| Playing With Fire | |||||
| La Femme Nikita | |||||
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| Episode no. |
Season 3 Episode 21 |
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| Directed by | Joseph L. Scanlan | ||||
| Written by | Peter M. Lenkov | ||||
| Production code | 321 | ||||
| Original air date | August 22, 1999 | ||||
| Episode guide | |||||
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"Playing With Fire" is the twenty first episode of the third season of La Femme Nikita.
Summary[]
Despite Section’s disapproval of the relationship, Michael and Nikita continue to alter mission profiles so they can secretly meet each other. Concerned over a possible coup attempt, Operations and Madeline send a team to shadow the two rebellious operatives and catch them in the act. But when they return with the terrorist they were sent to retrieve, Operations and Madeline are forced to make a fateful choice.
Plot[]
[]
At Van Access, a team from Medical work on a man on a gurney as he's rushed away. Michael emerges out of Van Access behind the rapidly retreating gurney. Operations asks about the man's condition and Michael says that he's barely alive. "This man cannot die," he tells Michael. "Of course," Michael responds.
Inside Medical, a team continues to frantically work on the injured man.
In her office, Madeline is notified that "the target has been preserved. Madeline rises and head towards Medical.
Madeline arrives at Medical and goes directly to the now stable man. She removes his oxygen mask. The man wants to know why he's alive. Madeline explains that they saved his life and now they want something in return. "The group you belong to Crimson Storm. We'd like to know where their base camp is. He tells her and after thanking him, she puts the equipment he's on on standby. He flatlines instantly and Madeline walks away.
Act 1[]
At home Nikita finishes preparing a cup of tea when she hears a knock at her front door. When she looks into her security monitor, she sees Mick Schtoppel blowing kisses into the camera. When she opens the door he starts a story about being in Venice and seeing in a window a pin that reminds him of her. He presents it to her but Nikita declines his gift. Just as she's about to close the door, he steps forward and asks her for a favor. He tells her that his mother is coming to town and believes that Mick is a dentist. In order to not disappoint her, he'd like for Nikita to help in a ruse in which he pretends to be a dentist and Nikita is his wife. She refuses but Mick begs her profusely to help. "If I say yes, will you leave?" Nikita says, finally relenting and ushers him out.
At Section One Nikita briefly crosses paths with Michael and asks about one of his missions. "We got what we wanted," he answers her. The exchange is very brief and emotional. Up in the Perch, Madeline and Operations watch the exchange. Madeline comments that the Type One Directive must be holding and Operations agrees. "Unless they're putting on a show for us," Madeline hypothesizes. Operations inquires about their performance levels. "Nikita is 98%. Michael is essentially a hundred. As good as ever."
At a mission briefing, Operations shares that Gunther Derek provided the location of their heavily fortified primary base camp. Birkoff suggests a shadow approach for the Section team. "Crimson Storm is a paramilitary liberation cell, but their kamikaze behavior makes them unpredictable. They hit hard and fast. Their message of freedom is delivered in bold, public displays. They consider their fight more noble than political, which makes them a Class A threat," Operations says. He further adds a high degree of resistance and a 20% casualty rate. Section will be pursuing the detonation chips of their arsenal, of which Nikita will be in charge of retrieval. Before he leaves, Operations says that operatives are all on Standby.
After the briefing, Operations and Madeline reconvene in the Perch. After giving some more thought to their earlier conversation about Michael and Nikita, he wants to place an Observer. Madeline tells him that it's already been done. He asks who it is.
Down on the main floor, Davenport calls the attention of an operative named Snow who is scheduled to head out on the mission. Davenport tells him he's off the mission. Michael, who's in the vicinity, asks Davenport who's authority made the personnel change. "Operations," he tells Michael.
Nikita approaches Munitions to get her gear for the mission. She takes her firearm and reaches for a panel on the table. Walter immediately stops her and hands her a different panel.
In Madeline's office, Birkoff enters. She tells him that when Michael's team returns from their mission, she wants Birkoff to sweep their panels. Madeline tells him to look for anything "under the wire" and "encrypted." "You're looking for subcontact between operatives?" He asks. Madeline confirms what she wants. He tells her he'll do it when they get back.
Down a secluded road an SUV containing Michael's team makes its way at night. Michael is driving. Davenport observes him and Nikita who is sitting on the passenger seat looking out the window.
