A melancholy opening and an almost explosive first episode, two new characters and a twist. This review of the first episode of Spooks series 9 includes spoilers. Read on if you want to know more.

Last Spoilers Warning…..

Well after a quick recap of the previous series the scene moves to a small church in Scotland for Ros's funeral, followed by Harry Asking Ruth to marry him, Ruth saying no but she would have previously had it not been for some of his actions. Ruth showing harry intelligence that the ex-home secretary was behind the plot in which Ros died all within the first 5 minutes.

The scene then cut to Harry visiting his "Friend" the ex-home secretary and basically poisoning him in revenge. Only now do we get into the meat of the episode and Lucas is about to board a container ship. Here we meet the first new member of the team Dimitri who is posing as the Captain of the ship although it only becomes clearer later when he gives Lucas a gun he is a colleague. We also see new team member Beth here too but as yet she is just a private contractor. We also meet the new home secretary and Harry hands in his letter of resignation saying he's had enough.

The main story line is Lucas has been sent to kill an al-qaeda operative who is travelling into Britain on board the ship. Of course nothing goes quite that smoothly and the Terrorists friends arrive and take everyone captive. Lucas and Beth eventually escape leaving Dimitri to look after himself which he does and manages to kill the main terrorist just in time.

Lots of pats on the back later Beth turns up at Thames house explaining she has found information there maybe a different plot and it turns out there are 2 stealth subs heading up the Thames to the Houses of parliament and a Hacker has taken down the security system so they cannot be blown up.

There is a solution though but it may cost the lives of some British citizens as its a big EMP device which will stop the subs but also may stop pacemakers and life support for working. Ruth tells harry he has to make these decisions, he does and changes his mind on retiring too.

Beth applies for a job and that is that apart from a strange meeting for Lucas with someone he knows him who asks what it has been like "Being Lucas all these years".

Lots of intrigue to come I am sure and at least 1 more new character to be introduced so next Monday will be interesting.

By Steve Jarvis