Synopsis: Amazon.comWith the long-running UK spy series MI-5 entering its seventh season, the question facing fans is will an abbreviated season deliver the same number of thrills as before? Luckily for them, the eight episodes contained in this set are up to the show’s standard of high-octane espionage for the small screen. Things get dramatic in a hurry with the death of a major character in the first episode (“New Allegiances”), which forms the backbone of the series’ main concern–growing tensions with the Russians. Trouble on this front is further solidified with the appearance of Lucas North (Richard Armitage), an agent who returns to active duty after eight years in a Russian prison. Though Peter Firth’s Harry Pearce vouches for North, his loyalties remain one of the burning questions of the season–which comes to a head with Moscow aiming missiles at London, and a classic MI-5 twist in its reveal of a double agent within the team. Brief doesn’t always mean bad, as volume 7 proves, and devotees of the series should find plenty of nail-biting moments throughout the four-disc set. Extras are unfortunately limited as well; producer Katie Swindon provides commentary on the season closer, “Nuclear Strike,” on which she’s joined by director Sam Miller and writer Neil Cross. Swindon is also featured on a very brief tour of the show’s Moscow locations; a half-hour featurette that covers the making of the season provides the greatest amount of behind-the-scenes information. –Paul GaitaProduct DescriptionMI-5: Volume 7 (DVD) MI-5 Volume Seven stays true to form as the award-winningintelligence drama returns for more highly topical stories with new castmember Richard Armitage (Robin Hood, North and South)! The BAFTA- undercover operations and double-agents, this time with an added danger… a deepening schism with Russia raising new Cold War tensions. Newly free after eight years in a Russian prison, Lucas North (Richard Armitage) is welcomed back by MI-5 supremo and old friend Harry Pearce, who was instrumental in finally securing his release. Lucas is keen to get back to work straight away and, with Section D’s current priority operation having a strong Russian connection, he could well prove invaluable. But, after eight years with only a high ranking Russian spymaster for company, can Lucas’s loyalty really be taken for granted? ]]>