1/5 A Gift That Was a Bust
  by Janeite (USA)
My husband loves spy thrillers, so I bought this as a gift for him. He tried to like it, but after two episodes he admitted to me that he just didn't like these shows. The villains seemed totally non-sensical (Some American woman with a Southern accent in England to murder abortion doctors? Please!--Most American women I know--and I am one--want to go to England to see the crown jewels, not blow people up! I had no idea we were considered such a threat to British security!) And even my husband found the violence to be a bit much. (SPOILER WARNING--When a young woman's head is shoved into a deep fat fryer, we both were stunned. What kind of sicko thought up that?) So my well-intentioned gift didn't turn out so well as my husband watched the first two episodes and then decided to sell the dvds at our next yard sale.

5/5 MI-5 Season 1
  by AM (So. California)
Excellent! Lack of clear instructions that there are two or more episodes on each DVD.

5/5 The Spy World Milliseconds Ago
  by prisrob (New EnglandUSA)

A spook is a slang term for an espionage agent. MI-5 aka 'Spooks" in the UK. MI-5 is the corollary to the CIA in the US. MI-5, as it prefers to be known, is charged with keeping the country safe from those that would do it harm. MI-6, it's sister group, is charged with out of country secret endeavors. The UK introduced "MI-5" (Spooks) in 2002 and now has 6 seasons under its belt. MI-5 was the fastest growing TV series in @002. Melissa Fields has summed it up nicely, "It is all about what's happening in the spy world milliseconds ago, or tomorrow.

It is the emotional sense of the MI-5 team and how they balance the job that is so memorable. Very sensible, well thought out spying. Some high-tech equipment is used but it is the need for secrecy and spot on performance that is pointed. Tom Quinn, played by Matthew McFayden, has the main lead. He has a great deal of difficulty keeping his personal life free of his spying life. As are most dedicated spies, it is the job that comes first and he is brilliant as the chief spy. Peter Firth plays Harry, the precinct boss, who has to deal with the Ministers and the uppity ups to maintain his group. Zoe, played by Kelly Hawes, is an underling, who at times, seems to have one of the best minds of the group. All in all, characters with a great deal of zest for their job and who have difficulty separating what they do in real life with their real life.

The first volume has six different stories, 51 minutes each. They range from an Irish group plotting to overthrow the English to a racist who is planning race wars with unwanted immigrants. The toils and tales of the daily job at MI-5 underplayed with the real life families and lack of time to do what one chooses. Financial issues, sex and rock n' roll are the day to day issues one faces.

It has been said that MI5 has been flooded with applications from people wanting to join its ranks after the success of the BBC television series. The real life operatives claim that the show is far-fetched and unrealistic. The series features graphic violence, and has been critiqued for this aspect. The point that this series paints a glamorous picture of life inside the office is a disclaimer from the MI-5. However, it has been pointed out that up to 10,000 clicks to the MI-5 on-line URL has become routine after each series.

MI-5 or Spooks is such a well played series, comparable to our Sopranos, that it has become a must watch series. I was hooked from he get-go and am now onto Vol.2. A spy was my secret life, now it is my secret vice.

Highly Recommended. 02-06-09

Equus: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD]

Wuthering Heights (Masterpiece Theatre, 1998)


4/5 AKA Spooks is Worth the Investment!
  by Joseph Kohout Jr. (NJ, United States)
Having a region free DVD player (a must have with good volume of TV series coming from across the pond and beyond), I purchased the series (1-5) under the original title "Spooks" via a package offer on Amazon UK (FYI, a much less costly alternative even with the shipping to the USA).

I debated on whether to give this series 4-stars or 5. I am mid way through series 4 and I would rate the series on a whole to be very good-excellent.

*It may take an episode or 2 to become accustomed to the accents

Likes:
The vast majority of the plot lines are tightly woven and rely more on independent/group thought and less on physical action. As a matter of course being that most of the hard core action is farmed out to SAS units (unlike many American series where the deep thinkers are also martial arts experts and crack shots). The main characters all have flaws. Unfortunately, Hugh Laurie, as head of MI-6 (think CIA to the MI-5/FBI) is only with us for 1-series. His comic wit is a precursor of what is to become "House."

Dislikes:
There are some uneven plot lines, which I suppose is the case with many series bar the absolute best. New characters are brought into the series while others fall off at a greater rate than is typical with American "hit" series. There may very well be a point to this, however, IMHO, this makes for some of the uneven plot lines, though it could simply come down to personal preferences in getting involved with a character(s) over a course of several seasons.

All in, I would rate the series as a must watch and would reiterate my prior advice re: purchasing a region free DVD player and checking out some of the great series on Amazon UK


5/5 A fantastic first season to a great series
  by Stephen J. Hall (New York, NY USA)
Mi-5 or, as it is known in the UK, 'Spooks', is a really gripping, fast-paced series featuring some of the best scrips the 'Beeb' have ever got their hands on.

This first season is a thrilling set of 6 episodes that catapulted the show to great heights. It's not quite as fast paced as shows like 24, but holds its own with a combination of large-scale production and wonderfully dramatic story lines.

Whilst most people focus on the grizzly ending of episode 2, watch out for the amazingly intense end to episode 6, and indeed the end of the season, where you will be on the edge of your seat until the end and then completely surprised!