All language subtitles for The Sandbaggers S1 E5 - Always Glad To Help

Good morning.

The whole world's been
after you since about

half past eight.
-Who in particular?

The deputy chief.

What does he want?
-Inter alia,

operational expenses.

There's a purge on.
-Again?

Still!

And I'm not surprised.

You can charter a jumbo
jet for less than

Willie Caine spent on taxis.
-What else?

Ministry of Defence man,
Director General Intelligence

would like to see you no later
than close of play today.

Right, book an appointment
with him before lunch.

Sandbaggers can deal with that.

And that.

And that's Hong Kong station
report of proceedings.

I better have this back before noon.

Oh, none in the hutch.
-What?

No sandbaggers.

Nora stood done, Lou's at the dentist.

Willie, according to Willie,
he goes to the dentist

about twice a week.
-By taxi.

OK.

Fix the appointment with the DGI.

Let's see if there's anyone
at the Ministry of Defence.

Right.

Do you know the new
Commodore of Intelligence,

David Earl?
-No, Neil Burnside.

Glad to meet you.

Take a pew, Neil.

Well, how's life at the
cloak and dagger brigade?

A lot more cloaks
than daggers these days.

Know the feeling.

Interesting report from our man in Paris.

Well?
-A Russian ship

called the Carriganda
at Brest at the moment.

Merchant vessel?
-Reportedly.

And of course, enjoying
all the privileges of

a merchantman.
-But?

We think she could have a hull outfit.

Sonar?
-Maybe.

Maybe an underwater outlet for divers.

Any evidence?
-Not yet.

But the Caraganda has a
habit of going into NATO

or French ports.
-Always runs where

the commercial Harbor is
adjacent to a naval base,

or some other military activity.

And now?
-We made a discrete

check on her movements, she's
staying in Brest another five days.

We thought a quick look at her hull.

Photographs if possible.

Why don't you use
the Royal Marines? SBS?

We'll supply underwater
cameras, special film.

Neil, French Harbor, Russian ship?

Serving Royal Marines
on an act of espionage?

If they were caught.

It's a possibility.
-Exactly.

With respect, sir, it
sounds to me as if MOD

doesn't want to risk it, but
is happy to pass it onto SIS.

It's a covert operation
abroad, that is SIS.

Not necessarily.

And anyway, I'm down to two sandbaggers,

and neither's a trained diver.

But let's not forget
your Special Projects Team,

even if you do keep them tucked away.

They're far from forgotten.

But I think we're
debating the wrong point.

Oh, are we?
-It's not a question

of who will carry it out, but
whether there's any evidence

to support this operation.

Look.

That ship is wandering in
and out of foreign ports

virtually as it pleases.

No diplomatic clearance, no real controls.
-I understand all that.

But you must understand that
if we take action on this theory,

and it is only a
theory, the responsibility

for it shifts to us.

So?
-You're asking me

to man a politically
sensitive operation without

a shred of evidence.
-Well, there is evidence.

It's circumstantial,
maybe, but it's strong.

Not strong enough, sir, I'm sorry.

We intend to make a formal application.

Well, you wouldn't get it approved.

Well, let's see what
your masters have to say.

Of course.

And as it stands, even
if it gets passed us,

the FCO will file it back.

I hope that doesn't
mean you'll have a word

with your former father in law.

I beg your pardon, sir?

Well, it's a well
known fact that you have

the ear of the permanent
Under Secretary of State

at the Foreign Office.

It's a fact that I was
once married to his daughter.

Anything else is
supposition, like the purpose

of your Russian ship.

Good morning, sir.

Nice to meet you, Commodore.

I keep sending letters to the KGB.

Tell 'em even an ugly bird would do.

Even you'd do.

Sorry, don't go for the working class.

Ah.

I hate Mondays.
- Hello boss.

Ah, how was the dentist?

A new hygienist.

She can scrub and polish
me any time she wants to.

Well, if she's got an alarm
clock, move in with her.

Anything?

Your celebrated former
relative would like to--

I've heard enough of that joke today.

Sorry.

Sir Jeffrey Wellingham
wishes to see you at

the club after dinner tonight.

After dinner?

Foreign Office having a
purge on expenses, too?

He's downing our dough with Sheikh Hammad.

Hammad?
-Sheikh of Al Jarada.

Sheikh Tariq Samala.

It was easier when Arabs rode camels.

All right, ring the Middle east desk
and ask them to send up a brief.

