Line in the Sand | |||||
La Femme Nikita | |||||
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Episode no. |
Season 4 Episode 14 |
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Directed by | Joel Surnow | ||||
Written by | Peter M. Lenkov | ||||
Production code | 414 | ||||
Original air date | July 2, 2000 | ||||
Episode guide | |||||
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"Line in the Sand" is the fourteenth episode of the fourth season of La Femme Nikita.
Summary[]
For 20 years, Red Cell has been the West’s most dangerous terrorist threat, and Section One has aggressively pursued the “Cardinal,” Red Cell’s, top leader with no success… until now. Immediately, Operations mobilize his teams to move in and capture him, but George commands Operations to stop the mission and withdraw. Concerned that George is trying to undermine him, he refuses to obey. Now, everyone's life is on the line when Oversight declares war on Section One.
Plot[]
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Birkoff works alone at Comm. He quietly ponders over data he has. Walter wanders by and observes him for a moment. "You're still at it," he points out but he gets no response from Birkoff. He approaches Comm and Birkoff looks up at him distracted. He asks if Walter said something earlier but Walter tells him not to worry. Walter asks Birkoff what he's working on. "Blowback from the Islamabad mission," Birkoff answers. Walter asks him if he ever considers going out for a walk to stretch his legs or get some sunshine. Birkoff isn't paying attention and instead asks Walter to hand him some nearby equipment. Walter asks if he's found somebody. Birkoff says that he has.
At Oversight, Greg Hillinger is tapped into Section One's system and wonders what Birkoff is looking for.
"That's a Red Cell thread," Walter points out when he takes a closer look at Birkoff's terminal. He asks how high it goes and Birkoff thinks that it goes all the way to the top. "Think again. The head of Red Cell wouldn't be on a relocation profile," Walter tells him and adds that it's just a hunch. He once again suggests that Birkoff take a break so he can see things clearer. Walter heads out but Birkoff jumps back into his work. Getting back some data, Birkoff automatically asks about Operations' location. He's told that Operations is in the Tower. Birkoff wants access but he's told that Operations is not to be disturbed. Birkoff leaves and heads to the Tower where Operations reiterates his request to not be disturbed. A woman speaking Vietnamese speaks from within the Tower and Operations responds in Vietnamese before turning back to Birkoff. "I found the Cardinal," Birkoff tells him.
Act 1[]
In her apartment, Nikita stands by the balcony doors lost in thought. A jaunty knock at her front door draws her out of her thoughts. She checks her security monitor and bows her head in resignation. Nikita opens the door and begins to walk away. Mick Schtoppel is on the other side and he immediately enters with a young woman. He compliments Nikita's foyer as "sparse, airy but inviting." He promptly introduces Nikita to Monique, his interior designer. Nikita is polite but tries to cut the visit short by telling Mick that she's in the middle of something. Mick explains that they won't be long. "It's the flow," Mick tells Monique when further describing Nikita's apartment. "A little bit of nouveau fung shoey" Monique looks around and compliments Nikita on what she's done with her apartment. Nikita thanks her but once again tries to convey to Mick his imposition. Mick continues to prattle on about what he wants for his apartment while Nikita sits resigned to his presence. Nikita's land line rings and Mick answers. Michael is on the line asking for "Joséphine".
The corridor near Van Access is highly trafficked by operatives. Walter walks by as Nikita arrives in. When she asks about the commotion, Walter tells her that Birkoff thinks that he's found the Cardinal. "Twenty years we've been looking for this guy and suddenly he surfaces." She asks his opinion. Walter thinks that it could be anyone in the Red Cell food chain or perhaps a misread. He adds that Birkoff hasn't slept in days.
Michael waits in Systems when Nikita approaches him. "How was Albania?" She asks. "I was called back," he tells her. Nikita begins to take a seat while Michael watches her. "I haven't seen you in a while," he tells her. Operations and Birkoff arrive, interrupting their conversation.
Act 2[]
Act 3[]
Madeline meets with Nikita and Michael in her office. She informs them that they're going to need a mobile unit to pursue the Cardinal. "I would like you two to lead the cell." Nikita is unmoved. "Is that a request or an order?" She asks. "It's a request," Michael tells her. "She's asking us to do a favor? When was the last time you did one for us?" Nikita tells Madeline. "If you don't want to do, just tell me," Madeline answers.
In Comm, Birkoff sorts through discs. Walter approaches him with a device that will keep them off Red Cell's satellites.
Act 4[]
At Munitions, Michael and Nikita pack their gear. Nikita asks Michael why they're participating. "We wouldn't survive under George," he tells her. Nikita thinks about his response before she reaches a conclusion. "You need this place, don't you?" She tells him. "No," Michael replies and walks away.
With his gear, Michael waits inside Van Access. Beside him is Birkoff and Nikita. Madeline and Operations arrive and the five of them enter into the elevator.
Down a snowy rural road, the Section Van travels. Inside are Michael, Operations, Birkoff, Nikita, and Madeline all engaged in various tactical activities. Michael inserts a panel into a dock and confirms with Operations that he's receiving the necessary data while Birkoff jams a satellite. On a Comm headset, Nikita converses with an unknown person in Italian about the satellite. Operations also talks to someone, confirming that the target is a class one priority. Madeline verifies coordinates on her own headset. On a Comm unit, Michael now converses with an unknown party in French,
At Section One, several armed guards from Oversight appear. The fan out across Section, leaving operatives to pause their activities. George and Hillinger then arrive and take a look around.
Tag[]
Nikita sits with Mick at her kitchen table with swatches of fabric. Nikita notes how happy Mick is with Monique's suggestions and he's effusive about her. Nikita's phone begins to ring. "Heard Section jumped through a few hoops last week. Things back to normal?" Mick asks casually. Nikita rises to answer the phone and she tells him that they are. She removes her shoes just as she hangs up the phone and tells Mick that she has to go. Nikita heads to her bedroom and Mick starts to head out.
Birkoff is near Comm in conversation with another operative when Nikita approaches him. "Hillinger's dead," she tells him. "He was just cancelled." Birkoff looks disappointed. He glances up towards the Perch where Operations works. They make eye contact. "He didn't have to do that," Birkoff tells Nikita. A member of his team approaches Birkoff and gives him an update on a mission that Davenport is leading. He heads back to his station, leaving Nikita behind.
Cast[]
Main Cast[] |
Special Guest Stars[]
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Episode Quotes[]
Music[]
Frédéric Chopin – Nocturne Op. 15 No. 3 in G Minor
Video[]
La Femme Nikita- "Section Pursues the Cardinal" - Sean Callery
Section goes rogue and pursues the Cardinal.
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