66 posts tagged with espionage.
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The Agency: Hawk from a Handsaw  Season 1, Ep 3

Henry questions Martian's thinking. Bosko is briefed on a top-secret operation. Poppy makes a startling discovery. Martian confronts Sami about why she's in London and finds a needle in a haystack before a heated session with Dr. Blake.
posted by extramundane on Dec 7, 2024 - 0 comments

The Agency: Wooden Duck  Season 1, Ep 2

Dr. Blake arrives from Langley and is put to a test by Martian and Henry. A spooked source threatens to put an operation at risk. Danny's cover is put in play. Martian, overtaken by events, begins to question Sami's motives.
posted by extramundane on Nov 30, 2024 - 1 comment

The Agency: The Bends  Season 1, Ep 1

Season premiere. Adaptation of Le Bureau des Légendes. [more inside]
posted by extramundane on Nov 30, 2024 - 4 comments

Book: Authority by Jeff Vandermeer

In Authority, the second volume of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy, John Rodrigues (aka "Control") is the Southern Reach's newly appointed head. Working with a distrustful but desperate team, a cache of hidden notes, and hours of profoundly troubling video footage, Control begins to penetrate the secrets of Area X. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Sep 9, 2024 - 8 comments

Book: The Secret Hours

Two years ago, a hostile Prime Minister launched the Monochrome inquiry, investigating "historical over-reaching" by the British Secret Service. Monochrome’s mission was to ferret out any hint of misconduct by any MI5 officer—and allowed Griselda Fleet and Malcolm Kyle, the two civil servants seconded to the project, unfettered access to any and all confidential information in the Service archives in order to do so. But MI5’s formidable First Desk did not become Britain’s top spy by accident, and she has successfully thwarted the inquiry at every turn. Now the administration that created Monochrome has been ousted, the investigation is a total bust—and Griselda and Malcolm are stuck watching as their career prospects are washed away by the pounding London rain. Until the eve of Monochrome’s shuttering, when an MI5 case file appears without explanation. It is the buried history of a classified operation in 1994 Berlin—an operation that ended in tragedy and scandal, whose cover-up has rewritten thirty years of Service history. [more inside]
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol on Sep 15, 2023 - 3 comments

A Very Secret Service: Au service de la France  Season 0, Ep 0

In 1960 the French intelligence service hires 23-year-old André Merlaux, a handsome and intelligent, but impressionable man with much to learn. Au Service de la France is like a cocktail of James Bond, The Office and Mad Men if all three were transported to a French context and imbued with contemporary New Wave influences. First season appeared in 2014 and the second 2016. [more inside]
posted by rongorongo on Aug 29, 2023 - 8 comments

True Lies: Pilot  Season 1, Ep 1

An unfulfilled suburban housewife is shocked to discover that her bland and unremarkable computer consultant husband is a skilled international spy.
posted by porpoise on Mar 9, 2023 - 14 comments

Book: Jeeves and the King of Clubs

Storm clouds loom over Europe. Treason is afoot in the highest social circles. The very security of the nation is in peril. Jeeves, it transpires, has long been an agent of British Intelligence, but now His Majesty's Government must turn to the one man who can help . . . Bertie Wooster. [more inside]
posted by DowBits on Jan 23, 2023 - 5 comments

Movie: The Train

As the Allied forces approach Paris in August 1944, German Colonel Von Waldheim is desperate to take all of France's greatest paintings to Germany. He manages to secure a train to transport the valuable art works even as the chaos of retreat descends upon them. The French resistance, however, wants to stop them from stealing their national treasures. The station master, Labiche, is tasked with scheduling the train and making it all happen smoothly -- but he is also part of a dwindling group of resistance fighters tasked with preventing the theft. He and others stage elaborate ruses and more to keep the train from ever leaving French territory. JustWatch listing; leaving Amazon Prime in the US at the end of today, Nov 30.
posted by brainwane on Nov 30, 2022 - 10 comments

