Customer Reviews

MI-5: Volume Five

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Great DVD set. Loved it. The other reviewers have done a fine job. I am bringing another issue to light for you.

When you receive this DVD set, and play the first episode on disk 3, you may think you saw this episode when watching a previous disk. If so, you received one of the old release DVD sets. You probably bought it from an Amazon affiliate such as "mnmsales", not Amazon direct. This is what I did as recently as August 2008.

Warner Home Video will fix this problem for you at no charge a lot faster than mnmsales will. Warner recalled the defective set way back in January 2008, replacing it with a different UPC. Why mnmsales is selling this recalled stock beats me, but they are not answering my email request for a replacement.

If your disk 3 is affected, call 1-800-553-6937 and Warner will arrange to ship you a replacement disk 3 and a reply-paid envelope to return the bad one. I guess if you don't return the bad disk they will want money for the new one which is fair.

I first discoverd MI-5 on my local PBS station. It was on Thursday nights. I needed the background and to catch up. I have subsequently bought all 5 volumes and have just ordered vol 6. The ending of Vol 5 was so riveting I searched all over my area, unsuccessfully, to find a place to rent episode 1 of vol 6 so I could know how our MI5 spooks managed a major crisis of critical proportions. I confess, and maybe some other Spooks junkies will confess the same, but when I received the series dvd's I watched 10 hours in a row with minor breaks for essentials, finally quitting at 3AM. This series is absolutely knockout. One reviewer wrote being a bit put off by the variety of villains there are in the world coming from all nations with all beleifs. Is it possible? You decide. All I can say is that if you want to be entertained with great writing with strong character development that puts its characters in absolutely unbelievable situations, accompanied by outstanding acting, go for MI-5. 24 is great, but this series will knock your socks off.

I have been very excited about purchasing Season 5. However, this is the last time I'll read a review on anything here, because of the review of "Aunt Holly". Holly, when you review something, please don't feel the need to reveal major plot points just because you have seen them happen, thereby spoiling the potential enjoyment of same by someone who hasn't. It's the basic modicum of internet civility.

I LOVE this show but the wait for the DVDs can be so long. So finally this volume shows up in the states and one of the disks doesn't work. Its the same problem other reviewers have had: disk 3 doesn't work or if you can access it, it has a duplicate episode (from the disk 2) and then is missing the next episode in the series, a crucial one that involves a permanent change in the show! None of the other disks have the episode and I have returned 2 of these box-sets so I would say this is definitely a manufacturing problem. Sooo: good luck.

Disk 3 loaded in the player, but then reverted to a blank screen with the message BAD DISK. I was able to view the disk by going into the episodes, only to discover that Episode 5 is missing entirely (disk 3 overlaps with disk 2). This is obviously a manufacturing defect. Anyone else encounter the same problem?
That said, the remaining episodes are superb, the best yet in MI-5/Spooks series.

MI-5 is the best crime drama currently on the air. It has been compaired with "24" for style and content, but, MI-5 is more intelligent and believable and better acted. They have carried this style of TV drama to the next level. From an American point of view, it is interesting to get another country's point of view on international terrorism. Also, to get another country's opinion of America (the neighborhood bully). This holds true for all episodes, they are well done in all facets of drama, producing, directing, staging and acting!!!

(Note: spoilers for previous season and this one may pop up in the following review.)


When the last season ended, Adam (Rupert Penry Jones) had been injured when an ex-5 agent went on a shooting spree. As this season begins, Adam goes through a very quick (on-screen, anyway) recovery after almost dying on the operating table. He might be back at work, but his spirit is definitely damaged. Last season, his wife was killed (she died in his arms) and he now faces the prospect of raising his son alone.

Then, of course, he is shot. He later witnesses the unprovoked shooting of a woman he is trying to keep safe (she was basically put at risk as a part of an operation Adam was running). It is all too much for him, and we watch him come apart this season. Penry-Jones is superb here, maintaining that steely determination while he balances on a razor's edge of near-hysteria. He suffers through nightmares, stumbles around almost zombie-like at times, and basically disconnects himself from reality at various turns, and Penry-Jones does an excellent job of showing that process.

Other actors are superb as well, most notably the one who plays Roz. She is a new addition to the team, having been brought in after her father is revealed as a very bad guy.

This season deals with a variety of issues, including the erosion of civil liberties (an issue here in the States as well as in the UK), the threat of nuclear proliferation (the US is a bit of a bad guy here), and cover-ups on the part of different agencies. All the episodes are gripping and even educational.

Excellent season. Enjoy!

I'm glad to see that series 5 is being released soon. Due to financial reasons (couldn't afford cable and pay other bills) I have not seen series 4 or 5. I am in a better money position now and am planning to catch up what I've missed with these dvd sets. One huge advantage to having the dvds is that you get the whole episode as it was shown in the UK. A&E and BBCAmerica edit the episodes down by about 10-12 mins to fit the American tv format (commercials). During the editing process, some of the action/back story that happens is cut and it leaves you wondering why a character acts or does something a certain way. Now I'll be able to see the whole episode as originally edited and shown.

MI-5- the Spooks, the intelligence branch of the British Government has always had a glamorous aspect to it from the American side. Afterall these are the best of the UK. Following the BBC series brings the reality home to us. Yes, they all carry guns and are faced with danger every day, but there is a lot of daily 'grunt' work involved.

Harry Pearce, played by Peter Firth is the Head of the Counter Terrorism Department. He is the constant in this seriesl. He is one of the few, so far, that has not been killed off. He is the consummate professional that pulls the team back to reality. He is also ready to give up a member of the team if need be. He is the father of the group and each team member is part of his family.

Adam Carter, played bt Rupert Penny Jones, is the MI-5 Senior Case Leader. He is a formidable character- ready to lead his team into danger to keep the UK free. He is suffering from PTSD because of his wife's death. It appears from the signals in the series that we should be prepared for Adam's demise. He has had too many close calla. Rupert is the mainstay of this series and he is a fave.

Ros Myers, played by Hermoine Norris is the heroine of the MI-5. Cold, ruthless and beautiful, we know that Ros is lonely and this exterior she portrays has a great deal of hurt underneath.

Malcom Wynn-Jones, played by Hugh Simon plays the technician and data analyst. He is another mainstay of MI-5. He is the one that provides most of the information needed and is the person who is most responsible for keeping the MI-5 team alive.

The rest of the team, walk in and out of the series. We just get to know them and they are killed in one manner or another. This series is remarkable in that death of a character is as much a part of reality as introducing someone new.

Volume 5 starts with a terrorirst attack on the oil and gas depots. Moves on to the loss of one of the most lovable characters, to an enviornmental group threatening to flood London. Throughout the series, Harry Pearce defends and delivers his MI-5 team to their highest acheievements. This is the series set that deals with terrorism. MI-5 is always current, the events of the world end up in this Spooks series. The United States oftne comes across as devious and deceitful- well, why not, look at our past eight years and our leaders. But the UK takes its own hits and all the thorns seem to come undone. This series also introduced us to the persomal side of the team, and their empotional and family upheavels.

Highly Highly Recommended. prisrob 02-22-09

Born of Fire

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking

The first two episodes are worth the price of admission alone. Much more engaging and intelligent than the usual American dreck. "24" should learn from this show.