Curtain down on Spooks

So that’s it. BBC1's long running spy drama has come to a close and it is hard to believe it is almost ten years since it all began; so many characters have come and gone; many in less than pleasant ways. Surprisingly the departure of the lead character hasn't led to a drastic change in the feel of the programme, although over the years the centre of attention has drifted towards MI5 Chief Harry Pearce and slightly away from a front line officer; although they were always important enough for the viewer to care about… when an MI5 character was killed off it was almost always somebody the viewer had got to know well for many episodes. The creators made it clear from very early on that nobody was safe when one of the two apparently major characters was brutally murdered in the second ever episode… usually fomenting several complaints. Over the years the team has taken on a variety of threats including Islamic terrorists, fascists, Russians, Chinese and even supposedly friendly Americans! Whoever the team took on in a given episode, you knew things would get exciting and the threat wouldn't be stopped till the last minute… cliché I know but it works! It wasn’t all action though; there was plenty of politicking and back-room work to keep the viewer thinking.

And now it’s all over. Yesterday’s last episode drew a curtain over the series in the most dramatic way. Heart-broken about the final scenes, I am somehow relieved that I’ve sobbed over Spooks for the last time. With Harry Pierce back at his desk, top button fastened, emotions contained, Britain is safe now. For a moment it all looked like it might be so different. That Harry and Ruth might run off to their cottage by the sea and live simply and happily ever after. And like many Spooks fans, I almost wanted it to finish on that note – except really, that wouldn't have been right, it wouldn’t have been Spooks. The Tom Quinn’s cameo was the cherry on the cake but that was not enough to cheer me up. I will really miss the programme. I will even miss my predicted sobbing over the years. And I still hope that the BBC will change their minds at some point and make more episodes.

Up and Down

The wreath above the mantelpiece is covered with dust. The chandelier is almost suffocated by cobwebs. Then a key turns in the lock – and a handsome and elegant gentleman walks in, with the woman he loves in his arms… This is British television’s most famous address – 165 Eaton Place – in a new series of Upstairs Downstairs.

Set in 1936, this lavish three-part serial sees diplomat Sir Hallam Holland (Ed Stoppard) move into the iconic townhouse along with his wife, Lady Agnes (Keeley Hawes). With the help of former parlourmaid Rose Buck (Jean Marsh) and the eccentric Grande Dame of the house, Lady Maude Holland (Eileen Atkins), they launch a new whole new era for the sumptuous home at the heart of Upstairs Downstairs.

As Lady Agnes remarks: “This house is going to see such life!”

But storm clouds are gathering in Europe, and servants are no longer biddable and cheap. The Hollands’ first year at Eaton Place does not unfold as either Lady Agnes or Rose anticipates.
The drama that results sets exquisite domestic detail against a sweeping historical backdrop.

There may be two families living in 165 – one upstairs and one down – but their fates are intimately linked. Touching, funny, romantic and savage, the revived Upstairs Downstairs is set to enrapture a whole new audience. The last episode was aired tonight and what a TV treat it was. So sumptuous and delightful that it left me wanting for more.


The original series of Upstairs Downstairs was a worldwide sensation. It ran on ITV in 68 episodes divided into five series from 1971 to 1975 and was set in a large townhouse in Edwardian, First World War and Inter-War Belgravia in London, depicting the lives of the servants "downstairs" and their masters "upstairs".

In the summer of 1930, the Bellamy family left its home in London’s Belgravia forever. In the empty house, loyal parlourmaid Rose Buck reflected on its ghosts, its history, the loves and lives it had contained. Closing the door for the final time, she walked away – and left a piece of her heart behind her. In 1936, a twist of fate brings Rose back to 165 Eaton Place, as a housekeeper to its new owners, the Hollands. Not to be missed then and not to be missed now.

Back on?

I don't even dare to hope that all my Internet problems are sorted. I'm back on since yesterday night but I don't know for how long. I've been on and off, off an on for months now, so I really hope this is finally the end of my BT troubles. I'm totally drained from talking to BT Mumbai Technical Support and although I do not resent them (they need to earn their living after all!), I really think we should have some customer support in the UK too. How can someone miles and miles away sort out this kind of problems here in the UK? Anyway, let's hope they have succeeded in my case. For the rest, nothing new here. Apart from fighting BT and trying to keep on working (O2 mobile connection, friends and Pret-a-Manger), I've been enjoying watching the first season of Ugly Betty on dvd. As usual with this kind of popular shows, I was a bit skeptical but I have to say that I'm totally hooked.

Each episode is packed with well written stories and on top of all that the comedy comes fast and often. Betty is a girl with more inside beauty than out but but manages to make her way into the most superficial and beauty built industry in the world, Fashion. It makes you laught and cry and helps you to unwind totally, the right recipe for me!