Counter-Measures, Series 2

The second “series” moves the action on to 1965, consisting of two mostly stand-alone stories book-ended by two linked by past misdeeds. For the most part, the '60s atmosphere continues to be of the series strongest selling points, reflecting, if not necessarily the reality, at least the action TV shows of the day. There's also some good character development, particularly for Sir Toby and Alison; the former is once again shown to be far from trustworthy, and frequently operating from his own hidden agenda. In this respect, indeed, it's probably fair to say that it exceeds the quality of many of the TV shows that inspired it...

* Manhunt
The series starts in media res, with Gilmore on the run from the authorities, and his replacement at Counter-Measures determined to bring him in. It will probably surprise nobody to discover that he is innocent of the murder he is accused, but the story as to what has actually happened is murky indeed. While the story does have science fiction elements, they take a while to become apparent, and, for a while, we have not only the murder mystery, but a complex story of an attempt to infiltrate the Counter-Measures group, intertwined with the politics of the day. Themes of women's lib eventually turn out to be significant, and are (thankfully) not handled the way that they very well might have been in an actual TV show made in the era. 4 stars.

* The Fifth Citadel
A mystery illness affecting crypt workers and cleaners on the London Underground leads to a secret underground bunker. The themes here are the linked issues of nuclear power and nuclear disarmament, in a world only a few years out from the Cuban Missile Crisis. (The issue was, perhaps, in decline by 1965, and wouldn't flare up again until the 1980s, but it was hardly irrelevant). The setting is atmospheric, being largely split between darkened tunnels and a night-time graveyard, and with some gruesome touches here and there. Guest star Celia Imrie is, as one might expect, excellent as the scientist in charge of the bunker and its deadly secret. 4.5 stars.

* Peshka
The team heads to an international chess tournament in Amsterdam to arrange the defection of a Russian player with information on a Soviet program to utilise psychic powers. On unfamiliar ground, they make a number of blunders, and are soon at each others' throats. It didn't take me long to work out at least the general idea of what was going on and who was behind it, but suffice it to say that events are more complex than they initially appear. We're very much into Cold War paranoia here, and, the psychic powers aside, there's something of a spy thriller vibe to the story. The ending, in particular, works rather well – tying into a number of real-world historical events – and we get to see some of the darker side of the main characters. But it's still probably the weakest of the four episodes. 3 stars.

* Sins of the Fathers
A more or less direct sequel to “Manhunt”, this sees Sir Toby at his most duplicitous as he tries to keep a lid on some of the fallout of that episode. Initially investigative, the story nonetheless includes rather a lot of action as the main antagonist threatens those around him, and the authorities don't do much better. The ‘60s feel, while not absent, perhaps comes less to the fore in this episode, which focuses more on the individual characters and on the established events already built up in the previous episode. On the bright side, this does mean that there's some good characterisation of the leads in amidst the violence. 4 stars.