Kleo: Kleo  Season 1, Ep 0

Kleo is a young, idealistic East German assassin who is burned and sent to prison by her own people. After the Berlin Wall falls she is released from prison along with all political prisoners. She sets out to get revenge (and maybe some answers) from the people who burned her. [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule on Sep 2, 2022 - 19 comments

Movie: The Gray Man

When the CIA's most skilled mercenary known as Court Gentry, aka Sierra Six, accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, he becomes a primary target and is hunted around the world by psychopathic former colleague Lloyd Hansen and international assassins. A $200 million Netflix original directed by the Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame) and starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Regé-Jean Page, Billy Bob Thornton, and Alfre Woodard.
posted by DirtyOldTown on Jul 25, 2022 - 12 comments

Book: Bad Actors

A governmental think-tank, whose remit is to curb the independence of the intelligence service, has lost one of its key members, and Claude Whelan—one-time head of MI5's Regent’s Park—is tasked with tracking her down. But the trail leads straight back to the Park itself, with Diana Taverner as chief suspect. Has Diana overplayed her hand at last? What’s her counterpart, Moscow’s First Desk, doing in London? And does Jackson Lamb know more than he’s telling? Over at Slough House, with Shirley Dander in rehab, Roddy Ho in dress rehearsal, and new recruit Ashley Khan turning up the heat, the slow horses are doing what they do best, and adding a little bit of chaos to an already unstable situation… [more inside]
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol on May 14, 2022 - 2 comments

Mystery Science Theater 3000: AGENT FOR H.A.R.M.  Rewatch   Season 8, Ep 15

Rewatch! A spy tries to stop the release of a dangerous flesh-eating bacterium. I don't think this was intended to be a spoof, although the title makes it seem like it must be one. This is the episode where Mike is taken to Space Court for blowing up all those planets. Notably, Patrick Brantseg takes over performing the big purple robot with this episode. It's also the first episode Mike directed! Previously.
posted by JHarris on Mar 31, 2022 - 2 comments

Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Drumhead  Rewatch   Season 4, Ep 21

When a spy is discovered aboard the Enterprise, retired Admiral Norah Satie drums up some old-fashioned paranoia aboard the Enterprise. [more inside]
posted by CheesesOfBrazil on Feb 25, 2021 - 20 comments

Book: Slough House, by Mick Herron

At Slough House, Brexit has taken a toll. The slow horses have been pushed further into the cold, Slough House has been erased from official records, and its members are dying in unusual circumstances, at an unusual clip. No wonder Jackson Lamb’s crew is feeling paranoid. But are they actually targets? With a new populist movement taking hold of London’s streets and the old order ensuring that everything’s for sale to the highest bidder, the world’s a dangerous place for those deemed surplus. Jackson Lamb and the slow horses are in a fight for their lives as they navigate dizzying layers of lies, power, and death.
posted by The corpse in the library on Feb 14, 2021 - 5 comments

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Data's Day  Rewatch   Season 4, Ep 11

"Dear Dr. Maddox, As I write this, I am very sad. Our beloved transporter chief has been stood up at the altar— BY THE BENEVOLENT KEIKO. ALL HAIL KEIKO AND HER GLORIOUS ARBORETUM! Sincerely, Robot Man." [more inside]
posted by CheesesOfBrazil on Jan 21, 2021 - 18 comments

Book: The Catch, by Mick Herron (novella)

John Bachelor is the saddest kind of spy: not a joe in the field, not even a desk jockey, but a milkman—a part-time pension administrator whose main job is to check in on aging retired spies. Late in his career and having lost his wife, his house, and his savings after a series of unlucky choices, John's been living in a dead man's London apartment, hoping the bureaucracy isn't going to catch up with him and leave him homeless. But keeping a secret among spies is a fool's errand, and now John has made himself eminently blackmailable.
posted by The corpse in the library on Jan 30, 2020 - 1 comment