At the location, Michael orders Nikita to move to her first position. She's on the roof and works her way down. Michael gestures for three operatives behind him to proceed. In Comm, Birkoff tells Nikita to move to her second position, which involves her accessing the site extremely close to Crimson Storm personnel.
Nikita breaks into the secure room and takes out several hostiles. She tries to access the safe but is unable to. She tells Birkoff that the entry codes have been changed. After she patches in Birkoff and he accesses it remotely, Nikita is able to extract the detonation chips. Birkoff announces that Nikita has possession. Operations orders for everyone to evacuate and eliminate.
One the feed, sudden gunfire can be heard. Nikita tells Birkoff that she's surrounded and that she needs immediate egress. Birkoff alerts Michael that Retrieval is under fire. He approaches Nikita's location along with Davenport, taking out the hostiles that Nikita had snuck past. They breach the facility. Other than finding several dead hostiles, Nikita is nowhere to be found. All that remains is the equipment she used to access the detonation chips. Michael announces that Nikita has been taken. "Retrieval has gone gray."
At Section, Birkoff tells Operations that they have a hostage situation. Operations orders that Michael should continue with the contingency number three. In that scenario, Davenport has Michael's flank and the rest of the team is to report to Section.
When Michael and Davenport exit the facility, a man in a motorbike approaches them. Michael fires at him. The man falls but the bike remains in motion. Without stopping, Michael hops on the bike as it nears him and orders Davenport to follow him in the SUV they had used for team transport on a staggered approach.
Michael races down the road in his stolen motorbike. In the SUV, Davenport follows.
Michael requests from Birkoff to "go dark". He notifies Operations of Michael's request. Operations briefly questions it, but Birkoff tells him that the entire perimeter is "a hot zone" and that Crimson Storm has satellite tracking capabilities. Operations authorizes Michael's request.
On the road, Michael and Davenport continue on their way. Michael crosses spot on the road under construction and he maneuvers the barricades easily with the motorbike. Davenport, in the wider SUV, is not so lucky and he has to stop his pursuit, much to his frustration. Michael continues down the road until he makes to a boat docked at a body of water.
He makes his way onboard and steps inside the boat's sleeping quarters. Nikita is waiting for him alone. She glances up when he arrives. Michael walks up to her and they silently take each other in. "We have one hour," he tells her. Nikita leans closer to him and they kiss with growing enthusiasm. Just before it gets too heated, Michael stops her by pushing her back and holding her wrists. Undeterred, Nikita lunges for him again. He pushes her back again but this time he removes her jacket. Nikita helps him in doing so. She leans back against the wall as Michael leans forward to captures her lips in a kiss.
Act 2[]
At Van Access, Michael arrives with a disheveled and disoriented Nikita. Operations meets them. Michael tells him that there were three hostiles and a lot of interrogation equipment, but he got there before they started. Nikita is in no condition to answer questions but she does remember them grabbing her and everything going black. Michael says that he's going to take her to Medical.
At Medical, Nikita lies on a gurney. Birkoff arrives concerned and asks after her. Nikita says that she's alright. Birkoff asks her about her panel. She says that she normally gives it to Walter. He tells her that the request comes straight from Madeline. Alarmed, Nikita asks Birkoff about what she's looking for. He doesn't answer and walks away with the panel. Walter arrives seconds later and asks Nikita how she's doing. She tells him about Birkoff taking her panel. Now he's alarmed as well because he hasn't had to opportunity to sanitize it yet. "Do you think he'll find it?" Nikita asks. Walter is absolutely certain that he will. Nikita is extremely distressed at the turn of events.
Birkoff arrives at Comm with Nikita's panel and inserts it into his terminal. He downloads the contents and starts running a decryption program. He's surprised to find coordinates for a rendezvous point.
At Munitions, Birkoff approaches Walter with Nikita's panel. Walter tells him that he's been looking for that. Birkoff informs him that he's under orders from Madeline to analysis the device for "interconnection between Section ops. Anything under the wire." He's upset that Walter is involved in something like this and Walter tells him that he was helping two friends. "Being a messenger for Nikita and Michael is not helping them. It's digging their graves and yours," Birkoff argues. "You weren't supposed to even see that panel," Walter tells him. "But I did," Birkoff answers. "Now I have to turn it in." Walter can't believe what he's hearing. Birkoff informs him that if Madeline sends the panel to cryptanalysis, then they'll immediately spot the information. He has no choice. Walter asks for time to work on something. Birkoff is skeptical that he can come up with an alternative. "Look we are talking about Michael and Nikita, remember," Walter reminds him. "Look, I'm not going down with you guys," Birkoff tells him and he walks out of Munitions.
