Watching the “last ever” episode of Spooks I found myself experiencing some very mixed emotions – on one level it was a shame to see such an iconic series come to the end and yet, deep down, I know the show isn’t quite what it used to be.
When Spooks first started it was genuinely inventive – every week it would present stories shocked and amazed the audience.
In more recent years it’s become just that bit more predictable and safe.
As tonight’s finale drew to a close I sensed – and hoped I’d be wrong – that a major character wouldn’t make it to the end.
I was disappointed to be right. I’d wanted a happier ending. Or at least I thought I did.
But happy endings in picturesque cottages was never what Spooks what was about.
In my annoyance at Ruth’s death I was about to dismiss the entire finale as a waste of time, a betrayal of an loyal audience.
Then, as the Home Secretary mentioned Harry having enlisted an outside agency to seek revenge, I hoped for a reward, something which gave us a long-term viewers a very Spooks-like lift.
The re-appearance of Tom Quinn was exactly that.
Those few seconds made this a sad but fitting farewell to one of the best British drama series ever.
