30 Days of Telly Meme - Day 02

[thisbluespirit]

Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching: Spooks

I think I'm supposed to pick something relatively unknown, but the amount of people who aren't watching Spooks when it's on seems to be shocking. Not non-UK people, obviously, but Brits when it's on TV every autumn. I mean, if you like your TV relatively fluffy, fair enough, but otherwise why not?

(Of course, this is totally hypocritical, given the things I miss through laziness, forgetfulness, addiction to writing fanfic, and scheduling that's too late for a morning person like me.)

But the meme did ask.


Days of Telly Meme:
Day 01 - A show that should never have been cancelled: Blake's 7
Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching: Spooks
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season):
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you've watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series: BBC North & South
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best TV show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First TV show obsession
Day 29 - Current TV show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death

Comments

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Okay, I've obviously known for some time that you like "Spooks" (subtle you are not *g*), but I've always assumed the show wasn't available over here because I'd never heard of it. But this entry of yours prompted me to try googling it just to learn a little more about it, and guess what? It is available over here, just under a different name! It's called "MI-5" -- which I have vaguely heard of, although I've never seen it -- and what's more, I've discovered that volumes 1-6 are available to rent through my Netflix service.

So, I'm in! Where would you suggest I start? At the beginning?

[thisbluespirit]

Well, at the beginning of a season, anyway! Yes, it's MI5 abroad (apparently Spooks has unfortunate other meanings in the US), but the one thing to watch out for is that the US MI5 is usually edited (it's a BBC show here, so that's 1 hr solid, with no breaks, whereas it gets edited down to 45 mins for the US), so it still works, but you may find people talking about lighter character moments you never saw... :lol:

The beginning is very old now (2002!), but why not? Of course, I only said this to answer the meme, and I don't expect people who have to jump through hoops to watch things to necessarily do so. I like it, as you can tell. It was groundbreaking in the UK in 2002 but everything else has caught up these days. And it can get bleak, and there's no happy endings guaranteed. But there is lots of sarcasm, and in the early series, lots of day to day, how it is to be a secret agent and keep your life in boxes, and that operations may involve hairdrying the cat among othre things. :-)

Are you really saying I'm not subtle? *sulks*

:lol:

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Usually shows are only cut for broadcast, so since this is a rental service I should hopefully be okay. And hmmm, I don't tend to like bleak shows, but the rest does sound interesting. I'll give it a try, at least.

2002 is old? What does it say about me that that doesn't sound old to me at all? Of course, some of my favorite shows are from the '60s . . .

Are you really saying I'm not subtle?

Sorry, my bad, I really have no idea what TV shows you like. And I'm sure you have no idea what shows I like, either. ; )

[thisbluespirit]

Well, it's not 'Ooh, look, aren't I clever for being Bleak' type stuff. It just won't play by the rules of TV, and bad things will happen to good people. But, yes, if you prefer your TV a bit lighter, it can go very dark from time to time. Because of the whole fighting terrorist things, in terms of both actually do that, the ethical dilemmas involved and the effect on the characters who aren't James Bond types.

Well, it doesn't sound old, but given how contemporary it is, it has to be borne in mind. One of the things I like best (or get very scared by) is that it has always been Show Most Likely to Predict The News. It was being put into production before 9/11 (and they had to alter the scripts) - because the creators has argued that counter-terrorism was about to become more relevant and that the show would work... And then there was the London bombing coincidence. So while some stuff is far-fetched, there have been eerie moments watching the news and going "Hang on...". But you can't do that backwards. ;-)

Aw, I was only teasing. Even online with a secret identity I'm about as transparent as they come... *rolls eyes*

No, I have no idea what shows you like... Are you going to do the meme, and then I will? ;-D

PS. I should mention that S1 has Hugh Laurie guesting. Then you Americans stole him from us and he was too busy to return. He's Harry's equivalent from MI6 (MI5 don't much like MI6 in this!)