Welcome

Welcome to the Double-0 Section.

This is a blog that will deal with all aspects of spying - the players and the gadgets, the factual and the fictional, the real-life cases and the plots dreamt up for entertainment that might not be too far off the truth. We'll be taking in the current espionage in the news, as well as looking back over high-profile (and lesser-known) cases from history. We'll be examining methodology and gadgetry and all things covert, while at the same time digging deep into the how and why of spycraft. We'll also be dealing with the world of espionage in all forms of entertainment - literature, television and videogames, to name but a few. And above all else, the Double-0 Section deals with anything related to the fascinating world of spying in all its forms. Any suggestions for articles are welcomed, any feedback is gratefully received.

Here's a hint of what'll be coming up over the next few days. There'll be a review of Salt, the spy thriller currently in cinemas. I'll be looking at the real-life 'aquatic car' inspired by the infamous Lotus Esprit. In light of the murder of MI6 employee Gareth Williams, I'll be posting the first in a series of articles dealing with espionage assassinations. There'll be an in-depth look at the simmering tenisons between the US and Russia following the Anna Chapman spy scandal. Plus, there'll be an awful lot about James Bond.

And indeed, to kick us off, a short piece about that most marvellous of film series. Watching Thunderball (1967) for the first time in three years yesterday, I was struck - for the first time - at just how idiotic Emilio Largo, SPECTRE's Number Two and the main villain of the piece, seems to be. His plan is a fine one - steal two atomic weapons, and then hold the world to ransom. But there are three major flaws.

1. He keeps Domino around
Domino is the sister of the man that Largo killed in order to steal the plane carrying the nuclear weapons. Understandably, if she ever finds out about this, she's going to be a bit pissed. So what does Largo do? He keeps her right by his side throughout the entire film. If he'd packed her off to some health spa or Secret Lair somewhere, without telling her where he was, Bond would never have gotten anywhere near Largo when he encountered Derval, and the plot would have succeeded. Of course, the fact that Bond had so much time to find and woo Domino in Nassau brings us on to...

2. He gives a seven-day deadline
Largo holds two atomic bombs. He can do whatever he likes. The world is willing to pay his ransom. But why, why, why give them seven days? It's needlessly generous. If he'd offered, say, two days, there is no way Bond would have worked out the full plan in that time. And the decision was made pretty quickly to give SPECTRE the money, so it was never really a 'last resort'. Giving seven days before the bombs go off is bad villainy, pure and simple.

But the worst transgression Largo commits is the following...

3. He gives all his henchmen and minions MASSIVE SPECTRE RINGS TO WEAR

Does Largo not understand the concept of a 'secret' organisation? He and his cronies all wear humongous octopus rings, noticed by Bond when he plays Largo at cards, and then on Fiona Volpe's finger (at least she half-heartedly tries to explain it away). What a giveaway! So not only does Largo keep around a woman with a blood vendetta against him (once she finds out), he gives the world a whole week to find him, and he advertises his henchmen for all to see by judicious use of jewellry. Sigh. No wonder he was always Number Two.

Mind you, the octopus ring provided the inspiration to call the SPECTRE-in-all-but-name evil organisation OCTOPUS in the videogame of From Russia With Love, so it's not all bad.

Keep your eyes on the Section for future updates. As many as I can fit in. Enjoy.