We conclude our Spooks blog, where we’ve been rewatching the first series at a manageable pace of two episodes each week, with the final two episodes.

If you don’t already have access to Series 1, the boxset is currently a bargain here…

> Buy the Series 1 boxset on Amazon.

Series 1 Episodes 5 & 6

Originally aired: Monday 10th June 2002 / Monday 17th June 2002

The ones where: The murky world of politics becomes even more so when a fallen politician’s memoirs threaten to reveal some dirty secrets. Zoe is struggling, but will she come clean? Guest starring Hugh Laurie as Harry’s MI6 counterpart, Jools Siviter.

We learn a bit about Harry’s time in Northern Ireland, Tessa’s actions come back to bite her, and Tom takes his work home with him – with potentially devastating results.

Series 1 Episode 5

Revenge, Russian spies, illegal arms, and political machinations. This episode has them all, and is testament that knowledge is power.

When former politician Hampton Wilder is released from prison, he’s whisked straight to a secret meeting and reveals he’s written his memoirs – filled with explosive claims that could topple government minister Richard Maynard.

The underground meeting between Harry, Wilder and Tessa comes complete with confessions and champagne, and some great back and forth repartee. Unfortunately, Wilder’s manuscript has gone missing and it needs to be found so it doesn’t become public.

Meanwhile, Tom’s relationship with Ellie becomes more complicated when her ex-husband returns, and you can’t really blame her for questioning his job. False identities and risks, which are all in a day’s work for an MI5 officer, are hardly conducive to a healthy personal life.

Danny also has problems on the home front, Zoe is finding it difficult to deal with the knowledge Tessa is running phantom agents, and Tessa displays more risk-taking behaviour in a secret affair with Maynard.

Seeing Harry play the game, deftly manipulating politicians and members of his own team, it’s a surprise to learn that Harry and company have been played by MI6, courtesy of Jools Siviter, and Richard Maynard’s allegiances lay with the CIA.

House’s Hugh Laurie as Siviter is one of Spooks‘ stand out guest stars, and never more so than in this episode. Laurie appears to revel in the role, with biting humour almost every time he opens his mouth.

Best moment: Jools Siviter at the opera, and his response to the woman who didn’t appreciate the interruption caused by his mobile phone.

Best line: “MI5 doesn’t do evil, just treachery, treason and Armageddon.”

Series 1 Episode 6

Series 1’s finale has a great mix of scenes on the grid and action in the field, starting when Patrick McCann appears at an MI5 safe house and demands a meeting. He wants to trade information, and the team is at odds about how they should deal with him.

The meeting between Tom and McCann in a field is cleverly shot and has the feel of a bullfight with the bullfighter and bull circling each other. What McCann has to offer relates to a nuclear threat, but in return he wants MI5 to turn a blind-eye while the IRA does a ‘bit of business.’

Harry isn’t happy and is determined not to make any deals. Tom won’t accept that decision, and there’s a wonderful scene with Peter Firth portraying Harry in a temper. We also learn some of Harry’s back story when he explains why he is ‘a little emotional over Irish matters,’ which results in the team arguing, questioning Harry’s judgement, and playing out a decoy operation.

Also thrown into the mix is the showdown between Harry and Tessa, who gets her comeuppance, or is shafted, depending on your point of view. Harry doesn’t like being threatened, and takes no prisoners when he has Tessa removed from the premises.

When Tom discovers he has unwittingly taken home a laptop loaded with C4 explosive, a countdown begins and the tension is ramped up minute by minute, as Tom desperately tries to save Ellie and Maisy who are locked inside. The final, wordless seconds give us the first of many Spooks cliffhangers, and it’s a classic.

Best moment: That cliffhanger, as Tom and Ellie face each other waiting for the inevitable.

Best line: “We both know that the word of the IRA, whatever faction, is as permanent as a fart in a wind machine.”

What did you think of the episodes? Let us know below…