Done that.

Top of the heap.

Oh.

The deputy chief has been on again.

Our good Mr. Peele.

He is reportedly leaping up and down about

operational expenses again.

Ah, well, he could do with the exercise.

Good morning, Neil, Willie.

Sir.
-I'd hoped to see you earlier.

Yes, well, I had to go
to the Ministry of Defence.

Ah.

Air fares.

What?
-Air fares for sandbaggers.

Well, what about them?

They're costing a fortune.

Well, we're hardly in
a position to book three

months in advance, Sir.

But everyone else travels economy.

Transport costs have to
be cut back 10% across

the board, and that means the
Operations Directorate, as well.

It can't be done.
-I've agreed.

Personally, I'll travel
economy, if it helps.

Well, I don't think you should.

Either the government
wants a secret service,

or it doesn't.
-Because if it does,

it has to finance it, sir.

I'm a special agent, I'm
James Bond, I get paid less

than an assistant undersecretary
at the Foreign Office.

Yes, let's not go into that again.

If I can't have your agreement,
I'll issue a directive.

I won't have any nonsense on this, Neil,

you'll do what you're told.

I'll resign first.
-Oh, don't be, so melodramatic.

Why do you always have to
cosset the sandbaggers?

I don't.

If they go first class, they arrive fit.

If they go economy, they arrive tired.

The difference could be their lives.

An overstatement if ever I heard.

How would you know?

You never been in the special section.

I was head of the Hong Kong station.

Yes, the only thing you
put at risk was your liver.

I think that deserves an apology.

Yes, it does.

I'm sorry.

Think about the air fares, won't you?

Did you win?
-The round, maybe.

Not the battle.

I wish I hadn't got up this morning.

Right.

What do you knew about the
Sheikhdom of Al Jarida?

Hot and horrible.

It's full of sand and oil.

And Hammad?

Son and heir of the Sheikh. Tariq.

Well, if Hammad is anything
like his father Tariq,

forget it, because Tariq is so pro-Soviet

he probably wears a fur
hat instead of a burnous.

It's not like Wellingham
to waste a dinner.

Not at all.

I enjoyed it very much.

Then I shall hear from you, Sir Jeffrey.

Within the next few days.

Excellent.

Well, goodbye.

Good evening, Neil, sorry to keep you.

That's all right, sir.

Good dinner?

Interesting.

Thank you.

My guest was Hammad
bin Tariq, crown prince

of Al-Jarida.

So I gathered.

He asked to see me.

Off the record.
-Oh?

Has ambitions to be a ruler.

Rather sooner than when
his old dad shuffles off

this mortal coil.

Fancies a coup.

If we'll help?

We help him get rid of his father,

he turns the Sheikdom pro-West,
buys British weapons,

gets a British firm to
build the new refinery.

Ah, no thank you.

Thing is, we'll have to
handle it very carefully.

Well, don't you think we should check up

on Hammad first?
-For?

he can promise us the Earth
now, so we'll help him,

but once he's in power,
he can do what he likes.

Well, he can't be any
worse than his father.

Well, we don't know.

And he could be pro-Red China or anything.

Well, there isn't much time for checks.

Tariq's palace guard is
due for re-equipment,

in a couple of weeks.

Arms deliveries from Moscow.

We'll make the checks urgent.

But who do we get to handle it?

I'll offer the intelligence aspect.

Support for the coup through the
chief of the defence staff, I suppose.

I didn't want to cut
MOD in at this stage.

Well, we'll have to.

Before it goes before the Defence
and Overseas Policy Committee.

Of course, but

I rather wanted to present it myself.

As a package.

What to do and how to do it.

You've already got one knighthood.

It's not that.

But I do think the Foreign
Office ought to lead on this.

Besides,

my opposite number at MOD
is a pain in the proverbial.

(laughing)

All right, shove the
whole thing at C,

we can lead on it.
-But you will deal with it personally?

Well, not in the first instance.

I mean, something as big as
this will go through Peele.

Oh.
-But he'll task

directive intelligence and
myself with implementation.

I'd rather have the tea lady
or the office cat than Peele.

His heart's in the right place.

Hmmm.
But where's his brain?

You got anything for me?
-No.

Go on.

Well, I had a row with the
Ministry of Defence this morning.

I don't want you
to pull strings on that one.

You may regret it.

No, that's true.

Well, tell Berek for courtesy.

