Close to the Enemy (TV Mini Series) Episode #1.4 (2016) User Reviews

Episode 4

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 17 December 2016]

A thrilling start to the episode as Captain Callum Ferguson and Kathy Griffiths from the War Crimes Unit capture the shady German at the airport as he attempts to escape with the aid of some other British agents. Callum makes sure his face is plastered in the newspapers.

At the Connington Hotel Callum is given his latest assignment to spend time with icy Frau Bellinghausen (Lindsay Duncan) and the formula of her perfume house. His task made harder as she hates the big band sounds coming into her room.

Callum's brother Victor has done a splendid job sorting out Mr Lindsay-Jones library but now wants to help out Kathy out with her war crimes work. Lindsay-Jones reveals more of the story of how the war could had been avoided but certain people did not take action.

Well at least Stephen Poliakoff actually has more plot than what I expected in the first episode as Dieter is working in the jet engine factory and has assembled a team together and his daughter seems to have settled at a new school with her German accent not proving to be much of a handicap. At least the story has moved on from them for the time being.

It still lacks a central focus with too many actors wasted like a certain Oscar nominated Angela Bassett.

Callum and Rachel draw ever closer

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 10 June 2017]

Callum and Rachel share a much deeper intimacy, it seems she's falling for him in a big way. Alex almost apparently pushing her into the arms of Callum. Harold brings the brothers together over dinner, ending Victor's work, but tells of a dark secret, in the close employ of Winston Churchill, he recalls hearing of a German military plot to overthrow Hitler, which wasn't acted upon,resulting in the war. With Dieter now actively working with the Brits, Callum is given a new task, gaining the secret of perfume creation from the awkward and irascible Frau Bellinghausen. Victor feeling rejected by Callum decides to assist Kathy in stealing the secret files from the hotel.

I was intrigued to see what course the drama would take after Dieter's conformity, the opening scenes with Callum and Kathy chasing down the villainous German war criminal were superbly delivered, visually incredible.

Every single character is three dimensional, there is not one supernumerary part among them all, each one has a story to tell. I said after the first part the only thing missing was Lindsay Duncan, and low and behold here she is, another interesting and well drawn character.

Poliakoff manages to create drama which is emotionally engaging, intelligent, thought provoking, and has the ability to make you question if the characters have deeper motives then first appears.

Absolutely hooked on this 9/10