Thursday Movie Picks - TV Edition: Spies
1) 13 Reasons Why
Tony was a semi-spy, watching Clay and making sure he listened to all of Hannah's tapes. Sure, he wasn't reporting to anyone but his creeper game was pretty strong. This series, though it dragged a bit was really good and was there for me during a really tough time. I'll always have a soft spot for it.
2) Waco
This excellent mini series that aired earlier this year had a spy in Jacob Vazquez, an agent sent as a plant to get a look inside a cult. Of course, no one listened to him and well...you know what happened.
3) Agent Carter
Now for a show where spies were a focal point. I absolutely loved Agent Carter and I cannot believe ABC cancelled it. Seriously? With all the other trash they air? This show was awesome.
We match Agent Carter! That show was so good I still can't believe they cancelled it. I would have never thought of 13 Reasons Why.
ReplyDeleteI will never get over losing Agent Carter after two seasons. Bullllllllllllllllllllllshit.
DeleteI never even heard of 13 Reasons. Waco sounds good but i didn't see it. I wanted to see Agent Carter but never got a chance and have no clue why they cancelled it since I heard nothing but raves. I thought it was doing well.
ReplyDeleteThey cancelled it because the ratings didn't justify the production cost but they made it a winter show. Had it been given a better release schedule I think it would've done better.
DeleteOh dear I've seen none of these but then I don't watch much regularly scheduled television anymore. I had heard much praise for Agent Carter but then poof it was gone before I could check it out. I'll have to see if it's available somewhere.
ReplyDeleteSince the 60’s was a wonderland of spy series thanks to the success of James Bond I decided to do a theme within a theme of just those shows. All three have singular memorable opening music and credits.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964-1968)-A two-man troubleshooting team, American Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Russian Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) work for multi-national secret intelligence agency U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement) under the direction of Alexander Waverly (Leo G. Carroll). Week after week they combated the evil forces of THRUSH (Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity) alternating between throwing around villains and bon mots. Immensely popular in its day it spawned a spinoff series The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. as well as much merchandising. A stylish film version came out in 2015.
Mission: Impossible (1966-1973)-The Impossible Missions Force (IMF) lead a group of secret agents (including over time Leonard Nimoy, Martin Landau and Sam Elliott) lead by Dan Briggs (Steven Hill) in the first season and after that by Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) are given covert assignments each week via a self-destructing device. Using stealth and cunning as well as disguise much more than action they battle evil empires and crime lords. Tom Cruise has bastardized the franchise in a series of empty soulless action vehicles that have nothing to do with the original intelligent conception of the series.
It Takes a Thief (1968-1970)-High living but currently imprisoned cat burglar Alexander Munday (Robert Wagner) is released into the custody of Noah Bain (Malachi Thorne) head of the government’s Secret Intelligence Agency (SIA) with the understanding that he will steal whatever necessary (documents, formulas, etc.) to ensure national security. More of a high fashion romp than a tension fueled spy thriller this still had many intricate plots and a terrific chemistry between its two leads. It also had a fantastic array of guest stars including Bette Davis, Suzanne Pleshette (as a temperamental opera diva in one of the series best episodes), Leslie Nielsen and in the final season Fred Astaire as Mundy’s mischievous father, master thief Alistair.
I'm familiar with all of those but haven't seen any of them. Agent Carter is really worth the watch if you can find it.
DeleteAAAAAAAAAAH I LOOOOOOOOOOVED Agent Carter!!! I was so upset it got cancelled after the second season. I'm not all that surprised, as it looked expensive and period pieces led by female characters aren't exactly major draws for the comic book crowd, but the show was so much fun and Hayley Atwell was just fantastic. Stellar production & costume design and score, too! I WANT MORE!!!
ReplyDeleteI do too! They should've aired it during the fall or spring so more people could've watched it. Bitter. lol
DeleteAgent Carter. Best 2 season show... ever. Wished it had a third season as I just love everything about it. Plus, the stuff with Peggy and Jarvis was gold as I also love Dottie who was a great foe for Peggy.
ReplyDeleteThat scene in the first season where an assassin was trying to find Peggy and bumped into Dottie who saw the man's gun and was like "I want that". Then she did some sick parkour and killed the guy. I lost my shit after that.
Dottie was such a great foil for Peggy. Ugh, I miss that show.
DeleteI watched the whole first season of 13 Reasons Why and I would never have thought of that show. You're right, though. Tony did spend all his time spying on Clay. Haven't seen any of the other two shows.
ReplyDeleteAgent Carter is magnificent and should not have been cancelled.
DeleteNice picks! I could watch Agent Carter over and over again. Hayley did a marvelous job.
ReplyDeleteSAME!
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