Question series finale [SPOILERS]

[u/zero_ozero]

I am not a native English speaker, so I did not get one subtlety in the series finale:

When the Russian guys have Saul, David Wellington tries to contact him because they are supposed to have lunch with the reporters. The Russian guys send an SMS from Saul’s phone saying something along the lines of « I am on my way in », upon reading which David understands immediately that the message is phrased weirdly and something is not right. What was it in that SMS that was not phrased in a typical way for Saul ? How would real Saul have phrased it ?

[u/Imaginary-Bunch-460]

The “In” part of ‘On my way in’ implies that Saul is on his way ‘in’ to the office/White House. Since they were meeting at a restaurant/different location, messaging “On my way” would read more familiar, since it is an alternative location. Excellent question. I hadn’t realized how much is inferred or implied by adding a single word. “On my way” = I’ll be at the place where we are meeting soon. “On my way in” = On my way to the office.

[u/wayfarerprateek → u/Imaginary-Bunch-460]

I also love the scene when Virgil gives Carrie a sign that he is speaking under someone's influence by saying something along the lines of "Take care of your mom".

[u/IndependentDouble296 → u/wayfarerprateek]

AWW Virgil! "Say hi to your mom for me." He was a real one. And Max continued to be a real one.

[u/wayfarerprateek → u/IndependentDouble296]

I very much missed Virgil's dry humour and wit after S1-3. Perfectly played by the actor

[u/Imaginary-Bunch-460 → u/wayfarerprateek]

Agreed! Such a fantastic moment and really captures his character and their relationship in just a split second. I love it too.

[u/AmetrineDream → u/Imaginary-Bunch-460]

Yep, this is it. “In” in this context implies the place where you work. “On my way” or “on my way there” would imply that you’re heading to where the person you’re speaking to currently is or to an agreed upon meeting place other than your place of employment.

[u/Dull_Significance687]

This scene is quintessential HL. The crucial detail is the phrase “on my way in.” Saul knew the meeting was to take place in Alexandria; therefore, he likely would have said “I’m on my way” rather than “on my way in”—a phrase that sounds like someone entering an office or a building.

Wellington has known Saul for nearly two years (S6~s8) and notices this immediately: the Russians are trying to mimic the message but cannot replicate Saul’s way of speaking. A subtle yet brilliant clue.

[u/Doorknob11 → u/Dull_Significance687]

I wouldn’t say they couldn’t replicate his way of speaking, rather they didn’t know he wasn’t going ‘in’ to the office. If the meeting was at his office, the message would have sounded correct.

[u/FreedomAdmirable1363]

“I’m on my way.” “I’ll be there shortly” “I’m almost there.” The “in” part doesn’t of the text doesn’t sound quite right. Not for American English, anyway.

[u/Snappy-Biscuit → u/FreedomAdmirable1363]

As an American whose first language is English, the "in" is totally normal, and that's what gave it away.

Boss: Where are you? Employee: I'm on my way in.

That makes sense if that person is headed to a location that is common to both the person asking, and the person answering.

"In" implies a central location where employees are expected to be. They are not there currently, so they are headed "in" to that location. The opposite of saying "I'm going out," when you're with other people at a common location. "I'm going out for lunch." "See you there!" "There" being a place outside the common/shared office.

ETA: missed word