Book: Slow Horses, by Mick Herron

London, England: Slough House is where the washed-up MI5 spies go to while away what's left of their failed careers. The "slow horses," as they’re called, have all disgraced themselves in some way to get relegated here. Maybe they messed up an op badly and can't be trusted anymore. Maybe they got in the way of an ambitious colleague and had the rug yanked out from under them. Maybe they just got too dependent on the bottle—not unusual in this line of work. One thing they all have in common, though, is they all want to be back in the action. And most of them would do anything to get there─even if it means having to collaborate with one another. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library on Dec 6, 2019 - 11 comments

The Little Drummer Girl: Full Miniseries  Books Included   Season 1, Ep 1

Based on John le Carré’s best-selling literary masterpiece of the same name and directed by visionary filmmaker Park Chan-wook, The Little Drummer Girl weaves a suspenseful and explosive story of espionage and high-stakes international intrigue. Set in the late 1970s, the pulsating thriller follows Charlie, a fiery actress and idealist whose resolve is tested after she meets the mysterious Becker while on holiday in Greece. It quickly becomes apparent that his intentions are not what they seem, and her encounter with him entangles her in a complex plot devised by the spy mastermind Kurtz. Charlie takes on the role of a lifetime as a double agent while remaining uncertain of her own loyalties. AMC [more inside]
posted by myotahapea on Jan 28, 2019 - 14 comments

Star Trek: Enterprise: Two Days and Two Nights  Rewatch   Season 1, Ep 25

The crew of Enterprise attempt shore leave, with mixed results. [more inside]
posted by mordax on Jan 20, 2019 - 7 comments

Any interest in overthinking 'The Little Drummer Girl'?

This question refers specifically to the recent miniseries adaptation of the 1983 John le Carré novel of the same name. [more inside]
posted by myotahapea on Dec 19, 2018 - 5 comments

The Americans: Jennings, Elizabeth  Season 6, Ep 9

Stan catches up with Pastor Tim and Oleg, offers Philip his support, and shares his suspicions with Aderholt. Elizabeth watches over Nesterenko and does not have dinner with Claudia. Tatiana's latest operation goes badly. Paige learns more about the nitty gritty of her parents' spy operations. Philip meets up with Father Andrei. Elizabeth packs for a trip.
posted by orange swan on May 23, 2018 - 70 comments

The Americans: The Summit  Season 6, Ep 8

Philip brings Elizabeth up to speed on his spy activities. Elizabeth's nursing job comes to an end, and her relationship with Jackson takes several turns. Stan continues piecing together information and watching the Jennings. Renee gets notice of a job interview. Philip visits Stavos, tries on a new suit, and rents a video. Elizabeth questions an order from Claudia, and asks Philip to relay a message to Oleg.
posted by orange swan on May 16, 2018 - 52 comments

The Americans: Harvest  Season 6, Ep 7

Philip shares his worries over the failing business with Stan, then visits Chicago where the planned extraction of Harvest doesn't turn out quite as planned. Stan drives Henry to his friend's house and then visits the Jennings residence. At the FBI, Aderholt grieves over the failure of his operation while Stan begins to work a new theory. Erika gives Elizabeth another drawing lesson. Elizabeth briefs Paige. Philip reminisces about his wedding day.
posted by orange swan on May 9, 2018 - 41 comments

The Americans: Rififi  Season 6, Ep 6

Henry comes home for Thanksgiving, Aderholt updates Stan on counterintelligence's activities, Elizabeth goes to the movies and Chicago, Stan is grateful for his freedoms, and Philip makes some business decisions and corresponds with Oleg.
posted by orange swan on May 2, 2018 - 34 comments

