MI-5 (TV Series) Agenda (2006) User Reviews

Agenda

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 14 April 2021]

This was an interesting and provocative story of a radical Christian group targeting Muslim extremists.

When a Muslim radical cleric's trial collapses due to inadmissible evidence. He is assassinated at the steps of the court.

Later another radical cleric is killed in a suicide attack.

An anti Muslim organization called the Sons of Phineas claim responsibility. MI5 know little about this group.

Harry Pearce is concerned that a religious war will erupt in the streets of Britain.

Steven Paynton, who runs a homeless shelter becomes a person of interest who has a link with the group. The shelter attracts people who are ex military.

However it seems Paynton may have some powerful backers. One of them is a senior Christian cleric who advises the Prime Minister.

Adam Carter goes undercover to reel in Paynton. However he loses his focus when his son goes missing.

There was a lot of double dealing here and several issues to ponder. Someone else close to the Prime Minister was also sympathetic with Paynton's cause but the latter is now regarded as a liability.

The episode faltered when Mossad got involved and Adam seemed to be having a breakdown at an inopportune moment.

There was a nice bit when Harry Pearce mocks a sad government lawyer with their fondness of saying words like 'need to know basis.'

Good episode...with one serious goof (spoiler alert!)

[aldebaran68 · 6/10 · 17 August 2019]

I would normally give any Spooks episode at a 7... However this story I found to be one of its weaker efforts. No, the performances were first rate and the script also as per usual.

However, there was a final set of scenes (spoiler alert!) that were totally unrealistic, in fact technically impossible. They had Adam in a building having a nervous breakdown (OK), and Ros in there looking for him. Then the lights go out. A Mossad hit squad is after him and the other man he was with.

The technical glitches are 2. Firstly, as mentioned in the Goofs section, the MI5 radar cannot look inside buildings, so Malcolm cannot be advising either Adam or Ros on where the Mossad hit squad is at any one time. Second, it has the hit squad with NVG in the dark, lights switched off at mains. They can see and operate as such, trained to do so. However then they have Adam mysteriously recovering instantly from his nervous breakdown, and, together with Ros, somehow acquiring instant 'natural night vision' better than NVG, and taking down the Mossad hit squad...in the dark!

Now, the hit squad are trained to fight...MI5 are not. Yet they have Ros physically besting a hit squad man by herself in the dark... I was unaware she had any combat or m/a skills. Women generally cannot beat men in physical contests, given equal or greater physical strength/skill of the male.

I was astonished that this piece of utter nonsense was allowed in any Spooks episode... Hence my 6 stars. A lot of Spooks verges on the implausible, but usually never crosses the line. Here that crossing the line was very apparent. What a shame!

Brilliantly Written

[graceling · 9/10 · 22 January 2012]

Sad to see Adam break down, but everything's so realistic... it's indeed one of the lovely qualities of the character & the show. The relationship between Jenny & Adam developed fairly naturally & was handled pretty well, in my opinion, even though i wish they hadn't slept together:) The church scenes were beautifully shot too, esp. those monologues, reminding me of a meticulously crafted stage play. It might not be a popular episode, but the brilliance of the writer(s) just shines thru actors' excellent performance. I agree with many other comments that the tone of the show is kinda dark & remorseful, with main characters "disappearing" one after another, but isn't this life depicted in its extreme format - people come, people go - we're just resources of a cause & everyone's to be filled eventually? Am still in the middle of Season 5... can't wait to pop in the next DVD!