The verbal confrontation between Bond and Saunders in The Living Daylights remains one of the movie’s most effective character moments, not only because the title of the movie is recited. It places two seasoned intelligence officers in direct opposition, each convinced of their own judgment. Saunders projects irritation and smug authority, yet Bond calmly holds his ground with a wry smile. He understands that he successfully altered the mission because, in his view, it was the right decision.

The scene evokes the same tension between 007 and 006 in GoldenEye and such rivalries between British agents are an underused dynamic. When Bond is confronted by someone operating at his level, the resulting rivalry is pleasantly compelling.