MI-5 (aka SPOOKS) has been one of my favorite
shows since I first caught it on A&E (who butchered the show by taking 15 minutes out of each episode and didn’t
give fair treatment to airing it). The show follows a group of MI-5 agents
in Section D and the head of MI-5’s counter-terrorism department, Harry Pearce.
Season 7 starts with MI-5 getting back one of their own, Lucas North, after he has been held in prison by the Russians
for eight years. The FSB (formerly known as the KGB) knows about Operation
Sugarhorse- a network of sleeper agents in Russia that will stop Russia
from launching a nuclear attack. The FSB wants to bring down Sugarhorse
and Harry Pearce suspects someone (in MI-5) who knows about Sugarhorse is a double agent.
Harry tries to find the traitor as the Russians seeks to destabilize the economy of the United
Kingdom among other things leading to MI-5 learning about a sleeper agent network that Russia
has implanted in the UK.
Ros becomes the new head of Section D as the team mourns the loss of one of their own and trying to figure out who
Lucas North is.
I like Lucas North better than Adam Carter
or Tom Quinn. His dark and conflicted persona adds to the story and makes
him a more interesting character than Adam or Tom ever were. Richard Armitage
gives the character of Lucas North real intensity and mystery. The storylines
have a grain of truth reflecting today’s climate. Russia
is becoming a power again in different ways. The writers let their imaginations
run wild with it and create the storylines for season seven. The show is
more Bourne than Bond. It is more deeply rooted in gritty realism and preying
on the real dangers that terrorists and other countries pose to the UK. Also it keeps the characters human and show what they go through. I wonder how they resolve the cliffhanger for season eight and wish the BBC
didn’t have to wait a year to release season eight in North America (and what about the spin-off
series CODE 9).
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Two audio commentaries- one for episode
five with Producer Katie Swinton, Writer Christian Spurrier, and
Director Edward Hall
The other is for episode eight with Producer
Katie Swinton, Writer Neil Cross, and Director Sam Miller
SPOOKS IN RUSSIA- a short behind-the-scenes
featurette on SPPOKS filming scenes in Russia for two episodes
ACTION SEQUENCE- a look at the filming
of the chase sequence in episode six.
The BEHIND THE SCENES documentary covers
the exit of one character, the introduction of another (Lucas North), the characters, and the storylines. Spoilers for the entire season are in this one- watch the episodes first.
The end of the documentary foreshadows season eight.
Also the original UK
trailer is on the set in addition to trailers for other BBC DVD releases (DOCTOR WHO, TORCHWOOD, PRIMEVAL).
FINAL ANALYSIS: Season 7 of MI-5 is as great as the first six seasons. The
show maintains a high standard of quality. MI-5 is worth checking out (even if
you’re a fan of 24).
This DVD review is (c)2-5-2010 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
