The Relationships Within Section One

Before you can understand the relationships that are a part of Section One, a person must understand the organization they work and live in. Section One. What is it? What does it stand for? These and many more questions have been asked. However, the answers are well governed and cannot be found in one episode of La Femme Nikita alone. Section One has been described as “the most covert anti-terrorist group on the planet.” Yet, this mere sentence fails to adequately explain all that Section One encompasses.

The need for an organization like Section One has existed since the dawn of civilization. When organized law enforcement did not exist, people often took matters into their own hands, which lead to periods of chaos and civil unrest unheard of today.

Moreover, the issue of using a single few to help the overall whole of a society is used in organizations such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and many international peace keeping and intelligence gathering agencies. It is also the case in Section One, which could be considered like a fictional representation of the CIA. Section One is different from the CIA in one core aspect –it exists to bring down just the criminals and terrorists that no one else can get. Section could possibly be the world's largest police force, with everything from shooters, to investigators, to spies, to computer engineers. Like the police, Section does not go gun down innocents, and the usual commands involve only shooting to kill only if someone is shooting at you or at an innocent. Section has a process to how it handles its missions, and the terrorists captured by its operatives. The terrorist is normally brought in to visit Madeline in the White Room for interrogation first (sometimes the interrogation has been done by Michael or Operations, and even Nikita has had a turn).

In addition, while the operatives of Section One are trained assassins, we must remember exactly who they are assonating. Section One could be considered a form of Capital Punishment, in two distinct ways. Section often is forced to kill out of keeping the peace for the ‘greater good.’ We hear on the nightly news all the time about this terrorist group or that criminal, but the men and women who work in government agencies know that criminals covered by TV news are the 'pansies' of the crime world. The people the CIA goes after are people we never here about until they're caught and well behind bars, if we here about them at all. This is because they are protected by their power, and extremely good at what they do. The crimes this people commit would scare the literal pants off most law-abiding citizens if they knew just how bad these people really were.

The fictional Section One would hunt down these types of criminals. A person can sit around and talk about human rights, and all that. Yet, as a group of human beings, we know how selfish it is to save one murderous man for the hell of it than it is to kill him, saving thousands of innocent people. This is what Section does, the dirty work. The people they kill are not nice people. They would have the so called serial killers of our generation (who have killed, at most, 12 people) quivering in fear as they reflect on the bomb they exploded in a village killing 123 children and leaving even more as orphans. People who go after these types of terrorists are not called soulless and inhumane, they are called heroes.

Next is how Section often recruits its members from prisons. The recruits are usually people that have been suitably sentenced to life in prison or death row then saved to serve the ‘greater good,’ except this wasn't the case for Nikita. As cruel as it sounds, Section recruits its members from this group of people knowing that society already considers them expendable considering their deviant behaviour. Section does not send Innocents (such as Birkoff) into a building with explosives knowing he could risk dying, they only send those recruited for that special task, usually based on their past experience and their 'worth.' Nikita (who is innocent) was assigned an abeyance mission in “Mercy,” but as she was convicted as killing a police officer in cold blood, it seems a rightful death because society had already sentenced her to death. Michael told Nikita exactly why she was recruited because of the mind-set in which Section recruits all its cold operatives. Nikita: "Why me?" Michael: "A woman with your looks who could kill in cold blood..."

Somebody has to go on the dangerous missions, risking their lives at every turn, and yes, even sacrificing them. They usually recruit their ‘cold operatives’ (an operative whose main role is working dangerous missions outside the Section, which does not include computer or medical assistance) in this manner, because they often already have experience in the areas in which Section needs to go in and infiltrate. Who is better able to guess what a criminal or a terrorist is thinking and which move they are about to make than the criminals themselves. Who has more experience with using weapons and has no problem hesitating in pulling the trigger than someone who has done so before? Police squads and most government agencies use men and women who have been trained for years on this task, but innocents all the same. They usually do not have to deal with people who are on the same psychological keel as the terrorists and criminals Section has to deal with. As Michael said in the pilot, "the criminals and terrorists that no one else can get..." Only an organization with a criminal mind-set within its operatives would be able to handle such a task.

The two years of training that cold operatives go through in order to see if they are Section material is often said to drum the souls out of its recruits, but most of the recruits came with their souls already tarnished or, in some cases, missing. The main goal of this training, as gathered from various episodes, particularly “Recruit,” is to mould these killers and sociopaths into disciplined professionals who know when to kill and when not to kill. If Nikita’s character had been guilty of her crime (like she was in the Luc Besson’s original movie, Nikita), they could not risk her going off every time she got angry and stabbing at people, which would probably draw attention not to only to her, but to the Section as well. We see the current Nikita's behaviour during her training as spunky, and representative of her wild and free nature. The people who recruited her who think she just happened to kill a cop for fun, think this is indicative of her sociopathic behaviour and her inability to focus or concentrate on the task at hand. If she's willing to be set off at the slightest provocation within Section, what's not to say she wouldn't out in the field?

