Working by Michael's standards, he's a very honest guy. He never pretends to be what he isn't (save on missions, in which case it's, ya know, part of the job).
That's a lovely way to desribe Michael.
Being where you are, you're probably not familiar with American Amish. They're a small religious group, basically living by 18th C standards (no electricity or phones, etc). Looking from the outside, people are often confused - they don't drive? But they can be in a car? Aren't cars evil? But within the Amish standards, it's perfectly logical: cars aren't evil, it's the freedom from the community that cars allow that's unacceptable. It's perfectly fine to ride in a neighbor's car (or eat at McDonald's, or use credit cards), just not to own one.
No, I haven't heard of the Amish at all (it sounds fascinating), but I've seen plenty of religious/commmunal practices that may sound weird to the outsiders, but appear perfectly normal in the context - so yeah, I get the analogy. And ITA, that's exactly how Michael behaves. All the lying and killing? Part of the job, nothing personal. In fact, the fact that he does it all so *impersonally*, without caring at all, is something that gets to Nikita - who can't stop caring, even when it's not her place to do so.
He does what he has to do, but he doesn't play mind games just for fun.
No, that's not his style.
I can't think of any outright lie right now - Escape, maybe? I think Michael *would* lie to Nikita outright if it was necessary, but he mostly found a way not to do so.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2005-11-28 04:55 pm (UTC)That's a lovely way to desribe Michael.
Being where you are, you're probably not familiar with American Amish. They're a small religious group, basically living by 18th C standards (no electricity or phones, etc). Looking from the outside, people are often confused - they don't drive? But they can be in a car? Aren't cars evil? But within the Amish standards, it's perfectly logical: cars aren't evil, it's the freedom from the community that cars allow that's unacceptable. It's perfectly fine to ride in a neighbor's car (or eat at McDonald's, or use credit cards), just not to own one.
No, I haven't heard of the Amish at all (it sounds fascinating), but I've seen plenty of religious/commmunal practices that may sound weird to the outsiders, but appear perfectly normal in the context - so yeah, I get the analogy. And ITA, that's exactly how Michael behaves. All the lying and killing? Part of the job, nothing personal. In fact, the fact that he does it all so *impersonally*, without caring at all, is something that gets to Nikita - who can't stop caring, even when it's not her place to do so.
He does what he has to do, but he doesn't play mind games just for fun.
No, that's not his style.
I can't think of any outright lie right now - Escape, maybe? I think Michael *would* lie to Nikita outright if it was necessary, but he mostly found a way not to do so.
Swatkat