<![CDATA[Spooks Forum - Series 3]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/ Wed, 08 Apr 2026 02:10:20 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[3.10 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-915.html Sun, 30 May 2010 21:12:52 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-915.html -Girl with jump rope in opening shot -- daughter of 1st asst. director.
-Badria Timimi (Khatera) is actually Iraqi -- left in her teens.
-Terrorists speak Iraqi throughout ep -- language tutors worked with actors.
-For Simon CC -- favorite ep of this series.
-Ahmed -- ordinary guy who's been radicalized by things that have happened to him; not a psychotic crazy. Actor very scary and very convincing. Something quite human about the character.
-In this ep, grid color desaturated more than usual -- more muted than previously.
-Little moments of story (Harry and chocolates, Fiona picking lock) woven into plot that become extremely relevant later on -- writer makes them feel integral, not just dropped in. Ben Richards talent is his ability to write both huge stories and intimate stories and tie them together.
-Lovely and moving ep for Adam/Fiona relationship -- very emotional.
-Breakfast in bed scene -- shot a lot of footage, very elegantly edited to appear seamless.
-Alrick Riley hated the wardrobe between the flats -- hokey.
-Only ep where Ruth wears a wedding ring [??].
-Great backstory for Adam and Fiona -- sets up future eps.
-Nicola Walker "listens" very actively -- great eyes and facial expressiveness.
-Zubin Varla (Ahmed) doesn't have a huge role in terms of dialogue but you feel his presence throughout ep.
-Good intelligent dialogue between Ahmed, Danny and Fiona.
-Adam and Khatera scene at NFT Cafe -- record for amount of footage shot in one day; 3 cameras, 27 rolls of film.
-Lots of split screen use in this ep.
-NFT Cafe -- very busy location, lots of people all over the place.
-Harry and Ruth -- running joke about people not knocking on Harry's door. Scene filmed both inside the office and from outside through the glass.
-Lots of waiting in this ep, very static -- created tension and menace.
-Great camera work in Zaf/Adam scene -- got all the details of the hands, the sweets, the quick conversation, etc.
-Adam and Khatera walking to hotel -- all other people in the shot were just passersby, not actors. Walked through a very busy pedestrian area in the West End -- gave real life to the scene.
-Danny and Fiona escaping -- interior and exterior were two different houses.
-Once Danny and Fiona are recaptured, you don't expect them to live -- action from that point takes a drastic turn for the worse.
-Harry and Guy Facer -- one of the best Harry moments in the whole series. Don't often show H with that level of compassion for his team -- he looks heartbroken.
-Danny/Fiona scene re Winnie the Pooh -- was in and out of ep several times; finally decided to keep it in.
-Khatera -- she says everything with extraordinary conviction and with a deep emotional base.
-Throughout the scenes of Ahmed interacting with Fiona, Danny says an incredible amount just with his face. You can see the moment he decides to pull Ahmed's focus from Fiona onto himself.
-Danny's speech before being shot -- filmed very simply; it's all about David's acting. Beautifully written speech, filmed all in one go -- at end his face is serene, he knows exactly what he's doing.
-Bomb implanted inside Khatera -- based on a true story.
-Emotional stakes of ep incredibly high -- all the characters have a stake, everyone going through hell.
-"Your son will be able to watch images of you burning on the internet" -- one of the most vicious lines in spooks.
-Adam and Khatera in Manor House -- shot with very long lens in order to isolate them in the room full of people.
-Adam takes the risk to sacrifice Fiona to save the PM.
-Alrick Riley was worried they wouldn't be able to show the scene of Fiona being doused with petrol -- too scary. Thought it would be censored.
-Scene with Harry, Ruth and Danny's body -- shot with 10 minutes to go until the end of shooting for the day. Nicola Walker did a brilliant acting job in a very short amount of time.]]> -Girl with jump rope in opening shot -- daughter of 1st asst. director.
-Badria Timimi (Khatera) is actually Iraqi -- left in her teens.
-Terrorists speak Iraqi throughout ep -- language tutors worked with actors.
-For Simon CC -- favorite ep of this series.
-Ahmed -- ordinary guy who's been radicalized by things that have happened to him; not a psychotic crazy. Actor very scary and very convincing. Something quite human about the character.
-In this ep, grid color desaturated more than usual -- more muted than previously.
-Little moments of story (Harry and chocolates, Fiona picking lock) woven into plot that become extremely relevant later on -- writer makes them feel integral, not just dropped in. Ben Richards talent is his ability to write both huge stories and intimate stories and tie them together.
-Lovely and moving ep for Adam/Fiona relationship -- very emotional.
-Breakfast in bed scene -- shot a lot of footage, very elegantly edited to appear seamless.
-Alrick Riley hated the wardrobe between the flats -- hokey.
-Only ep where Ruth wears a wedding ring [??].
-Great backstory for Adam and Fiona -- sets up future eps.
-Nicola Walker "listens" very actively -- great eyes and facial expressiveness.
-Zubin Varla (Ahmed) doesn't have a huge role in terms of dialogue but you feel his presence throughout ep.
-Good intelligent dialogue between Ahmed, Danny and Fiona.
-Adam and Khatera scene at NFT Cafe -- record for amount of footage shot in one day; 3 cameras, 27 rolls of film.
-Lots of split screen use in this ep.
-NFT Cafe -- very busy location, lots of people all over the place.
-Harry and Ruth -- running joke about people not knocking on Harry's door. Scene filmed both inside the office and from outside through the glass.
-Lots of waiting in this ep, very static -- created tension and menace.
-Great camera work in Zaf/Adam scene -- got all the details of the hands, the sweets, the quick conversation, etc.
-Adam and Khatera walking to hotel -- all other people in the shot were just passersby, not actors. Walked through a very busy pedestrian area in the West End -- gave real life to the scene.
-Danny and Fiona escaping -- interior and exterior were two different houses.
-Once Danny and Fiona are recaptured, you don't expect them to live -- action from that point takes a drastic turn for the worse.
-Harry and Guy Facer -- one of the best Harry moments in the whole series. Don't often show H with that level of compassion for his team -- he looks heartbroken.
-Danny/Fiona scene re Winnie the Pooh -- was in and out of ep several times; finally decided to keep it in.
-Khatera -- she says everything with extraordinary conviction and with a deep emotional base.
-Throughout the scenes of Ahmed interacting with Fiona, Danny says an incredible amount just with his face. You can see the moment he decides to pull Ahmed's focus from Fiona onto himself.
-Danny's speech before being shot -- filmed very simply; it's all about David's acting. Beautifully written speech, filmed all in one go -- at end his face is serene, he knows exactly what he's doing.
-Bomb implanted inside Khatera -- based on a true story.
-Emotional stakes of ep incredibly high -- all the characters have a stake, everyone going through hell.
-"Your son will be able to watch images of you burning on the internet" -- one of the most vicious lines in spooks.
-Adam and Khatera in Manor House -- shot with very long lens in order to isolate them in the room full of people.
-Adam takes the risk to sacrifice Fiona to save the PM.
-Alrick Riley was worried they wouldn't be able to show the scene of Fiona being doused with petrol -- too scary. Thought it would be censored.
-Scene with Harry, Ruth and Danny's body -- shot with 10 minutes to go until the end of shooting for the day. Nicola Walker did a brilliant acting job in a very short amount of time.]]> <![CDATA[Episode 10 Discussion [rewatch]]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-913.html Sun, 30 May 2010 17:33:46 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-913.html
The major talking point being Danny's exit.]]>
The major talking point being Danny's exit.]]> <![CDATA[3.9 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-898.html Mon, 24 May 2010 00:44:52 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-898.html -Used mainly wide and tight shots in ep -- not much in between. Always trying to find new angles on shooting grid.
-Rupert Walters (writer) knows a lot about security services. Idea of weapons hide from Cold War is true -- Soviets hid weapons in UK and Brits hid weapons in Russia.
-There was a lot of night shooting in ep.
-Titles changed 3 times in s3, but decided to keep opening shot of Tom, Zoe and Danny -- iconic spooks image.
-Look of interrogation room based on Waterloo tube station.
-Very enclosed ep -- most of it takes place in interrogation suite.
-First meeting room scene -- typical spooks; sets up who Morgan is and what the threat is.
-Harry always slightly irritated with Malcom and Colin techspeak -- doesn't really get what they're on about.
-Laser weapon -- fashioned out of a child's telescope with bits pasted on.
-Adam and Danny getting smartened up before they go in to see Morgan for the first time -- standard interrogation technique. Put suspect in disheveled overalls and then come in impeccably dressed.
-Owen Teale (Morgan) -- menacing presence. His physicality makes him an equal to Adam and Danny, at the beginning.
-B strand of ep -- part of the unwritten, unspoken, ever-burgeoning relationship between Harry and Ruth.
-Harry being asked to interview for DG -- a look into the world of professional politics in the intelligence services.
-Morgan -- not a cowed prisoner, coming on with full attitude.
-Brooding atmosphere throughout ep.
-Question of ep -- how far do you go to get needed info? where's the line?
-Harry completely overwhelmed when Ruth begins to outline areas he needs to address for interview.
-PF and NW -- have great on-screen chemistry which makes H/R story plausible.
-Getting a suspect's signature during an interview -- standard technique. Can use signature for many purposes. Importance of signature shown through camera closeup.
-Adam trying to get into Morgan's head throughout ep.
-Siren in interrogation room -- turning up the heat on Morgan.
-Ep written and shot prior to news of torture in Abu Ghraib coming to light.
-3.9 is Fiona's first ep as full member of MI5.
-Rupert Walters -- very interested in relationship between big multi-national corporations and politics. Works that into ep.
-Fiona's "crash" with Juliet Taylor -- a real technique undercover officers use to make contact with subjects.
-Harry begins to regret he ever asked Ruth to help with the DG interview. Ruth reveling in the role reversal and putting H on the spot.
-Owen Teale was exhausted after his week on spooks -- got worked really hard physically.
-Camera focus on water bottle -- made you know it was important.
-Danny playing "better cop" (not good cop) to Adam's "bad cop."
-The idea of the need to get info quickly from Morgan -- advisors said after 24 hours, all potential plans would have been changed.
-Morgan's "vomit" -- very big gulp of vegetable soup.
-Scene with Juliet Taylor walking (on phone with Fiona) and scene with Harry and Danny on bench -- Albert Embankment. Same place as Tom and Ruth in s2.
-Changing Morgan's military history -- complete destruction of a man's life. Have to keep remembering that this man is trying to launch a missile in London.
-Ep really establishes Adam in leader's role -- his character carries the ep. This was Adam's ep for the first time.
-Adam begins to feed Morgan pieces of info that they know to unsettle him; try to get him into a mindset where he begins to question himself.
-Adam watching Morgan in stress position -- sees himself.
-Important element for Adam -- really doesn't want to use Morgan's family if he doesn't have to, but ultimately he will, if necessary.
-Continuity problem with Fiona's costume -- she spends too much time in the white blouse, while others have already changed for day 2 of ep.
-Bold question from Ruth to Harry (re Morgan's daughter): "Do you never draw the line on this kind of stuff?"
-Used the location of Danny's flat as Fiona's to save money.
-Harry coming to the interrogation suite to talk with Adam about using Morgan's daughter is an indication of the moral stage they've gotten to.
-Morgan as a terrorist who's also a good father -- lots of layers in ep.
-Fear of reprisals is what's keeping Morgan from giving them the info.
-Harbor shots -- too long. They got a bit carried away after being cooped up inside for so long. Actors loved being on the launch, especially PF. Great shots of Harry off the grid.
-Chinook shot overhead was serendipity -- happened to flyover during the harbor shooting.
-At end, payoff for Morgan -- tells Adam they're the same.
-Harry in DG interview -- scene very gray and corporate, elegant camera work, faceless political world.
-End of ep -- back to beginning. Ruth getting ready to go out.
-Great end shot of Harry laughing.]]> -Used mainly wide and tight shots in ep -- not much in between. Always trying to find new angles on shooting grid.
-Rupert Walters (writer) knows a lot about security services. Idea of weapons hide from Cold War is true -- Soviets hid weapons in UK and Brits hid weapons in Russia.
-There was a lot of night shooting in ep.
-Titles changed 3 times in s3, but decided to keep opening shot of Tom, Zoe and Danny -- iconic spooks image.
-Look of interrogation room based on Waterloo tube station.
-Very enclosed ep -- most of it takes place in interrogation suite.
-First meeting room scene -- typical spooks; sets up who Morgan is and what the threat is.
-Harry always slightly irritated with Malcom and Colin techspeak -- doesn't really get what they're on about.
-Laser weapon -- fashioned out of a child's telescope with bits pasted on.
-Adam and Danny getting smartened up before they go in to see Morgan for the first time -- standard interrogation technique. Put suspect in disheveled overalls and then come in impeccably dressed.
-Owen Teale (Morgan) -- menacing presence. His physicality makes him an equal to Adam and Danny, at the beginning.
-B strand of ep -- part of the unwritten, unspoken, ever-burgeoning relationship between Harry and Ruth.
-Harry being asked to interview for DG -- a look into the world of professional politics in the intelligence services.
-Morgan -- not a cowed prisoner, coming on with full attitude.
-Brooding atmosphere throughout ep.
-Question of ep -- how far do you go to get needed info? where's the line?
-Harry completely overwhelmed when Ruth begins to outline areas he needs to address for interview.
-PF and NW -- have great on-screen chemistry which makes H/R story plausible.
-Getting a suspect's signature during an interview -- standard technique. Can use signature for many purposes. Importance of signature shown through camera closeup.
-Adam trying to get into Morgan's head throughout ep.
-Siren in interrogation room -- turning up the heat on Morgan.
-Ep written and shot prior to news of torture in Abu Ghraib coming to light.
-3.9 is Fiona's first ep as full member of MI5.
-Rupert Walters -- very interested in relationship between big multi-national corporations and politics. Works that into ep.
-Fiona's "crash" with Juliet Taylor -- a real technique undercover officers use to make contact with subjects.
-Harry begins to regret he ever asked Ruth to help with the DG interview. Ruth reveling in the role reversal and putting H on the spot.
-Owen Teale was exhausted after his week on spooks -- got worked really hard physically.
-Camera focus on water bottle -- made you know it was important.
-Danny playing "better cop" (not good cop) to Adam's "bad cop."
-The idea of the need to get info quickly from Morgan -- advisors said after 24 hours, all potential plans would have been changed.
-Morgan's "vomit" -- very big gulp of vegetable soup.
-Scene with Juliet Taylor walking (on phone with Fiona) and scene with Harry and Danny on bench -- Albert Embankment. Same place as Tom and Ruth in s2.
-Changing Morgan's military history -- complete destruction of a man's life. Have to keep remembering that this man is trying to launch a missile in London.
-Ep really establishes Adam in leader's role -- his character carries the ep. This was Adam's ep for the first time.
-Adam begins to feed Morgan pieces of info that they know to unsettle him; try to get him into a mindset where he begins to question himself.
-Adam watching Morgan in stress position -- sees himself.
-Important element for Adam -- really doesn't want to use Morgan's family if he doesn't have to, but ultimately he will, if necessary.
-Continuity problem with Fiona's costume -- she spends too much time in the white blouse, while others have already changed for day 2 of ep.
-Bold question from Ruth to Harry (re Morgan's daughter): "Do you never draw the line on this kind of stuff?"
-Used the location of Danny's flat as Fiona's to save money.
-Harry coming to the interrogation suite to talk with Adam about using Morgan's daughter is an indication of the moral stage they've gotten to.
-Morgan as a terrorist who's also a good father -- lots of layers in ep.
-Fear of reprisals is what's keeping Morgan from giving them the info.
-Harbor shots -- too long. They got a bit carried away after being cooped up inside for so long. Actors loved being on the launch, especially PF. Great shots of Harry off the grid.
-Chinook shot overhead was serendipity -- happened to flyover during the harbor shooting.
-At end, payoff for Morgan -- tells Adam they're the same.
-Harry in DG interview -- scene very gray and corporate, elegant camera work, faceless political world.
-End of ep -- back to beginning. Ruth getting ready to go out.
-Great end shot of Harry laughing.]]> <![CDATA[Episode 9 Discussion [rewatch]]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-895.html Sun, 23 May 2010 09:11:27 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-895.html
What did you all think?

