MI-5: Vol. 5

Now in its fifth season, MI-5 continues to retains its seemingly impossible-to-achieve status as one of the smartest, most intelligent, and most dramatic shows you'll ever see. "MI-5, a domestic intelligence service composed of a group of British citizen individuals who join "5" to help "defend the realm," is set apart from the external security service, "MI-6," which focus more on international and extra-national concerns that may impact the security of the UK. Under its mandate, MI-5 deals with economic, terrorist, civil uprisings, or even any externally originating threat that has found its way back to the UK. The series introduces us to all kinds of real-world threats--both potential and operationally in motion--and shows how the members of "5" must react in order to counter and/or eliminate these threats. The series is so well written, produced, directed, filmed, and acted that each episode is more of a 60-minute movie than a television episode. The drama, intrigue, intelligent stories, and, yes, action, establish the series as a standout among even the often high-achieving BBC (already the producer of many world-class shows), making it with little doubt one of the best shows of this nature ever made.Season Five maintains, and in some ways, surpasses the drama of the previous seasons by opening up an entirely new line of threat to the country which involves both organizational and personal "baggage" from members of both "5" and "6." As is the case in a number of the later seasons (particularly seasons 5 - 9), the story line weaves an intricate and complex path throughout the episodes, making it requisite that one watch these in order to receive maximum impact and understanding. But I must admit incredulity that the show could surpass the amazing job it has already done in the previous four seasons. I liken the show to one of those plate twirlers who gets a plate spinning up in the air at the top of one of those skinny sticks, and while you are trying to understand how he is doing it, starts another plate stirring on a second stick while keeping the first going. And then, to your incredulity, he adds yet a third plate on a third stick, and now maintains all three plates. You scratch your head with amazement even as you watch him keep all three plates twirling on those sticks, and yet he does it right in front of you. Yet the Fifth Season of MI-5 is just like that: there appears to be no limits to the manner in which the show can continue to exceed itself.Again, because of the complexity and the intellectual development of characters (as well as the plots themselves), it is best to watch MI-5 in order by both season and episode, with no skipping of episodes, and this makes the DVD release of the show perhaps the very best manner in which to view the production. The DVDs allow you to step your way through each season, episode by episode, thereby viewing the show in the manner in which it was intended to be viewed. This gives you the ability to watch how characters are developed, and to better gain an understanding of how the MI-5 Section D group works. With the exception of the very first episode of Season One (the first episode is really not up to the standards of all the remaining ones, an issue attributable to the difficulties inherent in plot development) the shows are incredibly exciting, but also intelligently written in a way that will make you re-think the issues surrounding the role of the security forces in countries, what actions should and should not be allowed, the best way to address classes of threats, the implications for a free society when eliminating threats, the intersection of political and security concerns, and much more. You might at first glace think that MI-5, as an entertainment production, would be no more than that; but MI-5 is certainly more than a simple entertainment show. Be prepared to be entertained, but also mentally stimulated.This is a truly amazing show. It's easily seven stars out of five. And the prices of the discs have come down dramatically from earlier years. But don't forget: you need to watch these in order, starting with Season One. If you haven't seen it yet, start with Season One, work your way through that first not-so-good episode, and then watch the thing take of a like a jet. You'll be hooked by the time you get to the end of the first season, and the second set won't arrive at your doorstep quickly enough.The Seasons: MI-5, Volume 1 MI-5, Volume 2 MI-5, Volume 3 MI-5, Volume 4 MI-5: Volume 5 MI-5, Volume 6 MI-5, Volume 7 MI-5: Volume 8 Mi-5: Volume 9 Volume 10 not yet released (Dec 2011)

