Customer Reviews

MI-5, Volume 3

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had known about MI-5 for almost a year before I decided to fork over the $39.95 or whatever it was for the first season (or as the British say, first "series") box set. Honestly not knowing what to expect, I put on the first episode...and was immediately hooked. If you like your drama complex, with complicated, all-so-human characters (i.e. fallible)who confront conflicts that are never black-and-white but always gray, where the "good guys" are as prone to ethical and moral compromises as great as the "bad guys", then this is the show for you. This is indeed akin to 24 and Alias, genre-wise, but it really bears a greater resemblance to the best shows on HBO like The Sopranos and The Wire, as well as those edgy FX dramas like Rescue Me and The Shield. The series is broadcast on A&E but edited for length, language, and violence. The best way to watch this is on DVD. I bought the season one box set as Christmas presents for two great friends and it took them all of one episode to be as devoted to it as I am. So buy or rent the first two seasons, watch it as quickly as you can (and you will watch it quickly because you'll want to know what happens next to Tom and Zoe and Danny), get this third season, and devote an hour every night until you finish it. Your only regret will be you have to wait for season 4 whenever A&E broadcasts it. It's one of the best shows on television.

This season continues the MI-5 tradition of gut-wrenching suspense and spy action drama. The standard remains superior. The writing and acting is excellent.

One of the things I liked about the prior seasons is that while the show plumbs the dark side of espionage it was tempered by the close-knit, intense camaradarie of the MI-5 team. This was, unfortunately, lost in this season, making the exploration of even darker psycho/political themes hard to endure. I need to care about the characters when I go into the abyss with them. The writer of the show is making a statement with the introduction of colder less passionate characters--post 911 espionage is playing in a harsher realm. But I miss the passion and vulnerability of the characters in former seasons and find myself not really liking the new characters.

Several of the episodes this season were filled with violence and torture that made it difficult to watch--prior seasons had more implied rather than explict violence.

Still worth watching but needs more human interest to keep me going through another season.

The only thing that I hate about MI: 5 (or "Spooks" as it's called in the UK) is that they don't film enough episodes per season. Seriously, it gets you hooked!

I'm an avid 24 and Alias fan because of the high intensity and drama. When I first heard about MI: 5 I was skeptical of getting it because I didn't think I would like it. I tried it out and before the second episode was over with (of the first season) I was ordering the second season.

Great cast and believable story lines. It appears that the budget for MI: 5 isn't as high as some of our American TV shows, but that doesn't mean that it's not good. The sets are well made, everything is well lit for filming, even the special effects are great. For a comparable budget in America the special effects would look horrible.

It's obvious to see that the people that produce MI: 5 are the best in the business. I just wish it didn't take so long for seasons to get released in America. To the people that make MI: 5: you've seriously made me consider buying a DVD player that's region-free, buying the "Spooks" version on Amazon.co.uk and having them shipped to me.


BOTTOM LINE: If you like Alias, 24 (Kiefer Sutherland), and government/spy type of story lines, then you'll love MI: 5....every season! The cast is superb and the story lines follow a post-911 world. Very realistic and very addictive!

Producers and writers are always needing to examine their programs with the intention of keeping them fresh. They sometimes take drastic measures, but it is usually a mistake to replace popular and competent leading men and ladies, because as most of us know, the characters (and the actors who portray them) are who viewers come to care about, not the series itself.
So MI-5 has strolled off the end of the pier: in one season we have lost Tom, Zoe, and Danny, and their replacements, though possibly competent, are definitely NOT Tom, Zoe, or Danny. I may not return either.

When I preread this season's summary on the BBC website, I wasn't quite sure whether I would like it: I tend to get 'attached' to main characters and I therefore didn't like the idea of some of them leaving the series.... Still, I am glad I bought it, because the third season didn't disappoint me: the 'downfall' of some of the spooks provides great material for dramatic and intense episodes, and the creators have managed to replace the old crew with worthy newcomers! Even more than in season 1 and 2, season 3 shows how nothing is ever simply black-and-white and each spook struggles with the many shades of grey in his or her work and the tense politics within and between government agencies. Looking forward to season 4, coming out in september 2006!

People seem to not like the fact that many cast changes (all explained within the context of the show) take place this season.

While I was sorry to see some of the superb cast leave, in most cases they are replaced by equally engaging, but different characters and not just clones of themselves.

Even into the third season, this series continues to provide thrilling and intelligent entertainment.

I got hooked on this series 2 years ago shortly after I got my ReplayTV. I stumbled on it one morning and during that first episode I made it a guaranteed recording--not like theres much competition at O'Dark-thirty. The show seems to have been a 'filler' program for A&E here in the States, something to show at 3am when they cant find some memory pill, mattress, or get rich quick paid-advert.

Each episode takes place within a closely knit team of MI-5 agents who are tasked with protecting the UK from combatants of the state, er, kingdom. It is similar in some ways to 24, but i'd say its more condensed and it doesnt have that Fox-style drama aftertaste. Each Spooks episode (its original name) offers more closure, and can stand alone to some degree. Its true, several of the original cast have been 'fashioned out' in season 3, but also several of the original players have been promoted into more visible roles. Take one of the reaearchers, she was a key player in one of the last few episodes they showed here in the states. Several other reviews offer more insight into the series, but if you enjoy spy, gov't conspiracy type shows, this should rank high on your list.

A&E doesnt seem to be showing it anymore on the feed we recieve here in Alaska. I emailed their vewer services address and never got a response.

Finally, if your scared off by the prices on Amazon US and have a region free DVD player, look on Amazon UK. I found Season 1 & 2 for half the price.

The best show of it's type, without equal. Check it out on the telly if you can, otherwise it's worth every penny to a videophile.

While Alias is concentrating on interpersonal family disfunction amidst a totally unrealistic spy Drama (Drama-Nauseam), MI5 was trying to portray the real deal; being ruthless, taking advantage of bad situations, smuggling drugs and granting a pass to anyone with political connection.

AWESOME

This is a realistic anti-terrorism show. The action, the drama, and the world class acting make it my all-time favorite drama. This season was excellent. I will miss the outgoing characters, but love the new characters too.

If you haven't seen this yet, don't go to the BBC MI-5 webpage as Series 4 has already played and there is information on the site which could spoil some of the drama.

Highly recommend! Can't wait to see Season 4.

Yes, MI-5 (SPOOKS) is probably the best yet. As exciting as the best of 24 (but more believable), as well acted as THE SHIELD and as well written as THE WIRE. All of them are excellent shows, and MI-5 tops off with an outstanding soundtrack.