Owen Teale who plays Morgan is so good in this episode. He's done a lot of really good shows over the years, most notably as Jimmy Nesbitt's handler in Season 3 of Murphy's Law and as one of the main men in the cannibalistic tribe in the 'Countrycide' episode of Torchwood.

Were Adam and Harry right to bring the child into the equation? In this case, I happen to agree with what they did, abhorrent as it was. In all truth, had he still refused, it would have been his actions directly leading to her death and that needed to be brought home to Morgan. I think this is what Ruth was telling herself when she handed over the information to Harry. That or she was just blocking it out altogether, but Ruth isn't the sort to do that, I think.

And a big episode for Harry and Ruth. I love how Harry still has mixed feelings about not getting the job and his Muttley laugh at the end, one of the few times we get to see Harry laugh on the show. It's also a good opportunity for us to hear where Harry's moral line is drawn in the sand, when you see him in his interview.

I think on another season 3 thread there was a consensus that only Danny comes out of this episode looking 'good'. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but certainly this episode is pretty ugly in many ways.]]>
What did you all think?

Owen Teale who plays Morgan is so good in this episode. He's done a lot of really good shows over the years, most notably as Jimmy Nesbitt's handler in Season 3 of Murphy's Law and as one of the main men in the cannibalistic tribe in the 'Countrycide' episode of Torchwood.

Were Adam and Harry right to bring the child into the equation? In this case, I happen to agree with what they did, abhorrent as it was. In all truth, had he still refused, it would have been his actions directly leading to her death and that needed to be brought home to Morgan. I think this is what Ruth was telling herself when she handed over the information to Harry. That or she was just blocking it out altogether, but Ruth isn't the sort to do that, I think.

And a big episode for Harry and Ruth. I love how Harry still has mixed feelings about not getting the job and his Muttley laugh at the end, one of the few times we get to see Harry laugh on the show. It's also a good opportunity for us to hear where Harry's moral line is drawn in the sand, when you see him in his interview.

