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Lesser of Two Evils/Do or Die

Season 1, Episode 6.
UK Airdate 6/17/2002

Cast
Matthew MacFadyen as Tom Quinn
Keeley Hawes as Zoe Reynolds
David Oyelowo as Danny Hunter
Peter Firth as Harry Pearce
Jenny Agutter as Tessa Phillips
Esther Hall as Ellie Simm
Heather Cave as Maisie Simm

Crew
Series Creator: David Wolstencroft
Director: Andy Wilson
Writer: Howard Brenton

Summary
Ellie agrees to move back into Tom's flat now that security has been beefed up. Meanwhile, known Irish terrorist Patrick McCann walks into an MI5 safehouse and offers inside information on an imminent attack by a Muslim terrorist group known as Asabiyah. In return, McCann wants his own terrorist group to go unwatched for thirty hours. When Harry refuses to deal, Tom and the team go behind his back.

The Good
The tension in this episode is high and fast-paced. The team is conflicted over what is the best course of action to take. Harry is unusually adamant that McCann cannot be trusted and Zoe is suspicious of any information that Tessa offers.
The actor who plays McCann is both likeable but dangerous. He talks to Tom with both respect and a wry sense of humour. In their first meeting, both McCann and Tom strip in the middle of an empty field to prove that they aren't bugged.
Zoe finally confesses Tessa's treachery to Harry. After reassuring Zoe, Harry summons Tessa and the two declare war on each other.

The Bad
Warning! This episode ends in a cliffhanger. When Ellie and Maisie move back in with Tom, things are going all too well and the writers just couldn't let them be. Thankfully, those of us in Australia got to see part two the following week. The poor UK viewers had to wait until the next season.

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