The Night Manager Episode 4 Review: A Feast Of British Talent

Last Sunday night brought us the third installment of Susanne Bier‘s take on John le Carré‘s classic The Night Manager and with it came Pine’s first real involvement in Roper’s dodgy dealings. While it’s been easy for us to get to grips with all the new, brilliantly written characters; Bier’s in desperate need of picking up the pace in this week’s episode four if she wants us to continue caring about the narrative at all. 

Jonathan is no longer Pine, he’s Andrew Birch. He’s Birch and he’s gotten the green light to enter the inner circle of Roper’s (Hugh Laurie) gang of greed and deception. Our Pine (Tom Hiddleston) is starting to get used to his position of power and it’s easy for us to forget his exact role in the entire operation; a testimate to both Pine’s acting and Hiddleston’s. Jed (Elizabeth Debicki) is clearly spooked by Pine’s presence in Roper’s private study where he becomes Birch. She visits Pine that night after Roper leaves for business and they share a risky kiss. There’s obviously chemistry between them, but we can’t help ourselves but curse Pine, that’s not what you’re here for; you’ve go a job to do. 

In Madrid, Burr (Olivia Colman) talks to her informant and applies the pressure for more of their cooperation. She needs somebody who knows the exact workings of Roper’s deception. Her colleagues in London are in trouble of their own, they’re stirring up strife for some pretty important people and when Rex gets rammed off the road by to unmarked vans, he becomes determined to supply Burr with an even bigger budget to bring Roper down. Burr knows that Roper is dealing with British and American arms dealers, with those on the inside being paid to keep their mouths firmly shut. 

Roper arrives back at his vast mansion and immediately plants a heavy hand of Pine’s shoulder, before being whisked away by an apologetic Jed. Roper is left with Corcoran where he spits his usual venom of jealousy and hatred. He knows about Jed’s visit to Pine the night before and warns him of the damage Roper will do to Jed if he were to ever find out. Jed knows that Pine isn’t who he says he is and when they fall into bed together it appears she doesn’t particularity care. Debicki plays a really wonderful role and gives a great glimpse into this conflicted and haunted character. This young woman obviously carries scars from her past and it’s Debicki’s subtle approach that allows us to get fleeting glimpses at Jed’s real pain.

In blissful ignorance, Roper parades Pine around like a new soldier, kitting him out in the finest suits, supplying him with a shiny black card with unlimited funds. On a stunning harbour, they all have one last dinner before Roper and Pine head off on business. A drunk and loud Corcoran makes a humiliating scene and when Pine comes to save the day, Corcoran finds himself further and further on the outside of the inner circle. Hollander continues to do an outstanding job at playing the sickening bully and indeed continues to be one of the very best things about each episode; it’s with great pleasure that we get to see his demise.

Roper and Pine travel to Istanbul in crisp linen shirts, surrounded by all the finest luxury as always. Pine gets to work as Birch, putting the deal in place with confidence and ease. Roper is clearly pleased with him, almost a little smug. They travel to the cargo dock as the purchase goes through. This tense scene is fuelled with intense close-ups, shifts in focus and quick two-shots. It’s a great example of work for Bier. 

The pacing still feels pretty glacial and the difficulty with that is that we find ourselves investing so much time with Pine and Roper, enjoying their company and chemistry that we start to care very little about what’s happening back in London. Therefore, when our minds wander whenever the big wigs in the city are on screen, we’re missing out on key information about the Roper case that goes beyond Pine’s involvement. Whether that’s down to lazy watching, the pull of Laurie and Hiddleston’s talent or an issue of direction; it’s dampening the viewing experience.

This is an even bigger shame because that is where we see the majority of Olivia Colman’s work, who as always is exceptional, but perhaps a little lost in this forgotten part of the narrative. There is however, a particularly wonderful scene with near the end of the episode where she explains her first meeting with Roper. She tells an emotional story of the horrors of the kind of weapons Roper is churning out and just reiterates our love for her as an amazing actress. 

The episode ends on high drama, but if we know anything from this series so far is that that doesn’t entirely mean the next episode will continue that high tension. However, you can’t deny that all performances in this drama are outstanding. Such a smorgasbord to British talent in one drama is always going to be a delight to watch and this group of beautiful, talented people is no exception. 

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