I think on another season 3 thread there was a consensus that only Danny comes out of this episode looking 'good'. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but certainly this episode is pretty ugly in many ways.]]> <![CDATA[3.8 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-878.html Sun, 16 May 2010 03:45:24 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-878.html -Very unusual spooks ep -- Howard Brenton keen to write an ep about celebrities and they finally let him do so.
-Riff and B's house -- dripping with opulence, location was a house for sale in Kensington (for 27 million pounds).
-Classic spooks opening -- several story lines and you're not really sure where they're going.
-B -- tricky role to play, double-layered because she was in on the kidnapping. She was a very unpredictable character.
-RPJ -- very smartly dressed in this ep.
-Costume designer loved the ep -- got to use really outlandish clothes for B.
-One of the most comic eps in spooks because the whole team is so far out of their depth in this celebrity world -- starts out slightly ridiculous and then turns terribly dark.
-Difficult to cast role of B --saw lots of very pretty girls but Rebecca had an edge that the others didn't. She was actually quite scary in the audition.
-Contrast between RPJ and Andy Serkin is great in their scenes together.
-Riff's hair was a wig -- worked "ok."
-Andy S. very genuine and sincere in scene with new song -- made it even funnier.
-"Crisp packet full of puke" -- HB loved the line. SCC surprised it made it through to the final edit.
-Despite comic moments, significant pathos in Riff and B's relationship and story.
-HB weaving various stories together -- world of politics, celebrity and journalism all cross-over.
-Harry's role -- 2 or times per ep, he comes up with a really quirky line ("Do you understand atomic theory, etc"). PF so good and has so much presence that Harry has gradually become more and more central.
-John Sylvester -- character "nicely damaged but also scarily self-obsessed." Much more concerned for himself than for the girl he hurt. Same as B and Alfie -- the connecting link between the two stories.
-Great rivalry between Harry and Oliver Mace.
-"Tags and digital ghosts" in mobile phones -- classic spooks technology babble, no idea if it's really true.
-It was important to see Fiona in "new home" scene after eps 4 and 7, where she was all business -- here she's quite domestic.
-Harry and John Sylvester -- rare that H gets physical but when he does he means business.
-Harry leaving Sylvester's office and Mace appearing -- great effect. Mace spying on and following Harry.
-Ep about "punters" being manipulated by the media -- mixed response from audience.
-Andy S. unshod for most of ep -- he'd just finished playing Gollum and wasn't used to wearing shoes again yet.
-"Cocaine" was glucose -- snorting it was gross, "after you do it 100 times, it turns into a big lump in the back of your throat."
-Andy S -- "brilliant job bringing the passion of an anguished parent."
-Danny -- not much of a role in this ep.
-Fiona is ambitious to the point of recklessness -- very driven, will do anything to succeed, doesn't have any sense of self-preservation -- why Adam is so worried about her. You don't find out why she's like this until next series.
-Detail with electromagnet rendering tracking devices useless -- true if magnet is strong enough.
-As horrific as B's action's were, Fiona is genuinely concerned about her. B is a victim of the whole celebrity circus, not inherently evil.
-Riff in night club -- more in control than he's been through entire ep. Slashing his poster photo -- very sinister image and very effective dramatically.
-Phone call between Riff at club and B at home -- everything falling to pieces for B, inexorable sense of doom.
-Riff killing B and then himself -- bit of a Greek tragedy.
-Stories tied together at end -- Riff and B's "suicide" and Sylvester's resignation on televised news. Media manipulation.]]> -Very unusual spooks ep -- Howard Brenton keen to write an ep about celebrities and they finally let him do so.
-Riff and B's house -- dripping with opulence, location was a house for sale in Kensington (for 27 million pounds).
-Classic spooks opening -- several story lines and you're not really sure where they're going.
-B -- tricky role to play, double-layered because she was in on the kidnapping. She was a very unpredictable character.
-RPJ -- very smartly dressed in this ep.
-Costume designer loved the ep -- got to use really outlandish clothes for B.
-One of the most comic eps in spooks because the whole team is so far out of their depth in this celebrity world -- starts out slightly ridiculous and then turns terribly dark.
-Difficult to cast role of B --saw lots of very pretty girls but Rebecca had an edge that the others didn't. She was actually quite scary in the audition.
-Contrast between RPJ and Andy Serkin is great in their scenes together.
-Riff's hair was a wig -- worked "ok."
-Andy S. very genuine and sincere in scene with new song -- made it even funnier.
-"Crisp packet full of puke" -- HB loved the line. SCC surprised it made it through to the final edit.
-Despite comic moments, significant pathos in Riff and B's relationship and story.
-HB weaving various stories together -- world of politics, celebrity and journalism all cross-over.
-Harry's role -- 2 or times per ep, he comes up with a really quirky line ("Do you understand atomic theory, etc"). PF so good and has so much presence that Harry has gradually become more and more central.
-John Sylvester -- character "nicely damaged but also scarily self-obsessed." Much more concerned for himself than for the girl he hurt. Same as B and Alfie -- the connecting link between the two stories.
-Great rivalry between Harry and Oliver Mace.
-"Tags and digital ghosts" in mobile phones -- classic spooks technology babble, no idea if it's really true.
-It was important to see Fiona in "new home" scene after eps 4 and 7, where she was all business -- here she's quite domestic.
-Harry and John Sylvester -- rare that H gets physical but when he does he means business.
-Harry leaving Sylvester's office and Mace appearing -- great effect. Mace spying on and following Harry.
-Ep about "punters" being manipulated by the media -- mixed response from audience.
-Andy S. unshod for most of ep -- he'd just finished playing Gollum and wasn't used to wearing shoes again yet.
-"Cocaine" was glucose -- snorting it was gross, "after you do it 100 times, it turns into a big lump in the back of your throat."
-Andy S -- "brilliant job bringing the passion of an anguished parent."
-Danny -- not much of a role in this ep.
-Fiona is ambitious to the point of recklessness -- very driven, will do anything to succeed, doesn't have any sense of self-preservation -- why Adam is so worried about her. You don't find out why she's like this until next series.
-Detail with electromagnet rendering tracking devices useless -- true if magnet is strong enough.
-As horrific as B's action's were, Fiona is genuinely concerned about her. B is a victim of the whole celebrity circus, not inherently evil.
-Riff in night club -- more in control than he's been through entire ep. Slashing his poster photo -- very sinister image and very effective dramatically.
-Phone call between Riff at club and B at home -- everything falling to pieces for B, inexorable sense of doom.
-Riff killing B and then himself -- bit of a Greek tragedy.
-Stories tied together at end -- Riff and B's "suicide" and Sylvester's resignation on televised news. Media manipulation.]]> <![CDATA[3.7 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-867.html Sun, 09 May 2010 23:39:41 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-867.html -Longer re-cap than usual because ep 6 was so big.
-Opening scene (hands on keyboard with Arabic writing in background) wasn't in original script. Shot half-way through the ep's edit -- needed to set up red herring of Islamic terrorists.
-Scene in classroom -- utter chaos. Kids screaming through every take -- nightmare for ADs.
-Danny is feeling very sorry for himself at the beginning -- his life is basically empty. Memories of Zoe everywhere in flat.
-Lots of emotional moments for Danny throughout ep.
-"Taciturn" -- unusual dialogue word but it "felt" like a Harry word.
-Part of the ep is the idea that Danny is going to leave the service.
-Favorite location for political scenes -- next to Houses of Parliament. In middle of first meeting between Harry and Guy Facer, a woman seated on one of the benches looks directly into the camera. Decided to keep it in.
-Ruth -- "Info Central." Nicola brilliant at getting the info out -- "must be like learning a telephone directory, at times."
-David and RPJ not happy about having to wear white jumpsuits in Pharmacor scene. RPJ tried to make his more "cool" by unzipping it to mid-chest.
-Mtg room scene with Colin explaining Pharmacor production sequence -- hilarious to shoot because Rory couldn't get his lines out properly. Was like speaking gobbeldygook, everyone was literally crying they were laughing so hard.
-Hi-tech ep -- huge amount of computer info imparted.
-Will in Danny's flat -- very personal scene about characters' lives in the middle of a whodunit ep.
-CGI and satellite imagery very much a part of this ep -- gives another layer to story.
-Scene with Sam at cashpoint -- wasn't really a machine there -- prop person handed her the receipt.
-1st Adam/Fiona scene -- slowly re-establishing F's character after Zoe's departure. Won't become fully integrated until 3.8.
-Pods are still being operated by a man in a cupboard turning a wheel -- look far more glamorous than they actually are.
-Ruth knows everything -- a walking encyclopedia.
-Colin -- "very dry autumn" -- one of the funniest lines in spooks.
-David: Harry's great in this ep. What people probably don't realize because Harry is so stoic is how extraordinarily funny Peter Firth is, especially in meeting room scenes which is the place where hysteria reigns. "Potboiler" scenario -- all in there together, it's very hot because of the lights, all have important things to say, everyone is facing each other -- just a little twinkle in anyone's eye and it's all over.
-Harry and Danny re Zoe and Will -- Harry completely believes what he's saying but all Danny hears is "get over it."
-Dialogue between Andrew and Ruth when Andrew first comes onto grid -- Harry's look at Ruth at the end of the scene is "a bit of sexual tension that Peter tries to work into every scene that he has with Nicola Walker. They have this whole subtext going on." [David]
-Raymond Khoury [writer] knows all the computer stuff in this ep really well.
-Obbo van -- actors least favorite set, a "tiny little box."
-Ep plays on people's fears about Muslim terrorists -- helps set up the plot.
-Truck crashing into car -- impact actually happened about 10 feet in front of David.
-Algorithmic code that makes internet transactions safe actually exists. Names of inventors changed for ep (3 guys in US). Also, there really are competitions to try and break the code.
-"Moral ambuguity" a trait given to all the politicians in spooks.
-A little chemistry between Ruth and Andrew. Is Ruth going to find love? -- the constant question on spooks. Audience wants Ruth to fall in love.
-Danny apologizing to Ruth -- Ruth is often the person that others share with, she's their confessor.
-David: This was odd ep to shoot because both Matthew and Keeley were gone and they were all such good friends. A lot of what Danny was going through in ep, David was also going through. They always had a three-way trailer and were always together -- now he was alone.
-Scene between Andrew and Ruth where she's talking about how to narrow search down -- how many people figured out in that scene that Andrew was the villain?
-Amazing to have 5 different directors over 10 eps but have the series look seamless -- actors like having different directors, gives them new energy to work with.
-Danny re Zoe and Will -- moral dilemma. What is the right thing to do?
-Andrew a very likable character -- makes his villainy that much more unbelievable and terrifying.
-Helicopter -- very Mission Impossible. American military do use these helicopters for surveillance; also used on movie shoots with small cameras attached.
-Danny's redemption -- figuring out that Ruth is in trouble and working out what happened to her.]]> -Longer re-cap than usual because ep 6 was so big.
-Opening scene (hands on keyboard with Arabic writing in background) wasn't in original script. Shot half-way through the ep's edit -- needed to set up red herring of Islamic terrorists.
-Scene in classroom -- utter chaos. Kids screaming through every take -- nightmare for ADs.
-Danny is feeling very sorry for himself at the beginning -- his life is basically empty. Memories of Zoe everywhere in flat.
-Lots of emotional moments for Danny throughout ep.
-"Taciturn" -- unusual dialogue word but it "felt" like a Harry word.
-Part of the ep is the idea that Danny is going to leave the service.
-Favorite location for political scenes -- next to Houses of Parliament. In middle of first meeting between Harry and Guy Facer, a woman seated on one of the benches looks directly into the camera. Decided to keep it in.
-Ruth -- "Info Central." Nicola brilliant at getting the info out -- "must be like learning a telephone directory, at times."
-David and RPJ not happy about having to wear white jumpsuits in Pharmacor scene. RPJ tried to make his more "cool" by unzipping it to mid-chest.
-Mtg room scene with Colin explaining Pharmacor production sequence -- hilarious to shoot because Rory couldn't get his lines out properly. Was like speaking gobbeldygook, everyone was literally crying they were laughing so hard.
-Hi-tech ep -- huge amount of computer info imparted.
-Will in Danny's flat -- very personal scene about characters' lives in the middle of a whodunit ep.
-CGI and satellite imagery very much a part of this ep -- gives another layer to story.
-Scene with Sam at cashpoint -- wasn't really a machine there -- prop person handed her the receipt.
-1st Adam/Fiona scene -- slowly re-establishing F's character after Zoe's departure. Won't become fully integrated until 3.8.
-Pods are still being operated by a man in a cupboard turning a wheel -- look far more glamorous than they actually are.
-Ruth knows everything -- a walking encyclopedia.
-Colin -- "very dry autumn" -- one of the funniest lines in spooks.
-David: Harry's great in this ep. What people probably don't realize because Harry is so stoic is how extraordinarily funny Peter Firth is, especially in meeting room scenes which is the place where hysteria reigns. "Potboiler" scenario -- all in there together, it's very hot because of the lights, all have important things to say, everyone is facing each other -- just a little twinkle in anyone's eye and it's all over.
-Harry and Danny re Zoe and Will -- Harry completely believes what he's saying but all Danny hears is "get over it."
-Dialogue between Andrew and Ruth when Andrew first comes onto grid -- Harry's look at Ruth at the end of the scene is "a bit of sexual tension that Peter tries to work into every scene that he has with Nicola Walker. They have this whole subtext going on." [David]
-Raymond Khoury [writer] knows all the computer stuff in this ep really well.
-Obbo van -- actors least favorite set, a "tiny little box."
-Ep plays on people's fears about Muslim terrorists -- helps set up the plot.
-Truck crashing into car -- impact actually happened about 10 feet in front of David.
-Algorithmic code that makes internet transactions safe actually exists. Names of inventors changed for ep (3 guys in US). Also, there really are competitions to try and break the code.
-"Moral ambuguity" a trait given to all the politicians in spooks.
-A little chemistry between Ruth and Andrew. Is Ruth going to find love? -- the constant question on spooks. Audience wants Ruth to fall in love.
-Danny apologizing to Ruth -- Ruth is often the person that others share with, she's their confessor.
-David: This was odd ep to shoot because both Matthew and Keeley were gone and they were all such good friends. A lot of what Danny was going through in ep, David was also going through. They always had a three-way trailer and were always together -- now he was alone.
-Scene between Andrew and Ruth where she's talking about how to narrow search down -- how many people figured out in that scene that Andrew was the villain?
-Amazing to have 5 different directors over 10 eps but have the series look seamless -- actors like having different directors, gives them new energy to work with.
-Danny re Zoe and Will -- moral dilemma. What is the right thing to do?
-Andrew a very likable character -- makes his villainy that much more unbelievable and terrifying.
-Helicopter -- very Mission Impossible. American military do use these helicopters for surveillance; also used on movie shoots with small cameras attached.
-Danny's redemption -- figuring out that Ruth is in trouble and working out what happened to her.]]> <![CDATA[Episode 7 Discussion [rewatch]]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-865.html Sat, 08 May 2010 16:40:07 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-865.html
Some talking points:

