domino wrote:

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Having now rewatched tonight's episode, I can honestly say that Shine is the Fagin and Flight the Oliver Twist of Ripper Street.

It is not simply a clear cut case of Flight the baddie, he has been taken under Shine's wing when he was destitute and vulnerable, there is a history there.... perhaps Flight knows no other way or feels indebted to him.
There is a conflict in Flight - almost between the two 'father figures' (and i say that very loosely) Shine, who represents evil and Reid, who represents the good.
We are reminded of Flight's powerful speech in episode 4 when undercover, when he reveals his lack of guidance and not knowing what is right. And he is clearly a man traumatised. It is hard to see how hie can find any redemption in H-Division from here on in, it's tragedy unfolding.

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 ahem... I just happened to do a screencap set of this very thing domino!

http://whimsyfox.tumblr.com/post/69573509577/what-is-it-that-you-want-my-son-to-be-a-good

The scene where he witnesses Hinchcliffe's murder was electric, the horror and the fear. You could see him questioning what exactly had he let himself in for. His eyes. Those tears. He looked so young!

I'm not entirely sure about the age difference between Joseph Mawle and Damien is, but in the scene where we are introduced to them, Shine looked light years older than Flight. Flight looked like a boy in comparison. I think now Flight is feeling the net tightening around him and i hope that he takes that step to 'become a better man' and to throw himself at Reid's mercy (i think Drake would literally kill him, Jackson too) and attempt to redeem himself in the process. I'm also still hoping for an inkling that Abberline is working with Flight in some way to bring about Shine's demise. I keep thinking to how much he wanted Flight at H Division but if this is what he's doing, then why separate Flight from Shine?

I don't think it bodes well for Flight to be truthful. I can see him sacrificing himself in an attempt to become that better man, to redeem himself and bring about Shine's demise. I can't see him remaining at H Division afterwards. Or if there had been a third series, perhaps his inclusion would've been a way for Flight to continue to seek redemption and forgiveness within the division but i really don't think so. I think tears (and blood) shall flow for poor Flight next week.

Edited to add: Just wiki'd Joseph M and he is nine years and eleven months older than Damien. 21 March 1974 is his DOB.

My experience on watching three times now is that Flight is by no means a fully willing participant in Shine's evil ways. Rather he has no choice and cannot see a way out.

The speech he made to Reid about the livelihoods of people like Nathan Hinchcliffe and those matters which are important to the police, seemed genuine and heartfelt

and Look how genuinely excited he was when through his dedicated investigations he found out Werner's probable whereabouts!

"Now I have you"

And that he could track him down

"There is one such sale begins this very morning Sergeant!"

"Then you  must go shopping Mr Flight"

The look of stomach dropping horror and disappointment on his face when he was facing Werner but couldn't arrest him, realising he was protected by Shine

His confession

"to be a good man"

When he cannot evade finding Werner again

His reaction to Shine's actions...

It feels to me that Flight feels to be trapped in a situation way beyond his control, which he as a personal finds morally unbearable. When he is with Reid, he is keen to prove his worth  and goodness not only to Reid but himself, and realises that this is how he wants to be, the side he wishes to fight for. When he is with Shine it is as if he is bound to him by some hideous grip of obligation. 

When I watched last night i felt there could be no hope for Flight. Today i have changed my mind. Because, Flight's moral compass STILL points towards goodness. If he finds the courage to go against Shine, even though the fall out would be catastrophic for him career wise, and in terms of what happens to him but he could come away with a lighter heart.

Alternatively, he could finish Shine....

This does not bode well....

Posted by Damien on Twitter ahead of Monday's Ripper Street!

Wow we have an unrivalled 100% POLL vote for this episode!

Flight-tastic! the whole episode was superb!

100.0%

thanks to everyone who has voted so far!