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One question stalks the foiled attempt on Gordon Brown's political life: why was it so singularly inefficient?
What looked like an orchestrated modernisers' uprising has turned into the Lemony Snicket coup: a series of unfortunate events, with no strategy for a clear outcome.
That is the main factor saving the PM's skin as he contemplates Labour's worst ever election result and the turmoil of serial resignations and attacks from departing ministers.
He emerges badly damaged, with a walloping in the European elections today to add to the pain: but he may well have been saved by the bad planning of his opponents.
The statement by environment minister Jane Kennedy that she was not prepared to continue serving after being required to give a loyalty pledge to the PM, demonstrates the ad hoc nature of events.
One of the other prominent resigners told me this morning that they were “utterly amazed” at the development: “I don't even know her, let alone that she felt like this.”
Stronger links exist between some of the main movers. Hazel Blears and Caroline Flint are friends but insist they resigned for different reasons: Ms Blears because Mr Brown singled her out for expenses criticism; Ms Flint because she was unhappy at the treatment of women in government (not least her own lack of full Cabinet status).
But James Purnell insists that he acted alone — a version borne out by ministers who know him well.
For a bunch of politicians, this has to be one of the least organised assassination attempts on record — and the least conclusive.
This messy outcome has its roots in the lack of a settled alternative to Mr Brown among detractors.
Most would happily accept Alan Johnson, but by taking the key role of Home Secretary, he has made clear he is not on the market and friends say he would rather keep his powder dry for a clear run after the election.
One of those involved accepts the criticism of a half-cocked coup: “There's some truth in that, but there was a mixture of emotional and political factors. Lots of people feel we simply can't go on like this — and I wanted to send that signal.”
It leaves Mr Brown with a lot of swirling opposition from former colleagues, who will be able to chip away at his reputation from outside Cabinet.
The crucial fact has been the efficacy of the Brownite defence: Lord Mandelson has been heavily responsible for shoring up loyalty to the Prime Minister.
He sought to dissuade Ms Blears from standing down last week and was a key factor in Tessa Jowell's decision to remain loyal.
The plotters lacked a leader to direct them: Mr Brown had General Mandy, with his links to the modernisers, to gallop to the rescue.
A pyrrhic victory but, Mr Brown must surely reflect, a lot better than the alternative.