Right.

Just been to see Wellingham.

Oh?
-You got a copy

of his directives this
morning on Sheikh Hammad?

Yes, I was awaiting your summons.

Fine.

Well, there's no real problem.

On what?

We'll do a brief recommending
support for the coup.

Well, we can't make
recommendations without

a full appreciation.

There is a time factor
in this, you know.

Yeah, and a lot of questions.

I mean, how much support does
Hammad have in the country?

How well organized is it, how
quickly can it be rallied?

Yes, we could progress
all that while we're doing the brief.

Starting off with recommendations
and working backwards?

Oh, of course.

We do have long term
costing coming up, don't we?

What?

We are in the throws
of financial cutback,

and this is a coup with us leading.

If ever we wanted to
justify our existence.

It's not that at all.

And anyway, even if Hammad
isn't pro-west, so what?

There's an anti-west regime
in there at the moment.

But we'll have engineered a coup.

interfered in the internal
affairs of another country.

Rocked the middle east vote.

All for want of proper checks.

(phone ringing)

Willie.
-Laura.

Is. Mr. Burnside really
interested in communist China's

curtailment of religious practices?

No.

Go daft if you mentioned that to him.

He's only interested in
anything-- vaguely operational.

Only interested is right.

Well, apart from spending
his nights in the ops room,

what does he do for relaxation?

Well,
it's difficult for him.

He doesn't drink.

I think we're back
to religious practices.

What about SAS involvement?

What?
-Special Air Service.

The guys who do the actual fighting.

Well, we'll get them.

Well, have you checked
their current commitments?

Availability of aircraft to move them?

Holding position prior to the coup?

Clearly, for once, you
haven't spoken to Wellingham.

He doesn't want MOD in
on it at this juncture.

Well, he might not
want MOD to lead or even

joint lead, but we must consult them.

Get a military input to the brief.

Well, do you know how
to secure an airfield,

because I don't.

We'll make a recommendation,
then we'll tell MOD.

Sorry, sir, we do this
properly or I go over

your head to C.

I'm going to mount that coup, Neil.

After proper checks.

I think we'd both better call on C now.

Oh, indeed.

But as I understand it,
you're both in favour of the

Hammad operation, in principle, at least.

Subject to the proper checks.

If we put Hammad in power and he turns out

worse than his father,
it'll be disastrous for us.

[Peele] Embarrassing.
[Neil] Disastrous?

You'll prejudice approval
of future operations.

Lower our credence with
the CIA, turn other nations

against us--
-Look, let's face it.

Wellingham has made up his mind.

Oh, to hell with Wellingham,
he's feathering his own nest, as usual.

He wants quick approval,

then an urgent meeting
with Hammad, in case Hammad

goes to the CIA.

All right, let's see if we can
progress both elements together.

Neil, you work with the
intelligence staff on

checking Hammad to your own satisfaction.

Matthew, you talk to the
MOD on a provisional basis

about SAS involvement.

Sir, I've explained,
Wellingham doesn't want MOD

alerted until the last possible moment.

And as I've explained,
if we can't have the SAS,

we can't mount the coup.

Make it clear to MOD that we're leading.

All we need at present is a
guarantee of SAS involvement

if and when the Foreign
Office endorses the operation.

Very well, sir.

But I hope we don't lose the
whole thing because of delays.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, Neil.

That Calcutta business.

Has Wellingham already
spoken to you about Hammad?

Yes, last night.

Matthew doesn't know?

Well, I do try to play down
that particular relationship.

But you know what Wellingham's game is?

Yes, he wants to present the whole thing

as Wellingham's coup.

Vanity?

Or power?

Just Wellingham.

Sorry, Matthew, but there it is.

But it's essential.
-The notice is too short.

In the next fortnight,
the SAS is fully tied up.

Mainly with this northern flank exercise.

Well, I'm talking about an operation,

not an exercise.

Of course, but if we pull out of a major

NATO exercise at a moment's notice--

Well, you'll be ordered
to do it, I'm telling you. -

Maybe, but we can
stall for a week or two.

Get through this exercise.

Stall?
-Certainly.

Need to recce the area, devise a plan.

Discuss the landings with the RAF.

Evaluations by the General and Air Staffs.

We could spin it out 'til Christmas.

What are you up to, Charlie?

Up to?
-You know damn well

that as soon as the crunch
comes, SAS will be off

there like a dose of salts.

