The State Within

I watched the first episode last night and it is certainly gripping. There seem to be a lot of story lines weaving around the central story. There are high production values and with the mixture of UK and US stars I expect this will gain and audience on both sides of the pond. There is International terrorism a la 9/11, diplomacy, internment, gay spies, CIA, MI6. I am not going to précis the story as it is as yet unfolding. Sharon Gless (Secretary of Defense Lynne Warner), was interviewed on Radio 4 this morning and according to her you will not get the full story until the final episode. She likened it to "The Sixth Sense". Stand by for more gripping episodes.

We're at episode four - and I'm like a kid with a new book dying to get to the end and yet longing for the story to carry on indefinitely. A rare title - one that describes the film perfectly - states within at all levels; from political perversion to commercial greed to personal persuasion. A huge onion of a script!

The plot is an artistic reconciliation (thus far) - the more complex the situations become,the more clearly we can distinguish personal facets of characters. But I think that there are yet some darker horses preparing for a gallop.

The story started fairly slowly and we were able to watch as individuals were drawn into the web of lies and deceit, many simply there to be trapped and killed. However I'm not sure whether or not we've met the master weaver yet or whether that will remain a mystery even after the final title has rolled.

I'm not worried about the end being a let down - unless Britain (or any other country for that matter) suddenly produces Sir Lancelot - and I don't think that's likely to happen.

I hope you've not missed it! If you have - watch out for the second showing - this is a really big treat.

I have to admit I was very, very hopeful when I added "The State Within" to the top of my netflix queue. Stellar cast, BBC production. But sometimes you never know. However I must admit I was extremely surprised at how much I enjoyed the series.

It's six hours long and you have to pay attention because it has some great twists and turns and moments that will make you gasp out loud. As you watched the spectacle unfold you couldn't help but see the parallels to today's political climate and it just makes you...sad. Jason Isaacs was brilliant -- he's a far more talented actor then I had ever imagined. Of course, all I have to compare him to is Harry Potter, but I had no idea he had such presence, such ability, such range. The ending catches you completely off-guard. Whew.

With so much over-hyped mediocrity about we often here claims that programmes get better with every episode - but in this case it really is true! Absolutely riveting stuff this. Tightly scripted, lots of characters with ambiguous motives, very little is cut and dried, but with still enough "boo hiss" baddies to satisfy. It's not very often we get to see a political thriller where anything could happen, to any of the leading characters, at any time and this helps to build on, and at least maintain, the tension and sense of threat throughout.

Only into the third episode, but this is already a classic. I really hope it doesn't peter out or cop out towards its conclusion. But I have a funny feeling it won't disappoint. The only reason this didn't get a 10 from me is because I've not seen it all yet.

The excellent finale last night was indeed a fine conclusion to super series. Good to see the beeb produce yet more high quality and original programming.

As seems to be the way in all TV and Film these days there was a classic twist - you never saw this one coming.

Terrific performances by the lead players, I was especially impressed by Ben Daniels (Brocklehurst) whose last contribution was in 'Doom'and the lamentable 'Cutting It', again on the BBC.

A tense and gripping script which had me hooked from the start and did not let up the entire 6 episodes, and some of the political manoeuvring was an art to behold. (more 'West Wing' than 'Yes Minister') Great bit of drama I'd definitely watch again.