User Reviews

The Bodyguard has wowed audiences and obtained huge viewing figures. I'm slow to start, but just watched episode one. That has to be one of the most gripping, tense things I've watched in years. Shows are so often slow to start, but The Bodyguard kicks off in style, the sequences on board the train were fantastic. The second half of the episode almost seemed like a let down compared to the first, but it was still excellent, it sets the scene, introduces the characters, and if Mercurio's past work is anything to go by, this is going to be a great series. 8/10

I tend to be slightly nervous with a new Jed Mercurio drama. You might expect something as good as Line of Duty or Cardiac Arrest but end up with dirge such as Invasion:Earth.

The premise going by the first episode is who is going to protect the Home Secretary from her new bodyguard?

David Budd (Richard Madden) is a veteran of Afghanistan and still affected by the war. Not only from the physical wounds but the mental ones as well. His private life is in tatters but he is professional in his job.

His new assignment is to protect the Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keely Hawes) a war hawk. She has voted for all the middle eastern wars and wants to escalate new security laws. A disgruntled employee calls her a sociopath. We see Budd is uneasy about her comments regarding the invasion of Iraq. We further see Budd talking with an ex army buddy who talks about what they once thought of politicians.

Episode one started with a tense sequence dealing with a suicide bomber on a train. The more I saw of the first episode it seems the set up for the series is laid that Budd is not only protecting Montague from any threats but he might also endanger her from his own conflicting views.

At the moment Bodyguard promises to be an exciting and a well written drama.

A good pilot episode that introduces the viewer to the main characters and their backgrounds without becoming confusing or boring, a problem some shows suffer from.

In terms of production and execution, the directing is overall great, but a few shots were quite questionable artistically. The score and set design are A-Ok.

Perhaps my sole issue with this episode is its implementation of the stereotype that Middle Eastern folk are "terrorists". It gets really exhausting to see those people represented solely as criminals in media.

Having Served the U.S. Military at Afghanistan since 1983 (C.I.A. Operation Cyclone), and Iraq since 1982 (Iran Iraq Wars) as well as many Muslim Nations later on.

When confronted with a suicide bomber. Assess if they are indeed a suicide bomber. Assume that they are, before assuming they are not.

If they are cooperative, have them sit down. Observe what kind of trigger they have, pressure switch or pressure release switch. If a pressure release switch you must grasp their hand and fingers to stop them from releasing pressure, duct tape over their fingers and hand so that they cannot release pressure. If a pressure switch and they are not cooperative you must stop them from applying pressure to the switch even if this means breaking all their fingers, hand and wrist so that they cannot push the switch.

Make sure there is no remote activation device (radio, cellphone). There is a proven series of procedures to "Render Safe" this. Including blocking all radio frequencies going to the bomb's receiver, transceiver.

From experience, examine the explosives. Remove all the electric detonators, wrap them in cloth (not nylon nor plastic that will cause static electricity and detonate), make sure that there are NO hidden detonators, there will be two wires per detonator. As far away from the detonators as possible one by one cut each of the wires to the detonators at different lengths (DO NOT CUT BOTH WIRES AT THE SAME TIME), tape over each end. Put each of the detonators on the ground, as far away as possible.

Partially remove the explosives if possible, examine the explosives for any hidden detonators, if none, remove the suicide vest. The triggers, booby traps, will send electricity to nothing since you removed the electrical detonators.

Removing the power (electricity, battery) is NOT advised as there are different kinds of electrical relays, cutting the power may cause a relay to close and send electricity to the detonators.

I happen to only watch parts of it with my wife. However, I am highly pleased that Netflix actually does have a British crime show in their repertoire. Being a long time fan of Acorn.TV which is British and beyond other than American shows and movies, the British and the Aussies have GREAT crime shows. Nothing of the American Fair like Black List which becomes so boring and predictable. Nothing new for American entertainment. So, did I watch the show? Other than parts of it no, But what I watch with my wife is intriguing to say the least.

The first ten minutes were quite striking as the star talks a woman, armed with explosive, out of igniting them with a button. He succeeds and then goes on to a new job, being a bodyguard for the Home Secretary. She is a nasty piece of work, a complete war hawk. Because it is the first episode we get to meet the estranged wife and the family. Our guy can't handle the estrangement and he may be victim of PTSD from Afghanistan. Most of this episode has him being Mr. Roboto, playing his bodyguard job to the nines. He is helpful and prompt and formidable, but is seething inside. His wife won't stay in the same room with him.

It's well acted and starts with a great scene, then nothing happens. The most exciting thing that happens after the first ten minutes is a spilled cup of coffee m

We never see the US war crimes mass killings of women and children being stopped by a Middle Eastern commander, do we ever? Because "those people" are evil and these people are brave heroes! The woman in the train is brainwashed, not us?