When the crunch comes,
yes, but the crunch

won't come before DOPC
approval and the DOPC won't

take it until you've talked with the army.

So, what do you want?

Nothing.

Burnside's blocked what we want.

What?
-Well, we'll make

a formal application,
but without SIS support.

What do you mean?

The Carriganda in Brest Harbor.

News to me.

Didn't Burnside tell you?

Burnside thinks he
runs SIS single handed.

We want a couple of
divers from the

Special Projects Team to check out
the Carriganda's hull.

And Burnside refused?
-Well, Burnside controls the SPT.

But I control Burnside.

It is important to us.

The paper's done, I could let
you have it by close of play today.

And the SAS?

(laughing)

Always glad to help.

Sit down, Laura.

Thank you, sir.

You know about the Al-Jarida operation?

Sheik Hammad?

I read the brief and the FCO directive.

Did you see that
Hammad had a long intense

affair with a French girl?

Yes.

This was terminated by
the girl, who left Hammad

abruptly and it is understood
without explanation.

Hammad is now known to be
shy and insecure with women

and is probably a very lonely man.

I want you to get close to him.

Pick him up without frightening him off.

I'm not asking you to sleep with him.

Well, don't you get a lady who will?

I'm sure SIS have a long list of those.

Undoubtedly, but I need a
fast intelligent assessment

by someone who can knock
him out of his stride.

What makes you think I can do that?

Because you're beautiful.

That's a statement, not a compliment.

And I dare say, if you
made a supreme effort,

you could be passably sociable.

What do you want to know?

Whether or not he's really pro-west.

You think Arabs discuss
politics with their women?

I'm not saying it's going to be easy,

that's why I'm using a sandbagger.

A what?
-You.

What are you doing about
getting proper replacements?

Replacements?
-For Landy and Denson.

Well, you're one of them.
-No, I'm not.

Now I agreed to become a
sandbagger on a temporary

basis until you found replacements.

And I'm saying I'd like to keep you.

No thank you, sir.

I want a proper job on a
station, gathering intelligence.

You still don't consider special
operations to be a proper job?

Well, it may suit some but not me.

Why not?

Because, sir, the sandbaggers
have to work for you.

What a bitch.

You fancy her, that's your trouble.

Shut up.

Do you think she can do the
Hammad pick up on her own?

Well, yeah, she's got the brief.

She knows where he lives, where he goes.

Yes.

She's just told me she doesn't
want anything to do with the sandbaggers.

I'm not surprised.

She fancies you, too,
I can't understand it, myself.

What the hell are you?

A computer dating service?

No, she's a woman, she needs respect.

I do respect her.
-Yes, as a sandbagger.

Now, I was wondering if we could find--

Laura on my phone.

Will you approve her taking
a Mini from the pool?

Yes, if she can get one.

But you better warn her
they're more jealousy guarded

than the Crown Jewels.

Oh, and Diane.

Tell her not to bend it.

Form filling goes on forever.

Yes.

You were wondering if?
-Hmm?

Oh, yes, if the CIA have
anything on Al-Jarida.

Well, you could ask Jeff Ross.

Unofficially.

Peele's rather keen we leave
the CIA out of this one.

I might ask Jeff for a drink tonight.

CIA are are bound to look...

(phone ringing)

Burnside.

(quiet chattering)

Right.

Sandbagger one allocated.

We're coming down.

Tell C, inform the FCO
desk and alert travel.

Looks like you're on your bike.

Where?
-Ankara.

We've got a walk in.

OK, Sam, what's the score on this one?

I'm pretty sure the
C in Ankara's got a walk in.

Russian called Petutchev.

Claims to be a high
ranking official of the

Polit Bureau Secretariat.

How did he get
from Moscow to Ankara?

On a visit to Romania,
across the border,

went as far as a place
called Ezrim in Turkey

and phoned the embassy from there.

Have we asked Moscow about it?

Awaiting reply, Sir.

What's he proposing?

Either go back and work
for us, but that seems dodgy,

or he'll come out and talk.

He sounds a bit keen.
-Yes.

FCO clearance to lift him?

Working level should
be approved by the time

Willie gets there.
-If Willie goes there.

Do we know what Ketuchev handles?

Middle east affairs.

He could be my favourite Russian.

All right, Willie, lift him.

Control, sir?

Shortly, he descended on us.

Who's our number two in Ankara?

Jack Jarmis.
-Ah, no.

