Why Charlie? Don’t expect an answer to that question quickly or, in fact, anything to happen with much haste – The Little Drummer Girl puts the “slow” in slow burn.
Indeed, it is not until the second episode that the disparate story strands introduced in the first episode start to be pulled together. But while the pacing might frustrate, the visual feast of glamorous European locales, 1970s detail and Skarsgård in his swimming trunks are adequate compensation. 
(Starts Wed., Nov. 14, 8.30pm; BBC First. For more on Skarsgård, turn to p. 24)