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London Spy starts on BBC Two - Monday 9 November - 9pm

505 replies

sadwidow28 · 05/11/2015 13:27

A new 5-part thriller is starting on BBC 2, 9th November at 9pm

A romance between an MI6 code genius and an ordinary man promises happiness. But tragedy strikes when the spy dies in suspicious circumstances, forcing his lover to pursue the truth behind his death.

Have a look at the trailers and write-ups and see if you fancy watching it and joining in this MN thread.

''You might be the most innocent person I know'' - This is a clip from episode 1: On a walk by the sea, Danny flirtatiously questions whether Alex did background checks on him before going on their date.

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ENtertainmentAppreciated · 02/12/2015 20:29

I also find the concept of lying absolutely fascinating. It's learned behaviour isn't it.

I am, rightly so I think, wholly mistrustful of politicians, mostly mistrustful in business, but in private life am fairly trusting and feel as though I have a reasonable level of judgement about when someone's telling me the truth.

I have no idea how this is going to conclude.

Fiderer · 03/12/2015 06:24

The concept of lying & the truth ( Grin ) of lying is a fascinating aspect of human behaviour.

But for a spy show I wanted something more concrete. A seasoned intelligence operator would be well versed in detecting lies & then there's the famous/infamous CIA love of polygraphs - which aren't foolproof Grin

I seem to be contradicting myself so I'll leave it with: international conspiracy with several intelligence agencies involved, yes. Brilliant mind leaves code to decipher & it's a device to tell if someone's lying, no thanks.

NotCitrus · 03/12/2015 08:05

The big reveal didn't convince me - lying isn't a mathematical problem! Turning data into numbers is hardly new, and to analyse even a few people would need enormous amounts of processing power, which GCHQ might have but Alex's laptop wouldn't. And then it would need years of testing to persuade anyone to be scared of it, and doesn't address the problem of misleading with the truth, nor people who convince themselves they are telling the truth. Analysing emails to see if there are expected similar messages and words or if some might be code is the sort of thing that's been done since before email! If they'd just left it as he'd found a mathematical shortcut to hugely reduce time taken to analyse messages, it would have been a lot more convincing.
Shame really - it's otherwise wonderful, but reminds me of Zadie Smith's White Teeth - excellent describing what she knows, then went into a totally implausible plot about an escaped transgenic mouse.

also I didn't catch what the code was, but if it was 0000000001, surely anyone finding such a thing would try setting it to 0000000000 then 1, 2, 3 for a bit before concluding it would take years?

Poor Scottie. Love Harriet Walter.

Elendon · 03/12/2015 09:13

Regarding lying and child development, my son is autistic and he passed this developmental milestone, hence he really isn't able to lie convincingly. Lying happens I think, in order to pass blame onto others initially. EG. Little Billy hit me - to which the reply, understandably is, I did not! Both are convincing, but who is the liar?

Children are very perceptive at this age at picking up the cues, both vocal and visual from adult responses to this scenario.

It's interesting that Alex said he didn't believe in the concept of having a soulmate because of the irrational computations needed in terms of humans on the planet. Yet he goes on to develop a formula built on words and numbers to detect lying - highly complex but perhaps doable. He also really couldn't lie himself (which is why I think the attic death scene is a set up).

SheHasAWildHeart · 03/12/2015 09:14

reminds me of Zadie Smith's White Teeth - excellent describing what she knows, then went into a totally implausible plot about an escaped transgenic mouse.
This really made me laugh. White Teeth is one of my fave books and I did my MA dissertation on it, but yes I totally get what you mean.

Elendon · 03/12/2015 09:16

Sorry meant to say he missed the developmental milestone, to avoid any doubt.

NotCitrus · 03/12/2015 12:18

wildheart I lived near Willesden when I read White Teeth, and got attacked by Mad Mary once. Now work round Vauxhall/Lambeth Bridge so often try to guess who might be a spy! Walking into the MI5/6 buildings is a clue...

JustCallMeDory · 06/12/2015 12:30

Not long to go before the final episode. Anyone want to hazard a few predictions?

