Blogging through Foyle's War with Rachel and Jess: Eagle Day

So, Foyle's War isn't really a book ---- but who cares because it is written by Anthony Horowitz who is brilliant AND it gives you the same experience as reading a really thoughtful and complex novel because it is a fabulous and engaging character piece. Perhaps, I would say, some of the best writing in television. EVER.So, Jess and Jen I are coupling our insane infatuation with the show from a.) a fangirly, giddy standpoint b.) a reverence for wonderful writing, characters and mood and pulling them together in one conversation.We are both simultaneously watching from the beginning of the series and chatting afterward ( note: Jess lives in China and I live in Toronto )


Episode 4: Eagle Day

Jess: A very exciting episode! Andrew gets to fly a spitfire and generally be awesome, an accidental murder is followed by a purposeful one, Milner solves an art heist with the help of Sam's dad, Andrew gets arrested for treason, Foyle cracks some heads (metaphorically - and very politely) until he gets him out again. There's some running, stuff explodes, secrets are covered up for the good of the war effort (a common occurence on Foyle's War, but Foyle always finds them out anyway), and Sam traumatizes her father by assuring him she won't get "PWP" - pregnant without permission.

Rachel: “Eagle Day” is the greatest thing ever. Really. When you think about it. Really. With no hyperbole.

Jess: This episode belongs to Foyle and Andrew. As you pointed out in a different discussion, I love how terribly "Foyle"  it is when he waits until Andrew's left the room to say "Take care." I also enjoy how desperate (or as desperate as Foyle gets) he is when Andrew's top secret girlfriend comes to the house but won't tell Foyle anything about where Andrew's being held. He's all, "Just give me something! Please!" except solely with his eyes. HE'S SO AMAZING.

Rachel: Michael Kitchen could probably do the entire show without actually saying anything, which makes me quite happy.   I also love how angry Foyle gets when the bad guy pinches Sam and he immediately wants to blow their “cover” and march into that pub and punch him out (or “have a word with him”, as Foyle says).

Jess: Yes! I love that he immediately intended to defend her honor.

Absolute favorite moment of the episode: After Foyle springs Andrew from top secret prison.

Andrew: You're brilliant, Dad, you know that?

Foyle: Yep.

Rachel: I really enjoy the little light moments Foyle allows himself to have with Andrew.  At this point in the series, he hasn’t really become “light” with Sam or Milner (a smile here and there, perhaps; I think he is still “testing” them out), but he is exceptionally comfortable with Andrew.  This makes me happy. Because Foyle is not always comfortable--- so reserved--- and he keeps so much inside. As you say, it is all in the eyes.

Jess: Back to the end of "Eagle Day": Foyle and Andrew have to run from the German planes! And Andrew's all worried and "Come on, Dad!" And Foyle runs! And then he's endearingly exasperated that Andrew takes them to the aviation fuel storage to hide! And teases Andrew in front of Sam and Milner!

Rachel: I like how the “cavalry!” arrives. You’ll notice that the finale of each season tends to bring the four of them together in some way, shape, or form.

Also, how AWESOME is it that Milner is immediately so concerned when Andrew arrives all flustered at the station and Milner is aching to help him.

Jess: Oh, that's a nice scene. How upset (and hilariously melodramatic - "Someone tried to kill me!") Andrew is, and how the first thing he does is go find his dad. Aw.

Other marvelous Foyle/Andrew moments: how Foyle kind of rolls his eyes every time the phrase, "Well, there is/was this girl..." leaves Andrew's mouth. Which is a lot. Hee.

Rachel: Andrew really matures over the series.   He turns into this somewhat serious pilot who is quite mellowed and sobered by the atrocities of war and his horrific involvement in it . What starts as a bit of a hot shot game sort of steadies out with his friends dying, a few harrowing accidents, and his realization that he is one of the only pilots left.   His combat fatigue doesn’t help.

I really think there was some casting genius in Foyle because I see a similarity between Andrew and Foyle: physically --- not so much in looks as in some mannerisms.