Michael approaches Operations in the Perch. He tells Michael that he's read the debrief and that everything worked out according to contingency. Michael disagrees. "I've detected a secondary layer," he informs Operations, which suggests that there's another base camp. Operations tells Michael that their intel says there isn't. "I'd like to take a small recon team into the field to be certain," Michael tells him. Operations asks about his recommendations for the team. "Sinclair, Minola, Nikita." Operations tells him that he'll consider it and Michael leaves the Perch.
Nikita waits in the dark for Michael. When he arrives, he goes directly to her. She asks if he's spoken to Walter. Michael confirms that he has and Nikita asks about what they're going to do. Michael says to do nothing. Nikita then asks about the possibility of Birkoff telling Madeline. "Deny everything," Michael advises. "Michael, we're playing with fire." Michael takes her in before reaching for her hand. He brings her hand to his lips and kisses it. "I know," he tells her. They spend long seconds staring at each other.
Birkoff approaches Walter in Munitions. He tells Walter that it's three o'clock. "Do what you gotta do," Walter tells him. Walter resumes his work and Birkoff leaves.
Birkoff arrives in Madeline's office holding Nikita's panel. She asks if he's found anything and he confirms that he has. He hands her the panel. "It's a communique between Nikita and Michael...off profile information." Madeline wants to know if it's personal and Birkoff confirms. "It details a rendezvous point and time." Madeline asks if it's the Antochia mission and he tells her that it is. Madeline wants to know who planted the information. "A third party," he tells her. Madeline looks at him, expecting more information. "Walter," he says. Madeline thanks him and dismisses him.
Madeline arrives in the Perch with Nikita's panel. "Michael and Nikita are having outside contact," she informs Operations. "They've been able to avoid surveillance by invoking dark approach." Operations wants to know the facilitator and Madeline tells him about Walter. He tells Madeline to take care of it.
In Munitions, Walter receives a summons from Madeline.
Act 3[]
Birkoff arrives in Muntions looking for Walter. He walks further into the department searching for the other man. He comes across Operations. "Madeline told me about your discovery, We're both pleased you made the right decision." Birkoff asks if Walter is going to die. "Not if he cooperates...Walter's a friend. I understand. Friendship is inevitable under these conditions. It's something we tolerate to an extent," he tells Birkoff. "I don't see how a relationship between two operatives can be dangerous?" Birkoff asks. "It's not just two operatives, is it? Walter facilitates the liaisons. There's not telling how many other operatives Michael and Nikita used to conceal their relationship," he lectures.
"Did you really think you could get away with this?" Madeline asks Walter in her office. "It doesn't matter. It's what they wanted. It's called living," he tells her. "Walter, you're a sixty year old teenager," Madeline tells him and he smiles at the description. "By helping them, you're only jeopardizing their future...we have bigger plans for Michael and Nikita," she tells him. "All they wanted was to be together. That's all," he tells her seriously. "You and I aren't privy to what goes on when they're together, are we?" Walter wants to know what's going to be done to him. She tells him that it depends on the level of his cooperation. Madeline wants to know everything.
At Comm, Birkoff watches Walter walk past him.
Nikita and Michael once again meet in private. They stand on opposite sides of the corridor. "Walter's gone," she tells him. "He took some downtime," Michael assures her. "Is that what they told you? Are you sure?" She asks. Michael slowly walks towards Nikita. Michael asks about Birkoff. "Operations has him troubleshooting in data," she says bitterly. "Walter won't talk," Michael tells her. "We should never have brought him into this," she says. Michael reminds her that Walter offered to help. "I don't know what I'll do if they hurt him," she says quietly. Michael comes even closer and caresses Nikita's bare shoulder in her sleeveless dress. "Go home, Nikita. You're supposed to be on downtime. I'll see what I can find out." Nikita turns and walks away.
In her apartment, Nikita is grilled by Mick Schtoppel on his fictitious life.
