Episode #1.1

The BBC once more dipped into a John le Carré novel. This time they seem to have come unstuck. A Perfect Spy is not held in the same regard as Tinker Tailor...

A Perfect Spy is partly autobiographical about le Carré's upbringing. The story is about Magnus Pym, a British intelligence officer who might have been a double agent.

The first episode is all about Magnus Pym as a boy. His childhood and his relationship with his father Rick (Ray McAnally.) A charismatic con man and an all round rogue.

After his father Rick sent to jail for embezzlement. His mother Dorothy takes Magnus to live with his uncle. A stern abusive man who hates kids. He also hated Rick.

When his mother his hospitalised, Magnus learns how to fake an epileptic fit to be hospitalised and get out of the house.

Luckily, if that is the word. Rick turns up and uses his son to con old ladies. By this time the war is on and life is an adventure for young Magnus.

When Magnus ends up at public school. He tells tall tales about his father's wartime record and is not above taking revenge for being called out of it by other students.

The first episode is well made, with wonderful BBC production values. Yet outside of McAnally's excellent performance. I just did not take to Magnus. I can see his childhood experience would shape his adult life but not sure it was worthy of an an entire episode.