—cold, ruthless, and efficient. Disturbed by what Nikita is transforming into, Michael attempts to find the secret that will undo the process and restore Nikita to her true self.

Plot[]

Teaser[]

Nikita arrives in Section and passes by the Perch. Inside, Madeline tells Operations that it's time to test Nikita. Operations wonders if it's premature but Madeline is confident that enough time has passed. Operations asks about Nikita's interactions. "She will no longer be capable of forming an emotional bond with anyone," she tells him. "What about previous ties?" Operations presses. "Michael means nothing to her. Not anymore. She's a perfect robot."

Michael and Nikita circle each other in the dojo while other operative work out around them. They each take their stances and begin with a series of arm jabs. They engage in more offensive and defensive moves until Michael kicks Nikita in the stomach and she hunches over in pain. "You committed too soon," Michael tells her simply while Nikita remains bent at the waist. "Why do you say that?" Nikita counters. "You had already turned left when---" Michael begins to tell her but he doesn't get far before Nikita responds and she kicks him the stomach. "I'm sorry. Did you think we were taking a break?" Nikita taunts. Michael attacks and they once again engage in a series of jabs and kicks. "You changed your style," Michael observes as he deflects her kicks. "Improved my technique," Nikita corrects. "Only your moves," he tells her. "What else is there?" Nikita asks. They continue with the sparring until Michael knocks Nikita down but she rolls away and rises. "It comes from inside," Michael responds. Once more they attack and once more Michael knocks Nikita down. "You alright?" Michael asks. Nikita takes the opportunity to sweep his feet out from under him and Michael lands flat on his back. She pounces on him and pins him down. "They're watching us," Nikita whispers. "I know," Michael replies.

Act 1[]

In her apartment, Nikita exercises. She's suspended from a bar using ankles braces and she does weighted curl ups. Her cell phone rings and so drip lowers the weights to the floor and answers. It's Michael asking for Joséphine. At that moment, Nikita's front door opens slowly. She drops her phone and releases herself from the ankle braces. A man enters the apartment with a key in his hand and Nikita crawls away to hide. She reaches for a hidden hand gun while the man walks further in the apartment. She attacks by hoisting herself by the bar with the ankle braces and propels herself forward to wrap her legs around the man's neck and bring him. The man turns out to be Mick Schtoppel but that doesn't stop Nikita from pressing the barrel of her gun to his check. Stunned, Mick says hello. Nikita has not unwrapped her legs from his neck nor has she removed her gun. "What are you doing here?" She asks coldly. "I think I just soiled my new pair of skivvies," he answers. Nikita repeats her question and he tells her that he came by to borrow a cup of sugar. "How did you get the key to my apartment?" She then asks. Mick starts to ramble about how they're "mates and Nikita shoves the gun in his mouth. "You gave me one when you went to Africa, remember? You asked me to watch your plants. I made a copy. You've got such scrumptious munchies in your fridge." Nikita demands the key and he does as asked. She holds the gun to Mick's face for a while longer before she removes it and rises off the floor. Mick rises still in pain but he cries out in dismay when he spots one of Nikita's plants dead on the counter. "I treat them like they're my own little seedings and you turn the place into a horticulture cemetery. This is bad karma!" He lifts the plant and turns back towards Nikita. She points her gun at Mick once more and orders him to get what he needs and leave. He stands there mouth agape as Nikita leaves the room with gun still drawn on him. Nikita takes the steps into her bedroom and Mick remains rooted in place and still very surprised.

In Munitions, Walter wheels a cart of equipment and Michael approaches him. "Have you talked to Nikita lately?" He asks. "No, I saw her come in. She didn't stop by. You know she always does for greetings and salutations. Don't mean to make you jealous," he adds jokingly. Walter heads further into Munitions to retrieve additional equipment and Michael follows him. "Talk to her," Michael tells him. Confused, Walter finds his request odd. "Listen to her voice. Look at her eyes." Walter still doesn't understand. "Just talk to her," he repeats and walks out of Munitions.

At a mission briefing, Operations shares that one of Section's remote cell teams in Latvia was targeted by nationalists. The team was wiped out with the exception of one operative, Irina Kerensky, a Level Four operative. Birkoff adds that she's being held hostage and that she had been at a high level briefing just hours before the grab. "If she's still alive, what she knows can do a lot of damage." Operations tells the team that Kerensky has been trained to resist interrogation but they're unsure how long she can hold out. Operations wants her back.