Now in its fifth season, MI-5 continues to retains its seemingly impossible-to-achieve status as one of the smartest, most intelligent, and most dramatic shows you'll ever see. "MI-5," a domestic intelligence service composed of a group of British citizen individuals who join "5" to help "defend the realm," is set apart from the external security service, "MI-6," which focus more on international and extra-national concerns that may impact the security of the UK. Under its mandate, MI-5 deals with economic, terrorist, civil uprisings, or even any externally originating threat that has found its way back to the UK. The series introduces us to all kinds of real-world threats--both potential and operationally in motion--and shows how the members of "5" must react in order to counter and/or eliminate these threats. The series is so well written, produced, directed, filmed, and acted that each episode is more of a 60-minute movie than a television episode. The drama, intrigue, intelligent stories, and, yes, action, establish the series as a standout among even the often high-achieving BBC (already the producer of many world-class shows), making it with little doubt one of the best shows of this nature ever made.Season Five maintains, and in some ways, surpasses the drama of the previous seasons by opening up an entirely new line of threat to the country which involves both organizational and personal "baggage" from members of both "5" and "6." As is the case in a number of the later seasons (particularly seasons 5 - 9), the story line weaves an intricate and complex path throughout the episodes, making it requisite that one watch these in order to receive maximum impact and understanding. But I must admit incredulity that the show could surpass the amazing job it has already done in the previous four seasons. I liken the show to one of those plate twirlers who gets a plate spinning up in the air at the top of one of those skinny sticks, and while you are trying to understand how he is doing it, starts another plate stirring on a second stick while keeping the first going. And then, to your incredulity, he adds yet a third plate on a third stick, and now maintains all three plates. You scratch your head with amazement even as you watch him keep all three plates twirling on those sticks, and yet he does it right in front of you. Yet the Fifth Season of MI-5 is just like that: there appears to be no limits to the manner in which the show can continue to exceed itself.Again, because of the complexity and the intellectual development of characters (as well as the plots themselves), it is best to watch MI-5 in order by both season and episode, with no skipping of episodes, and this makes the DVD release of the show perhaps the very best manner in which to view the production. The DVDs allow you to step your way through each season, episode by episode, thereby viewing the show in the manner in which it was intended to be viewed. This gives you the ability to watch how characters are developed, and to better gain an understanding of how the MI-5 Section D group works. With the exception of the very first episode of Season One (the first episode is really not up to the standards of all the remaining ones, an issue attributable to the difficulties inherent in plot development) the shows are incredibly exciting, but also intelligently written in a way that will make you re-think the issues surrounding the role of the security forces in countries, what actions should and should not be allowed, the best way to address classes of threats, the implications for a free society when eliminating threats, the intersection of political and security concerns, and much more. You might at first glace think that MI-5, as an entertainment production, would be no more than that; but MI-5 is certainly more than a simple entertainment show. Be prepared to be entertained, but also mentally stimulated.This is a truly amazing show. It's easily seven stars out of five. And the prices of the discs have come down dramatically from earlier years. But don't forget: you need to watch these in order, starting with Season One. If you haven't seen it yet, start with Season One, work your way through that first not-so-good episode, and then watch the thing take of a like a jet. You'll be hooked by the time you get to the end of the first season, and the second set won't arrive at your doorstep quickly enough.

I never saw Spooks when it first aired years ago as I was either going out or whatever so I saw the odd episode on Freeview not so long ago but with all the ghastly advert breaks (it must have been a joy to see on BBC where it first aired with no breaks..) so I have brought all the complete series now, one at a time, via Amazon. I find them very plausible, no realistic might be a better word and considering the news events since this series ended on TV - which we get to know about - perhaps too true to real life events in the real world. If ever there was time to bring back a series, it’s Spooks - great stories, writing and acting. Sadly missed but live on via DVD’s.

You can try to compare Spooks to US series like 24 but for me Spooks is on a whole different level to 24. After a few short series 24 is starting to go stale with the same kind of plots being played out season after season. The explosions get bigger but the bottom line is still the same. Spooks on the other hand seems to go from strength to strength with every passing season. Yes there are only 10 episodes per season but that gives you some idea of the amount of thought that goes into every episode. I think the reason Spooks gets stronger with every episode is because it doesn't rely on the explosions and gun-battles that 24 does to make an impact. Spooks relies on it's storyline, some fantastic acting and so much realism that you actually finish an episode thinking `bloody hell we're lucky to have them on our side'. In a word it's flawless.

Listing says Netherlands import with English Soundtrack which is wholly untrue. Bought as a Christmas present for my son which I’ve now found is unusable as its all in Dutch without any option to change to English. Incredibly disappointed, would leave 0 if I could.

There is something immensely satisfying about watching a boxed set of one of the best British dramas of recent years ... you don't have to wait until 'next time' to see what happens! Very satisfying, indeed!The acting is brilliant and the story-lines marvellously intriguing. the change in personnel over the 5 series has not disrupted the series, but, in my view, added to it's richness.All in all a 5-star watch! Looking forward to buying further series from Amazon!

KonnichiwaAs always an excellent production. Good acting, fab stories, good choreography and full of exciting, edge of the seat thrills with lots of twists and turns.Would recommend to everyone. Simply, a great series. enjoy!sayonaraps - the film Ninja (Australian production) is the worst film ever made, it should be withdrawn from rent/sale.