Counterstrike

One of the best shows ever. I was very upset that this one was cancelled. A Canadian cross between "Mission Immpossible" and "The Avengers". The romantic antics of Simon and Sophie are the greatest. If it can be found in reruns, definitely worth watching.

After our Russian TV airs this TV series, I fall in Peter Sinclair starring Simon MacCorkindale. His character is magnificent. I saw many films, that include Simon and I think, in this show he is at the peak of his career. I remember, for this role he received a GEMINI nomination for Best Actor in a Series. Also he was an executive production consultant here. I had seen he exerted influence to creation of this show, plots etc. I have found out, that it's fine, fast-moving show, with the very interesting characters, remarkable actors, unusual humour. I like the various plots: together with detective investigation, mysticism, psychological thriller, love affair, in every episode they contemplate any important problem. I watch many detective show (European, Canadian, US), but I think, it's one of the best.

The USA network has put out quite a few clunkers over the years, more than a cable channel of this type should be entitled to, but Counterstrike was one of their few, shining successes. I remember being 13 when this was on, and staying up until midnight so I could watch it. I think it was on Wednesdays (school night), and my father would always tell me that it was too late to be up watching TV, but I would beg and insist that I had to see it.

Ok, so most of the time I didn't really follow those complex, international-intrigue plots, but the whole premise of this rich guy that had his own Justice Squad to stomp out evil... It was just totally cool to see such a heroic good vs. evil action show that was gritty and believable and set in the modern era. It gave it such realism to address big business, corrupt politicians, terrorism and other real-life evils. For once, we had a hero show that didn't rely on gimmicky costumes or over-the-top villains or some imaginary "Gotham" as the funky parallel to the modern world because the show wasn't bold enough to address real issues. At the same time it had the "Touch of USA Network," but finally in a *good* way: slight overacting, serviceable amounts of blood and explosions, and just enough, uh, "adult situations" to make it perfect after-hours fare. If "Counterstrike" were on today it would certainly and sadly earn a PG-14, its morals and messages not permitted to reach the audience that badly needs to know them. This show had such a mature angle on idealism. Like 'America's Most Wanted,' it was born out of one anguished person taking a stand against cruel deeds to try to better the world.

"We must fight evil. No matter where, no matter when. No matter the cost."

This was a brave, proud series that I and many others would love to own on DVD.

I loved this show! I wish that the USA network had kept it on. For anyone who loved Mission Impossible, The MOD Squad or The Man From U.N.C.L.E, you would have loved this show! It was about a millionaire whose wife had been kidnapped by a terrorist group. He then assembled an elite group of people to help other international groups or people against terrorism. The group was lead by an Englishman who was a terrorism and hostage specialist with Scotland Yard and investigated the kidnapping of the millionaire's wife. He chose an ex-art thief and an ex-con to join him for the first season. The second season he was joined by a former French journalist and an ex-CIA agent. It was the best!

I rarely like TV as much as I liked this one. I wish USA had kept it on. I have so many fond memories of the plots and actually have some old BETA tapes of some of the episodes. The second and 3rd seasons were the best, IMHO, but the entire series was 5 stars of 5. For me to remember a show after all these years that was so little known says a lot about the quality of the writers etc.