The Whistleblowers (2007) User Reviews (4)

Grabs you by the throat

[roedyg · 9/10 · 15 March 2008]

I watched the "ghost" episode. It is easily movie quality. It reached out and grabbed me by the throat with terror. The topic was torture, and the way western governments make people disappear then use filthy tricks against anyone who tries to help them. The institutional and faceless nature of the villain creates a creepiness and omniscience reminiscent of The Conversation. You do get to see these creeps eventually and understand their fanatical thinking, easily as sick as the terrorists they claim to be chasing.

The lead characters are put in situations where they have to choose between self preservation and altruistic action. Unlike most movies, you feel the tension in deciding, and believe that perhaps discretion is the better part of valour. This is not about mindless Terminator-style heroics, but about relatively ordinary people swept up in evil events.

First Episode promising

[mrshadow-2 · 9/10 · 20 December 2007]

*** WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW *** DO NOT READ FURTHER *** A young lawyer (Ben Graham) discovers a Muslim man in hand-cuffs in a house next to his own. This Muslim man has been reported in the news as being a dangerous terrorist still at large. Before Ben can release the man, he his captured by British Secret Service.

After being briefed that the man is being held for reasons of national security, Ben is released on condition that he remains silent. Ben decides to help the man, with assistance from his lawyer girlfriend (Alisha Cole) and an old friend (Kenny Read). They will outsmart the bad guys, at the price of losing their promising careers, but at the same time establishing themselves as the "Whistleblowers".

"The Whistleblowers" is a very well written series, with loads of clever plot twists and interesting characters. Even better than "MI-5" ("Spooks" in UK).

I get to see it here in Canada on TVO, but I'm not sure people in the US will have the chance to see this great series.

Great show! Indira Varma excellent but needs meatier roles after Rome!

[nevandsue · 9/10 · 29 April 2008]

This is really exciting and bang-up-to-today's headlines. The opening episode deals with "rendition" and is pretty breathtaking. Both leads are excellent actors with good cvs and classical training and both have shown great versatility during their careers thus far. Perhaps Richard Coyle is best known for his great comic turn in "Coupling" and he is really good here in a very different role. It's nice to see Indira Varma follow up her brilliant performance as Niobe in "Rome" with a leading role in this excellent thriller series. In my opinion she is quite fearless as an actor and both her and Coyle show considerable skill as they lead us through one thrilling situation after another,their characters interacting splendidly. Miss Varma's mesmerising beauty has been buttoned down somewhat for her Alisha character, very much a contrast to her smouldering interpretation of Niobe as she practically melted down the screen in "Rome"! A fine actor and probably the most classically beautiful woman currently on our screens. Casting directors and producers please keep her busy!

Don't confuse

[mikec-78 · 24 March 2008]

Well written and acted and compelling, but you need to get a grip up north. This, like ReGenesis and Harry Potter is FICTION. Enjoy is as such and honor the inherent opinions but do not confuse it with fact because it suits your world view. It is no more based in fact than Rowling books and to pretend otherwise is just naive.

This has become a common conceit in media that if you want to make a point but to not wish to rely on actual evidence, fictionalize it and you will remain above possible contradiction by reality. It's OK until the audience begins to believe that the fiction is reality. So enjoy this wonderful episode and series but if you are seeking to inform your opinions on other countries and people, please look elsewhere.