Your Reviews and comments for Episode 7 Spooks 3:
"This episode was rather dull to be completely honest. There was nothing particularly thrilling about computer hackers and you could see the 'twist' coming a mile off. It's much more interesting to see something that could actually easily happen on TV or film because it draws you in. When you see something most people couldn't do (breaking the code thing), it gets boring.
That said, some very nice background work on Danny and Adam. The star was Ruth, who is not so subtley being made to fill the Zoe gap. The final scene was very good and at least most of the characters have equal screen time."
Eddie, Chesterton
"Very good episode. It's great to see them get back to spooking!
The plot was too see-through for my liking, however. It was given away too early that Andy was the bad guy, and his motives too contrived. However, the chaos caused was believable and not over or under done.
I was particularly happy to hear the classic quips we have come to expect from the characters."
Chris Fox, Derby
"A brilliant episode! Finally we have a story this series which genuinely develops. The hacker's identity was a complete shock and a great twist. This episode finally blended a solid, tense and exciting story reminiscent and worthy of Series 1 and 2, with a look into the personal lives and emotions of the MI5 officers.
It's good to finally see a development in Ruth's character after the drawn out and frankly dull incident in Episode 5. It will be interesting to see whether we are to learn more about Sam."
BK, Bristol
"Frankly I must disagree with those that believe Danny's character is turning into anything less than magnificent! I think it is important to remember that not every one is going to be able to turn into a cold blooded murderer instantly! I think that Danny's progression from a stat crunching geek in the first series to an integral member of the team is truly gripping TV!"
Jason, Walthamstow
"After 7 episodes, the evidence is conclusive. The writers have decided to develop the best new show to hit UK TV in years by turning it into a soap. Tears are flowing; everyone's having crises of conscience; marriages and relationships are sprouting and crashing simultaneously; and people CAN'T STOP SHOUTING!
I wouldn't be surprised if Matthew Macfadyen decided to quit only after seeing the season 3 scripts - he'd already had to work with some pretty ham-fisted "personal issues" dialogue in season 1 and probably couldn't take any more.
My prediction is that the season cliffhanger will entail an MI5 relationships coach taking the team up to the Peak District for a bridge-building exercise.
It guts me to write this as I love Spooks. But my DVD collection ends with the marvellous Season Two."
Steve, UK
"I liked the way this episode managed to centre more around some of the minor agents - especially Ruth and Colin - but I think it was weakened by a few holes in the plot (notably no one really caring that Ruth had gone missing for an entire day), and the fact that it was easy to spot who the villain was from about half way through. But good acting and directing as always lifted it above a poor script."
Nick, Colchester, Essex
"Oh dear. Not my favourite episode. An average script at best, with poor directing. That is, shot without any of the slick camera work we can usually expect. Too much computer jargon (even the actors looked a bit confused at times). The villain in person wasn't villainous enough, as I never felt that Ruth was in any danger. Hardly any tension, except where it looked as though Danny was going to be run over.
Still, not the worst ever Spooks episode and luckily there haven't been many bad episodes as far as this viewer is concerned.
Spooks is still a great series. There will always be one or two episodes that will be below par for some viewers."
Adrian Banfield, York England
"Finally a satisfying episode of Spooks with a nice tear-jerking ending. Mind you it's a bit implausible that Ruth would take so long putting two and two together when the 'nice-but-dim' Danny worked it out in 2 minutes 35 seconds!!"
Kevin, Ware
"Why do the writers always try to wrap things up in one hour? The first half hour of yesterday's show was brilliant and complex. I really liked the religious twist. However, trying to unravel everything within the last 20 minutes just ruined it. Why not take more time and develop the story over a couple of episodes or even the whole series?"
Andrew, Manchester
"I have to say that this has been the worst story so far. Probably as cheesy as it gets! Oh come on, a 20-digit key that can gain anybody access to any system on the internet, get a grip story writers!"
Anand Patel, Cambridgeshire
"What a shocker this episode was! Computing and television (or indeed film) have rarely sat comfortably together, and this episode of Spooks was no exception. And to think, it all started to positively with references to default passwords.
However, the thinly veiled SSL-a-like G&J code thing was bunk from start to finish. The method used to break it was nonsense and the implications of it being broken were somewhere between wildly inaccurate and general scaremongering.
The final insult was the disposal method of choice for this laptop containing the secret of a supposed global IT apocalypse. Tossing a laptop into a river is far and away one of the least effective ways to destroy its contents."
