Back in the day, before the Internet and Television, if you wanted to learn something technical your options were fairly limited. School was the place to go if you could afford it. Military service might provide you an avenue for education. An apprenticeship would do you good if your family could afford it. And if you could read, some tedious hours in a library with some beeswax candlesticks could do the job.
Nowadays, with a simple Internet connection and a cable subscription you could learn much and more about any subject you could conceive of. We’ve come a long way, brothers and sisters.
One of the coolest things we’re seeing these days are television shows, also streamable on the web, that show you all sorts of tips and tricks for being a spy / con artist / security consultant – they’re all the same thing. Below are three of the best shows for learning all about getting what you want when the getting’s not so simple.
Hustle
Hustle is a British television show, but don’t let that dissuade you. Despite the funny accents, these episodes introduce you to the world of the Con. Every week these guys pull off some of the sweetest scams you’ve ever seen on T.V., and they teach you how to do it along the way – well, television style.
Leverage
If you don’t like the English then try the American version of the show called Leverage. It’s the same setup as Hustle but with the standard American altruism thrown in. What you lose in believability you gain in humor. Don’t let season 1 sour you on the show though, it gets better and better. Season 4 is shaping up to be the best season yet.
Prison Break
While no longer on the air, if you haven’t seen Michael Scofield in Prison Break in action then you’re missing out. This guy gets arrested and sent to a maximum security prison for the purpose of breaking his death row brother out. While the story is suspenseful and the acting epic (mostly) it’s the ingenious of it all that really gets to you. This is the show that will inspire you to greatness. Oh, and that’s just season 1.
Burn Notice
From the pilot you’d never think Burn Notice would have made it, especially looking back on it from today. Yet somehow it managed to pull together all the key ingredients to a great spy show: excellent team, narrated spy tips, awesome story lines, cool romance and Bourne-style fighting. It’s so darn good. Did I mention it has Bruce Campbell? I know, total win.
So pick up the DVDs, or stream them on Netflix, or check out the next episodes on television when you get the chance. Set your PVR or take notes because these shows will turn you into a functioning spy in no time.
Did I miss any other amazing spy shows? Let everyone know in the comments!
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