The Americans: The Great Patriotic War  Season 6, Ep 5

Tatiana catches up with Oleg, Elizabeth gives Philip a good time and a work assignment, Stan gives Renee some career advice, Erika gives Elizabeth more lessons in drawing, Paige plays pinball and goes on the offensive against her intern boyfriend and his wingman, Stan visits Sofia with cake, Gennadi with pizza, and Philip for a beer, Philip tests Paige's sparring skills, Claudia, Elizabeth, and Paige talk about Russian history and their own history and test the merits of olive oil, and Philip's relationship with Kimmie takes a few new turns.
posted by orange swan on Apr 25, 2018 - 59 comments

The Americans: Mr. and Mrs. Teacup  Season 6, Ep 4

Oleg and Philip have their last chat, Elizabeth takes her best shot at getting the radiation sensor, Erika goes to a party, Paige enjoys a night out with a young man whom she thinks has potential, Philip has drinks with Stan and goes line dancing with Stavos, Arkady and Igor compare notes, Claudia has plans for Sofia and Gennadi's future, Kimmie has travel plans for herself, and Henry learns his future may not play out as planned.
posted by orange swan on Apr 18, 2018 - 40 comments

The Americans: Urban Transport Planning  Season 6, Ep 3

Philip, Elizabeth, and Paige conduct a post-mortem on the operation with Rennhull, Claudia, Elizabeth and Paige cook zharkoye, Elizabeth goes out for pizza and meets with a new target, Stan and Oleg catch up, Renee floats the idea of a career change by Stan, Philip gives his travel agents a pep talk, Sophia, Gennadi, and Ilya relocate, and Henry gets an assist.
posted by orange swan on Apr 11, 2018 - 37 comments

The Americans: Tchaikovsky  Season 6, Ep 2

Stan finds out an old friend of his is back in town, Philip loses a client, Erika and Glenn Haskard contemplate a difficult choice, Sofia and Gennadi experience marital difficulties, Elizabeth learns to draw on the right side of the brain, has lunch with one friend and a few nightly rendezvous with another, and Paige learns more about the scope of a spy's work.
posted by orange swan on Apr 4, 2018 - 31 comments

The Americans: The Soviet Division  Season 5, Ep 13

In the fifth season finale of The Americans, "the Eckarts" help Alexei and Evgheniya with a family emergency, Paige continues to work at the food pantry and work out in the garage, Sofia's fiancé takes a test, Elizabeth gives Tuan career advice, Jim tells Kimmy he's relocating, Elizabeth, Philip, and Stan all consider retirement, Martha considers a new venture, and Henry finds out he got into St. Edwards and is being awarded his scholarship, only to find out there's another obstacle. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on May 30, 2017 - 61 comments

The Americans: The World Council of Churches  Season 5, Ep 12

Pastor Tim tells Paige about his career plans, Elizabeth and Philip tell Claudia and Pastor Tim about their retirement plans, Sofia tells Beeman and Aderholt about her matrimonial plans, Oleg talks relationships with his investigators, sentencing with his boss, camp life with his mother, and shop with his father, Mischa has dinner with his uncle, Elizabeth and Evgheniya clip coupons, Paige tries to change up her accessories, Pascha comes home from school with a new look, Tuan comes up with a new plan, and Henry makes dinner. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on May 23, 2017 - 34 comments

The Americans: Dyatkovo  Season 5, Ep 11

Oleg and his co-worker continue their food police work, Philip parents two of his sons and reminisces about his own father, William receives his memorial, Philip and Elizabeth are told to track down a former Nazi collaborator, Henry meets the Mail Robot, and Elizabeth declares herself ready to make a life change. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on May 16, 2017 - 30 comments

The Americans: Darkroom  Season 5, Ep 10

Stan, Renee, Philip, and Elizabeth have dinner, Brad and Alexei have kvass, Tatiana has a chat with Evgheniya, Oleg talks to his co-worker and does not talk to his parents, Sofia tells Aderholt and Beeman about her boyfriend, Pasha is dealing with a shitty situation at school, Philip and Elizabeth tie the knot, and there are new developments arising from Paige's relationship with Pastor Tim. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on May 9, 2017 - 32 comments