He couldn't control a Punch and Judy.

We'll have to send him home.

Could I not swap with Laura?

I don't think Hammad
goes for rough trade.

Are you all right?

My legs feel like water.

Come and sit in my car.

I'm sorry.
-Not at all.

All right, Victor, go
and open the rear door.

Oh, I've left my handbag in the car.

Do not worry, my driver
will get it for you.

You'll feel better soon.

It's just the shock.

I only collected it today.

I'm sorry?
-The car.

Ah.

Perhaps the brakes are defective.

No.

Only the driver.

I thought it was a straight road.

it is, for a very long way.

I saw the Rolls and I
wanted to overtake it.

In my bright shining Mini.
-Oh, that is understandable.

I'm not thinking very clearly.

It's just the shock.
-I must get to a telephone.

Oh, we shall find one in a minute.

Oh, I don't want to delay you.

I am not in a hurry.

But I think you were.

You have an appointment?

No, that's what's so stupid.

I was on my way home.

I was working in Guildford.
-And where is home?

London.
-I'm going to London.

Well, if you really don't mind--

I want to help.

Truly.

Thank you.

And for the lift.

You're not cut?

No.

You need a drink?

We shall stop at a pub and then telephone.

(engine starting)

Just a moment.

Transport pool.

Oh.

Burnside.
-Good evening sir.

(quiet chattering)

Yes, I authorized it.

(quiet chattering)

No, as a matter of fact,
she's highly trained.

In fast driving techniques,
all weather driving,

anything else you care to name.

(quiet chattering)

Yes, do that.

And if you have any troubles
paying transport, let me know.

Laura's pranged the car?

She wants it collected, they
want 14 forms in triplicate.

Well, don't worry about that now.

You have to meet Jeff Ross.
-8:15 at the club.

You were late last time.
-Stop fussing.

You're like a frustrated mother hen.

Mother hen bit I dispute.

Leslie Windfield's here,
waving a top secret pack.

Bring him in.

Hello, Leslie.

Insomnia on the Russian desk?

Sorry to disturb you,
sir, but I've been asked

to walk this around.

Immediate clearance.

What is it?
-Request from the

Defence Intelligence staff.

It wouldn't be a Russian ship
called the Carriganda would it?

Yes, sir.

Any idea who the deputy
chief saw at the MOD today?

I believe it was the DGI, sir.

Surprise, surprise.

Who drafted this?
-I did.

Good.

Very clear.
-Thank you, sir.

Of course, there's no
evidence to support the theory.

They're bound to turn it down.

I imagine so, sir.

Thank you.

(chattering)

How do you feel now?

Well, my hands have stopped shaking.

A few more of these,
though, and my head will

start spinning.
-You're looking

much better. There's some
colour in your cheeks again.

Where did you learn your English?

At Oxford.
-What did you get?

A degree in morale boosting?

No, it's true.

You look, it would make
me very happy if you would

have dinner with me.

Oh, there's no need
for that, you've done

everything required of a gentleman.

Oh, but I mean it.

We could dine here.

The food is very good.

But you were on your way to London.

To the theatre, but the play
will still be there tomorrow.

Or next week.

Oh, you were going to the theatre.

I haven't only messed up
my car, I've messed up

your evening, as well.
-I was going alone.

Instead, I have your company.

For dinner, too, I hope.

Alright, thank you very much.

(chattering)

The Russian ship
Carriganda, for approval, sir.

Thank you.

D' Ops and D' Int have cleared it.

I think we can give
it a little more bite,

don't you, Leslie?

If you want clearance,
never say we have been

invited by MOD, say urgently requested.

And if desirable becomes vital.

That should do it.

Now it looks as though we mean it.

Refer back to the Director, sir?

No requirement for that, and no time.

I'll sign it as soon as it's typed.

Thank you, sir.

Go on, Leslie, let's
get it the FCO tonight.

Yes, sir.

(chattering)

A coup?

Maybe.
-That's a good idea.

The Arab nations are worried about Tariq.

In what way?
-Well, he operates

a sort of isolationist policy.

Gets everything he
wants from the Russians,

so he stays out of Middle East affairs.

If you go for a coup there, don't blow it.

Don't worry, Jeff, I know the dangers.

OK, I'll ask the folks back home.

Is Hammad pro-west?

Does he have a following in the country?

And what's his
relationship with his father.

Got it.
-Right.

Next.

Yeah?

