MovieChat Forums > The Professionals (1977) Discussion > How many CI5 agents in the organisation?

How many CI5 agents in the organisation?

posted 12 years ago by jh66
9 replies | jump to latest

It focuses mostly on Bodie (codename 3-7) and Doyle (codename 4-5), but how many other CI5 field agents were there in the series, as I can't imagine there'd be so many that they'd run out of single-digit callsigns, like 18-22 or 11-17?

There are only so many different permutations that could be used with single digits without 4-5 and 3-7 (ie. 8-1 and 2-9 etc), without soon running out? I doubt an organisation would reverse the digits or use double figures, lest they be misunderstood over the radio?

In the episode 'Purging of CI5', where an unknown assassin kills off their members, at least three other CI5 men are seen to be killed.

So I wondered if anyone had seen or heard how many CI5 agents were in the show?

[–] offramp_tavanipupu 11 years ago

...And here's a similar puzzle. I thought that CI5 was meant to be more or less a secret organization. But when they flash those easily-fakeable warrant cards everyone immediately knows where they are from, even bums lying in the gutter.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Joxerlives 11 years ago

1. We meet agents with 3 digit callsigns so I would suspect the total complement of CI5 is over 100, Cowley has the rank of Major which would put him in command of a company/squadron which would normally be 120 men.

2. CI5 is a secret organisation but known to the public, subject to inquiries and mentioned in the media. Most people if you flash an ID at them will accept it unless they know better.

[–] IvarTB 11 years ago

In the episode 'Blood Sports' there is a gorgeous female operative in a car (surveillance) with the callsign 118 and she speaks to a bloke with 93.

[–] garyedgecombe 11 years ago

There are as many agents in CI5 as you want to pretend there are...at the risk of spoiling your fun, can i gently point out that the show is fiction, the events portrayed didn't ACTUALLY happen, and CI5 did not, and does not exist!!
(anyone shot and killed by Bodie and Doyle didn't REALLY die either, the bullets weren't real and neither was any blood!)
I hope i've not ruined the show for anyone..i'm a fan too!

[–] ib011f9545i 11 years ago

No it is real to some people.

Back in 1984 there was a serious situation outside the Libyan embassy in London,big demonstration very tense.

A police women was shot dead by someone in the embassy and the media was full of it.

pro Gaddaffi demonstrators in Libya were shown holding signs saying "DOWN WITH CI5".

OF course CI5 is fictional but MI5 and the Special Branch do exist and they have more to do now than back than when the PROFESSIONALS was made.

I do think we could do with a remake for the new era?

[–] garyedgecombe 10 years ago

I agree UK tv could do with some escapist action series, absolutely NOTHING is made along these lines now! Reality tv rules it seems, oh yes, and cookery shows! (God help us!)
The problem with remakes is that you can always rely on one thing...no matter how much money you throw at production...and regardless of who gets cast in the leading roles...it WILL be pants! People who remember the original will compare the two, and nostalgia will always win! A new audience has different tastes to one of 20 or 30 years ago, and simply won't watch in the first place. Look at Randall & Hopkirk as a perfect example. The 1969 original is classic cult viewing...the Vic Reeves reboot was so awful it almost achieved a kind of greatness!
The Professionals without Shaw, Collins & Jackson would achieve viewing figures that would make BBC's 'Eldorado' look like Downton Abbey!
Some series simply can't be remade, no matter how good the intentions...probably a good thing!

[–] Joxerlives 10 years ago

I figure about a hundred. We see agents with three digit numbers and Cowley as a Major should command a company so that makes sense.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]