The Night Manager fans left 'unspeakably happy' after episode 3 twist but there's still a big problem
Is The Night Manager turning into a James Bond movie?
The Night Manager has left fans gobsmacked, with series 2 episode 3 boasting the show’s biggest twist to date – but there has been one criticism.
The latest chapter of the BBC’s espionage thriller follows Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) in Colombia.
After lying to Teddy (Diego Calva, a new addition to the series 2 cast) – despite being spiked! – he spends most of the episode trying to secure £20 million without raising any suspicions. Towards the end of the episode, after narrowly avoiding death by ship anchor, he follows Teddy to a secret ‘business meeting’ out of the city.
As he hides in a nearby bush, he hears a familiar voice – and, for better or worse, it’ll change The Night Manager forever.
***Warning: spoilers from The Night Manager series 2 episode 3 ahead***
The Night Manager shocks fans with ‘amazing’ Hugh Laurie twist
That’s right, Hugh Laurie’s Richard Roper is alive in The Night Manager.
In short, we knew Teddy was working with another arms dealer called Gilberto Hanson. However, he seemingly died in a helicopter crash four years ago. Hanson had never been seen – until the end of episode 3, where he’s revealed to be Roper’s alias.
Why (and how) he’s still alive remains to be answered. One thing is clear, though: fans are delighted he’s back.
“I’m unspeakably happy that Hugh Laurie is back,” one user wrote on Reddit.
“Well, what an episode this was and what a scenario to end the episode with. Just amazing,” another viewer commented. “Roper is alive?! What the heck! So far so good, I think it’s worth the wait for 10 years,” a third wrote.
“Whoah okay did not expect that. We’re back baby,” a fourth added.
The Night Manager compared to James Bond… but that’s not a good thing
Laurie’s performance as Roper was one of the best things about the first series. So, while his return is exciting, it’s bolstered one of the main complaints about series 2.
As one user put it, the show “seems to have shifted even more towards Bond and away from le Carré”.
Ian Fleming and John le Carré may both be famous for their espionage stories – but they’re fundamentally different. James Bond is about escapism and bombast; a secret agent who loves cars, women, and guns.
Le Carré’s writing was rooted in realism and the intricacies of spycraft. However, while Series 1 was a direct adaptation of one of the author’s novels, series 2 is “inspired” by his work.
“It’s not as clever as le Carré,” one fan argued, writing: “The show is now less about genuine spycraft and agency one-upmanship and more about wearing fancy clothes in exotic locations.”
Criticising the writing in the new series, another viewer complained: “Faked deaths are such a horrible, soap opera trope, which makes me start to side eye whatever I’m watching.”
“Anyone else think the writing is really quite poor this season?” a third asked.
