The Last Post

Unlike several other reviewers, i didn't serve in Aden, and don't know what types of weapon the RMP used or what sorts of planes people few in on.

However, i didn't watch this series in order to discover such details, and if you do, I fear that as well as being disappointed you may be missing the point. This is an entertainment, but also an allegory -- on the one hand a tale of decline and fall, on the other a tale of compromised decency. Evelyn Waugh meets the evil in war, as it were.

If military verisimilitude is your thing, this may not work for you; but if you liked Parade's End, the Tudors, and Brideshead Revisited (as I did), I think it will.

I only saw the first episode of this series and I loved it. It had enough teasers in to get me hooked on the promise of entertaining future episodes.

Being exposed to the military myself (Not the British Army) I have seen a post in a hostile environment, where the military families (living on base, sometimes with vast different backgrounds) are flung together for periods of time - Those families do not have the luxury of failing to make it work.

This makes for interesting living arrangements and dynamics. Women don't always have it easy, despite who you are and where you come from, you are pegged to your husband's status and position. A bit tricky to navigate when you are living in each other's pockets.

Be aware that there might be small details that are not 100 % correct regarding the setting. However, looking past that, I am crossing my fingers that this series has potential.

The Last Post is, remarkably, an interesting watch.

On the surface, this series sounded downright dull. Military Police in one of the last bastions, of the fading UK empire. I watched the first episode as much out of a state of inertia, as genuine interest.

Suffice to say The Last Post captured my interest and held it beautifully. This is an engaging series with a emphasis on human interest blended capably with action scenes, that mirror in a faded way, current conditions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

Whats different is the prevailing sense of empire that blinds all but the most insightful British officers to the reality of life in Aden. There is still a rather naive view of empire as somehow benevolent and not oppressive, in spite of the torture of locals, the only accepted method of extracting information about resistance fighters. As one officer rightly points out to his commander "They hate us....".

Its a series with a very 60's vibe that has at its core a transition from the view of empire as a polite unassailable fortress, to one of open conflict and chaos.Its an interesting watch for this reason as the British forces operate almost as if they live in a transplanted "England". They go about their business with a certain "urbanity" with all the usual petty personal conflicts and intrigues, that does not reasonably reflect the danger they face.

I do not know where this series will go but thus far its started out with an interesting premise that could work very well or derail very badly. In any case so far its looking good. Eight out of ten from me.

I wasn't more than 11 years old when the incidents shown in 'The Last Post' were playing out but as a history buff I am very aware of the strife in Aden as the British were unwinding their overseas possessions. As a history buff and a retired field grade officer in the U.S. Army I saw the clinkers right off in the portrayal of the soldiers in the show. Yes, the folding stocks on the Sterling SMGs are never extended when in use. Yes, the troopers going into action failed to stand up the rear sight on the SLRs. Yes, there are other issues too, but the story surpasses them all. I've been the 'new man' myself joining a clubby unit and having to prove myself to the other officers and especially the NCOs. I was the newlywed who married and left for overseas duty immediately; my wife had to fly across the world to join me in a plane that had to make an emergency landing along the way to have duct tape applied to the tail to continue her journey. I was the Commander who had to make decisions that effected the lives of soldiers in my command. My wife and I first lived in a small compound of soldiers and their families in a foreign country with all of the stress and heartache that comes with this type of living. I absolutely loved this show. For once, put the military inconsistencies aside and immerse yourself in the lives of the show's characters. I watched all six episodes and found each one to be powerful and moving. I sincerely hope we get a second round of shows

Rarely have I seen such a good series. Brilliantly acted, wonderful and fulfilling story, excellent scrip, outstanding cinematography. This was both gripping and moving from start to finish with such an original story. No doubt some will criticise the historical accuracy but I have to say you get a real sense of what it may have been like to live army life at the very end of the British Empire. Will definitely watch it all over again.