5 Reasons to Watch 'Strike Back'

Cinemax has never really been known as a place for quality television, but it may have found a solid starting ground with its original drama series 'Strike Back.' The action-packed show combines what Cinemax knows best -- sex -- with heavy violence and some witty dialogue.

Think of it as a British take on '24,' and although it won't make you forget Jack Bauer, it is a thoroughly enjoyable action hero romp from a global perspective. The series has also been a moderate hit for Cinemax, and it was recently renewed for a second 10-part season.

The series follows Section 20, an elite military black ops unit within the British government that focuses on high-risk, top-priority targets -- including an international group of terrorists. When one of their own is captured and held hostage by the terrorist group, Section 20 enlists the help of Damien Scott (Sullivan Stapleton, 'Animal Kingdom'), a cheeky former Delta Force operative who is familiar with this group of terrorists. However, his cocky style is often at odds with his more by-the-book partner, Sgt. Michael Stonebridge (Philip Winchester, 'Camelot'). Meanwhile, team leader Col. Eleanor Grant (Amanda Mealing, 'Holby City') is one of the most badass females on television ... but she also has a few secrets of her own.

Season 1 wraps up tonight (Fri., Oct. 21, 10PM ET on Cinemax), but there's still time to catch up with Scott and Stonebridge before Season 2 premieres in 2012. Here are five reasons we think you should watch:

1. Explosives
Seriously, if you love to watch stuff blow up, this might just be your new favorite show. They must spend a fortune on explosives, and there's always a fist fight or someone wielding a gun. Basically, if you're a teenage boy, you'll be hooked. Not convinced? In the premiere episode, Stonebridge catches a bomb, mid-air.

2. It's Sexy
Get your mind out of the gutter! It's not just smut for smut's sake. In fact, Cinemax's foray into primetime television only averages about one sex scene per episode. (We counted.) Meanwhile, sister network HBO's 'True Blood' averages at least two per episode. (Counted again.) But 'Strike Back' isn't just a sexy show because of the sex -- Stapleton and Winchester are two of the most attractive leading males on television. They had to endure an intense one-month military bootcamp before filming began in South Africa, and female fans everywhere are grateful for it.

3. Scott & Stonebridge
Sure, the main focus of the series is Section 20, their counter-terrorism ops and taking down bad guy Latif, but at the heart of the show is the relationship between Scott and Stonebridge. At first, it's kind of stereotypical: Scott is the d-bag American who ruffles the uptight Stonebridge's feathers. Scott is a typical womanizer, while Stonebridge is the dedicated family man, and their interactions produce most of the witty banter in the show. However, as the first season progresses, you realize that Scott and his buddy "Stonehenge" (as Scott affectionately calls him), are kind of like two peas in a badass pod. They're not perfect, but they just might be the closest thing television has to a modern day Steve McQueen and John Wayne.

4. Expect the Unexpected
You have to appreciate a show that's not afraid to kill off a few main characters, especially when it's totally unexpected. It wouldn't be realistic if everyone in Section 20 to make it out alive, right? Just don't get too attached to any of these characters because you never know what kind of secrets they're hiding -- or when their time might be up. Case in point: The explosive season finale. No spoilers, but it might have you feeling a little upset by the show's end, like you've been duped. But in a good way that leaves you wanting more.

5. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Mr. Eko?! Enough said. Adewale guest stars as a brutal militia leader named Tahir, who holds an innocent aid worker hostage in the Sudan. Seriously, is there any actor who's more badass than Adewale? We don't think so.

Tell us: Have you been watching 'Strike Back'? Will you now?