- Danny breaking down.
- The concept of a G&J key, one key to take down any computer system.
- Andrew & Ruth, their relationship, did Ruth fancy him?
- Diamonds laced with poison, VERY "James Bond".
- Colin in his element as a techy.]]>
Some talking points:

- Danny breaking down.
- The concept of a G&J key, one key to take down any computer system.
- Andrew & Ruth, their relationship, did Ruth fancy him?
- Diamonds laced with poison, VERY "James Bond".
- Colin in his element as a techy.]]> <![CDATA[3.6 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-857.html Sun, 02 May 2010 22:00:50 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-857.html [Editorial note: This was not a terribly informative commentary. It was done by the director, Justin Chadwick, and there were long stretches where he didn't speak at all, just watched the ep.]
-First time spooks has used non-linear time line -- flashbacks.
-Location: Interview with Police Supt, Harry and Zoe done in the Tate Modern. White band around top of windows was covering up the museum lettering.
-Ben Richard's was the writer for Zoe's last ep.
-Keeley and Richard Harrington (Will North) -- very instinctive actors. Did an excellent job in the very difficult scene between Zoe and Will.
-Kayvan Novak (Ozal) -- one of his first acting jobs. Lots of new faces in this ep -- specific priority of the casting dept.
-Lots of handheld camera work in the ep -- movement, jumping between characters, quick pans.
-Location: Coffee shop (where Ozal beats up guy) and Ozal's office -- Green Lanes.
-People in the coffee shop scene were just regular customers who hung out there. Lighting in the coffee shop was shop's fluorescents -- green tint.
-Location: Zoe's trial -- Old Bailey.
-Halut Bilginer (Celenk) had terrific chemistry with Keeley -- their scenes together were wonderful. He gave a great performance as Celenk -- subtle but threatening and with a slow, measured, menacing voice.
-Ozal actually snorted the fake cocaine -- powdered glucose.
-Peter Firth -- a rock for the cast. A lot of sadness in the scenes with Peter, Keeley and David because they all knew these were their final scenes together on spooks.
-During trial scenes -- kept cutting to Harry because his reactions mirrored the growing sense of doom in the courtroom.
-Zoe's cross-examination a difficult scene -- had to get a lot of words out really quickly; the pacing of the scene was very important to create tension.
-Zoe at home awaiting verdict -- "rain" was prop guy spritzing the window with water.
-A lot of the crew were in tears during the last scene between Keeley and David.
-David was just managing to hold it together in last scene with Keeley.]]> [Editorial note: This was not a terribly informative commentary. It was done by the director, Justin Chadwick, and there were long stretches where he didn't speak at all, just watched the ep.]
-First time spooks has used non-linear time line -- flashbacks.
-Location: Interview with Police Supt, Harry and Zoe done in the Tate Modern. White band around top of windows was covering up the museum lettering.
-Ben Richard's was the writer for Zoe's last ep.
-Keeley and Richard Harrington (Will North) -- very instinctive actors. Did an excellent job in the very difficult scene between Zoe and Will.
-Kayvan Novak (Ozal) -- one of his first acting jobs. Lots of new faces in this ep -- specific priority of the casting dept.
-Lots of handheld camera work in the ep -- movement, jumping between characters, quick pans.
-Location: Coffee shop (where Ozal beats up guy) and Ozal's office -- Green Lanes.
-People in the coffee shop scene were just regular customers who hung out there. Lighting in the coffee shop was shop's fluorescents -- green tint.
-Location: Zoe's trial -- Old Bailey.
-Halut Bilginer (Celenk) had terrific chemistry with Keeley -- their scenes together were wonderful. He gave a great performance as Celenk -- subtle but threatening and with a slow, measured, menacing voice.
-Ozal actually snorted the fake cocaine -- powdered glucose.
-Peter Firth -- a rock for the cast. A lot of sadness in the scenes with Peter, Keeley and David because they all knew these were their final scenes together on spooks.
-During trial scenes -- kept cutting to Harry because his reactions mirrored the growing sense of doom in the courtroom.
-Zoe's cross-examination a difficult scene -- had to get a lot of words out really quickly; the pacing of the scene was very important to create tension.
-Zoe at home awaiting verdict -- "rain" was prop guy spritzing the window with water.
-A lot of the crew were in tears during the last scene between Keeley and David.
-David was just managing to hold it together in last scene with Keeley.]]> <![CDATA[3.5 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-839.html Sun, 25 Apr 2010 03:41:49 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-839.html -David: scene in shooting range "most fun I've ever had on spooks;" finally got to play with guns.
-SCC: ep 5 favorite of s3.
-Ruth home alone watching "Red Shoes" -- quite sad.
-Ruth's house -- classic scenario of their houses not fitting with their incomes. SCC: all the cheaper houses were boring.
-Very little of Adam in this ep (by onscreen minutes) but he has a clear presence nevertheless.
-Unusual ep for having a lot of personal story in it -- a bit of a one off.
-David: "Some people were kind of a bit worried that we were going down the emotional route with the characters but I think we had earned it by this point."
-In the meeting room scenes -- actors always trying to get their lines in the right order; quite tense and intense.
-David W. script -- lots of tongue twister lines, especially for Harry.
-Almost relationship between Danny and Sam petered out at end of s2 -- felt that Danny's feelings for Zoe gave the show more than a relationship between Danny and Sam would have.
-Storyline of Ruth's infatuation with man being surveilled came from one of the show's original ex-spy advisors -- not uncommon for this to happen in real life.
-David: on the edge in this ep with whether Harry and Adam are "goodies" or "baddies" (spying on Ruth and talking Danny into assassination) -- moral dilemmas.
-Tomato ketchup scene -- Richard Harrington (Will) kept making Keeley crack up; a very funny man on set.
-Why was Zoe sick on ferry? Lots of options -- was she pregnant, too much junk food (Pringles), etc; decided not to clarify.
-Barnaby Kay (John Fortescue) -- NW's boyfriend, at the time (now husband). They found it "cringy" to do the restaurant scene together. Very awkward, although that worked well for their characters.
-Ep intimated that secret services are prone to condoning assassinations -- quite a controversial idea.
-All ferry dialogue dubbed -- too loud outside to use original recorded sound.
-One of the reasons Danny agrees to do the assassination is because he's in love with Zoe; lets her off the hook.
-One of tricky things in the ep was infusing the phone conversations between Danny and Adam with tension -- mainly done with lighting.
-Danny seeing himself as the man to be killed -- emphasizes his moral dilemma.
-NW -- had somewhat mixed feelings about playing this "dateless" character.
-Scene in ferry bar -- all the people in the scene with Danny and Newland were spooks crew because the ferry was absolutely empty.
-Malcolm got his "Bond" moment as Giles.
-David: "Scenes where I have to drink hard are always hilarious to me, having never taken a swig of whiskey in my life."
-Adam talking to Danny -- great for him because it shows his experience; where audience starts to believe in him and he really becomes the leader of the team.
-Needle sticking into bed when David first tries to inject Newland -- absolutely live, happened just that way and they decided to keep it in.
-Tension in "needle" scene was real -- David hates needles.
-Danny telling Zoe about Will's brother -- cruel revenge because she doesn't love him; lines very coldly delivered.
-Next morning, Ruth disappointed with herself for letting moment with John go by -- lacking courage to take advantage of the moment.
-At end, Zoe needs Danny and he refuses to engage with her; doesn't give an inch.
[Throughout commentary, very funny back and forth patter between SCC and David about David leaving the show.]]]> -David: scene in shooting range "most fun I've ever had on spooks;" finally got to play with guns.
-SCC: ep 5 favorite of s3.
-Ruth home alone watching "Red Shoes" -- quite sad.
-Ruth's house -- classic scenario of their houses not fitting with their incomes. SCC: all the cheaper houses were boring.
-Very little of Adam in this ep (by onscreen minutes) but he has a clear presence nevertheless.
-Unusual ep for having a lot of personal story in it -- a bit of a one off.
-David: "Some people were kind of a bit worried that we were going down the emotional route with the characters but I think we had earned it by this point."
-In the meeting room scenes -- actors always trying to get their lines in the right order; quite tense and intense.
-David W. script -- lots of tongue twister lines, especially for Harry.
-Almost relationship between Danny and Sam petered out at end of s2 -- felt that Danny's feelings for Zoe gave the show more than a relationship between Danny and Sam would have.
-Storyline of Ruth's infatuation with man being surveilled came from one of the show's original ex-spy advisors -- not uncommon for this to happen in real life.
-David: on the edge in this ep with whether Harry and Adam are "goodies" or "baddies" (spying on Ruth and talking Danny into assassination) -- moral dilemmas.
-Tomato ketchup scene -- Richard Harrington (Will) kept making Keeley crack up; a very funny man on set.
-Why was Zoe sick on ferry? Lots of options -- was she pregnant, too much junk food (Pringles), etc; decided not to clarify.
-Barnaby Kay (John Fortescue) -- NW's boyfriend, at the time (now husband). They found it "cringy" to do the restaurant scene together. Very awkward, although that worked well for their characters.
-Ep intimated that secret services are prone to condoning assassinations -- quite a controversial idea.
-All ferry dialogue dubbed -- too loud outside to use original recorded sound.
-One of the reasons Danny agrees to do the assassination is because he's in love with Zoe; lets her off the hook.
-One of tricky things in the ep was infusing the phone conversations between Danny and Adam with tension -- mainly done with lighting.
-Danny seeing himself as the man to be killed -- emphasizes his moral dilemma.
-NW -- had somewhat mixed feelings about playing this "dateless" character.
-Scene in ferry bar -- all the people in the scene with Danny and Newland were spooks crew because the ferry was absolutely empty.
-Malcolm got his "Bond" moment as Giles.
-David: "Scenes where I have to drink hard are always hilarious to me, having never taken a swig of whiskey in my life."
-Adam talking to Danny -- great for him because it shows his experience; where audience starts to believe in him and he really becomes the leader of the team.
-Needle sticking into bed when David first tries to inject Newland -- absolutely live, happened just that way and they decided to keep it in.
-Tension in "needle" scene was real -- David hates needles.
-Danny telling Zoe about Will's brother -- cruel revenge because she doesn't love him; lines very coldly delivered.
-Next morning, Ruth disappointed with herself for letting moment with John go by -- lacking courage to take advantage of the moment.
-At end, Zoe needs Danny and he refuses to engage with her; doesn't give an inch.
[Throughout commentary, very funny back and forth patter between SCC and David about David leaving the show.]]]> <![CDATA[Episode 5 Discussion [re-watch]]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-838.html Sat, 24 Apr 2010 10:20:15 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-838.html
What did you all think?