The Americans: IHOP  Season 5, Ep 9

Oleg answers some questions and gets some answers, Philip listens to audio and consults a priest, Stan is faced with a new dilemma and visits Linh Gaad, Gabriel visits Martha, Kimmy celebrates her 17th birthday, Henry announces he wants to leave home, and Tuan leaves home. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on May 2, 2017 - 26 comments

The Americans: Immersion  Season 5, Ep 8

Elizabeth and Paige are kung-fu fighting, Stan considers taking up skydiving, Claudia handles Philip and Elizabeth, Oleg has unwelcome visitors, Beeman and Aderholt make lunch and dental visit arrangements for Sofia, Evgheniya takes up some extra-curricular activities with one of her students, Henry plays video games with friends, Pasha's only friend cooks up a plot against him, and Philip gets dumped. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Apr 25, 2017 - 22 comments

The Americans: The Committee on Human Rights  Season 5, Ep 7

As Paige becomes even more enmeshed in her parents' world, tensions with Matthew Beeman come to a head, Philip and Elizabeth's honeytraps take surprising turns, and Stan faces the consequences of overplaying his hand at the FBI. [more inside]
posted by LizBoBiz on Apr 19, 2017 - 28 comments

The Americans: Crossbreed  Season 5, Ep 6

Mischa takes the last leg of his fruitless journey, while his unknown father Philip learns more about his own father, Gabriel visits a friend and announces his retirement, Elizabeth is reminded of an old friend and takes up Tai Chi and psychiatry, Beeman and Aderholt may have finally made a new friend, Evgheniya has her picture taken, Henry updates Stan on who the mysterious Chris is and tells his parents he has no interest in the family business, Paige continues her induction into the family business, and Oleg makes an arrest and retreats to a rooftop to deal with the CIA's overtures. Soundtrack: Peter Gabriel. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Apr 11, 2017 - 45 comments

The Americans: Lotus 1-2-3  Season 5, Ep 5

Renee sees Romancing the Stone with Stan and Matthew, enjoys some pillow talk with Stan, and has drinks with Stan and Aderholt as well as a furtive escort home, Philip has sex and learns Lotus 1-2-3, Elizabeth has sex and eats Smores, Mischa meets with Gabriel, Philip has Russia flashbacks, Paige and Matthew have one of those awkward "us" discussions, Henry has unsuspected talents, Tuan learns to throw a football and has McDonald's, Oleg's parents host a The Bachelor-themed dinner party, and Oleg gets stood up. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Apr 4, 2017 - 31 comments

The Americans: What's the Matter with Kansas?  Season 5, Ep 4

Philip and Elizabeth get new assignments from Gabriel and have dinner with Stan and Renée, Philip has a beer with Alexei, Elizabeth tries carob chips and goes hiking with Ben, Philip hits the treadmill and learns about logistics from Deirdre, Oleg continues to work as a food cop and to try to figure out how counteract the CIA's tactics, Stan threatens to sacrifice himself to protect Oleg, Paige crosses boundaries while babysitting for Pastor Tim, Mischa crosses borders, and Henry has issues with his math teacher and with the lack of Apple Jacks in the Jennings household. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Mar 28, 2017 - 43 comments

The Americans: The Midges  Season 5, Ep 3

Stan and Aderholt can't seem to make any new friends, Alexei bowls and complains about Russia, Mischa's travel plans hit a snag, Paige practices rubbing her fingers together, Oleg investigates suspect tangerines, and Philip and Elizabeth get into cowboy cosplay. Also: MARTHA. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Mar 21, 2017 - 26 comments

The Americans: Pests  Season 5, Ep 2

Stan makes some progress with "gym lady" Renée and expresses his concerns about both Oleg and Paige, Alexei keeps complaining about Russia, Elizabeth goes on a field trip, new Food Police Agent Oleg gets an unwelcome message, Paige punches her mother, Elizabeth and Philip are concerned about where and with whom Paige is sleeping, and Henry sleeps. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Mar 14, 2017 - 29 comments

