The Interceptor

The shows premise is based on "Stingray" technology. Yes this technology does exist, fooling your phone into believing it is connected to a cell tower and subsequently allowing all voice and data to connect. I found it compelling viewing and enjoyed the plot twists. The programme is about a covert police operation to uncover the Mr Big in a drug operation. Ash is our hero who wants to believe that they are making a "difference" rather than just going through the motions. This may cost him his marriage and sometimes going it alone to get the results that will unmask the man behind it all. Interdepartmental rivalries abound as 'Stannard' the police chief, wonders where this covert band of crime fighters get their funding and does his best to undermine their operation, relying on a mole on the team to feed him information.

I'm probably one of the few who have watched this all the way through.

The first episode is an absolute abomination. Every cliche available got a run. All this so he can get a job in a "secret" crime fighting cell with person of interest type setup. Which apparently consists of his mum and dad in a gym. Or something.

We then get eight episodes with the usual everybody has a secret or are hiding something.

Once the setup is established the middle episodes are mostly watchable if you're happy enough to accept really low standards. I'd go so far as to suggest they may even be approaching mediocre.

The final episode sets up the possibility of a second season. But is so awful that it only manages to seal the fate of certain cancellation. Which it apparently did.

Channeling his inner Luther via many an EastEnders grimace ,our hero sets out to cock up the best laid plans. Procedurally unconvincing,overacted and not a patch on most US dramas. Fights were staged with the brio of The Chuckle Brothers. Computer usage was way beyond capabilities and a mere plot device. Bad guys not bad enough Good guys implausible. This show does not warrant the 10 lines of text that IMDb insists that I write. I hope that it gets better but I have seen too many British shows that have been stymied by bad writing , poor effects and stilted acting to remain convinced.As other reviewers will point out the protagonist comes across as a petulant toddler with control difficulties. Indulged by his all new "Top Secret" task force bosses he still manages to stuff it up. I am not very confident in this shows future.

I started so I will finish. I gave it two episodes and now I want to know what happens so I will watch it until it finishes. I am annoyed with myself for wasting my time on it though. It is a frustrating show. I like the premise and the storyline, the problem is the editing and some of the cast. There is a lot of overacting particularly by the two bosses, I mean really, you don't have to be bursting with anger in ALL your scenes! Also, how come the new guy ends of practically running things straight off?! Some of the supporting cast are brilliant but you are left confused about who to like. They are all so miserable and grumpy it's like watching eastenders. Basically, the show is trying to be Luther but fails miserably!

Come back Bonekickers, all is forgiven.

The publicity for this show made reference to The Professionals and Spooks. Ash is a committed customs officer who is frustrated by his bosses reluctance to go after the big fish. He is someone who as a kid saw his drug addicted father kill someone.

A former colleague introduces him to the head of a shadowy surveillance unit called the Unit which pursues some the most ruthless criminals like Trevor Eve who cheats at golf and threatens committee members in the nineteenth hole.

Two episodes in and The Interceptor is badly written drivel and it never improved by the final episode. Clichéd characters, even the casting looks uninspired with a lead that gets mistaken for Craig David.

The only plus side is that the chase scenes looked good.