Simon Langton, UK
"I thoroughly enjoyed it - even if it was sometimes more Bugs than Spooks! Good depth to the characters."
Paul, Putney
"An odd mixture. With Tom expunged from our minds, Zoe has joined him in oblivion, so suddenly the writers rush to develop hitherto minor characters, introduce unlikely new ones like Adam's wife and highlight the 'human side'.
All these valiant efforts cannot conceal the impression that the show is falling apart, however, especially with Danny apparently breaking up too.
Thank God for Harry, singlehandedly holding the show together. The screen crackles with tension whenever he appears. No, please don't start to show us his home life! Fill the gaps with gripping action, please, even mind games, but not endless soul-searching and close-ups. "
Rob, Brussels
"Why can't producers tell the difference between drama and soap anymore? Spooks is brilliant and original. There should be a special security service set up to protect it from going the same way as Casualty and The Bill."
Stewart MacDonald, Glasgow
"After a run of disappointing episodes, last night was a fantastic return to form for Spooks. Plenty of plot twists, Danny losing it and plenty of action which is exactly what I want Spooks to be. Also we finally got to learn a little bit more about Adam and his wife! As Tom's 'replacement' the show has been really slow to give us any kind of background to Adam and this was sorely needed if we're going to be able to understand and accept the new characters after losing Tom and Zoe.
Series 3 has been the weakest yet, but I hope the series can end on a strong run of episodes now we've (hopefully!) got away from the job of writing out major characters."
John, Birmingham
"It seems as if Spooks does not really have a storyline any more. The first couple of episodes were gripping but as time goes on they seem to be less appealing. Please please don't let Spooks lose its popularity as it is a great production. Nothing will ever be the same without Tom or Zoe, but times change so we have to deal with that. Let's have more bombs, more explosives and lots of gripping action again."
Andy, Essex
"Absolutely fantastic episode as usual, proper spy stuff. But I have to say I am desperately missing the lovely music you used to always play at the end, also missing Tom still, and my only quibble on this episode, is; Ruth is a complete brainiac and techno-wizard, I refuse to believe she doesn't know how to work a mobile phone! Loving the series, can't believe it will end again soon, booohoooo."
Sarah Oates, Lincoln
"Oh, please. Whilst this episode marked something of a return to form in terms of plot-driven tension, and also neatly wrapped up the Danny-Zoe-Will issues without bleating about them too much (as has happened in the past), I was annoyed.
Why, why, why must it always be that computer-crime-centric episodes have a plot keystone worthy of Star Trek? Would that the G&J algorithm actually existed so that all internet traffic was encrypted. But it doesn't, of course. The season 2 episode 'Spiders' was guilty of something similar.
Other than that, though, a very good episode. I hope that the trend will continue."
Graham, Lancaster
"Excellent episode tonight. Back on form, well spaced action and suspense. I thought the postcard at the end of the episode tied up so many loose ends and at least we know that Zoe should live happily ever after - but will Danny?!
Similarities to For Your Eyes Only, the spies don't have the algorithm nor do the government - something both sides are better without."
Ricardo, Rochester
"Well - what an anti-climax... I think this was a very predictable plot-line - 'what can we do with Danny now that Zoe is gone,' and oh-er yes, let's pair it with 'it's not Al-Queda this time, just old-fashioned disenchantment with the establishment and greed'.
Sorry - I did not fall for it - and would not have expected Ruth to do so either, poor old girl that she is, she is far too intelligent and committed to have sloped off for pasta without vetting the Y chromosome host.
When will Harry get his comeuppance in this now totally anarchic - and therefore absolutely predictable series? After all, he is the god as western civilization knows it (detail, status quo, established order of all creation, even god of rationalism and pseudo-intellectualism) - don't get me wrong, he is only human and has been made likeable (failure as a father etc) but he is ultimately for the chop (if i were writing this book)."
Finnartgreen, Greenock
"If a theme may exist for each series, then series 3 carries with it one of isolation, individualisation, realisation and engulfment. The hope of a better world has slowly evaporated and therein lays the sinister world of the criminal combined with the tragic world of MI5.
Yet, although these themes may have existed, they have yet to produce an episode without the gratuitous use of violence to grip myself. That is until now. Finally I can praise series 3 in the manner that brought so many people forward to expect highly of it."
Tom, Suffolk
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