Spooks = Reality... Sort of?

[RoninExec]

Fictional is fine, even if it's not real. But on themes like those brought up in "Spooks", things gotta be plausible

On one hand you are watching a show alright, based on credible events, even if a little "enhanced" for production constraints such as time or locations. There are stories behind stories, second and third degree interpretations, links to moments and places, people with their skills (or lack thereof), weaknesses, interests...

On the other hand, you are watching a TV show and can't really take it beyond a very superficial first degree, because there is none. Characters are all skilled in everything, from surveillance to firearms to computers (well, until a plot twist requires that they get stupid all of a sudden of course, and then they get hit on the head when going thru a door - pathetic!). It becomes a show like "24". Dumb stuff.

Spooks used to be (up to S4) all of the former. And this is what made its particular flavor : credibility. Since then, it's been sliding towards the latter, a UK version of a terrible (although successful) US show.