Spooks : Complete BBC Series 1 [2002]

The six episodes of the BAFTA Award-winning Series 1 tackle a variety of tough issues, including religious fanaticism, racism, governmental cover-ups and, naturally enough, the lingering shadow of Irish terrorism. Throughout, the show strikes a fine balance between a James Bondian techno-obsession with spy gadgets and more character-based action, with crisp writing and pacey direction that ratchets up the tension a notch further with every episode. The final cliffhanger is an unforgettable TV moment, and one that leaves viewers agog for Series 2.

On the DVD: Spooks, Series 1 is cleverly presented in a three-disc set with specially filmed "cut scenes" instead of a standard menu: interact with the mysterious office intruder to select the different options: interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted scenes, character profiles, audio commentaries and more. It's a neat idea, though one that may outstay its welcome after repeated viewings; fortunately it's possible to skip the opening sequence using the chapter forward button and move directly to the main "desk menu". --Mark Walker

The 'menu system' is a little peculiar (my father spent about 5 minutes watching it, wondering why the show was so boring!) but as Amazon says, you can skip over all the guff and get straight to the good stuff. And good stuff it is: excellent plots, top-notch acting (including one marvellously cast Hugh Laurie) and believable set-ups all contribute to a fine BBC series. Buy it!


Genius   December 22, 2003
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is the best television drama series ever to come out of the UK. So good, in fact, that it's difficult to single out one particular aspect for praise. The writing is superb, successfully treading the fine line between Bond-style escapism and searing realism. The cast are excellent without exception, a clever mix of talented new faces and stalwarts like Hugh Laurie and Jenny Agutter. It's confidently directed, beautifully shot and the editing and sound are flawless.

But most of all, it gets under your skin. You genuinely care about the characters; every episode is topical, sometimes terrifyingly so. It never ever fails to entertain, every episode ripping along at breakneck pace yet always putting characters before plot. And it doesn't let you switch your brain off: to understand and appreciate, you must watch and listen.

It pulls no punches either. The infamous 'chip fryer' scene is among the most horrifying I have ever seen on television. Yet there's nothing cartoonish or gratuitous about it, which only makes it all the more shocking. And the cliffhanger which closes the series is breathtaking.

The DVD features and packaging are great, although I echo the comments of other buyers: clever though the introduction is, a way to skip straight to the menu would be useful. Aside from that it's faultless.


A nice little taster   March 19, 2007
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Ever wondered what MI5 really do? Well this is your chance to find out! Spooks is a new series which charts how MI5 and the Spooks in its employ deal with the everyday threats against Britain. In season one we're introduced to Harry, Tom, Danny & Zoe and get to see them in action as they face extremist anti-abortionists, race-riot ringleaders and Kurdish freedom fighters....to name but a few. Spooks has the suspense, intrigue and backstabbing that we would expect from an agency of spies and it all works together to hook you from episode one straight through to the end.

My biggest gripe about Season 1 of Spooks is that it's just too short. You're only getting into the swing of it when it ends and you wish you'd ordered season 2 at the same time as season 1!




Addictive!   August 28, 2006
 23 out of 24 found this review helpful

I started watching Spooks towards the end of series 2 and was instantly a fan! It was great to be able buy this set and start from the beginning, seeing how all of the characters build.

The photography and directing are great. The split screen approach allows you to get a view of the immediate history of two sets of characters in the moments before they collide... wonderful! It's also brave - the show makers are not scared of disaster hitting main characters and so retain suspence. The story lines are contraversial and there's no tip-toeing around topical politics.

I did make the mistake of putting the first DVD on late at night after an evening out and it took me a while to figure out how to get through the spy DVD set up and actually watch the first episode - but all part of the fun!

Buy it!!



best british thriller drama   April 5, 2006
 17 out of 18 found this review helpful

Fantastic storylines innovative scripting & great casting all combine to make this series one of the classic thriller series of British tv - and its great to be in there from the start (which missed on the telly!) really clever story in part 2 horrible but completely compelling!