‘The Night Manager’ Episode 5 Review: A Tension Filled Penultimate Episode

This Sunday night sees the penultimate episode of Susanne Bier‘s adaptation of THE NIGHT MANAGER grace our screens and up until now, we’ve not been entirely convinced on exactly where the narrative is heading. However, with the likes of Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie providing us with some stellar performances, we’re holding on to the drama with everything we’ve got, desperate for more conflict!

Pine and Roper’s relationship is changing quickly. No longer does Roper loom over Pine in clever upshots. Instead they’re on equal terms, facing each other on an impressively lavish private jet; proving Pine’s clever way of sneaking into Roper’s trusted circle. Still, the tension is ever apparent with intense closeups as we’re able to survey the strained conversation; Roper knows somebody is betraying him.

The pair travel to Turkey where Roper provides weapons. Describing them as toys, it’s clear this place of destruction acts as a kingdom for Roper and his ego. Pine will be acting as his salesman, charming as ever he takes on his role as Birch. Roper slips on his own suit of charm as he mingles with the soldiers. Pine dons a pair of large ear protectors as he readies the heavy weapons.

With a black sky above him, each weapon paints the sky with the promise of war. The deep orange fires illuminates the dessert, destroying its chosen targets while gunfire echoes in the background. It’s a show, an absolutely deadly performance with Roper at its centre. His smug smile watches the orchestrated destruction with sickly glee and we’re shown once again the levels of sincere evil he’s accustomed to. 

The firearms budget for this episode alone is impressive. Often we find ourselves forgetting we’re tucked up on the sofa for Sunday night viewing, rather than sitting in the cinema watching a Hollywood budget action flick. It adds an extra sense of extravagance that mingles well with the narrative themes of wealth and glamour, as well as aiding the already brilliant cinematography. 

Jed and Corky are summoned to the camp and it immediately spells trouble, it’s not like Roper to mix business with pleasure. Sitting around a small metal table, one last hint of glamour remains as they force down glasses of champagne. There’s tension surrounding them as Pine clearly begins to worry about Jed’s sudden appearance. 

In London, Burr is in hot water. She’s lost Pine and is quickly losing people she can trust and depend on. She’s pregnant, emotional, exhausted and frightened; convinced she’s being watched by some less than savory characters. Despite her fear she’s as strong as ever, oozing authority and determination. As always, Olivia Colman is glorious as Burr, a wonderful mixture of strength and vulnerability makes her completely likable and a joy to watch. Despite her strength we worry for her as the threat of danger is becoming more and more apparent. 

Back in Turkey, Roper begins to question Jed about whether she’s the one spilling his secrets. Even though we know that Roper is a dangerous man, it’s still shocking when he viciously hits Jed across the face. Luckily Pine has Roper distracted enough to sneak into Jed’s tent and tell her the truth about his real identity. He makes it clear that they need to let Corky take the fall for Roper’s suspicions before kissing her passionately and making his escape before Roper returns.  

Jed does her best to manipulate Roper into believing that Corky is the one to blame. Roper strokes her swollen cheek before embracing her. Chills run down our spine at the thought of Jed’s vulnerable position, it’s been easy for us to feel sympathetic towards her initial ignorance of Roper’s real business ventures. Elizabeth Debicki plays her so well, her magnetic sexuality stirred with her vulnerability to create an altogether broken character.  

Corky is becoming more and more dangerous as he witnesses Pine sneaking back into the camp. They wrangle with each other with Pine eventually beating him to death and convincing Roper that he was in-fact the one sneaking back through the fence. Pine is clearly shaken and has crossed a line that is unclear he’ll be able to return from. 

Burr receives the essential information she needs to bring Roper down and rushes to Rex to see if she still has him on her side, begging him for help. She calls Joel and gets him to put through the permission to seize Roper and his weapons, they has visual of the Syrian boarder.

Roper, Jed and Pine watch from a their own surveillance tent. The tension builds with a brilliant score as the trucks creep towards the boarder. The American troops begin to search the trucks but find no weapon, much to Burr’s devastation and Pine’s surprise. Burr travels home defeated, only to find her house has been ransacked and her husband laying on the floor, blood spilling from his head. 

Roper and Pine leave the camp and head to Cairo with Jed in tow. We’re back in the life of luxury in one of Egypt’s most glamorous hotels. Pine is on edge, watching Jed go off into Roper’s room. He’s haunted by memories of the first woman he lost and clearly fears Jed will meet the same fate.

We end the episode on this haunting thought as finally the real tension heats up.

With the final episode coming to us next Sunday, it’s unclear just how the series will end and that is thrilling in itself! We’ll have to wait and see just how own hero Pine will get both himself and Jed out of Roper’s crucifying grip. 

Verdict

Please follow and like us: