Research Catalog

Paranoid visions spies, conspiracies and the secret state in British television drama

Title: Paranoid visions [electronic resource] : spies, conspiracies and the secret state in British television drama / Joseph Oldham.
Author: Oldham, Joseph.
Publication: Manchester : Manchester University Press, 2017.

Available Online

Details

Description

1 online resource (xii, 218 pages) : illustrations.

Summary

Paranoid Visions explores the history of the spy and conspiracy genres on British television, from 1960s Cold War series through 1980s paranoid conspiracy dramas to contemporary 'war on terror' thrillers. It analyses classic dramas including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Edge of Darkness, A Very British Coup, and Spooks. This book will be an invaluable resource for television scholars interested in a new perspective on the history of television drama and intelligence scholars seeking an analysis of the popular representation of espionage with a strong political focus, as well as fans of cult British television and general readers interested in British cultural history.

Uniform Title

Paranoid visions (Online)

Alternative Title

Paranoid visions (Online)

Subject

Spy television programs > Great Britain > History and criticism

Bibliography (note)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 200-209) and index.

Access (note)

Access restricted to authorized users.

Contents

'A balance of terror': Callan (ITV, 1967-72) as an existential thriller for television -- 'A professional's contest': procedure and bureaucracy in Special branch (ITV, 1969-74) and The sandbaggers (ITV, 1978-80) -- 'Who killed Great Britain?': Tinker tailor soldier spy (BBC 2, 1979) as a modern classic serial -- Conspiracy as a crisis of procedure in Bird of prey (BBC 1, 1982) and Edge of darkness (BBC 2 1985) -- Death of a master narrative: the battle for consensus in A very British coup (Channel 4, 1988) -- The precinct is political: espionage as a public service in Spooks (BBC 1, 2002-11) -- Conclusion.

LCCN