This show was one of a couple of high profile BBC productions that got a lot of publicity and success, and that I had to catch-up on after the fact. The plot is reminiscent of Fox's 24 in the way it places its ordinary agent at the core of something bigger, and then proceeds to cast doubt here there and everywhere, so the viewer is not sure what is coming next. Like 24 it also does set-pieces very well, producing moments of genuine tension paced well throughout the episodes. It has yet another connection to 24 in the way that it doesn't always connect to reality, but yet it drives itself forward convinced of its own logic.
This makes it engaging rather than pulpy, dramatic rather than cliched, and slick rather than silly. The short run helps it too, as it is well paced and doesn't have to engineer too many twists and turns to fill out the time. Performances are decent, with plenty of faces familiar, and the production itself has high standards - with good use of London locations in particular. The conclusion is a bit too tidy and abrupt, but otherwise it builds well throughout the short series. It isn't the brilliant drama that you've heard of, but it is entertaining, slick, pulpy, and enjoyable for what it does. It carries a serious tone, but only because it sold itself, it doesn't need you to be.
This makes it engaging rather than pulpy, dramatic rather than cliched, and slick rather than silly. The short run helps it too, as it is well paced and doesn't have to engineer too many twists and turns to fill out the time. Performances are decent, with plenty of faces familiar, and the production itself has high standards - with good use of London locations in particular. The conclusion is a bit too tidy and abrupt, but otherwise it builds well throughout the short series. It isn't the brilliant drama that you've heard of, but it is entertaining, slick, pulpy, and enjoyable for what it does. It carries a serious tone, but only because it sold itself, it doesn't need you to be.