Mr. Mike Succumbs to Reality Television

Yes, sad but true. I've ignored reality television shows pretty well, but finally gave in for Spy, a British reality import (called Spy School over there) now showing on PBS.

A group of recruits were brought in and are being trained by three intelligence experts from British and American intelligence. Initially it was just learning to observe people, follow people and pass along information without being caught. But then, the show jumped up a level and the recruits were asked to use "legends," or an undercover identity to gain jobs, to try to get people to break laws (mildly), and to break into real houses.

Then they turned upon each other, being told each other were holding secrets. Tonight, they were individually told they'd failed and were being dropped to get them angry and depressed, then were given an opportunity to sell out one of their instructors for $100,000! Of the four recruits remaining, one actually sold her out. And was unapologetic for it, calling her cold and a bitch.

Next week's final episode finds the three remaining recruits being dropped into a foreign country to complete a mission. They will have a brush will real police, too.

Several times now, the instructors have had to tell the recruits that their mistakes have cost others their lives or resulted in imprisonment or interrogation. Not really, but had these missions been real, in some cases the recruits would never have succeeded or made it out alive. The instructors are harsh and unsparing in making that point. And their disappointment in the failures in real.

Something about this show caught me. I guess it's the view into the shadowy world of spying, and asking these people to really break the law and to violate other people's lives. There's none of the vicious bitchery and back-stabbing American programs so love (except the hardships the instructors give the recruits in their missions). No listening to people whine, or watching them mug for the camera.

It's pretty decent. Like I said, next week's episode is the final installment, but it's the best. You don't need to know the previous stuff to appreciate it, I don't think. Thursday, 9PM, WKNO/10.

Don't hate me for liking Spy, OK? At least I didn't tell you I also kinda like Hell's Kitchen.

Oops.