Secret State

As my summary suggests, this was a bit of a mixed bag.

The show is by no means perfect. It plays to some very old stereotypes in these situations... that everyone is very posh, in it for themselves, that women have to be aggressive and man-like. The moustache-twirling is used to very high degrees.

It of course also takes very broad and simplistic positions on many topics, as it is only a four episode series.

But at its core is an interesting mystery/political thriller, and a good mix of dynamics between government, big business and the banks. Gabriel Byrne is great and distracts from some of the narrative issues well, and delivers West Wing–like speeches at times, and supporting actors such as Ruth Negga provide good turns even if their roles are limited.

One review commented that it was made for stupid 14 year olds, which is the classic way of putting down others by saying if you like it you are clearly a stupid child. However, that reviewer takes things far too seriously. Commenting that in a national tragedy a deputy prime minister wouldn't waste his time going to speak to local residents just shows that he was looking for issues within the first five minutes of the show.

If you crave reality, or accuracy to minute detail, then this show isn't for you. It's fiction at the end of the day. Realistic it isn't, but it does give food for thought and is an entertaining mini series.

I found this series searching the web for political drama. Watching it is a very positive experience.

Filmed in 2011 or so the setting is UK in the present time. Lots of unfortunate events happen at one time. The 4 part series is about the political reaction to those events. Happenings and reactions are realistic enough to be relevant although cutting it fine on the dramatic side. Most relevant modern popular political topics are in the series, like terrorism, government surveillance, political infighting and moneys effect on politics.

Minuses are few, the biggest one being the series being way too short and compact :) Other minuses are ambiguities here and there and some minor connections between people and issues that seem a bit strange.

Acting is overall good. To me especially Gabriel Byrne playing the leading role does well.

In short this is must see if you like political drama.

Who do MI5 and MI6 work for? Who do GCHQ work for? Who do the MOD work for?

I thought it was the Government, or more relevantly, the British voters/public.

Accidental Prime Minister, Tom Dawkins, is of that view and the story follows his struggle against the self-serving to adhere to those values.

But it is an uphill struggling.

Worryingly, I believe the sort of unsupportive back stabbing antics of the likes of the reprehensible Ros Yelland and Felix Durrell, and then there was the sheer arrogance of banker Sir Michael Rix, who seemed quite happy to have the British public got to war just to make more money for himself.

Maybe there were aspects of the main story that were farfetched, at least I hope so, but the portrayal of Government, banking, corporate politics is of concern. I am not so sure this was fiction.

Gabrielle Byrne was excellent as Prime Minsister, Tom Dawkins. He would get my vote.

I don't really believe that journalist Ellis Kane would get so close to the PM so easily, nor that Agnes Evans could go undetected for so long.

I was confused that the American Petroflex Corporation was headed up by a Brit.

The most disappointing aspect of this drama was the ending.

It just finished on a cliff hanger, everything that had gone before left in the air. Was a second series int heir mind? It never came to fruition if it was.

I've watched a LOT of British drama and this up there with the very best of them. What a pity we only got (get) to see 4 episodes and only a hint of the conclusion. It would have been great to see this played out to it's conclusion. I just don't get to understand the nay sayers. A truly superb cast - an abundance of thespian heavy weights - and at the top is Gabriel Byrne of course. He lends more gravitas as the prime minister than most "real life actors". As a support, Chares Dance is of course superb. Definitely worth watching. I'd actually give it more stars if I could and watched the series twice.

Absolutely loved this honestly refreshing to see channel 4 producing a great series with a phenomenal cast, Yes the plot is a bit far-fetched the point of television is escapism and this is gripping and renews hope that your vote counts. Great message and Gabriel Byrne leads this role fantastically. Anyone who goes away and watches this will only be disappointed by the lack of episodes. The series is very short and leaves you desperately wanting more and I really hope a second series is on the cards. For the cynics of the world such as guardian writers they really haven't seen the point of this series. This series really captures the viewers imagination and reminds of hope and that is brilliant.