Boom-Ooh-Yatatatah – The episode begins with an overview of Flora Solomon’s (Anastasia Hille) official testament recorded on January 8, 1963. Flora, a resident of 19 Spencer Square in Kensington, claimed she drew the attention of the MI5 after what she believed was a “private conversation” with a long-time friend, Kim Philby (Guy Pearce). She admits to disbelieving even today before describing his actions as “despicable” and “hateful.”

The Commissionaire (Colin Mace) tells Nicolas “Nick” Elliott (Damian Lewis) that he’s sorry for what happened with Kim because they were close… Nick assures him that he’s okay. The Commissionaire warns him that Flora’s testimony confirms Golitsyn’s claims that Kim defected in Helsinki last year. Nick reminds him that Golitsyn never identified the Soviet agent. Sir Roger Hollis (Adrian Edmondson) informs them of a team being on standby to go to Beirut. Nick asks if Golitsyn truly said Kim was the traitor before guaranteeing an MI5 team won’t work.

Nick suggests only SIS handle Kim, not the MI5. Sir Roger says that “bloody madness.” The Commissionaire tells Sir Roger that he agrees with Nick because Kim could be an asset for foreign intelligence. After reminding them that MI5 suspected Kim of helping Donald Maclean (Daniel Lapaine) and Guy Burgess (Thomas Arnold) escape to Moscow, Sir Rogers says sending his biggest ally, Nick, to Beirut is a major mistake.

Nick answers the door to find himself face-to-face with Kim.

Eight Days Later February 1, 1963 – An alert issued to the MI5 warns of a potential defection of Kim Philby to the USSR. Kim’s last known contact was Nickolas Elliott in Beirut.

Handing Nick a cup of tea, a maid suggests he wishes to be in Beirut.

A CIA agent (Jack Pinney) listens as Elizabeth Elliott (Lucy Akhurst) tells Nick that the theater opens at 8pm. When he asks which theater, she says that would ruin the surprise before assuring him, they’ll get through it.

The CIA agent watches as Nick gives a newspaper to a Russian man at a cemetery.

Lily Thomas (Anna Maxwell Martin) informs Tim Milne (Steven Elder) that her orders are to debrief Nick alone. He claims that Dick “C” White (Nicholas Pritchard) wants him to be present during the debrief. She says he can address his questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department Henry Brooke. As Tim turns to leave, she asks if he can see that the door is fixed. She asks how long he was friends with Kim. He says 23 years. She asks if he knows how Kim escaped from Beirut. After suggesting Kim hired a boat, he claims to have offered him full immunity in exchange for a confession but never thought he’d choose the Soviet Union. She plays a recording of his conversation with Kim.

In a flashback – Nick asks how is his health. Kim tells him that he suffers from bronchitis and flu. Nick informs him that evidence surfaced that puts him working with the Soviet intelligence agency until the war ended.

Back to the present – Lily accuses Nick of lying when he stated Kim stop spying for the Soviet intelligence agency when the war ended. He warns her that the US would retaliate if they knew Kim worked for the KGB while working in Washington between 1949 and 1951. She suggests he’d protect Kim from the Americans right from the start. He tells her that it was protecting the country while encouraging Kim to tell the truth.

In a flashback – Sergi (Karel Roden) addresses Kim as “Agent Stanley” before toasting his being a “KGB hero” since 1934. Kim says since 1933.

Back to the present – Nick claims to have met Kim in 1940 in his club. following the murder of a childhood friend by the Liftwaffe. He says people were drawn to Kim’s confidence that said everything would be okay in the end. In a flashback, Kim entertains several men at Nick’s club when a bomb explodes. Back to the present, he tells her the explosion was the first of what would be deemed “The Blitz.” In the flashback, Kim asks Nick if he’s all right. After assisting Waiter Sam (Walter Sam) to his feet, he orders two pink gins. Sam asks if he’s a member. Nick tells him to put it on his tab. Back to the present, Nick says Kim didn’t even seem rattled, quite reassuring. She asks if Kim was manipulating him. He says, “No.”

