MI-5: Season 1
Your Job is a Secret. Your Life is a Lie. Your Nation is at Stake.
Defending their country, deceiving their friends, no one is immune from the eyes and ears of MI-5.
Enter the thrilling world of MI-5 - known to insders simply as 'five' - the clandestine security service, and meet the people who make up the elite team. They tackle organized crime, terrorist activities, embassy sieges, weapons proliferation and anarchists, not to mention the conflicts and power struggles back in the office.
In a world where the roles of the intelligence services and secret agents are being thrown into greater importance, MI-5 is a timely new drama from a first class creative team and a superb cast.
This exclusive three-disc set includes all six episodes from the original British first season of this exciting spy drama, each containing over fifteen minutes of footage not broadcast in the US. Also included are over two hours of bonus materials, featuring cast and crew interviews, deleted scenes and behind-the-schenes features.
Member Reviews
Good Start - Hopefully will get better - Mookie
Just watched disk one and it is fair to say I was underwhelmed by the first episode and shocked (in a good way) with the second episode. On the plus side, this is a smart drama with some interesting issues to look at. On the minus, the pacing and the way the info is presented is too quick at times, making me feel like I missed part of the episode. The characters are a bit on the dry side (yes, that is more realistic but doesn't make for interesting viewing) and I REALLY don't like the idea of seeing how being a Spook gets in the way of having a personal life. Again, that may be more realistic but it is boring and the "I can't tell her I am a Spook so she thinks I am cheating on her" is pretty ho hum, been there done that.
Having said all that, I still liked the first episodes and expect it will get better once the series finds its legs. I still love Burn Notice a lot more in terms of a "Spooks" series and Hustle and Life on Mars much better in terms of a recent BBC drama series.
Oh BTW the way the menu is set up so clicking something leads into a video of someone doing something is FRUSTRATING. Just give me my damn menu options, don't make me watch 30 seconds of film before my option clicks in. Stupid idea, that is thankfully not imitated.
ADDITION: Watch the rest of the series and while episodes 3 and 4 failed to impress episodes 5 and 6 were pretty awesome, a lot more intrigue and a lot more "how will this end?" feelings. The only character I love is Harry the boss the rest are passable but bland. The main character just doesn't do it for me.Exciting, realistic drama - douglasr
Execute overview: This is an amazing series with great writing and enough mystery and intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.
Details: The problem with the majority of dramas that come out of Canada or the US these days is that any action/adventure elements within the show tend to be more about special effects and over-the-top stunts (a la James Bond of the 80's and 90's). What MI-5 does, however, is present the viewer with a story line that dives into a life that very few know much about, without sensationalizing or distracting from the story with massive firefights or explosions. The series dives into the life of a 'spook' and explores the human elements as well as the actual threats that the characters attempt to subvert.
The producers have done a good job with the set locations and seem to have maintained a reasonable job (as much as I can tell) with other elements that require realism (weapon handling, for example).
That all said, there are times in the episodes, which run at 58 minutes a piece, that the show can seems to drag as they develop elements in a more subtle way than we are used to. If you can get through a few minutes each episode of slower than normal viewing, you'll find this to be one of the most exciting television shows you've ever watched.
The DVD extras are disappointing as a whole and are hit-n-miss in terms of worthwhile viewing, with the majority of the extras falling into the 'miss' category.Top Espionage Series - Gregg
The series follows the exploits of a number of employees of MI-5 the British domestic intelligence agency. The primary characters are Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), Danny (David Oyelowo) and Zoe (Keeley Hawes) though there are a number of regular supporting characters. The series is made up at least initially of primarily self contained episodes, although there are episode spanning storylines as well, of which the most important is the effect of officer’s jobs (including the dangers and the secrecy) upon their personal lives and the lives of those with whom they are involved.
Although there are a lot of conversations and discussions to explain the relatively complex operations in which they are involved there is also a considerable amount of action and excitement, though there is not as much actual violence (as one would find in American shows) at least on the part of our protagonists. The consequences and aftermath of such situations are also dealt with far more realistically than in most comparable American dramas.
The series is often compared to 24 which I find inferior for several reasons, 24 had an innovative idea but it is also really hampered by its format. With the season taking place over one 24 hour period there are limitations on the scope, also the format of each episode forces the creators to come up with cliff hanger moments at the end of each episode and to a lesser extent for each commercial break (which often play false). The other area in which MI-5 surpasses 24 is in the politics, MI-5 takes on much more controversial issues and viewpoints than most American series would be willing to touch.
Both the acting and the production values are on par with 24 and similar American shows.
There are currently 5 seasons available on DVD and the series is about to enter its 7th season. As with many British series, despite considerable critical and ratings sucess there is a considerable amount of turn over amongst the performers.
Member Reviews
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Good Start - Hopefully will get better - Mookie
Just watched disk one and it is fair to say I was underwhelmed by the first episode and shocked (in a good way) with the second episode. On the plus side, this is a smart drama with some interesting issues to look at. On the minus, the pacing and the way the ...Exciting, realistic drama - douglasr
Execute overview: This is an amazing series with great writing and enough mystery and intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.
Details: The problem with the majority of dramas that come out of Canada or the US these days is that ...Top Espionage Series - Gregg
The series follows the exploits of a number of employees of MI-5 the British domestic intelligence agency. The primary characters are Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), Danny (David Oyelowo) and Zoe (Keeley Hawes) though there are a number of regular supporting characters. ...