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| Odds are they won't live to see tomorrow |
The story begins in the Soviet Union on the eve of World War II. Struggling single mother Zoya becomes a grifter in order to provide for herself and her young daughter. Meanwhile, idealistic and affluent Arina searches for a way to contribute to the Soviet cause. After a chance encounter the two women's lives converge when Zoya participates in a robbery that results in the murder of Arina's mother. The ensuing investigation leads to Zoya's arrest as well as the revelation of Arina's family's connections to a refugee organization smuggling dissidents out of the USSR. Arina's ensuing arrest leads to her crossing paths with Zoya once again when both women are presented with an offer by the state; join the nation's budding intelligence organization or face a sentence in one of the Soviet Union's notorious work camps. The two enemies forge an uneasy alliance as they enter the treacherous world of international intelligence where the only people that they can trust is themselves and just maybe each other.
Over the course of its ten episodes Spies delves far deeper than the average spy thriller and creates a compelling portrait of people at war; with enemy nations, with each other, and with themselves. The nuanced script avoids falling into the trap of genre cliche by portraying each character with subtlety and humanity. In this way, the series ensures that viewers will continue to root for its leading ladies, even as they evolve into reluctant anti-heroines. Similarly the script is careful to avoid "good guy" and "bad guy" stereotypes by highlighting the fact that the spies are working for a regime that is in many ways as inhumane as the one they are fighting against. One of the drama's most resonating aspects is its portrayal of the personal price that each spy must pay as they compromise their personal relationships and values in their attempts to compromise their targets. The emotional toll upon the spies is particularly present in Arina's story line as she grows from an idealistic and naive student to a hardened and traumatized woman. Through its compelling exploration of war-time intelligence and the unsung men and women who conducted it Spies weaves a complex tale of political intrigue and personal sacrifice that is guaranteed to leave viewers wishing that the series had a Cold War sequel.
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| Are you sure that's your final answer? |
The secretive world of Soviet intelligence comes alive thanks to the expert work of the talented cast. Vladimir Vdovichenko lends a nuanced turn as the women's world weary instructor, Commandant Vorotynnikov. Anatoliy Rudenko conveys boy next door charm as Arina's sheltered husband, Volodya. Evgeniy Pronin makes for a charismatic leading man as the women's commanding officer, Nikolia Petrov. Even in the midst of numerous engrossing performances, the miniseries belongs to Svetlana Ivanova and Svetlana Ustinova as Arina and Zoya. Ivanova expertly conveys a full range of emotions with raw energy and convincing nuance as she charts Arina's journey from idealistic student to disillusioned agent. Similarly, Ustinova portrays Zoya's transformation from self-interested criminal to self-sacrificing spy.
Hidden identities, shifting alliances, secret weapons, and daring escapes; Spies contains all of these familiar elements, but also so much more. More than just another spy story Spies is a mature portrait of the world of espionage and the conflicted individuals who inhabit it. Through its intelligent and emotionally honest script and its brilliant performances the miniseries expertly weaves a web of secret motives, conflicted allegiances, and thrilling action the likes of which television has rarely seen. For binge-worthy viewing join Zoya and Arina as they become the Soviet Union's most watchable Spies.
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| Homework has never been this much fun |
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