Operations walks into Madeline's office and asks how things went with Walter. "There was no resistance," she tells him. He wants to know if Walter shared how he did it. "He's been layering their panels with encryption," she reveals. "Why do you think he helped them?" Operations asks. "He thinks it's harmless. It could be what they're telling him." she suggests. Operations wants to know if Michael and Nikita are just using Walter. "Making him think that it's something to do with their relationship when it's really about something else." Madeline thinks that it's a possibility. "Michael was comfortable running Section while you were at Center." When Operations asks if Walter will cooperate, Madeline tells him that he will. "Have him prepare their panels. We'll send them back into the field." Madeline thinks the plan is wise. "We should find out exactly what they're doing before determining a course of action."
Out in Section, Operations approaches Michael and informs him that he's approved his request for field recon. Michael replies that he'll inform the team his suggested. "Isn't necessary. This is intelligence gathering only. I was thinking a two man team. It will reduce our exposure." Michael wants to know who Operations has in mind and he tells Michael that his choice is Nikita. "She'll work," Michael tells him and Operations agrees.
Walter opens up Munitions and Michael arrives behind him. Michael ask Walter about his downtime. He unconvincingly replies that it was very relaxing. "Word has it you're going out?" Walter mentions. "Recon," Michael tells him. Walter asks about Nikita and Michael confirms her inclusion. He hands Walter a disc. "It'll be on your panel and Nikita's," he replies cautiously and Michael thanks him before he departs.
Act 4[]
Operations meets with Michael, Nikita and Birkoff in Systems to discuss the recon mission.
Davenport's team approaches the rendezvous point provided by Walter. It's the boat where Michael and Nikita had previously met in secret. Davenport uses night vision goggles to survey the site.
In the Perch, Operations tells team two to proceed to their first mark.
On site, Davenport gestures for his team member to do as ordered. The operative moves closer to the boat.
Birkoff notifies Operations that First Team has returned with Miles Navarro. Operations looks out of the Perch in surprise. "Michael was right. Navarro had a cape transmitter," Birkoff tells him. Operations exchanges a concerned look with Madeline. Below the Perch a detained Navarro is lead away by two operatives. Michael and Nikita follow behind and eventually split up and go their different ways. Birkoff and Walter look on, as does Operations from above.
Tag[]
Nikita's apartment is ready to receive Mick's mother. She straightens out her clothing while Mick confirms on the phone that his mother came in on her scheduled flight. After he hangs up, he suggests checking the hospitals. He laments not picking her up himself. He phone rings and it's his mother. Mick asks her where she is. After a brief conversation Mick hangs up and tells Nikita that she can't make it. She ran into an old flame named Felix at the airport. "She gonna spend a couple of hours with him instead of with me." Nikita suggest that they have some dinner but Mick declines. He's clearly disappointed but he thanks Nikita for her gesture.
At Section Birkoff approaches Walter. He starts to apologize but Walter tells him not to worry about it. "Don't sweat it. You didn't have a choice." Birkoff points out that Walter risked himself for Nikita and Michael. "What can I say. I'm a sucker for seeing people happy," he points out. Birkoff wonders how Nikita and Michael knew about the trap. Walter starts to explain but Birkoff stops him. He says that he doesn't want to know.
Michael stands on the main floor of Section One talking to two operatives. Nikita exits Comm and walks right past him. Neither one of them acknowledge each other. In the Perch, Operations watches. When Madeline approaches him, he tells her that he feels they should proceed with their original plan. "It's dangerous," she warns. "Then proceed with caution," he tells her.
Cast[]
Main Cast[] |
Special Guest Stars[] |
Episode Quotes[]
- Michael: "We have one hour."
- Madeline: "Walter, you're a sixty year old teenager."
- Operations: "Walter gave us the rendezvous point. The location's been prepped. Stay one layer out until we give you the signal."
Davenport: (uncomfortable) "Sir, Nikita and Michael will resist capture."
Operations: "You're cleared for extreme force."
Davenport: (still uncomfortable) "I'm sorry, sir. I'll need you to be more explicit."
Operations: "They are not to escape. Kill them if necessary."
Music[]
thalheim | DAVID SYLVIAN
Trivia[]
- The motorcycle Michael steals is a Honda XR 600 R.[1]
References[]
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