This is a guest post by Silktie, Spooks Forum Moderator

We have lived through Tom, Adam and Ros as Section Chiefs, and now we have Lucas; all wonderfully individual and compelling characters in their own right. Have you noticed, however, that there are certain character traits they all have in common? So, for those out there who are wondering whether they have what it takes to stand in Lucas’ shoes, read on.

Let’s start with physical appearance. All the male Section Chiefs are unfeasibly handsome, and have piercing blue eyes that will weaken the knees of any woman. They are also too busy to shave regularly, therefore sporting fashionable designer stubble most of the time. Maybe they use the time they would have wasted shaving to go clothes shopping instead, as their outfits are never out of fashion, whether dressed formally or casually. Our female Section Chief was similarly pleasing on the eye, and able to ensnare any mark with a mere flutter of her eyelashes. Her outfits made most women green with envy, and like the men, she could wear a leather jacket with attitude.

And what about their personal lives? The males have all shown a predilection for unsuitable women, especially of the thin, blonde CIA variety. If it’s not the latest CIA femme fatale, there are always the wives of foreign diplomats to get entangled with. Heck, even the nanny will do in a pinch… At least the men got regular action; it seems that any female Section Chief must always remain lonely and miserable. When they do form an attachment to one of their male colleagues, they will either have to share them with one of the fore-mentioned unsuitables, or they will inconveniently die.

Let’s move on to their abilities. Both males and females are in peak physical condition, and able to run and fight in any outfit. No matter whether they are wearing extremely tight jeans or ankle-breaking high heels, they are still able to catch and overpower any foe. They are also all geniuses that can learn the ins and outs of any job in a matter of minutes. This is rather handy, as they almost never bother to recruit agents, but rather do all the work themselves. Whether they are infiltrating a financial institution or a terror cell, they will always blend in perfectly and have the necessary skills to fool even those who have done that particular job for years.

They have nerves of steel, as the Bomb Squad can apparently never bother to arrive on time, leaving our heroes the unenviable job of defusing all bombs ever, of course always making sure that it stops with less than five seconds to go for dramatic effect.

And last but not least, they are all willing to make huge sacrifices to keep the rest of us safe. If their conscience doesn’t explode due to the morally questionable stuff they have to do, they themselves literally will. There is no going out with a whimper for our guys and girls!

Er, come to think of it, better send the newbies to handle the bombs for a while, Lucas, just to be sure…