Spying myths vs. reality

[BradStevens]

I just finished binge watching seasons 1 and 2 of Slow Horses. Great stuff.

But it made me wonder: a lot of (too many, in my opinion) modern day spy/espionage plots involve strife within agencies and agencies burning each other, leaving them out to dry, etc. Is this a real thing? Is there any documented proof this kind of thing happens within intelligence agencies? Or is it just a great plot device?

Are there other big myths within this genre that either work or need to die?

Why are people so attracted to spies and this genre? The agents in Slow Horses are hardly glamorous, yet still compelling and the life seems alluring. Is that a male psychology thing? Or is this just a sub-genre of mysteries, and feeds into our desire to solve puzzles?

Time to go rewatch Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and maybe start reading some spy novels.

 

[UncleMark]

But it made me wonder: a lot of (too many, in my opinion) modern day spy/espionage plots involve strife within agencies and agencies burning each other, leaving them out to dry, etc. Is this a real thing? Is there any documented proof this kind of thing happens within intelligence agencies? Or is it just a great plot device?

If I told you I'd have to kill you.

 

[BradStevens]

I tried looking for some discussion online but have struck out so far.

 

[NPT]

I just finished binge watching seasons 1 and 2 of Slow Horses. Great stuff.

But it made me wonder: a lot of (too many, in my opinion) modern day spy/espionage plots involve strife within agencies and agencies burning each other, leaving them out to dry, etc. Is this a real thing? Is there any documented proof this kind of thing happens within intelligence agencies? Or is it just a great plot device?

Are there other big myths within this genre that either work or need to die?

Why are people so attracted to spies and this genre? The agents in Slow Horses are hardly glamorous, yet still compelling and the life seems alluring. Is that a male psychology thing? Or is this just a sub-genre of mysteries, and feeds into our desire to solve puzzles?

Time to go rewatch Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and maybe start reading some spy novels.

Is that on TV or are you using a streaming service?

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I just finished binge watching seasons 1 and 2 of Slow Horses. Great stuff.

But it made me wonder: a lot of (too many, in my opinion) modern day spy/espionage plots involve strife within agencies and agencies burning each other, leaving them out to dry, etc. Is this a real thing? Is there any documented proof this kind of thing happens within intelligence agencies? Or is it just a great plot device?

Are there other big myths within this genre that either work or need to die?

Why are people so attracted to spies and this genre? The agents in Slow Horses are hardly glamorous, yet still compelling and the life seems alluring. Is that a male psychology thing? Or is this just a sub-genre of mysteries, and feeds into our desire to solve puzzles?

Time to go rewatch Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and maybe start reading some spy novels.

We got one episode in on Horses, but my wife didn't like it. My list of shows to watch that she does not like is nearly infinite, so who knows when I will get to it.

I have listened to 4 of le Carre's Smiley books, really enjoyed them.

 

[UncleMark]

We got one episode in on Horses, but my wife didn't like it. My list of shows to watch that she does not like is nearly infinite, so who knows when I will get to it.

I get no say in what we watch together, so I've had to develop a taste for Brit police procedurals.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I get no say in what we watch together, so I've had to develop a taste for Brit police procedurals.

Midsomer Murders is a show my wife likes so we have watched 1200 seasons of it.

 

[manichi]

I get no say in what we watch together, so I've had to develop a taste for Brit police procedurals.

we got my mom a subscription to BritBox last year. I think she often uses it just to clear the room.

 

[UncleMark]

Midsomer Murders is a show my wife likes so we have watched 1200 seasons of it.

Took us five years to get through Silent Witness.

 

[UncleMark]

we got my mom a subscription to BritBox last year. I think she often uses it just to clear the room.

That's her go-to.