London Spy, Pt1/5, BBC2, 21.00-22.00hrs each Monday

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The flaws started when the science fiction element crept in - some need for a "Lie Detector" was essential to the denouement, but it did weaken the suspense of the first three episodes (and what a waste of Adrian Lester - how did they get him involved? "Hey, Aidey - got a spare afternoon next week for some filming? You won't have to memorise any lines.")

Some great things in this series - the plot not necessarily being one of them!


(I'm with Mme V on The Bridge [if you see what I mean] - don't think I've encountered Inspector Balzac; is he "Scandi Noir", too?)

[Barbirollians]

The flaws started when the science fiction element crept in - some need for a "Lie Detector" was essential to the denouement, but it did weaken the suspense of the first three episodes (and what a waste of Adrian Lester - how did they get him involved? "Hey, Aidey - got a spare afternoon next week for some filming? You won't have to memorise any lines.")

Some great things in this series - the plot not necessarily being one of them!


(I'm with Mme V on The Bridge [if you see what I mean] - don't think I've encountered Inspector Balzac; is he "Scandi Noir", too?)

Rarely seen a series unravel so spectacularly after a great start - there were lots of great things about especially whishaw and broadbent t - the plot however which was utterly ludicrous was not one of them

[jean]

All the fault of a frustrated woman. Ah well.

Actually once Jim Broadbent was gone, there was no emotional heart left. It didn't much matter what happened.

[Tevot]

... they shd have stopped at the third episode. Lordy, what a falling-off!

After a glorious start this series really collapsed at the end. The plotting not up to a 60s 'Avengers' episode; the grotesque theatricality of la Rampling; the dialogue going from creaky to cliché; the self-indulgence disappearing up its own bottom...

Yes, Whishaw was compelling throughout, but apart from him... Such a disappointment. I think some serious editing could have produced a three-part masterpiece.

Eheu.

Well, mme v consoles herself with the continuing delights of 'The Bridge', and I plunge back in to some Balzac

Hello there,

I have to agree ... Episode 3 was gripping and then Episode 4 tailed off markedly. Episode 5 felt it was like an episode of Dr Who !!! Some gripping and chilling moments in it (and indeed an excerpt from Valse Triste some 34 minutes in if I am not mistaken) - but far too many loose ends and unanswered questions. What happened exactly to Jim Broadbent's character for example? And would Alex's real mum have been such a wimp? Hmmm....

The issue about editing and exposition is an interesting one. I wonder whether the series was actually truncated to 5 episodes and things were left out - there 'feels' to have been so much missed / elided in the final episode?

I am now going to console myself with some real and credible drama. Namely Episode 4 of The Last Kingdom

Best Wishes,

Rugged Ragnar Tevotsson

[DracoM]

What upset me was that such manifest talent was so squandered.

Broadbent aside, I really cannot join the bouquets for Wishaw, and the Alex figure was so unprepossessing that I fear I just shrugged and thought 'tough luck, matey', and as for Mme Rampling......

The montage / camera / lighting were made to be the real stars, but all in all it seemed to be ' Mountains will labour: what’s born? A ridiculous mouse!' for me.

[muzzer]

I agree it tailed off and also that it smacked of an ep having been canned, say from 6 to 5. Too many hares set running and not run down. It all ended up being a bit prosaic tbh. But the early eps were very good indeed.