This is one of the best episodes in the season, I think. I love the juxtaposition of Ruth and Malcolm singing Mozart's Requiem while Danny stalks his prey. (I would love to sing at St Martin's in the Fields and I really hope they do things like this, should I ever actually get to the UK!)

Great episode for Adam, I love how he talks Danny through this awful but necessary thing he has to do.

Keeley's showdown with Will works well. She's good at that stuff and good at the empathetic friend too, which is why I think she's so good in her current role on A2A.

Zoe is absolutely right, I think, when she says that she and Danny have killed before. It's a sad truth of their job - at least as it exists in our [spooks] world. Stella Rimington and others might protest that such a thing would never happen, but if it's not officers themselves who have to do it, it's almost certainly outsourced. This is a scenario I can believe happening in terms of 'clinical wetwork'.

And Ruth this episode? So sad, that she feels closer to this man whom the Service is looking out for than she does to anyone 'real' in her life. I always laugh at the fact that John is played by Barnaby Kay, her husband in real life.

Over to you!]]>
What did you all think?

This is one of the best episodes in the season, I think. I love the juxtaposition of Ruth and Malcolm singing Mozart's Requiem while Danny stalks his prey. (I would love to sing at St Martin's in the Fields and I really hope they do things like this, should I ever actually get to the UK!)

Great episode for Adam, I love how he talks Danny through this awful but necessary thing he has to do.

Keeley's showdown with Will works well. She's good at that stuff and good at the empathetic friend too, which is why I think she's so good in her current role on A2A.

Zoe is absolutely right, I think, when she says that she and Danny have killed before. It's a sad truth of their job - at least as it exists in our [spooks] world. Stella Rimington and others might protest that such a thing would never happen, but if it's not officers themselves who have to do it, it's almost certainly outsourced. This is a scenario I can believe happening in terms of 'clinical wetwork'.

And Ruth this episode? So sad, that she feels closer to this man whom the Service is looking out for than she does to anyone 'real' in her life. I always laugh at the fact that John is played by Barnaby Kay, her husband in real life.

