MI-5 in the U.S.

[loladom]

How do US fans generally feel about the slating the US administration and the CIA generally get in Spooks story lines? (To be fair Spooks is pretty scathing of every nation, including UK politicians and sister service MI-6) Just wondering. Is that one of the reasons why the major networks haven't picked it up?

[beatrice4ruth]

It does not bother me at all. I am not typical, since I am European.

I can see why major US networks are not broadcasting MI5. It might be hard for most US viewers to understand the historic conflicts that have pitted the various intelligence services, included the CIA, against each other in Europe. It is just too foreign and is no longer current in today's new world, even though MI5 has dealt with China, Pakistan and Iran. Perhaps there is some US-bashing that American viewers would not appreciate.

Though some of the themes are universal, most of them might be too oriented toward MI5's fight against its internal and external enemies. Luckily we have our PBS channels which are very British-oriented.

[A Cousin]

(19-10-2011 01:21 PM)loladom Wrote:  How do US fans generally feel about the slating the US administration and the CIA generally get in Spooks story lines? (To be fair Spooks is pretty scathing of every nation, including UK politicians and sister service MI-6) Just wondering. Is that one of the reasons why the major networks haven't picked it up?

Weeeelll, ya know lola, that is a very difficult question. We have politically scathing shows that go gang-busters and some that don't. We can take a punch. Like all cultures we have those that would "get" it and those that would resist it. So who can say in that respect?

I am a full 10th-generation, candidate for the Daughters of the American Revolution (although shoot me if I join!) descendant of the Pilgrims, Jamestown settlers, minute-men and at least one 17th century deported convict. I am not afraid to say that, genetically speaking, I am about as "American" as it gets! That said, anything that starts a conversation and make a culture, any culture, take a deep look at themselves can't be all bad.

Although I think the idea was not to re-hash the Spooks we know and love, but to make an "American" version of it with "American" sensibilities and characters, etc. My own opinion as to why it was not, and should not have been, picked up comes down to a few reasons.

1) In mood, tone, character and content, Spooks is a quintessentially British programme. It wouldn't be an "American" version of Spooks without that and with it, it wouldn't be an "American" version of Spooks. It would be a re-hash. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

2) We already have several what could be considered comparable programmes already running, IMO, one of the best being NCIS. NCIS is not a direct parallel but the premise and characters are very familiar. My favorite being Abby. Others might point to 24. Love it or hate it, it is in the same genre but with an American twist.

3) Spooks works b/c it evolved organically. You can't repeat that. It would only look stunted and forced.

To my knowledge, it was David Wollstencraft trying to shop it. Don't know if he pulled out or if it just wasn't picked up. I for one would rather he move on and create something completely different and equally as compelling for American TV, if he wishes.

[mdwfan]

Apologies if this was posted elsewhere... If you have Netflix's instant queue, you get all of the Spooks/Mi-5 seasons (save season 10 for now). And who knows why it wasn't supported here in the US, my local tv critic raved about it when it aired on A&E and were it not for Netflix, I would still be wondering what happened in season 3!

Personally, I got a big kick out of the attitudes towards the US. It seemed to be more towards the heavy handedness of the CIA vs. Americans in general.

[SNAFUGuy]

I think it would do well if they made a show about the FBI Counter Intelligence Division because they are basically doing what MI-5 does for the most part. They could use the same styling as in the show but with issues relating to America. I think that would do well. For shows similiar to MI-5/Spooks, I would have to say NCIS is the closest. I also like Covert Affairs which is pretty well done. It definitely has a MI-5/Spooks ring to it though, it would probably be spot on if it weren't so femme fatale.