Spooks Complete BBC Series 8 [DVD) (REGION 2, UK VERSION)DVD
The series opens at breakneck speed; Harry is missing - possibly dead - and in the course of finding him the team enjoys a welcome return of an old friend while another decides to retire from the grid. Spooks thrives on characters changing, whether of their own volition or not, and another long-standing member leaves later in the series. Once again there's a thread running throughout the series, this time there's a sinister conspiracy called Nightingale. It's kind of like Yalta from series six, but with different players and less of a twist in the final episode. From the moment the conspiracy's mentioned it's obvious that Lucas' love interest is involved. Sarah Caulfield - who possesses a wandering accent - has few redeeming features but does at least hurl someone to their death, which is handy to remember her by. Entertainingly, on one of the commentaries when the discussion turns to whether Sarah Caulfield went down well the disinterested answer is ' I don't really know'. Ros, the highlight of several series, has a disappointing presence this time around. Played excellently by Hermione Norris the character has largely lost the ice cold humour that distinguished her from the rest of the team. It isn't until the final episode that the humour returns in force. The final episode is a return to form, with an ending that evokes the 'did they make it out ok? ' feeling of old. But too often in the series Ros, Harry and Jo seem like little more than devices to move the Lucas/ Sarah story along. While we're looking at the D V D extras it has to be said that they aren't outstanding. The highlight is watching Ros running out of an exploding building. Then there's the Sarah death toss featurette. Less impressive are the commentaries, as all involved sound bored. Compared to previous series, it isn't an impressive offering.
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