A man called Ketucheyv, supposed
to be a top official

in Moscow, Polit Bureau Secretariat.

Ketucheyv, huh?

He's just walked into Ankara.

You want to know if he's legit.

He says he's a Middle East expert.

Could help me with Hammad.

Yeah, OK, I'll check him out.

Who's lifting him?

Your new and lovely lady?

No, Willie.

(laughing)

Tell Ivan Ketuchev.

How's she making out?

She's all right.

Well, any time you want
to send her over to me.

For experience, of course.

She's not too keen on
that kind of experience.

You were right.

The food was marvellous.
-Yes, not bad at all.

Are you ready to go?

Look, you said you lived near here.

Yes, I do.

You're very welcome to stay.

Oh, no, no, I didn't
mean that, I just mean,

there's no point in going
all the way to town.

I can get a taxi.

But my chauffeur is outside.

And I would enjoy the drive with you.

Please, Hammad, let's not
over complicate it, hmm?

I can go home alone.

Then you must take my car
and chauffeur, I insist.

Alright.

Thank you.

Can I see you again?

Well, you've got my home number.

Lunch tomorrow?
-Ring me tomorrow.

When the wine's worn off.

I'll be at home all morning.

Do you have the day off from work?

Especially for you.

Thank you for rescuing me.

(phone ringing)

Burnside.
-Sam, sir.

The FCO locals are vetting our new friend.

So I told Willie to stand
by for further clearance.

You won't need destination yet, anyway.

Make encouraging noises at them, Sam.

I want a big favour from our new comrade.

Understood, sir.

Oh, and Laura rang.

I told her to go around and see you.

OK.
-She made a successful

pickup on Hammad.

Yeah.
(buzzing)

Well, that must be her now.

I'll be in for the rest of the night.

Come in.
-Thank you.

I phoned in, they told me to come round.

I know. Code check.

I am sorry about my
outburst this afternoon.

I'm famous for mine.

Go on, sit down.

How did you get on?

Well, so far, so good.

What happened to the car?

I put it off the road in
front of his Rolls-Royce.

Field school will be proud of you.

I didn't want him to suspect a plant.

I'm sure he didn't.

Willie's gone to Ankara.

To lift a Russian defector.

There's no one in the hutch.

No matter.

Hammad's priority.

When will Willie be back?

Not sure.

FCO want local vetting on the Russian.

Presumably, if he's found to
have nothing of importance,

they'll kick him out on
the streets of Ankara.

Why?
-Rather than antagonize

the Russians, risk detente.

We have detente?

Says so in the papers.

What happens to the poor
man who's been kicked out?

He did risk his neck to defect.

It's his problem.

Charming, aren't we?

It's not our rules.

Coffee?

That's my ex-wife.

Willie can't understand
why I keep her photographs.

Not sure I know myself.

Guilt, I suppose.

From what I heard, that's warranted.

Oh?

Well, she couldn't take it
when you were a sandbagger,

and you wouldn't leave the section.

That's oversimplified, but true.

So the sandbaggers
destroyed your marriage.

People destroy marriages,
as you must know.

Touche.

I'm making conversation,
not scoring points.

I am interested.

In what?
-In how your marriage broke up.

I will understand if you
don't want to talk about it.

Don't you know why it broke up?

I might guess.

Usual guess is wrong.

I'm sure.

Good rumour, nonetheless,
went all through field school.

I do know that.

Laura Dickens is a
lesbian. Goes for girls.

That's why you can't
score with Laura Dickens.

That's not my guess.
-Then what is yours?

Frigidity?

All of us have aspects
of our lives with which

it's difficult to cope.
-Even you?

More than most.
-There's little evidence of it.

In the office, I've learned to survive.

And at home?

I'm unprotected.

From what?

Do you want to change the subject now?

From visitations.

Faces, eyes, voices.

Two more in the last few weeks.

Landy and Denson?

Does Willie know?

No one knows.

Then it must have been
very difficult for you

to tell me, thank you.

I told you because I
want you as a sandbagger.

Because it may help you to
know that we all have nightmares.

Mine are merely the conventional kind.

Is that why you spend
your nights in the ops room?

You're afraid to come home, go to bed?

Aren't you afraid to go to bed, too?

Don't make coffee for me, I have to go.

OK.

I would stay, if I could.

Sure.

Good lunch?
-Snack.

No. It was a waste of time.
-Oh?

