MI-5 in the U.S.

[A Cousin]

(19-10-2011 01:21 PM)loladom Wrote:  How do US fans generally feel about the slating the US administration and the CIA generally get in Spooks story lines? (To be fair Spooks is pretty scathing of every nation, including UK politicians and sister service MI-6) Just wondering. Is that one of the reasons why the major networks haven't picked it up?

Weeeelll, ya know lola, that is a very difficult question. We have politically scathing shows that go gang-busters and some that don't. We can take a punch. Like all cultures we have those that would "get" it and those that would resist it. So who can say in that respect?

I am a full 10th-generation, candidate for the Daughters of the American Revolution (although shoot me if I join!) descendant of the Pilgrims, Jamestown settlers, minute-men and at least one 17th century deported convict. I am not afraid to say that, genetically speaking, I am about as "American" as it gets! That said, anything that starts a conversation and make a culture, any culture, take a deep look at themselves can't be all bad.

Although I think the idea was not to re-hash the Spooks we know and love, but to make an "American" version of it with "American" sensibilities and characters, etc. My own opinion as to why it was not, and should not have been, picked up comes down to a few reasons.

1) In mood, tone, character and content, Spooks is a quintessentially British programme. It wouldn't be an "American" version of Spooks without that and with it, it wouldn't be an "American" version of Spooks. It would be a re-hash. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

2) We already have several what could be considered comparable programmes already running, IMO, one of the best being NCIS. NCIS is not a direct parallel but the premise and characters are very familiar. My favorite being Abby. Others might point to 24. Love it or hate it, it is in the same genre but with an American twist.

3) Spooks works b/c it evolved organically. You can't repeat that. It would only look stunted and forced.

To my knowledge, it was David Wollstencraft trying to shop it. Don't know if he pulled out or if it just wasn't picked up. I for one would rather he move on and create something completely different and equally as compelling for American TV, if he wishes.