Watch Strike Back: Origins

TV-MA
2013
1 Season

Strike Back: Origins is a British television series that aired on Sky1 in 2010. The show was later shown on Cinemax in the United States as Strike Back: Origins. It was based on the novel of the same name by Chris Ryan. Strike Back: Origins is a prequel to the Strike Back series and follows the exploits of John Porter, portrayed by Richard Armitage, as he leads a special forces covert mission in Iraq to rescue hostages.

The show begins with John Porter being dishonorably discharged from the Special Air Service (SAS) in 2003 after a mission in Iraq goes wrong. Seven years later, Porter is called back into service when a fellow soldier, Hugh Collinson (Andrew Lincoln), concludes that Porter was not responsible for the botched mission and that a cover-up was orchestrated to protect the senior officers. Collinson convinces Porter to help him track down the hostages from the original mission and clear his name.

Porter and Collinsonâs search takes them to Iraq, where they work together, along with several other members of the SAS, to identify the location of the hostages. Along the way, they are forced to navigate dangerous territories, confront hostile enemies and contend with their personal demons.

Throughout the series, the audience sees flashbacks of Porterâs original mission in 2003, showing how the events that led to his dishonorable discharge played out. This context is important, as it helps the viewer understand Porterâs motivation throughout the show.

The show is action-packed with thrilling sequences that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It has been praised for its gritty realism and for portraying the turbulent reality of the war in Iraq. Strike Back: Origins shows the moral ambiguity of war and the toll it can take on the individuals who fight it.

The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Richard Armitage as John Porter, Andrew Lincoln as Hugh Collinson, Jodhi May as Kate Marshall, Shazad Latif as As'ad, and Orla Brady as Katie Dartmouth. Each actor brings depth and complexity to their respective characters, making them more than just mere caricatures.

The series also boasts impressive production values. It has a filmic quality to it and the locations are authentic, with much of the show being filmed on location in Jordan and South Africa. The action set pieces are expertly choreographed, and the use of practical effects adds an extra layer of authenticity.

Overall, Strike Back: Origins is a compelling and thrilling television show that is sure to delight fans of the action genre. It offers a fresh perspective on the war in Iraq and portrays the realities of war in a nuanced and thoughtful manner. The series is perfect for anyone looking for a thrilling and action-packed viewing experience.

Strike Back: Origins is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between October 24, 2013 and on HBO

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Seasons

6. Episode 06

November 29, 2013

Season Finale. A deadly game of Russian roulette ends with Porter and Baxter blasting their way into the desert, with Sharq's men in pursuit. In London, Collinson works to extricate the pair. Meanwhile, the last surviving victim in Porter's ill-fated 2003 Iraq rescue dies, leaving Thompson with ballistic evidence that could finally ID his shooter.

5. Episode 05

November 22, 2013

On the heels of a suspicious friendly fire attack on U.S. forces, Porter is sent to Afghanistan to uncover the source of an encryption breach. The search leads him to Gerald Baxter, a former technical-support contractor with CIA ties who orchestrated a bombing that accidentally killed civilians in Iraq years ago, and disappeared after being diagnosed with PTSD.

4. Episode 04

November 15, 2013

With Colonel Tshuma's elite forces and a cunning Bushman tracker in hot pursuit, Porter and Masuku head towards the border of South Africa, where they evacuate a girls' orphanage that sits in harm's way and prepare for a possible last stand. Meanwhile, Collinson shares tragic news involving Porter's family back home, and learns who blew Thompson's cover.

3. Episode 03

November 8, 2013

Now working for Section 20 under Collinson, Porter heads to Zimbabwe, where Felix Masuku, a marksman with a Special Forces past, has been imprisoned for the attempted assassination of the President. Posing as a diamond dealer, Porter is arrested and ends up in the same high-security prison as Masuku, with orders to get him out at all costs.

2. Episode 02

November 1, 2013

Porter allows himself to be captured by Al Nazeri in order to make contact with Katie and As'ad. Though both he and Katie are beaten badly, Porter is able to escape with the help of As'ad, leading to a desert showdown with his terrorist pursuers--and a partial extraction that raises questions about Collinson's actions during the ill-fated rescue of Bratton years earlier.

1. Episode 01

Series Premiere. Exiled from the British Special Forces, John Porter resurfaces years later in hopes of rescuing a kidnapped journalist.

Description

Strike Back: Origins is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between October 24, 2013 and on HBO

Where to Watch Strike Back: Origins

Strike Back: Origins is available for streaming on the HBO website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Strike Back: Origins on demand at Apple TV Channels and Google Play.