CIA have got no record of Ketucheyv,

and haven't got anywhere on Hammad.

Neither have we.
-What?

From D'Int.

Blanks all around.

They know all about his bird in Paris,

no idea on his relationship
with his father.

Well, they must have.
-Conflicting reports.

Some say Hammad loathes Tariq,
some say he's a doting son,

some say he's popular
in Al-Jarida, some say

the peasants wouldn't even recognize him.

Laura may have more luck.

She rang in about 20 minutes ago.

Hammad sent around about 50
quids worth of flowers, this morning.

Taking her out this afternoon.

OK.

Good afternoon, Diane.

Approved.

What?

The dive on the Carriganda.

They're mad.
-No, they're not.

In any case, if we want
SAS involved for Al Jarida.

I could have got us
SAS without a trade with DGI.

I doubt that.

Whatever, it's academic now.

Get it actioned, will you?

We dive as soon as possible,
in case she sails early.

Very well, but if anything goes wrong.

Yes?

And while I'm here, how
long is it going to take you

to be satisfied about Hammad?

As long as it takes.

That's no answer.

Then I apologize, sir, but
it's the only answer I've got.

Diane.

Get onto the SPT, tell them
to allocate two divers.

Have the lead diver.

Have the lead diver up
here for briefing

at six o'clock.

Wellingham's been on.

Screaming for action on Al-Jaridar.

I'm sure he has, but
I can't clear it yet.

So, do we risk it?

It's too big a risk.
-That's what you said

about the Carriganda.
-And I stand by it,

on the available evidence.
-Let's stick to

Al-Jarida, please.

What are you doing, Neil?
-Well, I put D'Int's people

checking every possible
source, I've got Laura Dickens

alongside Hammad, and I've got
Jeff Ross working on it, too.

What?
-Unofficially.

Even so, you know what the CIA are like.

Yes, a damn sight more
efficient than we are.

Gentlemen.

Thank you.

I can't keep Wellingham at bay forever.

Can you?

Not on this, he's get
a bit between his teeth.

So should we, I say go.

Not yet, give sandbagger two a chance.

How much longer does she need?

I don't know.

You've got until noon tomorrow.

Why?
-Because that's my decision.

But sir, this is not
even political pressure,

it's Wellingham's dream of glory.

I said that's my decision.

Yes, sir.

You make me very happy.

Your turn.

You keep your evil eye off it.

Never mind.

To make up for your harrowing afternoon,

I shall take you out for an
excellent dinner this evening.

You won't have dinner with me?

Tea comes first.

How can you eat so
much and stay so slender?

I worry a lot.

(chattering)

That's up there early.

Metcheck, sir.

Weathering's on.

Good idea.

MOD briefing went off all right, did it?

No problems.

We tell Paris they go in
tomorrow night.

Tomorrow two divers
will be in Brest by lunchtime.

Alright.

Has sandbagger two managed to ring in?

She's dining at the Inn in the Park.

I was halfway through my ham
sandwich when she called.

(phone ringing)

Duty officer.

Read it.

(chattering)

Yeah, send it down.

D'Ops is here.

Ankara, sir, they're
gonna boomerang Ketuchev.

Get an independent check from Willie.

Sandbagger one concurs.

Ketuchev is marginal value.

It was a long shot.

Be in your office, sir?
-Til about midnight.

Ah, early night, sir?

I heard that.

(buzzing)

Still awake?
-You're lucky to find me.

I usually turn into a pumpkin by now.

I'm sorry, dinner with
the First Secretary.

Politico military affairs.

Well, as you said that without slurring,

I'll offer you a brandy.

I thought you'd never ask.

Guy by the name of Larry
Eriffin, expert on the Middle East.

Hammad?
-Yeah, but the information's

about a year out of date.

Go on.
-Cheers.

Well, I don't know, Larry
was there about a year ago,

when Tariq and Hammad were best buddies.

Meaning Hammad wouldn't
try to overthrow his father.

Who the hell knows?

Chance of a sheikdom.

Well, it will all be
Hammad's one day, anyway.

Maybe he isn't prepared to wait.

In other words, you don't
know any more than I do, do you?

Nope.

But it sure is good brandy.

Ketuchev was a dead end.

Ankara boomeranged him.
-Terrific.

So what are you gonna do?

I don't know.

It'll be out of my hands,
anyway, by tomorrow, midday.

I don't like negative checks.

Neither do I.

