One of the best series?

[sam b]

Just recently watched series seven and didn,t realise how good it was although i enjoyed it the first time around. Spooks just keep on getting better and better. Connie,s betrayal was a brilliant storyline.

[veemaree]

The fact that this series has such high character turnover really increases the drama. I should have been ready for them to kill off so many key characters, but then life just moves right along as riveting as ever. As a US watcher I'm waiting on tenterhooks for months for netflix to carry series 9 while the lucky UK viewers have already seen the series!

[spooksdreamer]

Argh, I don't think so. Series 8 is such a superbly written one.

[Sporadico]

This series was my favourite, I think. Though I think the main reason for that is the Connie/Sugarhorse storyline, rather than the individual episodes themselves. It was just fantastic!

[A Cousin]

I just finished this series for the first time and all I can say is - WOW! I am looking forward to watching it again to see what I missed the first time around. This show works best when there is a good balance between plot and character development. I think this season is particularly successful in this. The camera work and editing has calmed down from S6 which was a relief.

I agree that the Connie/Sugarhorse through line works very well, but I also like how it runs underneath with the threat du jour on top. The writing and editing really really propel the plot forward smoothly. I was on the edge for the whole series waiting for what would happen next. There is a good balance in the writing between the ensemble and the individual actor.

Overall, the ensemble is in top form. There are some great performances from Miranda Raison, Hermoine Norris and Richard Armitage. MR specifically for me, but all of them have some wonderful moments that could easily have gone right over the top. But, above and beyond everyone else, is Peter Firth. I think that this series is his best performance yet. There is a great balance between brutal (shooting Kachimov) and sympathetic (the scene with Wes) Harry. Watching him walk right into the lions den (by Qualtrough), and then right back out of it (with the help of his handy-dandy neck-tie) is riveting. The things going across his face just before his arrest I felt on a visceral level. Harry is at once the lynch-pin of the ensemble and the star of the series.

But enough gushing....

[JHyde]

I think we all felt that way after seeing it for the first time. I remember watching most of season 7 on a dying personal DVD player (one of those little ones) and it kept skipping and being awful right at all the really tense parts, especially in the last damn episode! But I persevered because I absolutely HAD to see it. Consequently my heart rate was elevated for hours on end, probably not a good thing.

I'm pretty sure I came and found this forum a few days later too.

I love the perspective of our members who are seeing this stuff for the first time. It's joyous!

[kieran]

I also re watched it and realised how good it was,don`t know why but it didn`t feel like that at the time,i think it is the best spooks series yet.

[HellsBells]

I love series 7, it really reignited my love of Spooks. Loved it when Tom was in it, but sort of became less 'involved' after he left.

[BravoNine]

This series was definitely my favorite by far! Everyone was in their topform and it was classic Spooks all the way!!!

[Byatil]

From the 3 series I've seen thusfar, 7 is definitely my favourite So many amazing plots, lines and character development. I loved all the baddies, loved the plot-arc for the series, loved the way there were no unnecessary love-interests as there are in S8+9. Some of S8's episodes are some of my favourites, but S7 is the best overall series for me.

(12-06-2010 12:57 PM)A Cousin Wrote:  But, above and beyond everyone else, is Peter Firth. I think that this series is his best performance yet. There is a great balance between brutal (shooting Kachimov) and sympathetic (the scene with Wes) Harry. Watching him walk right into the lions den (by Qualtrough), and then right back out of it (with the help of his handy-dandy neck-tie) is riveting. The things going across his face just before his arrest I felt on a visceral level. Harry is at once the lynch-pin of the ensemble and the star of the series.

Couldn't agree more! PF was incredible in S7, he really had the chance to play his character from every angle; and he pulled it off brilliantly. The torture scene in 7.7 is so disturbing, and it's so tragic to hear the pain in his voice as he talks about his family. I thought the whole "revenge" thing in 7.2 was a little out-of-character when I first saw it, but considering the fact that it was Adam who died... perfectly understandable response
I particularly loved the scenes between Harry & Connie and Harry & Lucas in S7. It's really interesting when you watch the series for the second time, and notice all the lingering looks Connie gives harry throughout each episode, until it's finally revealed that she's the traitor. I also loved the tension between Harry and Lucas over sugarhorse - incredible acting on both men's parts. They make it wonderfully believable! Lucas and Ros also had some great scenes, I loved the comedy between them.
Adam had a really great episode in 7.1, and the way he was written out was brilliant. My heart was racing as I willed him to make it to the square in time, and that sudden realisation that he wouldn't get there in time was so saddening - and I'd only seen him in 7.1!
Jo also had some great scenes, I especially loved the scene she shares with Ros; very profound. Ben was interesting in 7.3, it was nice to see him doing some undercover work.

I couldn't really sing higher praises for S7 Every time I re-watch an episode I notice a new detail, or find a different interpretation for a line. I just hope series 1-6 can live up to my (now rather high) expectations!