METTEL RAY

Thursday Movie Picks Television Edition: Spies

When I saw this theme on this year’s list, I was a little nervous. Because no matter how hard I thought about it, I didn’t come up with many shows which featured spies. So I actually watched a little bit of one to make this list complete for this week. Find out what and if I will continue.

1. NIKITA (2010-2013)

Now, I hardly remember this plot to show, except that Shane West looked hot and Maggie Q was badass. And the main point was that Maggie Q’s character was set to destroy the organisation that trainer her to be a spy/assassin. What I can remember is the fact that I shipped Q and West so bad, that I was tuning in every week just so I could see them both in action. So yes, it’s not the strongest of show plot wise, but I did enjoy watching it.

2. THE AMERICANS (2013-2018)

This is the show I started to watch in order to add it to the list. I’m a few episodes in and I’m actually enjoying it a lot. I’ll definitely continue it, even though it’s a little out of my usual comfort zone. The performances are good, and the plot is rather intriguing. In a nutshell, it’s about this couple, who are actually Russian spies, pretending to be a wholesome American family. One of them is more focused on the mission than the other, and well, then there’s the FBI agent, who just moved in across the street.

3. CHUCK (2007-2012)

This is a fun comedy about a geek, who accidentally downloads all the government secrets into his brain! So a sci-fi fantasy but it’s mostly realistic! Zachary Levi and Yvonne Starhovski are fabulous, and share great chemistry throughout the shows’ 5 season run. It has a slightly stupid sidekick Morgan, it has a caring sister and her perfect husband, and it has a grumpy guy as well! It’s just a really fun and entertaining show, that I actually really miss.

 THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES

mettelray

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12 responses to “Thursday Movie Picks Television Edition: Spies”

  1. Joel Avatar
    Joel

    I’ve been curious about The Americans but waited to long to get into it to be a regular viewer but I’m tempted to binge watch and catch up. I’ve heard of the other two but have seen neither. So I’m 0 for 3 this time.

    Since 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.

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      I’ve only heard good things about The Americans so I think you would enjoy it. I’m about 4 episodes in, and the show is starting to find its footing and I’m really enjoying it.

      Reply
  2. Brittani Avatar
    Brittani

    This week was hard for me too. I had to stretch it. lol

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      Some weeks are, especially when the TV show editions really narrow down the theme to something so specific. 😀

      Reply
  3. Birgit Avatar
    Birgit

    I did catch a couple of shows of Nikita but i didn’t find it as good as the Canadian one that was on in the early 2000’s. I haven’t seen the other 2 but The Americans sounds quite good and the 80’s was my heyday:). I heard of Chuck but never wanted to see it…maybe one day

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      Canadian Nikita?! Whaaaat! checks it out

      Reply
  4. Sonia (A Film A Day) Avatar
    Sonia (A Film A Day)

    I loved Chuck so much! I haven’t seen the others but I liked the Canadian version of Nikita when I was a kid.

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      Second person to mention the Canadian Nikita and I’m like, whaaat!? I have to see it, because Canadian shows usually never disappoint me!

      Reply
  5. Wendell W Ottley Avatar
    Wendell W Ottley

    I’ve not seen any of these, save for a few minutes here and there of Nikita. For shame, I know.

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      I would think The Americans is the best from this list, and you would have enjoyed it.

      Reply
  6. Sofia da Costa Avatar
    Sofia da Costa

    Awww Chuck was such a cute show, Levy is the best. 😍

    Reply
    1. MettelRay Avatar
      MettelRay

      I know right! I had completely forgotten about that show, but when I researched this theme, I recalled only good memories about that show! Don’t know if I’d ever rewatch it though. Maybe jut the first season.

      Reply

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