255 replies to this topic

[Felix_Leiter]

Anybody else watching this brilliant show?

[Bond111]

Oh yeah. Anyone who knows me knows I love this show. It is truly brilliant. I hope the Region 1 DVD will be coming out soon.

[Robinson]

I caught up on the early episodes during the Labor Day marathon on A&E.

I enjoy the program and I'm glad that they've changed the air time so I can watch MI-5 followed by Nip/Tuck on FX.

You've gotta hand it to cable television, they're putting out engrossing and entertaining programs on a weekly basis.

[MrDraco]

i caught it once but never found out what time it comes on....some help perhapes? i liked it alot

[jwheels]

Originally posted by bond111
Oh yeah. Anyone who knows me knows I love this show. It is truly brilliant. I hope the Region 1 DVD will be coming out soon.

The first season is either going to come out by the end of the year, or the beginning of next year.

I too love the show, it is very engrossing. I also agree that cable networks are putting out wounderfull shows, though I am not a fan of Nip/Tuck, I love The Shield and Lucky, it is just a shame that Lucky was not picked up for a second season.

[marktmurphy]

Its truely fabulous: the ending to season 2 is superb (although I think you guys are getting both the seasons together). Has the cliffhanger episode with the bomb aired yet? Slightly dodgy setup but it had me and everyone I know biting our nails off!

I bought the DVD myself a few weeks ago- haven't watched all of them yet, but the extras are pretty numerous but amount to various interviews with cast and crew. Nice enough though.

[Bond111]

MI-5 airs on A&E on Tuesdays at 9/8 Central. The previous episode is also usually aired on Saturday at 11/10 C. (I wonder if A&E should pay me to do advertising )

I generally don't watch too much TV, but I try to catch MI-5 every week. I also enjoy Monk, a great original show, and Whose Line is it Anyway?. That's pretty much the extent of my TV viewing habits.

Right now we are on the second episode of the second season (set to air next week). The first season cliffhanger was great TV (I'm glad I didn't have to wait the whole summer to see it) .

[marktmurphy]

Resolution to the cliffhanger was a bit of a let down though, wasn't it? The bomb didn't go off. Great.
Some of the stories are a little worse in this series (two episodes featuring teenage geniuses- aargh) but its still great. There's a fabulously tense episode set entirely within the office.

Are you aware this series is called 'Spooks' over here? I gather that may have racial connotations over there, is this right? Or has it changed name to fit in with the CSI, 24 style series?

[Bond111]

Yes I was aware it is called 'Spooks' over there. I think they changed it because the general public (myself formerly included) does'nt know what it means. And besides I think most people would want to watch a show called 'MI-5' than 'Spooks', but I don't know. I'm pretty sure it's not used as a racial put down over here or anything.

Yes I will agree the resolution to the cliffhanger was somewhat of a let down. I think it would have been more compelling if

/spoiler.gif

Ellie & Maisie

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had died, but I like the way they did it anyway. Some episodes are a bit on the boring side, but most of the time it has me on the edge of my seat.

[Athena007]

Oh I LOVE MI-5 ...I've watched it since the very beginning of the show I used to really not watch tv much, but now I have a set Tuesday night schedule It

[marktmurphy]

Absolutely, Bond111- but I don't think they could have killed them without killing the close-by Tom. So we got a bit of a disappointing resolution. Plus I think the surprise killing of Helen earlier in the season was a trick they didn't want to repeat too often. His next couple of girlfriends throw up a whole new set of problems however...
They made sure they didn't have a similar problem with this year's cliffhanger, though, by not actually doing as much as it appeared they had. Sounds a bit strange, I know- but you'll understand when you see it (and think about it afterwards). Still a really great and emotional ending though.

I see they have a website here: http://www.aetv.com/tv/shows/mi5/
although why not compare it to the original: www.bbc.co.uk/spooks

[Xenobia]

I caught a couple of MI5 episodes, and liked what I saw, but find the side relationship between the agent and his civilian girlfriend a bit much.

The way she reacts to him is equally annoying.

I haven't seen enough of them in sequence, so I will probably wait until the next marathon to get into it again.

I'm just sorry Colin Salmon chose to do "Keen Eddie" instead of trying to get in on this show.

-- Xenobia

[Dunph]

The show is superb in my opinion, and the relationship between Tom and Ellie is a brilliant contrast to the fast-moving work he's embroiled in.

You've got to watch every episode, it's possibly the best drama we've had on television for a while, and I simply can't wait for the third series.

Though not as shocking as the second episode of series one, series two still has its moments, suicide bombers in a Birmingham mosque for instance. Towards the end of the series it gets very emotional, the last episode of series two is a tear-jerker.

But, come on you Americans, what do you think of the series so far?