In a flashback, Sergi asks Kim how was his escape from SIS in Beirut was so easy. A waiter serves him a coaster containing an invitation for tea from Peter Lunne who turned out to be Nick. Sergi reminds him of his confession four days later. Kim admits to signing a confession of “chicken feed” because his time was running out. Sergi asks why did the MI5 send Nick to Beirut. Kim suggests it was Nick’s idea.

Sergi asks Kim how long has he been friends with Nick. Kim says they met in 1940 while working for the SIS. Sergi questions the difficulty of betraying a friend. Kim suggests it’s arrogance that makes one blind to the possibility of one of their own seeing things differently. Nick and Kim celebrate New Year’s with friends.

Back to the present, Lily asks why Kim was allowed to leave in the middle of the night before suggesting MI5 should’ve gone to Beirut, not him. Nick assures her that MI5 would have never gotten an eight-page confession from Kim as he did. Opening Kim’s confession, she says SIS deemed this “chicken feed.” He tells her that their friendship possibly resulted in thousands of deaths at the hands of the Russians. She says he wanted to protect himself, SIS, and Kim’s family from public scandal. He fumbles his way into the restroom where he injects himself with insulin. In a flashback, Nick collapses on the floor when Kim introduces him to Elizabeth.

Sergi tells Kim that he aided in the escape of Burgess and Maclean from America to the Soviet Union in 1951. Kim says Maclean ran after he blew his cover while Burgess just panicked.

Nick holds a press conference to deny any connection with Maclean and Burgess’ escape. American reporter (Jed Aukin) asks Nick if he agrees with Foreign Secretary Mr. MacMillan’s findings that cleared him of any wrongdoing. Nick says he cannot by law discuss the case. The reporter asks why he resigned. Nick claims to have been asked to resign because of association with Burgess.

After entering a church, Nick swipes a gentlemen’s coat. The CIA agent enters as Nice leaves wearing the man’s coat. Back to the present, Nick returns with a tray of tea and squashed fly biscuits. After informing Lily of his being a diabetic, he claims there was no quid pro quo. He tells her about his time at a boarding school. She asks if he knows why Kim worked with the Soviet Union. He says sometimes espionage is “intoxicating.”

Kim assures Sergi that he’s always been loyal to the Soviet Union. Pointing to a photo, Sergi asks what he and Nick are discussing. Kim admits Nick was aware of KGB watching them. After a brief flashback of him and Nick standing on the balcony, Kim tells him that he doesn’t remember. Sergi describes their behavior as “partners in crime.” Kim reminds him that the SIS would’ve killed him if he didn’t flee.

Back to the present, Lily suggests he exchanged Kim’s freedom for valuable information that could resurrect his career. He assures her that he never let Kim go. She reminds him of their spending four days, eight hours each day, inside the flat, on the last day, they spent three minutes on the balcony. He claims to have made sure the KGB saw them together. She asks if he knew the bug inside the flat wouldn’t pick their conversation up on the balcony. He claims to have been more focused on getting the truth out of Kim before asking if he’s going to be arrested. She says no.

Lily tells Sir Roger, Jane Sissmore (Lucy Russell), and the Commissionaire that the MI5 is like an elite club with no rules. She says when the status quo pro is altered, it becomes a threat to the club’s existence. She suggests Kim broke the rule that could expose the club. Arthur Martin (Rick Warden) assures her that the SIS would have been notified of any plan to get Kim back into the Soviet Union.

As Nick and Elizabeth leave for the theater, an agent enters their home.

Lily greets Dr. Robert Thomas (Gershwyn Eustache Junior) with a kiss.

The driver hands Nick a note as he and Elizabeth emerge from the taxi. Nick informs her that Kim is at a Russian port on the Black Sea.

Nick imagines a male performer is Kim. Elizabeth watches as he becomes teary-eyed.

Lily tells Robert that she interviewed a man who was betrayed by a long-time friend. He asks if the man just recently discovered the betrayal.

Desmond Bristow/Boris (Jolyon Coy) informs Nick that he’s correct about the CIA, James Jesus Angleton (Stephen Kunken). Nick suggests they keep it to themselves for now.

