Spooks, BBC series

BBC site. It is shown here in the U.S. on A&E as MI-5. Called "the thinking man's 24" by its fans. Peter Hitchens likes the show. However I find that 24 is more realistic, if not with its plots than at least with the apparatus. While Spooks hints at a bigger organization, MI-5 still seems smaller than the CTU Los Angeles office--the number of techs, and so on. Also, the agents seem to do everything--electronic surveillance, lots of other stuff involving computers, and so on. At least Jack Bauer leaves most of the heavy-duty computer stuff to Chloe and the other techs. Perhaps it is due to budget limitations and a need to reduce the number of people involved to keep us focused on the drama, just like what was done with CBS's The Agency (which was about the CIA)--and it shares many of the same weaknesses as that series. Or maybe Thames House is just the London field office, but even if that were the case, there are still not enough people working there, in comparison with the CTU LA office. (I haven't seen the episodes for the first season yet, so I don't know the set-up.)

As for the plots... it's a drama so they have to keep things going, but a new crime every week? How many villans and terrorists can they find? At least 24, in its attempt to be "real-time" only needs to worry about one conspiracy every season (though there may be some plot twists along the way). One episode of Spooks was somewhat similar to The Rock. Still, they only have 10 episodes each season, so that cuts down on the amount of creativity and work needed.

The official site for MI5, the British Security Service. Site for the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).

I still want to see Alec Guiness in the George Smiley adaptations... not sure if I would read John le Carre, though. (Still haven't seen The Constant Gardener)

Matthew MacFadyen was on Spooks for the first two and a half seasons.

You may remember him as Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.



Wallpapers

Personally, I'd rather watch a British mystery (though those are getting more and more PC these days)...

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (Mystery)




Foyle's War (Masterpiece Theater)

(source)



And of course, there is Inspector Morse. (Mystery) (Followed up by Inspector Lewis)



BBC website for Hustle