Original poster
sadwidow28 · 06/12/2015 15:52

I'll start:

  • Alex isn't dead but he had to kill another spy so staged the entire thing in the attic
  • Alex's parents (not the pretendy ones) are not his parents either; they are MI5
  • Marcus Shaw is also MI5/6 and he knew that Alex was working on the code and what he said about 'lying' is NOT true. It is actually a code for something else much more significant.
  • Danny has to be put in a safe house by the detective
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EvenGirlCowsGetTheBlues · 06/12/2015 17:13

Oops ... apologies have not had a chance to get back to this thread from my post the other day with the BEN / GRANDMA'S HOUSE spoof ... it is just so bloody funny!

Yes, it is RAMSAY BOLTON/RAMSAY SNOW aka IWAN RHEON.

@iwanrheon
facebook.com/iwanrheon
iwanrheon.com

And, if you would like some more Ben triv then check him out in BEAT.

beatthefilm.com/about/
wearecolony.com/beat/

Enjoy.

x

theshitestuff · 06/12/2015 19:13

Marking my place

Not that I can watch it tomorrow night dammit!

SheHasAWildHeart · 07/12/2015 11:12

Article in the Guardian today about the questions that still need answering - no spoilers.

"London Spy has lived in the gap between plot and subtext – between what it’s about, and what it’s really about. It’s really about self-knowledge, and how lovers try to know each other while lying about themselves."

Can't wait for final episode - but sad it'll be over.

JustCallMeDory · 07/12/2015 12:00

Thanks wildheart that's a good sum-up. I agree, it's been all about the personal relationships, with a bit of spy/thriller thrown in for a hook.

sadwidow I think Alex's parents are his real parents, but I've no idea what his mother's involvement is.

Sadly, I also think Alex is dead, but I really want to be proved wrong.

Will we find out why, if "they" killed Alex and Scottie they haven't bothered killing Danny - or do "they" think they've done it with the HIV infection?

Questions, questions.

Gruach · 07/12/2015 12:16

It's been lovely - but I'm becoming accustomed to TV and radio disappointment ...

EnthusiasmDisturbed · 07/12/2015 14:41

I am really looking forward to watching the last episode tonight

I still think Scottie knew more than he let on, or have we all been fooled and they are all jumping to conclusions as they don't want to know the truth

Hope Charlotte Rampling is in it tonight she is such a great actress

Room101isWhereIUsedToLive · 07/12/2015 20:00

Just rewatching episode two, charlotte rampling phones the moment that Danny is confronting the false parents. Umm, how did she know?!?

Original poster
sadwidow28 · 07/12/2015 20:59

Are we all ready?

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MuchasSmoochas · 07/12/2015 21:42

On it SW! Struggling to understand why the female DI referred to a "He" in the tunnel re HIV test? Am a bit behind.

ThursdayLastWeek · 07/12/2015 21:48

Woah. What's THIS?!

Tenpastlate · 07/12/2015 21:56

Horribly compelling

quirkychick · 07/12/2015 22:01

Ben Wishaw and Charlotte Ramping, what a combination.

Original poster
sadwidow28 · 07/12/2015 22:14

Well I am going to have to watch that again. I simply didn't follow all the ins and outs.

Yes, I noticed the DI say "Him". She said "I visited the nurse who took your blood sample. I was curious because ..... it's not procedure. So I asked a straight forward question: Why did you do it? This man was afraid. Afterwards, I'd barely left the room, my phone rings - it's my superiors - demanding to know why I'm interrogating him."

So I recall it was a female nurse/doctor who did the HIV testing, but I am now wondering if we ever saw the nurse who took the police blood sample.

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mineallmine · 07/12/2015 22:16

Was that the last episode???

Original poster
sadwidow28 · 07/12/2015 22:17

Yes it was the last episode. I just don't think it has concluded 'naturally'.

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MuchasSmoochas · 07/12/2015 22:18

WTF??!! A bit Thelma and Louise at the end. That was the worst episode! Still enjoyed it but seriously? And no one thought to go and help Mrs Mop?