Your views on things concur with mine so nicely and we seem to take delight in the same parts

That makes me so happy! :D There's nothing quite like squeeing in accord.

Mattie was the only true innocent in the thing.

I think you're right. The summaries I've read online have all played up her "instability," but in spite of the "daddy" thing, it didn't occur to me that she might be a little crazy. And for some reason I have so much less sympathy for Sarah than I had for Mattie. Sarah seems like she should know better, first of all, and besides, her husband ;_; The poor guy. O'Neill was pathetic, and I felt sorry for him, but not very sorry.

He's utterly devoted to him and his betrayal is actually quite painful to him in the end. It really is the stuff of good drama.

It seriously is! And the more I think about Stamper, the more I'm amazed at what a complex character he is for one who only had a couple of scenes in the first series. The second bit where he's talking with the reporter in the baths, and then the scene with Sarah and the tape... augh. It's really amazing.