[Robinson]

Originally posted by Xenobia

I'm just sorry Colin Salmon chose to do "Keen Eddie" instead of trying to get in on this show.

-- Xenobia

Well, it is FOX!!!!

Who knows, he could be pieced back together for the Resident Evil sequel.

[Xenobia]

As an American, I love the show. I think it is an honest and real depiction of how the MI5 works -- particularly in conjunction with the MI6.

It's not telling me anything that shocks me about those two units in the UK -- or their clones the FBI and CIA here in the States.

-- Xenobia

[marktmurphy]

I think it is an honest and real depiction of how the MI5 works

No, it really, really isn't- its a very silly piece of fun. It may seem gritty, but just like Fleming's novels, if you think about the plots its ridiculous. But its great.

I caught a couple of MI5 episodes, and liked what I saw, but find the side relationship between the agent and his civilian girlfriend a bit much.

The way she reacts to him is equally annoying.

What do you mean? Dramatically it doesn't work or you find the character annoying as a person? And do you find Tom's relationship gets in the way of the spy stories or it isnt believable? I'm curious.

I'm just sorry Colin Salmon chose to do "Keen Eddie" instead of trying to get in on this show.

I don't understand how your mind works. Don't you think he's a bit...rubbish? One of the most stilted deliveries I've ever seen on screen. If you want to see him in something like this I think he used to be in The Vice before Bond. Not sure though.
But seriously, why bring him up? Do you think we only have a couple of actors over here or something? And don't you think the brilliant Matthew Macfadden as Tom is good enough? He's one of the best performers you could see on telly. Plus the great (and sexy) Keely Hawes and Jenny Agguter..I think the cast couldn't be bettered (although the guy who plays Danny isn't great).

[Xenobia]

Hey Mark:

What annoys me about the girlfriend?

Well, her delivery for one thing. I think she knew what she got into when she started dating him (and if she didn't, shame on him), and if she did, what did she think? It would be fun????

That being said, I do think his relationship would get in the way of Tom's work...she's an easy weak spot, isn't she?

As for Colin, I hardly think he is stilted at all, but then again, this is coming from the girl who thinks Pierce Brosnan is a great actor, so stop reading if you must. ;-)

I enjoy Colin in Keen Eddie, he looks like he is having fun, but I think in terms of making his career between via exposure on both continents (we have Mi5, but you don't have Keen Eddie, do you), Colin made a poor choice, if indeed he was offered a role in the series.

I know you have a lot of great actors, I just like to see my favorites do well, and Colin would do well if he were on that show.

-- Xenobia

[marktmurphy]

Hang on- which girlfriend are we talking about? Ellie (with the little girl)? Or the blonde doctor woman? Because Ellie didn't know Tom was a spy when they started going out (indeed she thought he was called Matthew) causing problems which Tom set out to make sure didn't happen again, hence telling the doctor upfront. She's nuts, though.

You don't like her delivery? I think she's an okay actress isn't she? CAn't remember any problems.

And as for Colin, I can't imagine they considered him for a second thanks to his 'abilities' and the Bond connection isn't something they wanted anywhere near this.
What is this 'Keen Eddie'?

[Xenobia]

And here is the crux of our problem....I did mean Ellie, and I thought she had known and had gotten back in contact with her ex to punish Tom.

As for Colin, I think he is a great actor, we will have to agree to disagree.

Keen Eddie is a show airing on the Fox Network in the US. In brief, it is a story of a NYC police officer who comes to work for Scotland Yard to help (initially) take down a drug dealer, and then stays on to help solve urban crime. Colin Salmon plays his boss.

-- Xenobia

[marktmurphy]

Oh really? Its set over here?

And the Ellie thing....to be honest I'd forgotten that bit: its a while since it was on and I haven't watched the dvds yet!

[Xenobia]

Yes, Keen Eddie is set, and evidently was filmed, in London. Eddie decides to stay over in the UK and make his life fresh.

They just started airing the second season of MI5 here...and again, I haven't had a chance to catch it.

-- Xenobia

[Dunph]

Well, Xen I think it's blasphemy! I think you should rotate your life around Spooks, as I do whenever it's on!

Seriously though, everyone cast is a brilliant actor, and I look forward to seeing Matthew McFaddyen in more. Also, Keely Hawes could give a dog a bone.

[Felix_Leiter]

glad to see i'm not alone guys.

[Jaelle]

I watch very little TV because there just isn't much on it these days that I enjoy. Except for old movies on TCM and Starz or FXM or Mystery! on PBS, that sort of thing. Or The Mayor of Casterbridge with Ciaran Hinds on A&E the other day.

Anyway, MI-5 is a show I'm definitely involved in, it's fantastic. The entire cast is excellent. The guy who plays Tom is new to me, he's wonderful. I know Jenny Agutter and Keeley Hawes very well, I've seen them in a lot of stuff. I met Jenny years ago in London. I loved Keeley and Eoin McCarthy in the adaptation of one of my favorite mystery series, The Inspector Pitt Mysteries.

