Secret State

As my summary suggests, this was a bit of a mixed bag.

The show is by no means perfect. It plays to some very old stereotypes in these situations... that everyone is very posh, in it for themselves, that women have to be aggressive and man-like. The moustache-twirling is used to very high degrees.

It of course also takes very broad and simplistic positions on many topics, as it is only a four episode series.

But at its core is an interesting mystery/political thriller, and a good mix of dynamics between government, big business and the banks. Gabriel Byrne is great and distracts from some of the narrative issues well, and delivers West Wing–like speeches at times, and supporting actors such as Ruth Negga provide good turns even if their roles are limited.

One review commented that it was made for stupid 14 year olds, which is the classic way of putting down others by saying if you like it you are clearly a stupid child. However, that reviewer takes things far too seriously. Commenting that in a national tragedy a deputy prime minister wouldn't waste his time going to speak to local residents just shows that he was looking for issues within the first five minutes of the show.

If you crave reality, or accuracy to minute detail, then this show isn't for you. It's fiction at the end of the day. Realistic it isn't, but it does give food for thought and is an entertaining mini series.

Loved this series from the first episode. The plot is superb and the story draws you in beautifully and keeps you wanting more hence the writer deserves the highest accolade. The cast is perfect and do a stellar job. The direction is fabulous too as no thriller can do with sloppy work. Only negative is that it ends too soon, it deserved at least 10 episodes. Thats one view point, other view point says that maybe it was exciting because it was a short series. Hopefully we'll have a longer series 2. Kudos to Channel 4 for this one. So political thrillers are back and back with a bang and this one matches the era we live in.

Who do MI5 and MI6 work for? Who do GCHQ work for? Who do the MOD work for?

I thought it was the Government, or more relevantly, the British voters/public.

Accidental Prime Minister, Tom Dawkins, is of that view and the story follows his struggle against the self-serving to adhere to those values.

But it is an uphill struggling.

Worryingly, I believe the sort of unsupportive back stabbing antics of the likes of the reprehensible Ros Yelland and Felix Durrell, and then there was the sheer arrogance of banker Sir Michael Rix, who seemed quite happy to have the British public got to war just to make more money for himself.

Maybe there were aspects of the main story that were farfetched, at least I hope so, but the portrayal of Government, banking, corporate politics is of concern. I am not so sure this was fiction.

Gabrielle Byrne was excellent as Prime Minsister, Tom Dawkins. He would get my vote.

I don't really believe that journalist Ellis Kane would get so close to the PM so easily, nor that Agnes Evans could go undetected for so long.

I was confused that the American Petroflex Corporation was headed up by a Brit.

The most disappointing aspect of this drama was the ending.

It just finished on a cliff hanger, everything that had gone before left in the air. Was a second series int heir mind? It never came to fruition if it was.

Absolutely loved this honestly refreshing to see channel 4 producing a great series with a phenomenal cast, Yes the plot is a bit far-fetched the point of television is escapism and this is gripping and renews hope that your vote counts. Great message and Gabriel Byrne leads this role fantastically. Anyone who goes away and watches this will only be disappointed by the lack of episodes. The series is very short and leaves you desperately wanting more and I really hope a second series is on the cards. For the cynics of the world such as guardian writers they really haven't seen the point of this series. This series really captures the viewers imagination and reminds of hope and that is brilliant.

The accuracy of this film is played down by the professional critics as overdramatic and far fetched. However if anything it's more likely to be worse. The corruption shown by governments around the world, including Britain, is astounding. Big contracts falling in the pockets of cabinet family members, banks committing crimes but getting away with it. All the while we the public are to vote for what exactly.