A car drives up to the Latvian embassy and stops in front of the gate. Security comes up to speak with the driver. Beneath the car, a crowbar appears. The car is parked directly above a manhole. The cover is removed and Nikita peers inside. The driver is told to park on the side for an inspection. As the car begins to drive away, the security guard hears the sound of the manhole cover but after a moment of consideration, he dismisses what he heard.

From the Section van, Michael guides Nikita's progress through the tunnels beneath the embassy. With a small blowtorch, she cuts through some metal vents. In the Perch, Madeline and Operations monitor the mission. Nikita proceeds and gains access to the interior of the embassy. She strips off her mission gear to reveal a military uniform and skirt. After cleaning herself up, Nikita approaches the three nearby hostiles and eliminates them. Nikita finds the kidnapped operative Irina Kerensky and reports to Michael. She tells him that is appears that she was subjected to remote interrogation and after testing the holding cell with a gunshot, Nikita determines that it's bulletproof. Through hand gestures, Nikita communicates with Kerensky.

Operations asks Nikita for her opinion on the situation. "She claims she hasn't given information yet." Operations asks for her recommendation. "If we incinerate, we'll have hundred percent containment." Both Michael and Birkoff hear Nikita's suggestion. "Destroying an embassy is severe. There will be fallout for months," Madeline points out. "Taking Section operatives is severe. I want our enemies to know that. You think she'll do it?" Operations asks. "There's only one way to find out." Madeline responds. "Okay, Nikita. Request for incineration approved. Set the sequence to thirty seconds." Birkoff orders all teams to evacuate.

Michael doesn't like what he hears. "Nikita standby. I'm working on a contingency. Nikita sets an explosive charge on the glass cell in full view of Kerensky, who is alarmed at Nikita's actions. Michael works quickly on his computer, examining his options. Nikita and Kerensky look at each other. "Thirty seconds," Nikita reports. "Nikita, can you hear me? There are children on the premises," he informs her. "I hear you, Michael. Twenty five seconds," she answers and then walks away, leaving an increasingly agitated Kerensky behind. Michael works at the computer until he manages to trigger an alarm. On the monitor, the daycare occupants hear it and start immediately to evacuate. The children file out of the embassy along with other employees. In the commotion, Nikita walks out as well just as the explosion goes off, surprising the recently evacuated. In the van, Michael removes his comm piece and contemplates what just happened. In the Perch, Madeline turns to Operations. "Now we know."

Act 2[]

At Section, Michael approaches one of the secure terminals. He calls up Nikita's file and requests information on her status but it comes up as unavailable. He then requests information on her whereabout for the last two months and the response is the same--unavailable. A requested for behavior modification programs is also not fruitful,

Nikita walks down a city street. She rounds a corner and then comes to a stop. "What are you doing here?" She asks before turning. From the darkness, Michael appears. "I want some answers," he tells her. Nikita walks way until she arrives at an empty street corner. Michael walks up behind her and activates a surveillance scrambler. "We have two minutes," he tells her. "Sixteen people died in the embassy explosion. What's going on?" He asks. "They're watching me, Michael. I had to do it." Michael studies her. "Kill people," he points out, the very thing Nikita hates doing. "I knew you'd activate the alarm. I reduced the impact charge in the device. Tried to place it somewhere there'd be minimal damage. I had no choice." Michael studies her for several long seconds before he asks her why. "They tried to reprogram me. I had to let them think they succeeded." He wants to know when it started. "Geneflex mission," she tells him. "You weren't at the rendezvous point," Michael recalls. "Birkoff sent me upstairs. Madeline was waiting. I was tranqed. I don't know what they did but when I awoke, I knew they'd been messing with my mind. They're trying to strip me of my humanity. No feelings. No connection with anyone." Michael places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Why didn't you let me help you?" Michael asks. Nikita looks at him for the first time with emotion in her eyes. "There was too much surveillance," she answers him sadly. Nikita steps closer to Michael. "Believe me," she pleads softly with her hands on his chest. Nikita kisses Michael. "Believe me," she repeats and then kisses him briefly once more. Nikita looks around and then pulls back. "I have to go," she tells him and then walks away. Michael stays where he stands and watches Nikita leave before he too steps away.