And, no, Tom's girlfriend Ellie had absolutely no idea that he was a spy. He told her he worked in some computer company, that's what she believed for most of their relationship. Her response is perfectly credible. I do wish she loved him enough to stand by him but she has a *child* for pete's sake, and he's fairly new to her life. It's a very hard thing to ask of a parent to expose one's kid to those kinds of risks. There's so much guilt involved: "yes I love him, but do I have the right to do this to my child?" Sorry, I speak from personal experience.

And I too LOVED Keen Eddie, I adored that show! It was filmed in London but it wasn't shown to UK audiences. I'm so annoyed with the jerk-off executive at Fox who didn't like it, and decided not to keep it on. They didn't even show the last four episodes!

Last night's episode of MI-5 is the one I've been waiting for because it starred Siddig el Fadil (aka Alexander Siddig from Deep Space 9), whom I've met a few times and talked to about his Sudanese lineage. He was fantastic!

I've been reading about "Spooks" in the UK press online for some months now (I know about the controversey re last night's episode). The word "spooks" is used among journalists and academic colloquially on both sides of the Atlantic to refer to spies. I've often used it myself in various articles over the years. But it's not familiar to general US audiences, that's why the name change.

[Dunph]

That's why the name was 'revoked.'

Never mind.

What episode was on last night Jaelle? Was it the second one regarding the deep-fat fryer? That became the most complained about BBC programme of all time when it aired here back in 2002. I can't say a bad word about Spooks, maybe i'm biased.

[Bond111]

Last night's episode was the suicide bombing one. I had a feeling it was going to be a great episode, and it was. The end had me riveted till the last second. It could be considered controversial especially due to the startilingly recent suicide bombings in Israel.

On a side note, does anybody know how well the show is doing in the UK? I have no idea how it's doing here, but I just wanted to know whether it might be on the verge of cancellation, or if it is doing spectacularly.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Damn! Another good show to look out for. :eek:

Is it my imagination or is television loosing its tag of being "the idiot box" with so such quality content around these days.

With the 2 CSIs, Alias, and 24 I'm watching more TV than ever before.

[Xenobia]

Yes, the quality of TV has gotten A LOT better lately, and I am grateful that network execs are taking us seriously!

Jaelle, I understand where you are coming from with the kid, but the actress herself whined too much for my tastes.

I didn't realize "Keen Eddie" wasn't coming back! I thought it was coming back midseason. Are you sure it's been canned?

-- Xen

[Jaelle]

Originally posted by Xenobia
Jaelle, I understand where you are coming from with the kid, but the actress herself whined too much for my tastes.

Oh I *do* see where you're coming from. She doesn't come across very well, she does seem a bit whiny. I found myself getting irritated with her as well. But think that's because we the viewer are encouraged to see so much of Tom's point of view, we see what a terrific, decent guy he is, how much he really loves her. We see her and her daughter all from Tom's POV. He comes across as such a noble, likeable guy. Given all this, I doubt any other actress playing the same character could've come across better.

Oh by the way, to the American fans on the board, you do know that A&E is quite generous with its editing scissors when it comes to these UK shows? Not only do we get a plethora of commercials spread throughout, we get a cut down version of the original. You may be certain that this makes me livid. :mad:

I didn't realize "Keen Eddie" wasn't coming back!  I thought it was coming back midseason.  Are you sure it's been canned?
-- Xen

There was an item about it in TV Guide. I'm really bummed by it. TV Guide plugged the show positively and criticized Fox for canning it. The item explained that a Fox executive responsible for the future of the show gave it a thumbs down because he didn't care for it. In the same item, TV Guide said that at least fans would get to see the last four episodes which was going to be shown that particular week (this was about 3 weeks ago I think). So I made sure that I was all set to catch the new episode that week......and nothing!

I share your appreciation of Colin Salmon. Lovely man to look at (and listen to). Nice to see him on that show. And I loved how Eddie called the sexy secretary at the New Scotland Yard office "Moneypenny."

[Xenobia]

I am just going to jump around here with my responces:

I know A&E can be merciless with the editing scissors, but compared to what PaxTV did to Remington Steele , they are most kind.

I think that actress who played Tom's girlfriend could have played herself with a bit more dignity here or there, so we, the audience would have remembered, "Hey wait, Tom's a great guy, but he kind of left out a key detail when these two got together."

The guy at Fox who canned Keen Eddie needs to be taken out back and shot. One man should not get to make that kind of decision.

As far as I am concerned Colin should be the next 007, but we all know that won't happen. He's a great actor, and I hope he gets to do more stuff in the US.

-- Xenobia