Spy (2004– ) User Reviews

Best Reality TV Show

[busmasterjones · 10/10 · 9 November 2006]

This appeared on PBS in some markets in the US after originating on the BBC in the UK. This is a series that blended reality TV with real spy intelligence and the fantasy of being a spy. The show challenged the 8 participants to carry out increasingly difficult assignments as spy training. There was no million dollar reward at the end, just the satisfaction of knowing that you have what it takes to be a spy.

The assignments were given in each episode by former intelligence workers, like one man from the CIA, which lent realism to the assignments. Participants were asked to leave if they violated some of the codes of conduct or if they could not adequately complete a task. No one was "voted off" and you were kept guessing if anyone would leave the show on a given week or if multiple people would leave. The plot lines were ingenious. The production quality was good, but the show was shot more like a gripping documentary than a game show. The show is very addictive. This is well worth watching if you can hunt down a copy of it.

A Rare Adventure

[popsciolist · 10/10 · 25 February 2007]

The reality TV series "Spy" seems to elude the masses as stealthily as the agents it pays tribute to. Set in the UK, "Spy" consists of 10 hour-long episodes in which 8 contestants are recruited off the streets and trained in 'Spy School'. Former spies (MI6, CIA and classified) provide biting criticism in their roles as tutors to the recruits. Ultimately, there can only be one top spy.

The many reasons why I love this show:

* Tutors Sandy, Harry and Mike :

Mike, a good-looking (almost seemingly too much so for any covert ops) former CIA agent, is the sole American. As such, his moderately encouraging words delivered idiomatically (ie. "bug up my ass") stand out in welcome contrast to those of his fellow British tutors.

Sandy, in particular, takes no prisoners. With an inimitable style (again, surprisingly, not exactly "gray" or inconspicuous), she makes her pronouncements incisively. Listen to her dissection of your flaws, work on it and as Gabe says, you just might hope that she decides you worthy enough to have at her back.

Harry lies somewhat in between the two--which can make his disciplinary reviews particularly shaming. "The good: your report was written up neatly, with minimal spelling mistakes. The bad: CHAINSAW TORTURE, DEATH FOR EVERYONE YOU BREATHED ON IN THIS MISSION. Plus yourself."

All the tutors hammer in the sense of life-or-death urgency quite credibly--they're furious because in another time and place, they've seen the disastrous results firsthand. Each balances the other two and strongly anchors the show—great choice on the part of the producers.

* Recruits:

Just like real people, the recruits demonstrate both heroic and dastardly traits. They can be courageous—whether it's hopping into a taxi in the spur of the moment or maintaining your cover story in front of a police chief. Or too much so—ie. running across the street to break into a house. They can be paralyzed in fear. They can be moral. And they are all traitors in some form or another.

Nicola (a favorite) lasted the longest and thus, technically, was the greatest traitor of them all. Distancing herself (however subconsciously) from Jennie in the last episode was strategically aggressive and brilliant, but also very much in her own self-interest. However, by the end of the series, it looks like Nicola has been betrayed to an even greater degree by the show. She may have gotten a taste of Spy School but it is unlikely that she can maintain any future cover story. Not only does a faceless audience know her appearance, but also that of her family's, her house, etc. If rejected from an intelligence agency (either for the above reason or others), one of her dreams will not be seen to fulfillment. I found the lack of certainty and satisfaction in this ultimate reward greatly disturbing and yet, strangely fitting for a TV show that is one of the realest I've seen, given its topic.

That said, all of the recruits are endearing. Simon's humorously quick change of expressions suits his role both as a storyteller and as a spy. Jennie is fantastically clear-headed and paints the bigger picture insightfully, whether it's explaining a particular plan or the effects of being a civilian recruit. She is the moral compass amongst the recruits and her emotions (at seeing her friend or realizing that the game is still on) do not fail to move the viewer. Gabe also seems to be a strong strategizer—that he blushes perpetually, cooks for his lady and naps like a baby are all extra icing on the cake. Max is a smooth operator—funny, neurotic and not one to mince words. Sometimes it seems like he uses his quirkiness as a cover for his espionage dealings, which is, frankly, brilliant—"I'm JUST weird—not a spy or anything like that." Austin (who seems to be given plenty of opportunities to stick his foot in his mouth) is one of the luckiest 19 year olds I know to experience all this—and he knows it. And of course, there's Nicola, who must have sold at least a thousand copies of the "Advanced Surveillance" guide, with her recommendation. Her glee over every mission is just contagious (and striking, considering her poker face during surveillance). It almost makes you wish that there could be a "Spy: All-Stars" edition (yes, from just one season).

* Set Production:

The production quality is superb; here are some awesome touches: - "Abandoned" tube station as HQ - Great use of closed circuit video surveillance : Any limitations with mics or camera access seem to be minimized--which effectively distracts you from wondering how the recruits explain the presence of their cameramen too often. - Techno and string adagios as mood music. - Former spies as actors for missions. - The amazing cold morgue-like lighting in the tutor briefing room : there are long fluorescent tube-lights placed vertically (!) on the metallic walls to frame the tutors. Plus what seems to be a gigantic lightbox underneath the tutors. - Humorous and exciting editing: just watch Austin and Simon decide to swap clothes in the Brighton hotel mission.

"Spy" is definitely a must-watch…if you can find it. PBS recently broadcasted the entire series (midnight time slots) and I'm not entirely sure how to be notified of future broadcasts (having missed the first episode, I consider myself fortunate in catching the 1am broadcast of the second episode). I believe "Spy" works as both a recruiting campaign for future spies (although, if you are selected for the show, you're probably further away from becoming a real spy than ever before) and an entertaining documentary of what real people would do if they were in a spy movie.

Plus chainsaw torture!

Terrible Show

[Luci1177 · 1/10 · 3 May 2014]

I've been watching good shows for the past 16 years on WLIW on Friday night, until recently they started airing a dumb show called Spy. I think its ridiculous, and it does not belong on this station.I use to feel really excited watching funny Britcoms until they ruined the schedule with Spy. I really think they should remove this show from their channel. I am very disappointed that they would put such a terrible show on this channel. if I could rate it a zero I would. Many of my friends feel the same way, and I send in money to keep the Britcoms running, and all other good shows on WLIW,do I have a vote on this to remove Spy since I am a contributor I have called WLIW, and asked them if they could kindly remove this dumb show and I guess they just humor me. PBS stations has too many Pledge Weeks.