The Americans: Amber Waves  Season 5, Ep 1

In this first episode of the fifth season, Philip and Elizabeth begin a new mission in a new place with a new agent, Oleg begins a new job in Moscow, Mischa begins a journey, Paige begins combat training, Stan begins going to the gym every day, and Hans and William complete their last operation.
posted by orange swan on Mar 7, 2017 - 60 comments

The Americans: Persona Non Grata  Season 4, Ep 13

In the season four finale, William faces a legal and medical emergency. Paige gets further involved with Matthew and the spy trade. Mischa Jr. receives indirect help from his father and a gift from his mother. Oleg decides on a move, Arkady has his next move decided for him, and Elizabeth and Philip consider early retirement. The Washington Redskins lose the 1984 Superbowl 38-9.
posted by orange swan on Jun 9, 2016 - 43 comments

The Americans: A Roy Rogers in Franconia  Season 4, Ep 12

Mail Robot has an internal exam. Tatiana and Oleg get new job offers, and William is offered a trip abroad. Martha's parents and Stan each receive some valuable new information. Paige processes her new awareness of her parents' skills and has her first experience of honey pot duty. Henry learns about a startling new technological innovation.
posted by orange swan on Jun 2, 2016 - 25 comments

The Americans: Munchkins  Season 4, Ep 10

Pastor Tim finds Ethiopia more of an adventure than he expected, and the Jennings find Alice to be a better player than they expected. Oleg and Tatiana engage in more pillow talk. Aderholt is marginalized by his new boss. Stan and Aderholt take Mr. Hanson out for drinks, Kimmie and Jim smoke pot, and Matthew and Paige drink coffee. Gaad entertains unexpected visitors and Elizabeth has second thoughts about the Young Hee and Don operation.
posted by orange swan on May 18, 2016 - 60 comments

The Americans: The Day After  Season 4, Ep 9

Everyone watches The Day After, William questions the merits of liquefying organs, Page drives a Camaro, Oleg and Tatiana take their working relationship to the next level, Pastor Tim looks forward to a trip to Ethiopia and a talk with the Jennings, Philip and Stan play racquetball, and Elizabeth plays Young Hee's husband Don.
posted by orange swan on May 11, 2016 - 30 comments

The Americans: The Magic of David Copperfield V  Season 4, Ep 8

Martha goes on a trip, Philip and Gabriel go out for a drink, Elizabeth goes to the movies, EST, and Lisa's house, Paige goes mini-golfing, and Gaad goes to the director's office.
posted by orange swan on May 4, 2016 - 46 comments

The Americans: Travel Agents  Season 4, Ep 7

The FBI and the KGB search for Martha while she takes a walk in the park. Oleg and Tatiana plan a circuitous shipping route. Philip has some cold borscht, Paige, Henry, and Matthew enjoy a cold beverage at the Beeman residence, and William's rat chills out.
posted by orange swan on Apr 27, 2016 - 38 comments

The Sandbaggers: Enough of Ghosts  Season 2, Ep 2

Geoffrey Wellingham is kidnapped in Brussels. Complicating matters, in his office is a paper detailing co-operation between the SIS and South African intelligence. Against orders from Peele, Burnside dispatches both Sandbaggers to Belgium to try and track him down. Despite both Sandbaggers being on station, most deem it to be a futile operation given the past history of hostages being murdered. [more inside]
posted by Grimgrin on Apr 15, 2016 - 7 comments

The Americans: Pastor Tim  Season 4, Ep 2

Nina gets her visit from her husband. Oleg and Elizabeth both get bad news. Paige and Henry get a computer. Henry and Stan talk man to man, Philip and Elizabeth talk EST, and Philip and Stan don't talk. No one seems willing to take Philip and Elizabeth's little vial of destruction off their hands, and Elizabeth discovers that Paige has confided in Pastor Tim.
posted by orange swan on Mar 24, 2016 - 33 comments

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