silencedogoodreturns
Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Outstanding series...great stories, great writing, great acting, great drama. One of the best serials on TV I've ever seen. This is only Season 1, and I don't know why B&N don't have all the other seasons available. The series focuses on counter-terrorism efforts in the UK; what makes this series even more gut wrenching is how nothing or no one is sacred - be prepared for some script shocks that make this must watch TV!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Matthew was superb in this role. He is such a talanted actor. Spooks is not the same or as good without Matthew as 'TOM QUINN'
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
The BBC's 'MI5', or 'Spooks' as it is titled in the UK, is a masterful national security and espionage drama that is clearly a cut above the vast array of similar programs that have aired since 911. The show's writing is outstanding, blending superb character development with impressively diverse and extremely topical subject matter. The quality of the acting is first rate. Peter Firth is a long underappreciated actor who possesses tremendous range and skill. MI5 is an exeptionally well researched spy drama that respects the intellect and knowledge base of the adudience. The program skillfully conveys the urgency and wide variety of security threats that global powers like the U.K. and the U.S. face, and most of the time it does this without being jingoistic or dependent on overused formulas and cliches. The storylines featured in MI5 are clearly superior to the implausibe '24' of Fox and ABC's 'Threat Matrix'. As with many American television programs, one gets the sense that Threat Matrix is another American attempt to reproduce a successful British program,in this case MI5. Furthermore, the contrast between MI5 and Threat Matrix demonstrates clearly the impressive authenticity of the British offering. While Matrix is an enjoyable and exiting program, it misrepresents the role of the Department of Homeland Security(DHS) as one which actually deploys its own agents into the field. In reality, DHS is an entity that coordinates information from various sources and relies on agents from other agencies such as the FBI and INS to conduct actual field missions and investigations. MI5, by contrast, provides viewers with a largely accurate depiction of how agents of its real-live name sake actually function in the field. From a purely substantive perspective, MI5 has three core virtues. First, the show is exceptionally successful at demonstrating the complex nuances of the Anglo-American special relationship. The habitually condescending attitude with which the Christine Dale character often views her British counterparts demonstrates vividly the power disparity between Washington and London. The show also captures very aptly the British resentment that sometimes lurks beneath the surface of the relationship when American expectations of British cooperation do not always take adequate account of British viewpoints and perspectives. Of course, the program also provides a clear view of the fundemental intimacy, shared values, and common interests that characterize the unbreakable Ango-American partnership. Second, the show provides a very clear insight into the tensions that exist between MI5 and its foreign intelligence counterpart, MI6. This relationship is characterized in many ways by the same cultural differences and varied perspectives that have historically created discord between the U.S. CIA and FBI. Third, MI5 gives viewers a well crafted lesson in the differences between domestic intelligence, which is geared toward preventing terrorist dangers, and traditional law enforcement. This reviewer gives MI5 the highest possible recommendation on both artistic and substantive grounds. The show is very entertaining, and also provides viewers with an impressive education regarding the role of intelligence in both facillitating operations and in informing policy formulation. The program is not to be missed.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GWInKyleTX
Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
The acting is very professional - especially Hugh Laurie playing a MI-6 higher-up.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted Thu Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted Fri Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Overview