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I really liked last night's episode - didn't catch the name, about FBI infiltration of a peace group in the 70's and a current bomber. There were neat interactions around Alan's past and the FBI. Nice character development all around. And I liked how adamant Don was that the way the FBI guy infiltrated and set up the group was wrong.
The thing is, I had this whole story worked out, another of my 'topical' take the subject from the headlines ones. In it, there are some students at CalSci who are suspected of having terrorist connections. The FBI (not Don's unit) infiltrates a student group to get close to them. (Because they still do that.) Of course Charlie is the group's faculty adviser. Don finds out about the investigation, but isn't privy to the details. He freaks out a bit because 1) he has this info that he isn't allowed to share with Charlie, 2) he feels uncomfortable with the FBI infiltrating the student group and 3) what if Charlie is under observation? He doesn't know what the other FBI agents might have seen in regards to his sexual relationship with Charlie (er, slash, obviously).
Don has to deal with that worry while walking a thin line of conflict of interest at work, and also NOT be with Charlie without telling him why.
Much excitement ensues as some students do turn out to be working with terrorists (though not the ones they suspected). Charlie gets caught in the middle and then Don gets to rescue him. Happy ending.
But NOW, if I write that it would seem derivative of the fine episode on a similar subject. Dang! Well, I suppose I could put an 'I'd already developed this before the ep aired' caveat in the notes, or reference the episode in a 'wow, this is so much like what happened to that peace group' way. It just takes some of the fun out of it when someone else got there first!
The thing is, I had this whole story worked out, another of my 'topical' take the subject from the headlines ones. In it, there are some students at CalSci who are suspected of having terrorist connections. The FBI (not Don's unit) infiltrates a student group to get close to them. (Because they still do that.) Of course Charlie is the group's faculty adviser. Don finds out about the investigation, but isn't privy to the details. He freaks out a bit because 1) he has this info that he isn't allowed to share with Charlie, 2) he feels uncomfortable with the FBI infiltrating the student group and 3) what if Charlie is under observation? He doesn't know what the other FBI agents might have seen in regards to his sexual relationship with Charlie (er, slash, obviously).
Don has to deal with that worry while walking a thin line of conflict of interest at work, and also NOT be with Charlie without telling him why.
Much excitement ensues as some students do turn out to be working with terrorists (though not the ones they suspected). Charlie gets caught in the middle and then Don gets to rescue him. Happy ending.
But NOW, if I write that it would seem derivative of the fine episode on a similar subject. Dang! Well, I suppose I could put an 'I'd already developed this before the ep aired' caveat in the notes, or reference the episode in a 'wow, this is so much like what happened to that peace group' way. It just takes some of the fun out of it when someone else got there first!
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