(buzzing)

Get many visitors at two in the morning?

The KGB pop in now and then.

Come in.

You know Laura Dickens?

Yeah.
-Jeff Ross.

Hi, Laura.
-Mr. Ross.

Sir.
-It's all right, sit down.

Oh, all right, thank you.

Hammad has asked me to marry him.

Don't blame him.
-I stalled him,

laughed it off.
-And?

Tonight he got really
intense, he means it.

So I said the first
thing I could think of,

that I didn't want to live in the desert.

He says he's not going back to the desert.

What?

Well, according to
Hammad, his father wants him

to go to Houston Texas and
study the oil business.

Jeff, if there's CIA involvement in--

There isn't.

He maybe pulled that
marriage routine just to get

you into bed.

He's serious, I think he's fallen hard.

Well, he wouldn't be
daft enough to apply

for an American visa ahead of a coup.

Yeah, but why does he want a coup if he's

not gonna go back and rule the country?

And we know he does want a coup.

Sorry, Laura, there's not
enough to stop Wellingham or Peele.

Delay a decision.

I'm overruled on that.

Then you're in trouble.
-That's the problem.

I don't know whether I am or not.

None of it makes any sense
because all the known facts conflict.

Exactly, that's why I'm so
sure Hammad isn't straight.

There must be an
element we've overlooked.

A complication that would,
well, simplify it, I suppose.

Yeah, but what?

Hammad is either pro-west or he's not.

Well, as far as I can
tell, he's mainly pro-Arab.

Well, whatever it...

What did you just say?
-Pro-Arab.

Yes, that's the only explanation
that fits all the facts.

Hammad's father has gone
overboard for the Russians

to the extent that he's opted
out of all Arab affairs, right?

But the rest of the Arab
world is uneasy about

such a strong Russian
enclave in their midst.

And they've been pressing Tariq for years

for greater Arab solidarity.

But all that's in the brief.

Exactly.

The Arab argument is
that Tariq doesn't need

to be a Russian puppet.

Because in the event of an invasion,

the Arabs could defend him.

And Hammad agrees with the Arabs?

Yes.

But Hammad has set out to
prove it to his father.

We sent in a small SAS
force to take out 200

Soviet trained palace guards and
find ourselves facing 2,000 Arabs.

Better than that.

We'd have told Hammad
the time and the place

of the invasion, and
he'd have told the Arabs.

And the Arabs detect
our forces, mobilize

their troops, get into
Al-Jarida, and repel the invader.

All without Russian help.

And thus Tariq creeps
gratefully and humbly back

into the Arab fold.

Well, don't forget the residual payoff.

The rest of the world
will see an Arab force

defeating the British army.

The lesson was not only for Tariq.

So.

Stitch in time and all that.

We've still got the Carriganda.

(whistling)

OK, all clear.

OK, but there's a hell
of a current out there.

We may not make it.

I double checked with London

as soon as I knew the weather was bad.

And?

Control and Metcheck
said it was fine.

A matter of vital importance.

Sorry, Neil.

Just wanted to say thank you, really.

We could have caught a
right one with Hammad.

Well, I have no doubt
you'd manage to sort it out.

I was brilliant.

Hammad came to me with his idea,

but I was immediately suspicious,

I tasked SIS, who acted on my suspicions

with speed and efficiency.

You're too modest,
there's no future in it.

Just taking a leaf out of your book.

That Carriganda was it, application.

Most immodest document I've ever read.

Sorry?
-I saw through it

right away. Only cleared
it as a favour to you.

But I wanted it turned down.

I mean, that's what my
row with MOD was about.

But...

It was...

It was.

It's not your problem, sir.

Just a small internal misunderstanding.

Sam.

You got the Carriganda pack there?

Yes, sir,

came down from the Russian desk tonight.

(chattering)

Where are they now?
-Gone in, sir.

Have we got recall?

Not now, sir, we gave
them the final clear

because Morris didn't want to take a radio

into the dockyard.

Damn.

How's the weather, Sam?

Lousy, sir.

(splashing)

Morning, Neil.
-Morning, sir.

Success, I believe.

She has an underwater hatch,
there's an outlet for divers.

Shared honours, eh?

Sorry?

You were right about Hammad.

I was right about the Carriganda.

I was lucky on Hammad.

You were even luckier on the Carriganda.

Don't ever try it again.

Perhaps you'll be more
civil after some sleep.

I wouldn't bet on it.