I don't usually give 10's for anything, and I don't think this TV series is perfect either. However, I feel that this is the best TV series I have ever seen, so a 10 it is.
The series strikes a nice balance between a low key approach to the genre that emphasizes realism and intelligence trade craft, and on the other hand side an engagement with the protagonists and their characters and personal affairs. The personal side is also treated with some detachment that allows the viewer to be more of an observer than an advocate, although given the tragedies that befall them one cannot but grieve with them.
There is an underlying theme to this story I think. The creators show in detail what the human cost is of working in the intelligence profession and the personal struggle, brutality, and courage it takes to do this kind of work. It is by definition a dirty business. In many ways, the series reminds me of another favorite TV series of mine, The Wire, which takes a similar approach, and applies it to undercover police work.
The morale here seems to be that as much as intelligence work relies on cold calculations of national interest in a hierarchical, bureaucratized environment, it is still held hostage by the very human emotions of its actors. Compassion and romance creep into carefully conceived operations as the very stressed out pawns in the intelligence machinery do their best to reconcile the demand of their jobs with their conscience and hormones.
One area that I think could have been given more coverage is the motivation of these people, although it is hinted at and ranges from patriotic duty to a taste for danger.
Also noteworthy is the fact that although enemies abound, there is no overt vilification of any one person, nation, or ideology, making this series a welcome departure from the simplistic hurrah patriotism that usual infuses works about the military and intelligence.
Review of The Bureau