Over to you!]]> <![CDATA[3.2 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-830.html Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:14:34 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-830.html -Opening sequence -- starts by looking like an everyday surveillance op, then . . . BOOM.
-Explosion -- got only one go at it -- logistical nightmare!
-Fred Roberts played by Ian McDermott -- Supreme Chancellor from Star Wars movies.
-Harry at Fred's daughter's graduation -- like the Grim Reaper.
-Location for graduation and Roberts' classroom -- University College, London.
-Explosion shot at block of flats that was slated for demolition.
-As viewer, you sympathize with Roberts' character -- Harry is willing to destroy him to get his way. The whole scenario is Kafkaesque -- being arrested for something you haven't done; compromised by forces beyond your control that you know nothing about.
-Tom particularly cold at beginning of ep -- no empathy for what's happening to Roberts during interrogation scene.
-We normally sympathize with the spooks, but in this ep we begin to feel uneasy at what they're doing to Roberts. He has no choice but to capitulate.
-Throughout ep, Roberts gets sucked into the world of spies at the same time that Tom is becoming disillusioned with it.
-Uncharacteristic comments from Tom -- "He's an idiot. He's lived a lie and now he's paying. -- and Tom's laughing at argument between Fred and his wife begin to unsettle his fellow spooks and lead them to believe Tom is slightly unhinged.
-Roberts family are pawns in a game.
-Intro of Will North -- Zoe takes an immediate interest in him.
-Cute little flirty scene between Zoe and Will over camera.
-One of Brenton's real talents as a writer is introducing new characters in original ways (Roberts, Will North).
-Scene with Harry and Zoe re dating Will -- little humorous interlude. Harry's look at end -- remembering the days when he submitted those forms.
-Roberts as teacher -- most boring lecturer in history!
-The terrorist organization is playing MI5 at its own game -- they have their spies, too. It's all about who's watching who.
-Dialogue between Tom and Roberts -- "I could almost enjoy this" -- Tom comes back after 3.1 with a completely different perspective on what they do. He's not himself anymore -- has been shedding skins. Being a spy is all about putting yourself in a box -- prefigures the end of the Tom story.
-Tom begins to react like a "punter," like an audience member. His umbilical attachment to MI5 has been severed and he becomes a loose cannon. In office with Harry, talking about stopping op, he's absolutely losing it.
-Tom's "Are you for me or against me?" to Danny -- he believes that, one by one, they're deserting him -- first Harry, then Danny. By the end, of course, they all have.
-Tom decommisioned -- a moment no one thought could possibly come. Fans around the world were in disbelief.
-Juxtaposition of domesticity of Robert's wife playing board game with her children v. danger of what was happening out in the path with the armed terrorists.
-Parallel stories going on as Fred Roberts alienated his family ("I don't know who you are") the same way that Tom is alienated from the grid "family." In their unhappiness, each asks after the other -- Adam can't tell Roberts what happened to Tom and Harry can't tell Tom what happened with Roberts.
-Tom turning in all his legends and "little boxes" -- extraordinarily sad, even Harry trying hard to keep it together.
-As Tom leaves, archetypal spooks music.
-Tom exits down same corridor he entered (and introduced) in 1.1.]]> -Opening sequence -- starts by looking like an everyday surveillance op, then . . . BOOM.
-Explosion -- got only one go at it -- logistical nightmare!
-Fred Roberts played by Ian McDermott -- Supreme Chancellor from Star Wars movies.
-Harry at Fred's daughter's graduation -- like the Grim Reaper.
-Location for graduation and Roberts' classroom -- University College, London.
-Explosion shot at block of flats that was slated for demolition.
-As viewer, you sympathize with Roberts' character -- Harry is willing to destroy him to get his way. The whole scenario is Kafkaesque -- being arrested for something you haven't done; compromised by forces beyond your control that you know nothing about.
-Tom particularly cold at beginning of ep -- no empathy for what's happening to Roberts during interrogation scene.
-We normally sympathize with the spooks, but in this ep we begin to feel uneasy at what they're doing to Roberts. He has no choice but to capitulate.
-Throughout ep, Roberts gets sucked into the world of spies at the same time that Tom is becoming disillusioned with it.
-Uncharacteristic comments from Tom -- "He's an idiot. He's lived a lie and now he's paying. -- and Tom's laughing at argument between Fred and his wife begin to unsettle his fellow spooks and lead them to believe Tom is slightly unhinged.
-Roberts family are pawns in a game.
-Intro of Will North -- Zoe takes an immediate interest in him.
-Cute little flirty scene between Zoe and Will over camera.
-One of Brenton's real talents as a writer is introducing new characters in original ways (Roberts, Will North).
-Scene with Harry and Zoe re dating Will -- little humorous interlude. Harry's look at end -- remembering the days when he submitted those forms.
-Roberts as teacher -- most boring lecturer in history!
-The terrorist organization is playing MI5 at its own game -- they have their spies, too. It's all about who's watching who.
-Dialogue between Tom and Roberts -- "I could almost enjoy this" -- Tom comes back after 3.1 with a completely different perspective on what they do. He's not himself anymore -- has been shedding skins. Being a spy is all about putting yourself in a box -- prefigures the end of the Tom story.
-Tom begins to react like a "punter," like an audience member. His umbilical attachment to MI5 has been severed and he becomes a loose cannon. In office with Harry, talking about stopping op, he's absolutely losing it.
-Tom's "Are you for me or against me?" to Danny -- he believes that, one by one, they're deserting him -- first Harry, then Danny. By the end, of course, they all have.
-Tom decommisioned -- a moment no one thought could possibly come. Fans around the world were in disbelief.
-Juxtaposition of domesticity of Robert's wife playing board game with her children v. danger of what was happening out in the path with the armed terrorists.
-Parallel stories going on as Fred Roberts alienated his family ("I don't know who you are") the same way that Tom is alienated from the grid "family." In their unhappiness, each asks after the other -- Adam can't tell Roberts what happened to Tom and Harry can't tell Tom what happened with Roberts.
-Tom turning in all his legends and "little boxes" -- extraordinarily sad, even Harry trying hard to keep it together.
-As Tom leaves, archetypal spooks music.
-Tom exits down same corridor he entered (and introduced) in 1.1.]]> <![CDATA[3.1 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-827.html Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:26:08 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-827.html -Location for Mace's club -- RSC Club in Pall Mall. Gives an idea of the very different worlds of MI5 and MI6.
-Ep is Tim McInerny's (Mace) intro to series. Unnerving to see someone who's usually a comic actor in this kind of role -- adds menace to the character. [Much like Hugh Laurie's Jools Siviter.]
-Howard Brenton the writer of the ep -- created the Oliver Mace character. "This is going to be something of a bloodbath" -- great line which defines Mace.
-Title shots for s3 -- included RPJ before he'd even been seen in the series.
-Great ep to show independence of MI5 from gov't and politics, and the battle about that.
-Ruth in scene with nurse and getting note to Harry -- turning on the everyday spook skill of being able to quickly lie convincingly.
-"Doghouse" location -- exterior version of grid. High tech, modern, chrome, lots of lines, shadows and shapes. Location made it feel like a perfect place for them to meet.
-Adam's arrival -- went through about 20 different guises before they settled on the tramp personna. Was just intriguing enough to make you wonder, "who's that?"
-Location for Christine Dale's flat chosen, in part, because of proximity to Westminister and ability to see gov't buildings through window.
-At Adam's first entrance onto grid, Zoe's look basically says, "Who the hell are you?"
-Zoe and Danny go on the journey with Tom throughout the ep -- Is he guilty or innocent?
-Grid set darker in s3 -- shows more realistic skin tones, gives more texture to scenes and allows more possibilities for lighting.
-"Let things just crinkle out" -- line immediately shows how Adam's character was totally different than Tom's.
-Natural History Museum location -- expensive! Shoot was like a military operation -- moved in and started set up at 5:30am, had to be out by 10am. Had only 3 hours of actual shooting time. Wanted this location because it was a la LeCarre -- a real spy kind of meeting place. Symbolism of skeleton -- Harry and Hugo two old dinosaurs.
-Initially, prior to the reveal that Tom was still alive (phone call to Harry), there was a scene showing Tom nicking a mobile from a group of cleaners -- was deleted.
-Ep has a lot of texture of dark v. light, both in locations and characters.
-Showdown between Tom and Herman Joyce -- gave scene an edginess to set it in a church.
-Symbolism of a vanquished Joyce, downed on top of ancient stones in the church, but the guy who has the gun pointing at him is really the one in charge. He uncovers Tom's weaknesses and vulnerabilities; heard not only in the dialogue, but also seen in Tom's face and eyes.
-In s3, moved to new Kodak film stock (from Fuji) -- first time it had been used on TV series. Slightly different look -- grittier, more realistic.
-Scene with Tom throwing Joyce's mobile to Zoe -- had to reshoot 3-4 times before Keeley caught it.
-Brenton a master of writing funny moments into serious stories: Harry's "madcap, illegal scheme, etc;" Ruth's spook taxis; Colin eating chips while monitoring Adam and Carmen Joyce; Harry's joke about meeting Jason Belling, at end.
-"Spy, tramp, traitor, hero" -- Tom is all four.
-Tom's instinct tells him Christine Dale is wearing a wire at their meeting but decides, because of their relationship, to trust her. She's Judas -- betrays the man she loves.
-Adam is a man of action -- takes charge of the situation in the hotel lobby with Carmen Joyce and works on instinct with no real plan. Rash but effective.
-Adam and Carmen in the safehouse -- 2-hander for 12 scenes (7 minutes) -- very long in TV time. Wallpaper behind her head -- he's the modern protagonist and she's back in a 60s spy drama.
-Carmen Joyce's costume -- Prada. Cost a fortune.
-In spooks, there are always people spying on other people -- gives another layer to what's going on, there's always somewhere else to cut to.
-Carmen -- completely erratic, on edge -- don't quite know what might happen next.
-Scene with Adam and Carmen -- reverse of what happened in the church with Tom and Herman Joyce. She's got the gun, but he's in charge.
-Adam giving Carmen the choice to kill herself -- the opportunity he'd want for himself in the same situation. By the end, there's a real connection between them -- holding hands.
-Tom meeting Christine in the underground car park -- homage to Deep Throat. Iconic 2 shot.
-Epilogue scene with Belling, Mace and Harry in Mace's club -- back into the seat of power. Mace and Harry getting rid of Belling -- like bullies in a playground; they have to co-exist with each other.]]> -Location for Mace's club -- RSC Club in Pall Mall. Gives an idea of the very different worlds of MI5 and MI6.
-Ep is Tim McInerny's (Mace) intro to series. Unnerving to see someone who's usually a comic actor in this kind of role -- adds menace to the character. [Much like Hugh Laurie's Jools Siviter.]
-Howard Brenton the writer of the ep -- created the Oliver Mace character. "This is going to be something of a bloodbath" -- great line which defines Mace.
-Title shots for s3 -- included RPJ before he'd even been seen in the series.
-Great ep to show independence of MI5 from gov't and politics, and the battle about that.
-Ruth in scene with nurse and getting note to Harry -- turning on the everyday spook skill of being able to quickly lie convincingly.
-"Doghouse" location -- exterior version of grid. High tech, modern, chrome, lots of lines, shadows and shapes. Location made it feel like a perfect place for them to meet.
-Adam's arrival -- went through about 20 different guises before they settled on the tramp personna. Was just intriguing enough to make you wonder, "who's that?"
-Location for Christine Dale's flat chosen, in part, because of proximity to Westminister and ability to see gov't buildings through window.
