Review S02E02- Enough Of Ghosts

[michaellevenson]

We start with Willie Caine having to visit Tom Elliott's parents with the news of his death. For security reasons, the truth can't be revealed, so Willie has to say Tom died in a plane crash while delivering papers for the government, all hush-hush, top secret, and they can be very proud of him.

Back at HQ, Caine believes his time must surely be up soon, and tells Burnside he's quitting.
C: " you should have heard me lying to them, not a word of truth in it"
Burnside " what did you want to say? Sorry your son died in agony, in a flat in Bulgaria, after begging for death"
Caine " nah, but my number must be up sometime"
Caine says he'll do one more job, give SIS time to find a replacement.
In Brussels, Wellingham, foreign office top brass, and the second most loved character in the show, is kidnapped by fake chauffeurs after he leaves an important meeting. He ends up being driven to an isolated country house outside Brussels, and in the company of some rather well spoken armed men.
The terrorist group " the Boolan Organization" claim responsibility and demand NATO suspends all support to Israel or Wellingham dies. The Boolan group operate in Germany and have carried out atrocities along with the Beider Mein Hoff terrorists. They further say they will kidnap other NATO officials and kill them too.
It's bad news for Wellingham alright.
Burnside sends Willie and Mike Wallace Sandbagger#2 to Brussels where they link up with a German anti terrorist hit squad led by Herr Linker, a blond tough German.
Two possible clues to this plot,
1. The Belgian Government were reluctant to go after the Boolan group at first, as they commited crimes in Germany, not Belgium and there is no evidence of Boolan group even being in their country and, 2. The Boolan group via a message to a newspaper deny kidnapping Wellingham. The plot thickens.
There was a little side issue in this episode, not directly affecting the main plot, but highlighted Burnside's determination to do his job his way.
Deputy Peele refused permission for both sandbaggers to go to Brussels,
Peele " sorry Neil, what happens if another mission comes up, and both sandbaggers are away. Anyway would you insist on both going if it didn't involve Wellingham?"
But Burnside ignores the order and sends them anyway, and when Peele finds out,
" Why did you disobey a direct order!?...you're back to your old ways, cheating lying double dealing to get your own way. Well your annual report is overdue and you'll understand if it is somewhat less than flattering"

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[michaellevenson]

Willie and Mike at their hotel get out the maps and try and work out where the kidnappers may have taken Wellingham. Using their field training, likely escape routes,quickest way out of the city etc. Mike is surprised they are staying at the Hilton but Willie wants some luxury as it's his last job.

Meanwhile Edward Tyler, Intelligence Director eases Burnside's worries by telling him the anti terrorist squad working in Brussels that the sandbaggers are linking up with are great, top team, called GSG9-finger squad, who though have no jurisdiction outside Germany they liaise with local police and finger the terrorists for the police who then move in.
Herr Linker after initial failure convinces the Belgian authorities to move against Boolan.
Wellingham meantime is being treated well, fed properly by the terrorists in the country house, even allowed to get on with work from his briefcase.
Linker contacts Willie, the Boolan group have been found, the police are moving in.
More...

 

[michaellevenson]

Burnside's secretary Diane tells him she's seen a memo from Willie requesting a transfer to mission planning, so it looks like his last job after all.

Back in Brussels the police are moving in on an apartment building where Boolan and his terrorist group are hiding. A brief gun battle, but the police win out, the group are led away, Herr Linker ecstatic.
HL: " we got them all Willie, with drugs , guns the lot"
Caine ; " where's Wellingham?"
HL; "not there, don't worry we'll start again there"
At the country house the phone rings , one of the gang picks it up, sounds thrilled and puts the receiver down.

" Sir Geoffrey you can go, you're free we'll take you back to town?
Wellingham is perplexed,
" just who are you!?"
" Oh just think of us as eccentric millionaires"
Burnside has flown to Brussels and makes for the Hilton.
In the room, Willie is fuming ,Herr Linker promises his GSG9 unit will work.on finding Wellingham, he leaves, but finds Burnside blocking his way.
Burnside " Before you go Herr Linker I have a little theory for you. The GSG9's reputation lives or dies by capturing German terrorists. You knew the Boolan group were in Brussels but the Belgian police were unwilling to act, as they had no idea where Boolan was and no criminal act had been committed on Belgium soil. So you kidnap Wellingham yourself, put pressure on the Belgians with a senior British diplomat involved then release a false ransom demand, insuring NATO countries put pressure on the Belgians. Am I warm Herr Linker?"
HL " it was necessary"
B " what about his wife, at home worried out of her mind"
HL " and the future wives who'll become widows if these people aren't stopped"
B " you play rough, Herr Linker"
HL:" Your Sir Geoffrey was released an hour ago and is being driven back to his hotel. And here Mr Burnside is a list I was going to leave at reception for you.....all Iraqi terrorists currently operational in London. Your MI5 will appreciate it. Good day sir "
Linker leaves , Burnside sort of impressed. And Willie?
Caine " I'll stay, at least until Mike is ready for sandbagger #1 duty"
B: "I'm relieved., so you can explain to deputy chief Peele"
C;" explain what?"
B: " what the hell are you doing in the Hilton!!"
8/10