I had seen it the same way - turkeyplucker and I had been discussing what Adam should have done, and come to the conclusion that his solution was a proper planning meeting, where he says very clearly "This is what I am barred from doing. The line is here. This is where we are going to steer - right up to but not over this line".

But we're pretty much quasi-clergy (in brief, his father, mother and brother-in-law are all ordained, as is brother-in-law's father. As was my father-in-law's father. He is deputy choir master, and runs a monthly plainchant vespers. Me, I lurk at the back with the crayons composing rude tweets for later).