-At Adam's first entrance onto grid, Zoe's look basically says, "Who the hell are you?"
-Zoe and Danny go on the journey with Tom throughout the ep -- Is he guilty or innocent?
-Grid set darker in s3 -- shows more realistic skin tones, gives more texture to scenes and allows more possibilities for lighting.
-"Let things just crinkle out" -- line immediately shows how Adam's character was totally different than Tom's.
-Natural History Museum location -- expensive! Shoot was like a military operation -- moved in and started set up at 5:30am, had to be out by 10am. Had only 3 hours of actual shooting time. Wanted this location because it was a la LeCarre -- a real spy kind of meeting place. Symbolism of skeleton -- Harry and Hugo two old dinosaurs.
-Initially, prior to the reveal that Tom was still alive (phone call to Harry), there was a scene showing Tom nicking a mobile from a group of cleaners -- was deleted.
-Ep has a lot of texture of dark v. light, both in locations and characters.
-Showdown between Tom and Herman Joyce -- gave scene an edginess to set it in a church.
-Symbolism of a vanquished Joyce, downed on top of ancient stones in the church, but the guy who has the gun pointing at him is really the one in charge. He uncovers Tom's weaknesses and vulnerabilities; heard not only in the dialogue, but also seen in Tom's face and eyes.
-In s3, moved to new Kodak film stock (from Fuji) -- first time it had been used on TV series. Slightly different look -- grittier, more realistic.
-Scene with Tom throwing Joyce's mobile to Zoe -- had to reshoot 3-4 times before Keeley caught it.
-Brenton a master of writing funny moments into serious stories: Harry's "madcap, illegal scheme, etc;" Ruth's spook taxis; Colin eating chips while monitoring Adam and Carmen Joyce; Harry's joke about meeting Jason Belling, at end.
-"Spy, tramp, traitor, hero" -- Tom is all four.
-Tom's instinct tells him Christine Dale is wearing a wire at their meeting but decides, because of their relationship, to trust her. She's Judas -- betrays the man she loves.
-Adam is a man of action -- takes charge of the situation in the hotel lobby with Carmen Joyce and works on instinct with no real plan. Rash but effective.
-Adam and Carmen in the safehouse -- 2-hander for 12 scenes (7 minutes) -- very long in TV time. Wallpaper behind her head -- he's the modern protagonist and she's back in a 60s spy drama.
-Carmen Joyce's costume -- Prada. Cost a fortune.
-In spooks, there are always people spying on other people -- gives another layer to what's going on, there's always somewhere else to cut to.
-Carmen -- completely erratic, on edge -- don't quite know what might happen next.
-Scene with Adam and Carmen -- reverse of what happened in the church with Tom and Herman Joyce. She's got the gun, but he's in charge.
-Adam giving Carmen the choice to kill herself -- the opportunity he'd want for himself in the same situation. By the end, there's a real connection between them -- holding hands.
-Tom meeting Christine in the underground car park -- homage to Deep Throat. Iconic 2 shot.
-Epilogue scene with Belling, Mace and Harry in Mace's club -- back into the seat of power. Mace and Harry getting rid of Belling -- like bullies in a playground; they have to co-exist with each other.]]> <![CDATA[3.4 DVD Commentary]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-820.html Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:57:02 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-820.html
Info from 3.4 dvd commentary:
-3.3 and 3.4 important eps re intro of Adam and Fiona.
-Olga S: "Fiona really smarmy in first moments" -- didn't really know who the character was yet. Hadn't watched spooks before taking job and didn't know the show. Had just arrived from NYC -- had another job in NY that was still doing.
-Reputation of show helped to get some really great guest actors.
-Big reveal about Catherine being Harry's daughter -- no one on the team knows anything about Harry's past. Writers didn't know Harry had a daughter until they wrote this ep.
-London not just a backdrop or a location -- the city is another character in the series. In each ep, try to get symbolic London locations as throwaways in the background, especially the Thames.
-Meeting room scenes -- challenge for actors, given how many they've shot, is to keep the freshness, tension and excitement going each time. Pace is everything in meeting room scenes and Nicola Walker carries the brunt of getting the info across (info moves the story on). NW's brilliance as an actor -- could be reading "gobbeldygook" and would make sense of it. Scenes shot with 2 cameras to get a lot of footage -- helps in editing. Shooting ratio of 20 to 1 (shot footage to used footage).
-Ep looks at what "peace" means to the different sides of the Arab/Israeli issue.
-People's reactions to Harry's moods -- not always about the dialogue but the reactions and what's going on underneath and inside the characters.
-Harry looking at photos of Catherine -- the emotional is important; these are real human beings behind the jobs.
-Domestic scene with Zoe and Will (proposal) -- slows down the action and gives more info about the characters. Actors were worried about the scene because it was so intimate.
-Whole of ep is about internal emotions -- not a big external story.
-After intercept of Catherine's phone call to Swift -- rest of ep is purely personal for Harry and now purely personal for rest of team, too
-- all treading on egg shells.
-Catherine meeting Swift -- classic spooks sequence -- using reflections, mirrors, obs van, etc.
-Danny asking Catherine on a date -- very delicate and subtle acting by David.
-Tom's leaving gave Danny's character much more room to develop and David room to grow into the role.
-What looks like straight emotional scene (Zoe, Will, Will's brother) has additional purpose. Will's brother finding photo -- set up for, and has consequences for, later ep.
-Danny in underwear on phone with Ruth -- the "Calvin Klein" shot.
-Future relationship between Harry and Adam -- chemistry begins in this ep. They think alike about how op should progress - relationship comes to fruition in s4.
-Olga S: Fiona is an "unreal" woman. Plot difficult to follow. Most awkward acting experience of her life -- had to improvise flirting with Corin Redgrave -- would never repeat out loud what she was saying to him. He was so professional about the whole thing and she was just sort of giggly and nervous. Scene also establishes relationship between Adam and Fiona. Director of 2nd unit made Olga and Corin walk endlessly around the hotel corridors kissing and then didn't use footage.
-Harry/Catherine scene in park -- pouring rain. Everytime there was a slight break in the rain, they jumped into filming -- shot the whole scene that way.
-Harry emotionally exposed in the park scene -- very unusual for the character. There was a debate about whether H would cry in this situation -- decided he would. Harry is a much loved character because he has a huge heart hidden inside.
-Ashworth's boyfriend -- minor character until very end. Throughout ep, kept trying to re-establish character in the background but not call attantion to him. Scene at end reinforces both side of the Arab/Israeli issue again -- very human consequences and emotional scars on both sides.
-British security services (Zoe) -- no guns -- always at a disadvantage.
-Costume issue -- soles of RPJ's shoes on desk in Swift's office -- look like they've never been worn.
-Subtext at end (flowers for Zoe) -- how Danny feels about Zoe and Will -- he's torn about what to do about photos.
-Ep about relationships: Zoe and Danny, Zoe and Will, Danny and Catherine, Catherine and Harry, Adam and Fiona -- very unusual for spooks. Can't do this every ep but one or two per series is ok.
-Final shot of Harry -- alone on grid -- loneliness of being a spy.]]>
Info from 3.4 dvd commentary:
-3.3 and 3.4 important eps re intro of Adam and Fiona.
-Olga S: "Fiona really smarmy in first moments" -- didn't really know who the character was yet. Hadn't watched spooks before taking job and didn't know the show. Had just arrived from NYC -- had another job in NY that was still doing.
-Reputation of show helped to get some really great guest actors.
-Big reveal about Catherine being Harry's daughter -- no one on the team knows anything about Harry's past. Writers didn't know Harry had a daughter until they wrote this ep.
-London not just a backdrop or a location -- the city is another character in the series. In each ep, try to get symbolic London locations as throwaways in the background, especially the Thames.
-Meeting room scenes -- challenge for actors, given how many they've shot, is to keep the freshness, tension and excitement going each time. Pace is everything in meeting room scenes and Nicola Walker carries the brunt of getting the info across (info moves the story on). NW's brilliance as an actor -- could be reading "gobbeldygook" and would make sense of it. Scenes shot with 2 cameras to get a lot of footage -- helps in editing. Shooting ratio of 20 to 1 (shot footage to used footage).
-Ep looks at what "peace" means to the different sides of the Arab/Israeli issue.
-People's reactions to Harry's moods -- not always about the dialogue but the reactions and what's going on underneath and inside the characters.
-Harry looking at photos of Catherine -- the emotional is important; these are real human beings behind the jobs.
-Domestic scene with Zoe and Will (proposal) -- slows down the action and gives more info about the characters. Actors were worried about the scene because it was so intimate.
-Whole of ep is about internal emotions -- not a big external story.
-After intercept of Catherine's phone call to Swift -- rest of ep is purely personal for Harry and now purely personal for rest of team, too
-- all treading on egg shells.
-Catherine meeting Swift -- classic spooks sequence -- using reflections, mirrors, obs van, etc.
-Danny asking Catherine on a date -- very delicate and subtle acting by David.
-Tom's leaving gave Danny's character much more room to develop and David room to grow into the role.
-What looks like straight emotional scene (Zoe, Will, Will's brother) has additional purpose. Will's brother finding photo -- set up for, and has consequences for, later ep.
-Danny in underwear on phone with Ruth -- the "Calvin Klein" shot.
-Future relationship between Harry and Adam -- chemistry begins in this ep. They think alike about how op should progress - relationship comes to fruition in s4.
-Olga S: Fiona is an "unreal" woman. Plot difficult to follow. Most awkward acting experience of her life -- had to improvise flirting with Corin Redgrave -- would never repeat out loud what she was saying to him. He was so professional about the whole thing and she was just sort of giggly and nervous. Scene also establishes relationship between Adam and Fiona. Director of 2nd unit made Olga and Corin walk endlessly around the hotel corridors kissing and then didn't use footage.
-Harry/Catherine scene in park -- pouring rain. Everytime there was a slight break in the rain, they jumped into filming -- shot the whole scene that way.
-Harry emotionally exposed in the park scene -- very unusual for the character. There was a debate about whether H would cry in this situation -- decided he would. Harry is a much loved character because he has a huge heart hidden inside.
-Ashworth's boyfriend -- minor character until very end. Throughout ep, kept trying to re-establish character in the background but not call attantion to him. Scene at end reinforces both side of the Arab/Israeli issue again -- very human consequences and emotional scars on both sides.
-British security services (Zoe) -- no guns -- always at a disadvantage.
-Costume issue -- soles of RPJ's shoes on desk in Swift's office -- look like they've never been worn.
-Subtext at end (flowers for Zoe) -- how Danny feels about Zoe and Will -- he's torn about what to do about photos.
-Ep about relationships: Zoe and Danny, Zoe and Will, Danny and Catherine, Catherine and Harry, Adam and Fiona -- very unusual for spooks. Can't do this every ep but one or two per series is ok.
-Final shot of Harry -- alone on grid -- loneliness of being a spy.]]> <![CDATA[Episode 4 Discussion [rewatch]]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-818.html Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:37:20 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-818.html
Btw, I promise to catch-up with you guys once I'm back at uni where my DVDs are.]]>
Btw, I promise to catch-up with you guys once I'm back at uni where my DVDs are.]]> <![CDATA[Episode 3 Discussion [rewatch}]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-811.html Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:29:52 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-811.html ____________________________________________

