Blog On The Motorway

Wednesday nights are shaping up to be the most tellytastic fun you can have basking in the glow of the small screen. Last night saw the new series of Spooks join the ranks of True Blood and Generation Kill to create an unholy triumvirate of class entertainment.

Warning! Spoilers ahead.

Last night’s return of Spooks heralded the start of Series 8 of the British spy drama that oh-so-wants to be American.  Ordinarily I re-watch the previous series before a new one so I can get myself clued back in to exactly what has been happening.  I wasn’t able to this year, and so I spent the first 20 minutes trying to remember exactly what had happened the year before. 

It soon came flooding back, as did all the familiar Spooks cliches. MI5 section chief Harry has been kidnapped, by MI6, the CIA and Indian intelligence no less, all trying to get hold of Uranium that Harry had hidden from them (presumably in his back pocket, or under his mattress) and so the hunt was on to get him and ex-cast member Ruth back. It was lovely to see Ruth, played by Nicola Walker, back again, and the centrepiece scene where she is threatened with the life of her new family was genuinely moving.  I hope she’s back for good.

Yes, it was all a bit silly and predictable, and to be honest I was expecting at least one major character death, but we also saw the exit for one of my favourite characters, Malcolm, who seems to have been the only cast member to have survived long enough to take genuine retirement.  It wasn’t the best episode ever, but it was solid enough, and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series holds.

Ten o clock and time to change to Channel 4, and their weekly dose of double HBO goodness. True Blood is my favourite new show in some time. Witty, dark, and utterly bewitching, this series has more original characters in it than most series manage in their entire run, and it’s only just starting its first series.

What I love most about this show is the twists they have managed to put on the vampire mythos. Every vampire show needs to put their own stamp on the world of Stoker’s creation, and there are some neat touches here, particularly the way that vampire blood has intoxicating effects on humans, and is known on the street as ‘V juice.’  Last night saw vacant bumbling sex addict and murder suspect Jason (brilliantly played by Ryan Kwanten) high on V juice and seeing rainbows and sparklers with a wide eyed innocence that was hilarious.

Following on from True Blood, and threatening to make sure I am shattered every Thursday until it finishes, is David Simon’s Generation Kill.  If True Blood represents a new high in escapist fantasy, Generation Kill sets a new benchmark in gritty realism that manages to wrestle your attention and hold it steady throughout.

An epic tale of how America managed to fuck up almost everything it did on its way into Iraq told through the eyes of the Marines having to carry out the ludicrous orders, it’s just brilliant.  The characters feel so utterly real, the sparse action sequences so tense as to have you holding your breath for the duration.

Like all of the shows, however, this is anchored by some tremendous performances, particularly those of Alexander Skarsgard as Sergeant Brad ‘Iceman’ Colbert, whose world weary view of the madness around him anchors the show, and James Ransome (The Wire’s Ziggy in season 2) as Corporal Josh Ray Person, whose caustic and sick wit undercuts the dramatic narrative at every opportunity.

I swear, if anyone makes me do anything other than sit at a television screen on a Wednesday night before these shows finish, it could very well mean brutal and bloody death for those concerned.