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Spooks 2 (With Book) -- Amazon.co.uk Exclusive [DVD]
![Spooks 2 (With Book) -- Amazon.co.uk Exclusive [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EXFSTSERL._SL160_.jpg)
The Islamic terrorist episode unsurprisingly received a great deal of negative publicity, but a show that prides itself on its contemporary edge could hardly ignore such an issue. Other episodes tackle computer hackers, Eastern European terrorists, Columbian drug cartels, inter-service territorial disputes with the CIA and even a mutiny in the army. One of the strongest episodes, set entirely within the sealed-off MI5 Section B department, tracks the team's individual reactions to what might be a drill, or a real and devastating VX gas attack. Throughout, this year focuses a great deal on the team's personal problems, notably Tom Quinn's chaotic love life, which ultimately brings his loyalty to the service into question. Cast changes introduce some new faces, while some old ones pop up in unwelcome places (Jenny Agutter relishing her new role as a villain). Pacy direction and snappy editing, generous use of slo-mo, split-screen and dramatic music all add to the tension inherent in scripts that bring a modern, youthful edge to the creaky old spy genre. Only the final episode resorts to some hackneyed plot contrivances in a rather strained bid to produce the now-obligatory cliffhanger. --Mark Walker
RRP: £39.99
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Revelling in its reputation for pulling no punches, the second series of the BBC's slick spy drama Spooks maintains the quality of its award-winning first year, serving up enough nail-biting moments of genuine tension to outweigh any concern that occasionally it courts controversy for no better reason than to cock a snook at the notoriously timid Auntie Beeb.
Wonderful TV series, disappointing book
Review date: 2004-12-17 Rating: 8 out of 10
Considering that anyone who buys this knows about the show from Season 1 already, there is little to add about the TV series itself: it remains provocative, fast-paced, cutting-edge TV with interesting twists at every episode. But I'd suggest buying the standard version (i.e. the one without the book), as the accompanying book is pretty much just a summary of all episodes with credits and maybe a dozen pages of additional materials thrown in. Not really anything you need, provided your memory is good enough to actually remember what you see on screen from one episode to another. So, unless you must have *everything* Spooks, just go for the DVDs without the trivial extra.
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Reviews
Spooky!
Review date: 2004-09-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
It was good on TV. It is good on DVD. Shame about the menus which are more trouble than they're worth.
Word of warning - it seems that DVD [2] has episodes 1 & 2 of the series on it whereas DVD [1] has episodes 3 & 4 on it. Probably some deep encryption going on - but a bit spooky when the stories don't follow on!
Product Details/Specifications
Recording label: Contender
Manufacturer: Contender
EAN: 5030305620332
Binding: DVD
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-09-20
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2