Their main goal is to teach these killers and criminals control over their actions, and teach them that the terrorists are not their friends. Operatives must know to shoot at terrorists –the ‘bad’ guys, not the innocents. In many ways, Section gives them the opportunity to actually become somewhat of a resemblance of a normal person. While any normal person doesn't have a desire to kill, most would stand up if an innocent was being hurt, thus the thought of pulling the trigger on that man would be more appealing that it would be otherwise. This is the basic moral Section does teach people. Operatives can shoot the terrorists, and leave innocents alone. The majority of the cold ops who are recruited often have this reversed, and it is Section’s job to change this.

Therefore, within these frames, Section could be seen as a humanitarian organization. Not only does it protect the lives of all the men, women and children of the world; it also takes people who used to have no future, no conscience and no hope of ever having any semblance of a life and gives them a second chance, including another chance at dying. However, they are giving the people who before were the world's thorn the chance to become the world's protector. They also give them a roof over their head, food, credit cards and new identities. Without Section, these people would literally have nothing. It is this point that leads Section, namely Operations and Madeline, to have very few qualms about manipulating these individuals. 

Section One is aware that the enemy will do anything to expose and exploit an opponents’ weakness. “War” is an example of this where Michael is Nikita’s weakness because they used her love for him to extract the desired information from her. Now, in this instance, her weakness worked for Section. However, had it not been all a set-up, had Section not needed her to reveal the location, then she would have just killed millions of operatives worldwide for the sake of Michael, who they would probably kill anyway. This goes completely against Section doctrine, sacrificing the many for the few. As they did with Michael, Section manipulates Nikita’s emotions enough so that he no longer is a weakness, so that if the enemy does capture Michael, hold him up for ransom, Nikita can stay on profile and finish the mission, instead of risking everything to save Michael. However, all is undone when Michael risks cancellation to save his beloved from the Gelman Mind Control Process. Their ultimate goal in these manipulations is to make you recognize your weakness, learn to cope with it and extinguish it, so the enemy cannot use it against you or Section. As Section metaphorically ‘owns’ you, they can rightly extinguish any weaknesses they feel will become a treat. That is one reason why Michael has learned to be so secretive, so stoic. He doesn’t want them know his weakness, despite that they already have an idea that is Nikita and have tried to use her against him repeatedly but he hasn't let them know the depth of his true emotions.

Michael's redeeming value within Section is that he is a team player, and it allows him not only to stay alive, but to get away with some things many operatives could never dream of. Section is a team, one big family. It has to be. Its very similar to the mob, if someone gets out or leaks information, the whole place could go down. On missions, you have to be able to rely on everyone and their abilities to get the job done; you cannot be out to protect yourself. Nikita and Jurgen both have difficulties within Section one, not because they were emotional beings, but because they were always looking out for themselves, and not being team players. Although it was a manipulation of sorts, team players do not spill the location of a subbasement full of your peers and risk the lives of thousands of operatives, to save one man. You do not blackmail the place so you can own a big nice house, fancy car and can tell off the boss as in the case of Jurgen. In the real world, you can afford to be single-minded and looking out for Number One. In Section, you cannot.

Furthermore, an operative can make mistakes in Section, and still live. If the writers had intended this to be the ultimate dungeon, all the current cast members would be dead and buried without a second thought. Emotions are also allowed contrary to popular belief. The amount of emoting that has gone on between Operations and Madeline is just one example. Although, the level of emotion released has to be moderated. They discourage relationships between operatives because of what happened in “War.” They know those feelings can and will be used against you by your enemies. They also know they are very distracting, and know how hard it is not to stare at your beloved for a long moment when the world is exploding around you. They do it for the same reason the army doesn't like you to have ‘relations’ with your companions: it can get you and everyone else around you, killed.

Section, while it does have its dark world feel about it, also often belies the harshness it sets out to emit. It is not as evil as the image it portrays, just ask any avid fan. If they sucked the soul and emotions out of everyone, Steven (Operations’ son) would have been shot by Operations himself, and Madeline would be shoving everyone down staircases without looking as if she was wracked by guilt every time a doll was mentioned (“Gambit”). There would be no second chances. The moment Operations told Michael to kill Nikita in the first episode, all Michael would have said was “Yes, Sir” and would not have come to her defence.

Section is as much an enigma as the people who work within it. It is similar to a living, breathing organism where the people within have to make up the whole for it to survive. It has its strengths, and its weaknesses. Its heart and its dark recesses. Nevertheless, the truth that must be ultimately accepted is that the world would be a lot better with a Section in it than without.

