This is the second of two episodes (5 and 6) that deal with Sidney Reilly's complex and intriguing plan to represent a German shipping interest in Russia with the expectation of selling new dreadnoughts to the Russian Imperial Navy while passing on crucial details of the vessels to the British government! No wonder he was often seen in public with his personal attorney in tow!
There are some interesting plot developments in this episode. We get a better picture of just how seductive Reilly was to women, as he easily beds down Count Massino's wife while setting the stage to use the Count to seal the deal for the ship sale! Another fascinating story development occurs when Reilly joins Massino and the Countess on a wild pig hunt that is quite exciting in its own right. And we get some further insight into just how convoluted Reilly's relationship was with England while he seemed to be working exclusively for the Germans!
This episode marks the last time we will have a meaningful visit with Reilly's long-suffering first wife Margaret---except for a very brief appearance rhat she makes in the final chapter. Considering just how stirring it was for both of them when they met in the series's first episode, her departure from the story seems almost expedient and perfunctory. Such is life with Reilly!
Once again the viewer gets a feast for the eyes with the truly splendid period costumes used to enhance the narrative's reality. The sets are equally compelling.
While some believe that Zaharov is like a father image to Reilly, at the end of this episode we will have serious doubts that Zaharov felt the same way! It is also now obvious that Reilly has surpassed Zaharov in the skills required to succeed at a top level in the game of high stakes intrigue.
With this episode, Reilly has come the closest yet to developing a character comparable to the later James Bond. Very watchable.
There are some interesting plot developments in this episode. We get a better picture of just how seductive Reilly was to women, as he easily beds down Count Massino's wife while setting the stage to use the Count to seal the deal for the ship sale! Another fascinating story development occurs when Reilly joins Massino and the Countess on a wild pig hunt that is quite exciting in its own right. And we get some further insight into just how convoluted Reilly's relationship was with England while he seemed to be working exclusively for the Germans!
This episode marks the last time we will have a meaningful visit with Reilly's long-suffering first wife Margaret---except for a very brief appearance rhat she makes in the final chapter. Considering just how stirring it was for both of them when they met in the series's first episode, her departure from the story seems almost expedient and perfunctory. Such is life with Reilly!
Once again the viewer gets a feast for the eyes with the truly splendid period costumes used to enhance the narrative's reality. The sets are equally compelling.
While some believe that Zaharov is like a father image to Reilly, at the end of this episode we will have serious doubts that Zaharov felt the same way! It is also now obvious that Reilly has surpassed Zaharov in the skills required to succeed at a top level in the game of high stakes intrigue.
With this episode, Reilly has come the closest yet to developing a character comparable to the later James Bond. Very watchable.