"The Rose Bed Memoirs" is the fifth episode in the first series of the BBC spy drama Spooks. It was first broadcast on the tenth of June 2002, and is the fifth episode overall.
Synopsis[]
A disgraced MP is released from prison for embezzlement, but his memoirs, which implicate MP Richard Maynard (guest star Nicholas Farrell) and a Russian agent has been stolen. It is later revealed to be stolen by MI6 officer Jools Siviter. After reluctantly giving them to MI5, they discover that the memoirs are "trash". It is also revealed that Maynard was a CIA agent, and was forced to resign for it.
Plot[]
It’s a media scramble when ex-MP Hampton Wilder is released from prison, having served a sentence for embezzlement. He is swiftly driven away in a car, accompanied by Danny: Wilder has requested an urgent meeting with MI5.
It is widely "known" that Wilder was involved in illegal arms dealing whilst in government, and he is intensely disliked, particularly by those in MI5. Harry greets him in the underground car park of Thames House, and a bizarre interrogation ensues. Wilder says the reason he wanted a meeting is that, whilst in prison, he wrote his memoirs, in which he fingered a current serving minister of the MOD as his successor in the arms trade.
However, he then found God and tried to destroy the memoirs but they had gone from his hiding place… The minister in question is Richard Maynard, best friend of the PM and shining star of the government. The memoirs would create a scandal big enough to bring down the existing government. They must be found. Tom and Danny are despatched to the prison, but there is no sign of the manuscript.
Wilder also mentions ex-KGB spy, Sergei Lermov, as being involved somehow. Lermov is well known to MI5 and Tom questions him, only to be shocked that Lermov also names Maynard. Perhaps he is guilty, and he, Maynard and Wilder all worked together. Lermov immediately goes to see Jools Siviter, where it transpires that he is a paid MI6 agent, the two men having a history that began when their paths crossed regarding a dead boy at the Hotel Ukraine in Moscow, Jools saving Lermov from his masters over that affair.
Tom and Harry arrive at the opera to talk to Jools who reveals Maymard's memoirs exist.
Lermov is mysteriously killed later that night.
After being trapped in the pod that leads to the Grid and being freed by Harry as Tessa and the other staff had refused to do anything while Tom is amused, Jools comes round to lay the blame at Harry's door – but not before giving Harry the manuscript: MI6 has had it all along which Jools produces from a bag concealed in his trousers with Jools blaming them for Lermov's murder. After placing the manuscript, Jools remarks it's also been a very, very long night- the death of an agent and possibly the worst productions of Wagner he's ever seen as the Valkyrie were all dressed in scuba gear before he leaves.
Maynard is called in for a "briefing" at the Grid, in order to establish whether or not he is guilty of anything. Tessa is tasked to take special care of him, which she does, enthusiastically. They are in the midst of a secret affair and she later tells him what is really going on. Maynard vehemently denies any involvement.
At home, Zoe is struggling to come to terms with Tessa's corruption, and Tom is having problems dealing with Maisie’s father, who has suddenly appeared on the scene. However, there is no time to deal with personal problems when the manuscript is mysteriously leaked to the press. All fingers are pointed at MI5, but Harry has other ideas.
Following the leak, Maynard announces his resignation from government. Tessa is appalled and goes round to see him, whilst Tom pays a visit to Wilder, and Harry and Jools spend some time over a bottle of whiskey.
Maynard informs Tessa he is leaving the country for the United States, where he intends to take a teaching job at Harvard University. Wilder confesses that his memoirs were a complete fabrication.
Jools tells Harry that Maynard who had been rising through the ranks to become Foreign Secretary had to leave the government as he is a CIA asset which has Harry stunned. Jools also reveals that the CIA recruited Maynard years previously and that he found out about it six months previously during a drunken conversation with an American cousin in the same bar he and Harry are currently in. Jools also tells Harry the Prime Minister is blind to the faults of his friends and that M16 needed a good reason to get rid of him with the memoirs providing just that very reason. He also states it's a good outcome all around as a nasty foreigner is dead and dodgy Brit disgraced with Harry noting the ship is afloat.
Tom later meets Danny and Zoe at their apartment and the three share a drink together.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
Quotes[]
- "MI5 doesn't do evil - just treachery, treason, and Armageddon." - Harry Pearce
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