Operations & Madeline

Lovers in the early days of Section One, Operations and Madeline have cooled their ardour for one other. Operations and Madeline’s relationship is like looking at an older version of Michael and Nikita. However, there are notable differences. Unlike Michael and Nikita, Operations and Madeline are more mature. Therefore, they are more likely to accept Section’s doctrines and create a few of their own along the way. In addition, the relationship is primarily that of a professional one, despite the fact that Operations is forever pushing the limits of such a relationship.

In the Season Two episode, “In Between,” we learnt that Madeline had a husband by the name of Charles Sand, once an operative. Madeline was tricked into believing that Charles had been killed during a mission by Operations who kept the knowledge of Charles’ existence a secret from Madeline for nine years. We can only assume that Operations kept this to himself out of jealously and fear that she would seek to renew the relationship with her husband. This could suggest that he is more attached to Madeline than previously thought.

As Season Three began, Operations and Madeline's relationship became even more unprepared by the extent Operations was willing to go to bring their relationship back to the next level. In one episode, Operations blackmails Madeline into having a sexual relationship with him. In the outside world, this would have been seen as sexual harassment. However, it is revealed later in the episode that it was merely a ruse set up by Madeline and Operations in order to lull George into believing that Madeline would have the necessary intent to betray Operations and Section One to move up the corporate hierarchy. The ruse was expected to eliminate George from Centre so the Operations could finally gain the power he so desired. However, nothing goes as it was planned and Operations remains the head honcho at Section One, still under the watchful eye of George.

Season Four continued Operations and Madeline’s quest for more power and deepened their bond to one another. Madeline and Operations resort to assassination to gain the power they so desire. However, Michael intelligently thwarts their plan. George finally retaliates in “Down a Crooked Path” by attempting regain control of Section One. He sends a medical team into Section whose mission it is to wipe clean the minds of everyone within Section. George’s scheme is ultimately discovered and circumvented. The episode closes with the suspicion that George himself mind had been altered somewhat to benefit Section. 

Yet, the mysterious relationship of Madeline and Operations is such a complex one that it is difficult to pinpoint any one moment, which clearly clarifies their feelings for one another. "Sleeping With The Enemy" provided doubt as to the depth of Operations' love for Madeline, when he appeared unperturbed to order a mission to destroy Red Cell’s Headquarters that would sacrifice her life. Although, within Section it is sometimes necessary to surrender colleagues for the sake of the ‘greater good’; a fact that would be obviously understood by both of them.

It is the Season Four Finale, “Four Light Years Farther” that brings about a sad end to the rule of Madeline and Operations. Madeline commits suicide when Section One undergoes a complete evaluation by Mr. Jones and Nikita. Operations is deeply distraught as Madeline’s lifeless body is wheeled out. This is perhaps one of the most touching moments shared by Operations and Madeline, where it is evident that they have a mutual respect and fondness for each other.

Operations continues to rule over Section in Season Five. “A Girl Who Wasn’t There” has Operations coming to terms with the loss of Madeline, a woman he shared many years beside. A ‘holographic’ computer program of Madeline’s expert knowledge and ‘consciousness’ fails to equal its real-life counterpart. This marks the final ending to their relationship without a clear-cut view on what they felt for one another. However, it must be said that Operations and Madeline had a deep, and complex bond. Despite that it did not match the intense passion and yearning Michael and Nikita possessed, Operations and Madeline loved each other as openly as was allowed between two high-level operatives within Section One.

Michael & Nikita

This is probably one of the most complicated relationships within Section One. Michael has never openly admitted his feelings for Nikita, although it is obvious to everyone in Section (excluding Nikita) that he is in love with the blue-eyed blonde beauty. His actions are carefully scrutinised by viewers looking for a sign of what he is truly feeling for the adored heroine. Though it seems that while he loved Nikita in this episode, it can be accurately assumed that he won’t in the next.

Michael’s tactics can’t help but mystify us as we tune in each week, making us wonder does he really love Nikita or is he playing yet another mind game ordered by Madeline and Operations? However, if you take into account all that Michael has done for Nikita since she first entered Section’s fold, from setting her free to the countless times he has gone off profile to save her life, you have to admit that he feels something for her. Whether it is love or somewhat more plutonic, it is clear that Michael is the type of man who proves love through his actions, not his words.

Seasons One and Two of La Femme Nikita just began the legacy of the Michael and Nikita relationship. The audience is able to see from a few episodes that Michael and Nikita are the ultimate TV love-match. She is blonde and compassionate, he is dark and enigmatic. The couple share opposing qualities and are able to lie and connive each other through their life within Section. The relationship is really first witnessed in "Escape" when Michael seduces Nikita to stop her from escaping Section One, with Beverly Klass' "Temple" adding a mystique to the scene. Despite that most of the interaction between this pair early in the series is merely Michael manipulating Nikita on the behalf of Section, it is obvious that as Michael and Nikita grow as people so does their attraction and love for one another.

