A Quick Reflection on Spooks - Series 9 (2010)

Ok, so perhaps I didn't get enough time to review it after all, but that doesn't really matter. The point is Spooks this year was superb. Just as I said in the review of the first episode, this year someone or some people finally decided to put the life back into this great show, and made it raise it's game. Sure, just like last year it was shorter from what we have enjoyed in the past; sure, it had the usual superficial changes (changing the home secretary from Labour to Conservative) just to show it was still related to the real World; but let's be honest. What makes it work are the intricate and complex charaters, the believable intense drama and action, but most of all, the well-crafted storylines. In my view this was the best Spooks series since the death of Adam Carter (Rupert Penry-Jones) two years ago. For me series 7 and 8 of Spooks seemed to be in a sort of creative limbo, almost running on Auto-Pilot, so to speak.


All that is fortunately now in the past, but unfortunately so is Series 9. It was an amazing emotional journey, in some cases for Lucas (or John), and in others Ruth, but the real story that kept me watching was Harry's (Peter Firth). Just as in the first episode of the series, Harry became very tired and weary of the job, as the betrayal of trusted friends and allies seemed to be at every corner, which was also reaffirmed when the extent of Lucas' betrayal was finally known during the series finale. In addition to this, Harry was also struggling with his strong feelings towards Ruth, who seemed to reject him throughout. Harry's conscience was also brought to the fore this series, as his emotional relationship with Ruth, also exposed his sensitive side, and so the close betrayals from Lucas really upset him much more than we have been privy to previously. With Harry Pierce's career now in question, it will be fascinating to see where Spooks takes the character next. I just hope this future potential isn't wasted.

Series 9 also introduced new cast members, and I loved the new character of Beth, played so brilliantly by Sophia Myles (one of the best young actresses about these days). It's just a pity that the character wasn't really given much to do after the fourth episode, being overtaken by the story arcs of Lucas, Ruth and Harry. It's definately another one of the characters to keep your eye on in Series 10 though.

Long live Spooks! And may it continue to be just as brilliant as this series was.