MI-5 (TV Series) I Spy Apocalypse (2003) User Reviews

wow!

[mcguirk193 · 9/10 · 13 April 2009]

I have to agree with most of what "brucev13" said - this episode was very difficult to watch. (note: I happened on this episode, clicking through the TV channels, so I missed the first 15 minutes but then got completely drawn in by it....) And as I happened to be a civilian in New York City on 9/11 (although thankfully not anywhere near Ground Zero that day), I can say that the most frightening thing about that day was not knowing what was going on, not being able to reach those you cared about and feeling completely unable to do anything helpful. So although like "brucev13" said the loss of professionalism among the staff in the control center was shocking (compared to their behavior in other situations in the show), I actually thought it was pretty realistic. Most of them weren't able to actually DO anything that they were specialized in to directly work on figuring out the situation because they were trapped in the control center, which is why to me it was believable that some could be so irrational about taking great risks just to get out of there.

I believe that intelligence forces are skilled professionals, but also people just like any of us. Which is probably why they really do training exercises like the one dramatized to make sure that people are prepared. Also, just as a note - the two characters who were most extreme in their unprofessionalism were actually in on the secret, weren't they? So thinking back over the episode, they pretty much started every incident or egged on the others - the ones who didn't know, for the most part, stepped up well. (I really didn't expect them to actually build a working robot!)

Compelling

[lizs1289 · 10/10 · 25 April 2019]

My other half has been trying to get me interested in Spooks and I've watched to keep the peace (!) but this episode has really gripped me - I'm now a true fan. I was totally drawn in and can't quite understand the views of other reviewers who said the characters were unprofessional. I think given the situation, anybody would be spooked (pardon the pun) - this was a totally unknown situation ( hence the drill). At my work, people panic over the fire alarm going off and some freeze, not being able to follow the instructions repeatedly given at our compulsory annual fire training. So I think the actions of the characters was believable. I wavered all the way through: was this "real" or a drill? I kept changing my mind. Great acting by all. Having arrived late to the party that is Spooks, it's amusing to try and remember the programmes these actors went on to star in. Roll on the rest of the 10 seasons! Update: I have now completed all seasons of Spooks and have thoroughly enjoyed most of the programmes. Watching it on Alibi means that approx 15 minutes was cut from each episode leading to a few 'what the...?' moments but overall, this was ok. On reflection, maybe the last series was one too far and the happy ending I was hoping for didn't materialise but I don't regret spending the time viewing it. Would love to see this reprised.

Very mixed feelings

[chrichtonsworld · 6 September 2008]

This episode of Spooks got me thinking. The substance itself was solid. And the message is very clear. But it was almost unbearable to watch. The spooks are on a drill mission in order to train for future disasters. It all makes sense especially after 9/11. When the members of MI:5 realize that this threat may be real matters get very serious. The cast do a great job in making this believable and are so convincing that you truly are doubting whether the threat is real or not. SPOILER!!!!! However there are too many moments that make it obvious that it isn't. For instance when a colleague in some control room has discovered something and that she maybe affected by it she pulls out the camera and computers. So you never can see what really happens. We have to assume that this person is dying. Of course this is done to mask the fact that the whole drill mission is what it is. Personally I would have been more impressed if they had gone the length to use special make up effects to convince that there is a real virus. Now what exactly is the point of this episode. To show that spies aren't like James Bond and that they are normal human beings. Well,I already know that. But what i am confused about about is professionalism. These guys supposed to be pro's. This episode makes it clear that only a few of them can keep their heads cool an do their job. The people who do this kind of work should be men and women who somehow can shut out their feelings (or convert those feelings in something constructive) and do what is necessary. If that wasn't required already then it should be. It is therefore a bit strange to see that the same characters who in previous episodes did show that they were capable of being professional failed when it became personal. Remember that this is only an opinion since it is almost impossible to predict how someone would react when a threat is real. I do think that the ones who are involved with national security should be a special kind of people. Otherwise what is the point of having security. The last minutes are excellent and show how deeply the characters are affected by this drill. So high points for the acting department. As part of the series I think this episode stands out too much and makes it far too political in contrast to the entertainment value which is the main reason why I watch this show in the first place.

The Only Tedious Episode So Far

[jonathangranato · 6/10 · 22 January 2010]

The beginning of this episode is really gripping. As the hour unfolded I found myself looking at how many DVD chapters had elapsed. Whilst for the actors this was a cherry episode because it was shot chronologically, as a viewer it was rather predictable in the style of "Lord Of The Flies." I knew how it would end, just not when, but as the DVD chapter was 9 & firearms were produced, it knew the end was near. The acting was superior, the idea was brilliant. As they say, the operation was a success but the patient expired.

Overall, one tedious episode out of all the ones I've seen is about the worst thing I can say about MI-5. It's just a brilliantly acted, directed & written series! What I really like about it is that the main characters come & go, just as in real life. & there is mortality on screen just as there is what is jokingly known as 'real life'.

Waiting for it to end.

[oxleyhs · 4/10 · 29 October 2020]

Weakest one I have seen. This episode in the middle of the series - well that's a giveaway.

Episode 2.5

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 1 June 2019]

A bottle episode of Spooks.

The team are in lock down for what they thought was a training exercise. A simulation of some calamity taking place outside.

However they soon fathom that this could all be real. A deadly nerve agent has been released, the government is in disarray and their is a communications blackout.

Harry Pearce is strangely subdued and Tom Quinn has to take the lead. There is even chaos within the team and several people from the outside who were just visiting.

Spooks relies on it being tense and thrilling. Being consigned to their small operations centre made this less so. It also just made it look cheap as well.

I was never really convinced that this could all be happening in reality, especially as some random characters were being disruptive for little reason given the emergency.

I think the bigger clue in all this is Harry himself who ends up stepping out of the proceedings on health grounds.

Seemed Pretty Cheezy to Me

[TanakaK · 2/10 · 5 July 2009]

Perhaps, being over 50, this style of "drama" is outside my taste. Maybe there's more to this series than this single episode, which is the only one I watched, would suggest. But this seemed awfully cheesy to me. The cast consists of a handful of snotty, self-absorbed people who spend an hour dealing with what could be a national terror threat by bitching and arguing amongst themselves in an office environment. There's no real arc to the story. There's no character depth. They're just young people who are supposed to be portraying professional intelligence agents but who act like run-of-the-mill office cubicle riff-Raf. Crying. Yelling. Emoting for the camera.

It was, for me, as flat as yesterday's soda. A very cheap, untalented production. Sorry.