Season Three continued to pattern Michael and Nikita’s relationship around the expected ‘fiercely hot one moment to icy cold the next’ approach that both infuriated and delighted its fans. Michael is forced to give up his wife, Elena and their son, Adam because Elena's father, Vacek, a known terrorist has been eliminated. This brings Michael to his knees and he even attempts suicide to overcome his grief. The scene from "Gates Of Hell" where Michael touches the television screen with Adam projected on it is probably one of the most defining moments, while Gus Gus's melancholic "Is Jesus Your Pal?" is heard. Nikita protects Michael from assassins when he doesn’t attempt to defend himself in this same sad episode. This protection is much to her own determent, and she even goes so far as to supply him with a reason to live –herself. Then, Michael betrays that trust Nikita has placed in him when he helps Section brainwash her to have a sexual relationship with the terrorist, Karl Peruze. When Nikita discovers Section’s secret methods, she slaps Michael for allowing it. When Michael is stripped of his Level Five status in “Third Party Rip-off” he gives up his relationship with Nikita with the promise, “It’s not over. We will be together.”

It seems that their relationship is destined to be a battlefield, against not only one another but Operations and Madeline too. Madeline enforces a Type One Directive on their relationship forcing the pair to seek rendezvous points during missions. When Operations & Madeline discover that their relationship is not dissolved as expected, Nikita is drugged in order to undergo Gelman’s mind control process during a mission,. This subsequently causes her to lose the ability to form emotional bonds with anyone, including her beloved Michael. This turns Nikita into the perfect robotic operative who will accept every order without question or complaint. Michael finally convinces audiences of his love for Nikita when he goes rogue from Section One, determined to return Nikita to her normal self even when she is ordered to cancel him.

Rescued from the void of Gelmanization by Michael, Nikita (posing as the heroin dealer, Anna) is forced to marry Helmut Volker, a wealthy heir to a weapons plant with the growing possibility of forming ties to Red Cell. She is ordered under the guise that his connection to Red Cell will gather vital Intel in the ongoing fight between Section and their ultimate enemy. The pair once again put their relationship on hold for the sake of the ‘greater good.’ As it turns out, Helmut Volker is an uncover CIA agent who was ordered into the marriage of convenience with ‘Anna’ to keep his cover intact. Helmut shares many of Nikita’s views on their masters’ doctrines, and they have a genuine bond. However, it is clear her heart will forever belong to Michael.

The rough course of their relationship is not allowed a reprieve, therefore continues to grow in complexity. During the slight respite Michael and Nikita are permitted in "Sympathy For The Devil" to do a favour for Operations, Nikita is seen to lose a sense of who and what she is and where she fits into the world. While this side of Nikita is not explored fully, leaving viewers to speculate, she continues a downward spiral of doubt in "No One Lives Forever," believing that she is being subjected to yet another mind game. This is somewhat true in the extent that George was manipulating her to regain control over Section. What loyal fan can ever forget the touching "I came to say goodbye" from Michael as Nikita prepare to leave her apartment with the Bob Mare's Unglued playing in the background. Throughout Nikita's disillusionment at life as a part of Section, Michael is seemingly supportive and understanding, although he does not feature greatly in helping her overcome her torment. Again, Michael and Nikita wonder about what Madeline and Operations have in store for them when they are assigned to train teenage rebels as operatives for Section Eight in "A Time To Be Heroes." As it turns out, Section Eight was just a step in a plot to rid Madeline and Operations the hassle of Section's love-struck couple. 

The end of Season Four sees Michael and Nikita get what they are a longing for, only to have it snatched away from them at the last moment. Nikita uses her ties to Red Cell and is able to sink her files and escape Section One, without the worry of them recapturing her. This then returns, under the guise of Quinn to ask Michael to escape Section hold over them with her in "Up The Rabbit Hole." He sinks his files and they spend a glorious time on a deserted beach with their yacht floating in the background. This wonderful scene sees Michael and Nikita come alive and have fun with just being free. Their freedom together is short lived when they are captured and returned to the confines of Section. Asked to decide which one should die and who should live without the other, the couple are unable to chose. However, Mr. Jones intervenes saving Nikita for imminent death by disabling Section. Section One is turned upside down by the revelation Nikita was working as a spy for Centre. Madeline commits suicide, Walter is sent to the Farm, and Operations has to stay in Section for another seven years to learn a dose of compassion. And alarmingly, Michael is ordered by Nikita to be cancelled, but chooses an impending abeyance mission. The teary-eyed audience, thinking this is the end of the beloved couple, is delighted when Nikita rescues Michael and sets him free. Although, this is a bitter-sweet ending to Season Four as Michael walks away having cut himself with a knife to form a 'blood tear' to represent his inexpressible emotions. 

Despite Michael's lack of appearance in Season Five, times were just as tough for this couple as ever.