Holby City S20 E11 - The L Word
Going to start with one of my faves - Hanssen. Firstly, and I know I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating - I am so pleased that despite his sabbatical from the hospital, they’re finding ways to keep him present. I found the scenes in his apartment quite devastating - with his murder board, and the evidence of his severe PTSD. I think it’s totally in character that he blames himself for Fredrick’s actions, I think he’s always almost prided himself on being aloof, and it’s all come crumbling down around his ears, and shaken the foundations of everything he believed, in that by staying away from Fredrick, he was protecting him from Henrik’s own depression. I’m glad that he has Roxanna to keep an eye out for him, although I’d like to see Serena trying to do that too sometime, because I’ve always enjoyed his friendship with Serena. And turn about is fair play.
BUT. I sincerely hope that I’ve read far more into the gesture than was meant, but I felt a moment of fear when Roxanna reached out for his hand in his apartment. It’s totally reasonable for one friend to comfort another thus, but there was just something that worried me; perhaps the music, perhaps the oblique reference about Roxanna losing interest in other options after meeting David (implying Henrik was then an option?), perhaps just the knowledge that soaps like to rush in where angels fear to tread. Let it be said now, I am NOT on board for any form of future Roxanna/Henrik romance. I think one of Hanssen’s strengths is his a-romanticism, and whilst it could be construed as a huge untapped well of storytelling potential, it would shake the foundations of everything <I> believe, and I’m not sure I’m ready for my own PTSD!!!
Moving on. I’d like to take a moment to talk about Serena’s styling. I wasn’t on board with today’s shirt. It was not a good colour for her, she rocks blue-based colours, and today’s was most definitely yellow-based. Having said that, the early shot of her standing in the corridor - the full length shot - shirt aside, she looked mighty fiiiiine!
She also made me want to kiss her when she told Xavier what for, when leaving him to oversee the ward. She’s got his ticket, oh, yes indeed!
Which begs the question, how naive is Nicky? I mean, after the way Xavier has treated her so far, how could she possibly believe that he’d offer to give her credit for his diagnosis, without some knife twist? He’s definitely Isaac 2.0, but with less of the velvet gloves and more of the playground bully mentality - in that his abuse is far less subtle, although just as sly.
Glad they found Amira. Just hope it helps.
I’m also incredibly glad that Roxanna finally explained to Ollie what happened on the day of the shooting. I appreciate that Ollie’s recovery storyline isn’t particularly humorous, although I did appreciate the humour of the declaration of love amid Keller, whilst feeling so terribly sorry for him too.
The Lofty/Dom relationship/not relationship continues to chug along. I hate to say it, because I think that Dom is selling it really well, but I just don’t feel even the tiniest hint of chemistry from Lofty. He managed a few believable looks in the early days, but now, just seems so terribly uncomfortable. I’m afraid it’s losing me.
There’s nothing so cruel as time. Thanks for that, Henrik. I won’t be dwelling on that, at all ;-)