Michael gets into his parked car and pulls out a disk from a device that was inside his coat pocket. He inserts the disk into a handheld device and pulls up the data--it's a video file of his encounter with Nikita. He zooms in on Nikita's eyes while the video plays back.

Michael waits for Birkoff at a secure location with Section One. "They’re running redundancies. I have to get back," Birkoff tells him upon arrival. Michael hands Birkoff the disk of his encounter with Nikita. "I want you do run an eye analysis for me, please," he tells Birkoff. "That’s a monolux disk. I can’t open it without being detected," Birkoff frets. "Run it through during the redundancy check when the system segregates," Michael suggests. "If it doesn’t complete by the time I’m done I get caught with my hand in the cookie jar...isn’t there some other way?" He asks. Michael tells him that there isn't. "It’s for Nikita." Birkoff pockets the disk, understanding its importance. He tells Michael that he'll try before he departs.

Operations enters Committee where Madeline waits. On the phone with George. After he hangs up, Madeline asks if there's an issue. "He thinks the embassy was being used. That there was no alliance with the target group." Operations tells her. "Who cares? The mission was successful," she responds. Operations laments that there was so much he could do if George was out of the picture. "We tried. For the time being we have to comply," she advises. On an intercom, a woman advises them that Nikita is waiting. Operations requests that she be sent in.

In the corridor near Systems, Birkoff leaves a hidden panel for Michael and walks away. Michael subtly picks it up and walks down the hallway.

At night, Michael drives his car down the street. He listens to Birkoff's report. "Michael, you were right. The irregularities in Nikita's eye movement suggested neural engineering. Four years ago, Operations approved a research proposal based on the work of a neuro-biologist called Ross Gelman. I don’t know if Gelman’s methods were used on Nikita. If they were, I'd look for someone who's been close to her. Not just at Section, but at home. The process requires maintenance." At the new information suddenly does a U-turn and speeds off.

Michael arrives at Nikita's apartment and Mick opens the door. "Michael, what a pleasant surprise," Mick says in greet. Michael immediately punches him in the face and Mick falls backwards into the apartment. "Michael, lovely to see you. Would you like to go to my place for a drink?" He tries to get up but Michael shoves him again. Mick walks backwards to stay out of Michael's reach. "You know I’ve got a problem with guns. Do you mind?" He babbles. "What are you doing to Nikita?" Michael demands to know. "Me? To Nikita? Do you think I’ve been rogering her?" He asks incredulous. "Michael, Michael! Absolutely not, no, no, you’ve got it all wrong. Not that I didn’t try of course. Before I found out about the two of you."

"I’m watering her plants," Mick insists. Michael glances at the dead plants on the counter. "They do look a bit thirsty. Maybe I was slacking off," Mick adds. Michael puts his gun to the underside of Mick's jaw. "Bye, Mick," he tells him. "Wait, wait – I’ll show you! Slowly, very slowly." He pulls out a vial from his pocket. "Don’t ask me what it is." Michael wants to know what he does with it. "I just splash a few drops on the floor." Michael asks why. "You know the old saw, Michael. You tell me, we’ll both know," Mick tells him. "Who at Section asked you to do this?" Michael asks. "I haven’t a clue. It was done anonymously. Look mate, I like Nikita. This hasn't exactly been my favorite detail. She's changed. It's got something to do with that. But you know they didn't exactly give me a choice." With the vial in hand, Michael starts to leave. "Michael, if you take that, they will find out and blame me." Michael stands at the door. "That’s possible," he replies and walks out.

Michael meets with Birkoff in private. He asks Birkoff if he's found Gelman. "He hasn't surfaced since he went rogue. Four missions have already gone out for his retrieval. All failed." Michael wants to know why. "I think he took some technology with him. He's monitoring our channels. That's how he sees us coming every time," Birkoff tells him. "Make it six. He owes me for St. Petersburg. I can find him." Birkoff wants to know what he's supposed to say but Michael tells him that he'll let him know when he's onsite.

Birkoff returns to Comm but he's intercepted by Operations, who's been looking for him. Stolkhom has just given Section a lead on the group behind the Kerensky kidnapping. He wants Birkoff to tell Michael to assemble his team.

Michael walks by and heads toward Munitions where Walter greets him. "A multichannel transmitter with a confidential broadcast mask," he tells Walter. "I didn't see that in profile," Walter comments. "It wasn't." Understanding why Michael needs the transmitter, Walter heads back towards his inventory and retrieves one for him.

