OKinUK Blog

I am usually not very fond of watching TV programs in the UK apart from football and occasionally some semi-realistic hunts for Britains next tycoons, but by the end of October rumours of a new program called Spooks broadcasted on BBC1 reached me. Having no TV set at home, I checked the BBC iplayer (an absolute brilliant invention!!!), which is the only way I can access British Television without much hassle.
The first episode didn't impress me that much apart from the fact that the main character, who has apparently been with Spooks for the last two years was blown up in an attempt to save London from a terrorist attack. Quite unusual. The term spooks, for those who haven't a clue, like me, is a popular colloquialism for spies, in this case a group of MI5 intelligence officers, who are, at least in the seventh series, mainly dealing with either al-Qaeda, the Russians (cold war - welcome back) or both.
Although it is debatable whether, first, London should always be on the verge of being wiped out, and second, the bad guys should always out-number those who fight for country and queen, the plots are cutting-edge and remarkably refreshing. It was, for example, quite spooky to see an episode set in the City on manipulating bank stocks at the peak of the credit crunch. The quality of production is extremely high and most of the times you almost feel you are watching a movie.
By the way, after 8 episodes three of the main characters, who began the series, died in action on the streets of London. I am looking forward to seeing Spooks next year.