London Spy is Worth Watching

First things first, as I've mentioned before, I will often listen to a number of movie and television related review shows. And one of my favorites, The Watch with Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald, recently recommended London Spy. For those, like me, who have never heard of this show before, check out the trailer below.

This show is a combination of Luther, Hannibal, and Sherlock and I think if you liked any of those aforementioned shows, or all 3, you will like this show. Ben Wishaw as Danny is quite good although there are some instances throughout the show where he reaches conclusions a little bit too quickly for my taste. That, however, has nothing to do with the actor but rather the screenplay. This device occurs in certain moments in Luther as well where Luther, played by Idris Elba, reaches a conclusion unbelievably quickly. This does happen in Sherlock as well, but I mean, come on, it's Sherlock Holmes.

Despite that, the performance of Wishaw and Jim Broadbent, playing Scottie, are exemplary. These two share several scenes in which their connection is nearly tangible. It's also quite refreshing to see a mystery in which the protagonist is gay and this mini-series does not shy away from this fact.

Tom Rob Smith, who wrote Child 44, which is an excellent read, directed this show and is openly gay as well. Smith depicts a side of London that many may not be privy to as he shows the viewers his on perspective on London. The locations themselves are worth watching within this mini-series as the show appears alive and breathing.

The only issue I had with this show was it's overall British-ness. It's fairly slow, the enemy is all knowing and all powerful, and some of the supporting characters outside of Wishaw and Broadbent, seem barely alive. There is a scene when Wishaw leaves Ms. Turner, played by Lorraine Ashbourne, stirring soup on a stove top only to find her once again when he seeks her out stirring soup on a stove top. Does she do anything else? Another scene occurs when Danny is picked up by Rich, played by Mark Gatiss, who manages to locate Danny in a vast city fairly easily. Rich, by the way, is not a spy and does not possess any spy like qualities, he just somehow finds Danny.

All in all, I did enjoy this show but it would benefit from less creepiness and more reality. Also, the last scene wasn't as good as it could have been. Seen the show? Let me know what you think and if you haven't give it a watch and let me know what you think.