The Edge

This is one of my very favorite episodes.  The basic premise is that Fraser is beginning to think that he is "over the hill" and is being treated that way by a trio of young federal agents. Fraser's self doubts grow and are wonderfully explored.  Fraser said in The Gift of the Wheelman that one gift that his father left to him was the faith in his own abilities.  Fraser is losing the faith in this episode.  I found the execution of this premise fascinating.  Fraser becomes such an empathetic character in this episode.  He makes mistakes and suffers for those mistakes. He is also confronted by the mysterious ex-soldier  who identifies with him in all but Fraser's adherence to upholding the law.  

I love the scene where Meg Thatcher states that "We clean our own personnel here." Fraser is beginning to realize that Thatcher is interested in him and he acts on it later in the episode. 

It was also interesting to see Fraser in a suit.  He looked so vulnerable, but cute.  He looked great in the outfit that he wore in the beginning for the training  exercise...but, I digress.

Fraser and Dief have parallel dreams about their aging and their inability to keep up with the younger set. I thought the sequences where Fraser is sleeping, dreaming, talking with his father and talking with the soldier were beautifully done.  They were all so intermingled that at times it was hard to tell which was which.  

As usual, Fraser is persistent in pursuing his own theories and beliefs.  It seems that he hasn't actually lost the faith despite the despicable way in which he is being treated.

I thought the interaction between Ray and the Mexican agent, Cortez, was very well done.  The three of them actually made a good team despite Ray's initial reluctance to include Cortez.

The federal agents--Helms, Casey and Bush (names of former CIA Directors)--make Fraser's life miserable by emphasizing that his mistakes are due to age.  In Fraser's dreams the agents are children.  I love the fact that Dief's dreams are similar and include theme music peculiar to his situation.  This episode is so well done.  We see the young dog who replaced Dief in his dream enter the scene after Fraser has failed to stop the soldier.  We also see real fear on Fraser's face when the soldier enters his apartment and sits on his bed trying to recruit him to his project.

I think the ending is just about perfect with Fraser telling a story, saving the would-be assassin's life and asking Thatcher out.

  Coffee.                            

                                                He's back!