Intelligence

Intelligence is a dysfunctional workplace comedy series that premiered on Peacock in 2020. Created by Nick Mohammed, who pulls double duty as both the writer and star of the show, Intelligence is set in the world of cyber-security and espionage and stands out for its unique blend of comedy, character drama, and insight into the world of high-level cyber intelligence.

The show's premise centres on a unit of Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) – a less glamorous, and often overlooked cousin of MI6. The unit encounters disruption when they are joined by a somewhat arrogant and bumbling American NSA agent, Jerry Bernstein, played by David Schwimmer of 'Friends' fame. Schwimmer perfectly embodies this obnoxious, charmless yet somehow lovable character, providing much of the show's humor through his mishaps and misunderstandings.

Nick Mohammed stars alongside Schwimmer as Joseph Harries, a socially awkward but technically gifted analyst at GCHQ. Joseph is often left to clean up the mess left by Jerry's actions. The dynamic between these two characters provides a fresh take on the 'odd couple' dynamic, contributing significantly to the overall hilarity of the series.

The ensemble cast also includes Jane Stanness, who portrays an eccentric, off-kilter character named Mary, and Sylvestra Le Touzel, who portrays Christine, the ever-exasperated and enduring Director of Cyber Security.

Though the show is primarily a comedy, the creators of Intelligence have not shied away from including serious themes related to cyber-security throughout the storyline. The writing and the characterization pay homage to the intricacies and dangers of government cyber-security, striking a balance between humor and suspense, without losing the essence of its comedic core.

The tech and cyber world is the bedrock upon which the series is built, and the series does not hesitate to delve into both its complexities and strangeness. Without revealing too much, Intelligence ground its humor and dramatic tension in the details of cyber warfare, including internet trolls, data breaches, and code-breaking.

One of the most compelling aspects of Intelligence is its willingness to push boundaries in comedic portrayal, deriving humour from absurdity and chaos. It combines British wit with an over-the-top American aesthetic to construct rounded, engaging narratives. It encapsulates disasters unfolding due to personality clashes and office politics rather than enemies from the outside, shining a light on the human elements that sit behind national security issues.

Despite some of its heavy themes, Intelligence is neither a dark comedy nor a gritty drama. There’s a lightness of touch throughout the series that ensures its theme of cyber-security doesn’t weigh it down. Much like a sitcom, the characters grow on you, making the viewing experience enjoyable and endearing. In a nutshell, the humor is both whip-smart and silly, with the sharp script effectively utilizing both off-beat character comedy and slapstick.

Intelligence is a workplace comedy with a twist. It offers the audience a refreshing, chaotic, and warm-hearted portrayal of a cyber-security unit and the unpredictable bunch of oddballs who run it. With a balancing act of character-based comedy and an exciting thematic backdrop, it satisfies both as a workplace sitcom and a commentary on international intelligence operations. In the end, Intelligence takes a setting that could easily be turned into an intense, dramatic thriller and instead, spins it into a quirky, appealing comedy, all while shedding a new light on government operations.