I like this ep a lot -- it would probably make the bottom of my top eps list!

What I appreciated most was that everyone got his/her moment -- after the drama and trauma of Tom's exit, the series' focus finally returned to the team. I especially liked Harry matching wits with, and outdoing, Mace. H finally gets a real nemesis to play off and you just know that they will cross paths and swords over and over. I thought it telling that Mace used MI6 to carry out his plan -- he clearly knew that Harry wouldn't help him, even if ordered to do so.

Bits I really enjoyed:
-Ruth calling Adam "Tom" and both their responses.
-Adam passing on Harry's words to Ruth, "Harry tells me you're the soul of discretion," and her very pleased response.
-Zoe explaining to Danny that she's with Will.
-Ruth and Harry and the cricket analogy.
-Malcolm telling Ruth his terrible joke.
-Ruth trying to peek at Adam's present for Fiona.
-Sam and Malcolm discussing postcodes: "Malcolm, has anyone ever told you you're a dreadful snob."
-Adam asking team to trust him: "I need you on my side."
-The whole counter-surveillance set up and execution.
-Zoe and Will becoming more of a couple.
-Harry screwing Mace in the tube station: "Damn you, Harry."

I think one point of the ep was to have the team re-gel around their new leader, Adam, and to have everyone buy into his ascension. Putting the focus of the ep onto Adam also helps move the plot along -- with everyone paying so much attention to what Adam is doing, Mace included, everyone forgets about Harry. It was great to have Harry be the final piece of the puzzle, the wild card as it were.

The ep also had some really terrific lines. One of my favorites was Harry's: "To me this application looks like something written by an analyst, one of those spotty MI6 mutants they keep in the dungeons of Vauxhill Bridge Road beside where C grows his magic mushrooms." In one line, you understand both the rancor and the lack of respect Harry has for MI6.

One of the through lines of the ep was, to use Mace's words, "old friends" v. "new friends" and the question of where one's loyalties lie:
Harikat v. Khordad, Tom v. Adam, Danny v. Will, MI5 v. MI6.

I really liked the inclusion of the "post 9/11 defense" to differentiate between Harry and Mace at the end of the ep. Mace uses 9/11 to justify amorality and state-sponsored assassination, while Harry sees the attack as a clarion call to vigilance and loyalty to values. These two men personify the different approaches of western intelligence agencies post 9/11.

My favorite Harry moment of the ep was his permanently stealing Adam from MI6 as quid pro quo for Harikat. He may not like what happened, but he can play the game, too!

Note: Once again, no commentary!]]> ____________________________________________

I like this ep a lot -- it would probably make the bottom of my top eps list!

What I appreciated most was that everyone got his/her moment -- after the drama and trauma of Tom's exit, the series' focus finally returned to the team. I especially liked Harry matching wits with, and outdoing, Mace. H finally gets a real nemesis to play off and you just know that they will cross paths and swords over and over. I thought it telling that Mace used MI6 to carry out his plan -- he clearly knew that Harry wouldn't help him, even if ordered to do so.

Bits I really enjoyed:
-Ruth calling Adam "Tom" and both their responses.
-Adam passing on Harry's words to Ruth, "Harry tells me you're the soul of discretion," and her very pleased response.
-Zoe explaining to Danny that she's with Will.
-Ruth and Harry and the cricket analogy.
-Malcolm telling Ruth his terrible joke.
-Ruth trying to peek at Adam's present for Fiona.
-Sam and Malcolm discussing postcodes: "Malcolm, has anyone ever told you you're a dreadful snob."
-Adam asking team to trust him: "I need you on my side."
-The whole counter-surveillance set up and execution.
-Zoe and Will becoming more of a couple.
-Harry screwing Mace in the tube station: "Damn you, Harry."

I think one point of the ep was to have the team re-gel around their new leader, Adam, and to have everyone buy into his ascension. Putting the focus of the ep onto Adam also helps move the plot along -- with everyone paying so much attention to what Adam is doing, Mace included, everyone forgets about Harry. It was great to have Harry be the final piece of the puzzle, the wild card as it were.

The ep also had some really terrific lines. One of my favorites was Harry's: "To me this application looks like something written by an analyst, one of those spotty MI6 mutants they keep in the dungeons of Vauxhill Bridge Road beside where C grows his magic mushrooms." In one line, you understand both the rancor and the lack of respect Harry has for MI6.

One of the through lines of the ep was, to use Mace's words, "old friends" v. "new friends" and the question of where one's loyalties lie:
Harikat v. Khordad, Tom v. Adam, Danny v. Will, MI5 v. MI6.

I really liked the inclusion of the "post 9/11 defense" to differentiate between Harry and Mace at the end of the ep. Mace uses 9/11 to justify amorality and state-sponsored assassination, while Harry sees the attack as a clarion call to vigilance and loyalty to values. These two men personify the different approaches of western intelligence agencies post 9/11.

My favorite Harry moment of the ep was his permanently stealing Adam from MI6 as quid pro quo for Harikat. He may not like what happened, but he can play the game, too!

Note: Once again, no commentary!]]> <![CDATA[Episode 2 Discussion [rewatch]]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-792.html Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:04:15 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-792.html This is one of those episodes I would not choose to watch but on watching it again I really enjoyed it.

I loved the scenery in this episode and the fact that most of it took place outside the Grid. I loved the opening explosion and wonder how they filmed that.

Harry really came across as ruthless in this episode. He really didnt care about Fred Roberts at all or his family. He was an asset and that was all. The only bit of humanity he showed all episode was when he was vetting Zoe's new boyfriend. She was a bit of a quick mover although Will was quite nice looking.

Tom's final moments were not unexpected but I wonder why Harry gave him the op in the first place. Was he expecting him to fail which is why he kept Adam on? Harry hardly seemed surprised when Tom lost it in his office.

I liked the helicopter scene at the end in the early morning mist, also the wave from Tom at the end. It was almost like he was saying "no hard feelings."]]> This is one of those episodes I would not choose to watch but on watching it again I really enjoyed it.

I loved the scenery in this episode and the fact that most of it took place outside the Grid. I loved the opening explosion and wonder how they filmed that.

Harry really came across as ruthless in this episode. He really didnt care about Fred Roberts at all or his family. He was an asset and that was all. The only bit of humanity he showed all episode was when he was vetting Zoe's new boyfriend. She was a bit of a quick mover although Will was quite nice looking.

Tom's final moments were not unexpected but I wonder why Harry gave him the op in the first place. Was he expecting him to fail which is why he kept Adam on? Harry hardly seemed surprised when Tom lost it in his office.

I liked the helicopter scene at the end in the early morning mist, also the wave from Tom at the end. It was almost like he was saying "no hard feelings."]]> <![CDATA[Episode 1 Discussion [rewatch]]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-782.html Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:06:02 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-782.html <![CDATA[Spooks Season 3 on Watch]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-752.html Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:05:53 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-752.html <![CDATA[Bring back Tom Quinn]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-542.html Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:42:30 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-542.html
Spoiler: show
With Ruth's return, it is tempting to think anybody might come back
. Zoe or Tom would be prime contenders. Perhaps he has been undercover (deep) with Harry's knowledge? Perhaps he has been working for MI6 somewhere? Perhaps his breaking down and removal from service was just part of a larger story which has taken several years to work through? After all Lucas spent a few years languishing as part of the Spooks background mythos. Perhaps TQ has actually just finally dealt with his personal demons, and is ready to be reactivated in Section D?

Spoiler: show
I was very pleased to see the Ruth character return and allowing for the alarming number of fatalities of MI5 agents (Adam Carter - how could they?) it would be nice to see something positive arise out of a seemingly historically negative character demise.

!
Please use spoiler tags in future, you can read more about spoilers here: http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/announcement-1.html
]]>
Spoiler: show
With Ruth's return, it is tempting to think anybody might come back
. Zoe or Tom would be prime contenders. Perhaps he has been undercover (deep) with Harry's knowledge? Perhaps he has been working for MI6 somewhere? Perhaps his breaking down and removal from service was just part of a larger story which has taken several years to work through? After all Lucas spent a few years languishing as part of the Spooks background mythos. Perhaps TQ has actually just finally dealt with his personal demons, and is ready to be reactivated in Section D?

Spoiler: show
I was very pleased to see the Ruth character return and allowing for the alarming number of fatalities of MI5 agents (Adam Carter - how could they?) it would be nice to see something positive arise out of a seemingly historically negative character demise.

!
Please use spoiler tags in future, you can read more about spoilers here: http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/announcement-1.html
]]> <![CDATA[Tom and Christine]]> http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-477.html Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:29:47 +0000 http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-477.html
I recently found out that in the Spooks canonical universe, Tom and Christine ended up together after they left their respective services. Married and started their own security agency.

I cannot believe this. That they ended up together even after everything that happened. I don't buy it, and I'm surprised that so many people do - the idea of them ending up with a happy ending. I certainly never anticipated Tom would go back to her.

What do you think?]]>
I recently found out that in the Spooks canonical universe, Tom and Christine ended up together after they left their respective services. Married and started their own security agency.

I cannot believe this. That they ended up together even after everything that happened. I don't buy it, and I'm surprised that so many people do - the idea of them ending up with a happy ending. I certainly never anticipated Tom would go back to her.

What do you think?]]>