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Subtle signal about how things are in the new post-Control Circus regime

posted 8 years ago by hobartz
3 replies | jump to latest

Smiley sends Guillam into the Circus to get information about personnel actions that occured after Control is removed. Roy Bland is seen scurrying up to the rooftop to consult with Alaline after presumably getting word from another Circus employee that Guillam is on the premises. Immediately after we see Bland in the elevator engaging Guillam and as they exit he casually inquires, "where are you off to?" Guillam replies, "Lunch." Bland good naturedly rejoins, "Want some company?"

Alaline has sent Bland to snoop on Guillam, to try to find out what he's up to. A sign of an insecure leader and a nervous pack of cronies. This is not a good foundation for an intelligence service. Further evidence for us that all is not well in the Circus.

[–] nystulc 8 years ago

Obviously, Bland does not have time to invite to lunch every employee who pops in or out of the office. A specific explanation is necessary for the interest/suspicion shown by London Station towards Peter. So "an insecure leader with a nervous pack of cronies" does not explain.

It would seem that explanation is the same one as in the book: London Station is on the lookout for Ricki Tarr, who they think has turned traitor, and who they fear may try to contact the Circus, with a view to installing himself as a double agent.

They suspect he may try to contact his former boss, or perhaps has done so already. That former boss would be Peter Guillam.

In the book, their suspicion was correct: Tarr has in fact contacted Guillam. In the film, they are wrong: Tarr instead went straight to Lacon.

[–] Marmadukebagelhole 8 years ago

In the film, they are wrong: Tarr instead went straight to Lacon...

... and, understandably, Tarr told Lacon to contact Guillam, rather than doing it himself. It matters not that Tarr does not contact Guillam directly. Aleline and Bland correctly anticipated Tarr making some kind of contact with his handler.

Glasgow's FOREMOST authority.

[–] nystulc 8 years ago

... and, understandably, Tarr told Lacon to contact Guillam, rather than doing it himself.

It would be more accurate to say that Tarr gave Lacon the option of contacting Guillam, if necessary, for the purpose of establishing Tarr's identity. Tarr's goal was nonetheless to get a message to Lacon. He was not using Lacon to get a message to Guillam.

It matters not that Tarr does not contact Guillam directly.

I was not criticising the film, merely pointing out a difference. Whether it matters or not, the film and book are in fact different on this point.

Aleline and Bland correctly anticipated Tarr making some kind of contact with his handler.

They have reason to suspect such contact in both versions. This adequately explains their behavior in both versions, as far as I can tell.

They do not yet suspect Lacon is already involved. Otherwise, the mole would never have fallen into the trap that Tarr sets at the end.