I think I read a few of the books, too (my dad had a bunch of them), but it's been a long time since. A long time since I saw any of the episodes, too. I remember bits and pieces, like the awesome theme song, the explosives guy with the mask, and Pete Postlethwaite's role. That guy is always memorable.

And of course the two leads. According to the wiki article I just read, Bernard Cornwell himself was so impressed with Sean Bean's performance that he incorporated some things, like his Northern accent, into books written after the series started airing. How 'bout that!

~Neshomeh