In a flashback, Kim and Nick are standing on the balcony when he asks if he’s aiming to get him killed. Nick says that’s an idea. Kim assures him that he doesn’t mean it. Nick demands he give him one reason why he shouldn’t want him killed.

Desmond tells Nick that he can’t find anyone who believes Kim didn’t give him something. Nick walks away as the episode comes to an end.

 

A Spy Among Friends Synopsis

Flora Solomon was under the impression that Kim Philby was her best friend until he put the MI5 on her. Her testimony validates Kim defected to the KGB.

Nickolas Elliott and Kim, both SIS agents, met at a club. Following an explosion, The Blitz, the two men came fast friends. After 23 years of friendship, Nick discovers Kim had colluded with the KGB since 1933. To avoid capture or worse, death, Kim flees to Beirut.

Nick convinces the Commissionaire to send him to Beirut instead of a team of MI5 agents. Sir Roger warns the Commissionaire that Nick’s close relationship with Kim is dangerous for the mission. He reiterated that Nick possibly aided in the escape of Soviet spies and British intelligence agents, Maclean and Burgess from America to the Soviet Union.

Lily Thomas is delegated by Henry Brook, Secretary of State for the Home Department, to debrief Nick. Nick confessed to having falsified his statement in which he claimed Kim stopped working with KGB when the war ended. He feared what the CIA would do to Kim if evidence of collusion with the Soviet Union during his stint in Washington surfaced.

During a secret meeting, Nick pulls an 8-page confession out of Kim. The MI5 later labeled the confession “chicken feed.” Lily suggests the “chicken feed” confession was Nick’s way of protecting himself and Tim’s family from a public scandal.

Maclean feared for his life when America discovered he was concluding with KGB. While Burgess’ cover was safe, he insisted on fleeing to the Soviet Union with Maclean. Kim assisted in their escape.

Nick and Kim spent four days inside a flat in Beirut. On the fourth day, Nick lures Kim outside on the balcony so KGB sees them together. Kim would later flee to the Soviet Union.

A Spy Among Friends Review

The story of the Cambridge Five has been told time and time again. A Spy Among Friends is a colossal failure. The key elements – color, editing, lighting, and camera work – were poorly done. Scenes too dark to identify characters were a common issue throughout the episode.

The show was frustrating to watch. It was constant rewinding and forward-winding to decipher the dialogue and sequence of events. It didn’t help that the dialogue was repetitious and the lighting so poor, identifying characters was virtually impossible.

The adaptation alters the true story of the Cambridge Five. The story eludes to a romantic relationship between Nick and Kim, which lacks evidence. They added their own take to fit certain agendas.

Flora’s interview was the highlight of the show. Kudos to Anastasia Hille, great performance. I’m a big fan of Damian Lewis (Dream Horse, Billions, Homeland) and Guy Pearce (Neighbors, Jack Irish, Mare of Easttown). It’s doubtful these actor extrodinaires can save the show.

The episode deserves a 5. Get more A Spy Among Friends recaps here. Please help the Reel Mockery team as we try to transition to an ad-free platform by clicking here.

A Spy Among Friends Cast

• Sergi – Karel Roden
• Dick “C” White – Nicholas Pritchard
• Jane Sissmore – Lucy Russell
• Lily Thomas – Anna Maxwell Martin
• Sir Anthony Blunt – Nicholas Rowe
• Commissionaire – Colin Mace
• Donald Maclean – Daniel Lapaine
• Vladimir – Denis Khoroshko
• Flora Solomon – Anastasia Hille
• James Jesus Angleton – Stephen Kunken
• Nicholas Elliott – Damian Lewis
• Tim Milne – Steven Elder
• Robert Thomas – Gershwyn Eustache Jnr
• Guy Burgess – Thomas Arnold
• Elizabeth Elliott – Lucy Akhurst
• Desmond Bristow/Boris – Jolyon Coy

Where Was A Spy Among Friends Filmed

Filming locations were in Romania and London.

Where To Watch A Spy Among Friends

A Spy Among Friends, adapted for ITVX by Alex Cary (The Riches, Homeland, In Plain Sight), premiered on ITVX on December 8, 2022. It will air worldwide on BritBox (release date is unavailable at this time) and ITV1 at a later date.