Review of 'Counterpart' 1.8

Some unusually good conversations in the unusually good episode 1.8 of the unusual series Counterpart, which keeps getting better and better.

Howard and Howard Prime always make for a good conversation, but last night it was top-of-the-line, with Prime haranguing his counterpart to stay out of his wife and his life, and also be grateful for the great eduction meek Howard is getting in Prime's world — until Howard turns the tables on Prime, and tells him that he's gotten Prime's family to maybe care about him just by showing them a little humanity. Prime leaves angry, which shows us Howard has gotten the upper hand.

But Howard figures in another, even better and more surprising conversation — between Aldrich and Quayle. Aldrich of course suspects Quayle as the mole, and arranges a meeting at his favorite bar. Quayle, who seems on the verge of collapse, and admitting to Aldrich that Quayle's wife is the mole, indeed tells Aldrich that Quayle is the source of the leaks, but because Quayle himself has been played for years. And who has been manipulating you this way, Aldrich asks?

Howard Silk is Quayle's answer! So this puts Prime in a great position — at least, for us, the audience. Emily may be coming out of her coma. Prime will have to work hard to fool her, if that's what he wants to do. But he'll also have to fend off Aldrich, if he believes what Quayle told him.

From what we've seen so far, the other side is far more brutal and outrightly evil than ours — the school and the fate of those children being the latest example. But I'm beginning to think our side has some fearsome malice going too, and I wouldn't want to be anyone, including the very capable Howard Prime, with Aldrich going after him.