In his car, Michael activates the transmitter. He types out a message. "St. Petersburg 03/15/94 I was at the gazebo...Now, I need you..." After the message is sent, he drives off.

In the exercise room, operatives work out at the various stations. Operations arrives and sees Nikita engaged in hand to hand with a male operative. She takes him down easily. Operations walks away and Nikita takes a seat to compose herself and rest.

Madeline works at station in one of Section's hallways when Operations approaches her. "Birkoff is working on a location," he tells her. She's pleased and asks if he's heard from George. "Indirectly," he replies. "They're still monitoring this one closer than I'd like," he adds. "At least it keeps his attention away from other things," Madeline offers. Operations agrees and comments that he's just seen Nikita. "I have to say, she shows no signs of weakness. Your methods continue to amaze me." Together, Operations and Madeline walk down the hallway. "I wish I were as optimistic," Madeline confesses. "We had success with our original subject, but remember that was a controlled situation. Someone on the outside, there are variables beyond our control," she points out. "That's true but so far she seems to be behaving exactly as planned," he tells her. "Nikita is an excellent actor. We can't forget that," Madeline counsels. "A few days ago, I might have shared your concern, but now, I don't even think Michael can touch her." Madeline considers Operations suggestion.

Act 3[]

Nikita approaches Munitions where a smiling Walter greets her. "Hey, my Sugar." Nikita is flirtatious. "One of these days I'm going to figure out how someone so sweet can be so smart," she tells him. "Don't kid yourself. I'm not that sweet," he replies, charmed. Michael approaches them. With only a cursory look at him, Nikita leaves. Walter hands Michael his gear. "Seems fine. Same old Nikita," Walter tells him.

Down a city alleyway, Michael and Nikita each lead a Section team on foot. They approach the exchange site from different directions. The exchange as the two Section teams get closer. When they're spotted, a firefight erupts. Everyone takes cover as the bullets continue to fly. They have a runner making a break for it and Nikita declares that she'll pursue. "Nikita hold," Michael tells her. "I can get him," she tells him but Michael repeats his order and tells her to wait for instructions. Michael starts pursuing the runner himself.

Down a city street Michael pursues the runner at high speed on foot. They run into a barricaded metro station and down several staircases. The runner places construction obstacles in his wake but Michael easy rounds them. The runner jumps a ramp but Michael jumps as well and kicks him down partially unconscious. Michael further sedates him and places him inside a storage closet. He informs Birkoff that the target escaped and that he's pursuing. He tells Michael that he'll monitor and that he has one hour to get to Gelman. As Michael walks out of the metro station, Nikita stands hidden nearby observing his departure.

Act 4[]

Tag[]

A small team of operatives, lead by Davenport cross the main floor of Section One. Walter and Birkoff take note that they're heading toward's Michael's office. When they reach the office door, they pull out their weapons. Davenport requests final confirmation from Operations, who watches a live surveillance feed of Michael's office. Michael is inside working. "Kill him," Operations orders. Davenport and his team enter Michael's office and immediately begin firing. The shots go right through him and imped in the wall. Michael's image begins to disappear. It was a hologram of Michael. "Sir, we have a problem," Davenport reports.

At night, Nikita walks down the street alone. Across the street Michael watches as she turns a corner and walks off into the distance.

Cast[]

Main Cast[]

Special Guest Stars[]

Colin Fox as Ross Gelman

Episode Quotes[]

Operations: "We were pleased with your clarity in yesterday’s mission."
Nikita: "Thank you."
Madeline: "How does it feel to be back in Section?"
Nikita: "I feel good. Ready."
Madeline: "And your interaction with others?"
Nikita: "They seem to expect more than I care to give."
Madeline: "And what do you think that might be?"
Nikita: "The emotional component. Like we talked about with Michael."
Madeline: "Yes. It’s unnecessary for us, but they need it."
Nikita: "Hmmm. Well, I could smile more."

Michael: "What are you doing to Nikita?"
Mick:"Me? To Nikita? Do you think I’ve been rogering her? Michael, Michael! Absolutely not, no, no, you’ve got it all wrong. Not that I didn’t try of course. Before I found out about the two of you."

Trivia[]

Costume Designer Laurie Drew was nominated at the 2000 Gemini Awards for 'Best Costume Design' for her work on this episode.

Music[]

leave you far behind | LUNATIC CALM

lullaby | LAMB