[spoilers] Adam or Tom?

[Tea Lady]

I would go for Adam every time. Tom

Spoiler: show

shot Harry and made Ruth cry

so looses my vote big time.

[almh]

Definitely. Foolish Tom.

[dannyfriar]

Tom definitely. Adam was too smug sometimes.

[JHyde]

"Little tinkering Tom"?

I like both characters, and actually loved the fact that Adam was married and settled when he came into the show.

I agree with age1021 that the Adam/Ros romance was trying, and that it wouldn't work, which of course was the main reason they let each other go. I suppose getting involved with someone who's wrong is just another way of living dangerously (which they're both quite addicted to) and also of not being so isolated in what must be a difficult life. It goes back to a the same question undercutting all the series: how do have a normal life and honest relationships when your job must always come first and you necessarily practice deception on a grand scale every day?

[dannyfriar]

Adam and Fiona were the only couple who had a 'normal' life. They were both officers so they knew the toll it would take on a daily basis. This is why it didn't work for Tom and his girlfriend (I forget her name) Zoe and Simon probably live a better life now - but again, like Ruth, I am sure Zoe keeps spare passports and an escape bag, just in case. I don't think you can, or want to be normal if you are in the service; it becomes part of you and they just have to accept it.

[Chris7990]

I think Adam .... tom always anoyed me a little!!

[PolyMeR]

Tom definately, He was a more believable character especially with his flaws.

[femaleBertieWooster]

Tom, mainly because Macfadyen has great presence and can draw you into whatever character he is playing. I've seen him as several different characters and he was fabulous.

I've seen Rupert Penry-Jones in two other things besides Spooks and he just hasn't been able to make an impression on me. He's a good enough actor but something's missing.

So, it was the actor who determined which I liked best. I can honestly say that if the actors switched roles, it would be Macfadyen's Adam who would win (for me.)

[JHyde]

I never actually said whether I preferred Adam or Tom. I think I'm going with Adam, mainly because I enjoyed the Adam storylines better. But interestingly enough, I still find myself weeping

Spoiler: show

at Tom's exit.

[lwhite53]

Hmm . . .this is a difficult call because they were such different characters, kinda' like comparing apples and oranges, but if I had to choose, I'd say Tom because that character was such an integral part of how/why spooks became a hit. There is something to be said for being "first," especially in a show that has gone on to be such a long-lived success.