‘Silk’ Series 3 Episode 4 review

On Silk this week Martha had to defend a young Muslim man facing extradition to the US on terrorism charges. One couldn’t expect too much from this plot as its themes have been covered numerous times on television in recent years, but we finally got to see the potentially catastrophic result of Martha’s heart ruling … >

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‘W1A’: Episode 1 review

The team behind BBC Two’s fantastic Olympics sitcom Twenty Twelve are back with another satirical swipe at the modern world, and this time the BBC is in their sights. Well, it’s not solely the BBC under attack here. Like writer/director John Morton’s previous series, which didn’t attack the Olympics, W1A lampoons administration and management. Or, … >

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‘Mr Selfridge’ Series 2 Episode 9 review

This penultimate episode of Mr Selfridge’s second series shows an understandable ‘tying up’ of certain plot threads as others continue into next week’s finale. However, the news this week that Mr Selfridge has been given the green light for a third series means that aspects of the stories set up here may be the seeds … >

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‘The Musketeers’ Episode 8: ‘The Challenge’ review

Oh dear. The Musketeers had been carving out an enjoyably undemanding, handsome if predictable storytelling niche for itself. Tonight’s episode was not redeemed simply by there being attractive people and well-shot sword fights in it. As the Musketeers escort a violent prisoner, the Cardinal’s Red Guards intercept them. This leads to a falling out between … >

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‘Jonathan Creek’: ‘The Curse of the Bronze Lamp’ review

You know already that David Renwick is not afraid of killing off beloved characters. He created everyone’s favourite po-faced OAP Victor Meldrew, and when the time came he was good enough to grant him a quick death. Sad, but quick. Shame there’s no such luck for Jonathan Creek, who has been left to a slow … >

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‘The Smoke’ Episode 4 review

As we hit the halfway point of the series, The Smoke has explored its characters, but left more than enough room to grow. Focus on undeveloped characters and a subtle awareness of continuing plot threads provides some fantastic drama in this fourth episode, albeit one arguably littered with a little too much unnecessary humour. Technically, … >

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‘Inside No. 9’ Episode 6: ‘The Harrowing’ review

Be careful what you wish for. Ever since the first episode of Inside No. 9, the latest comedy series from one half of The League Of Gentlemen, there has been an unholy chorus of voices demanding a return to the darker, more gothic tones that were scattered across Royston Vasey. You know, the early, scary … >

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‘Line of Duty’ Series 2 Episode 5 review

Last year 3D TVs were all the rage. This year it’s concave 4K OLEDs. Next year your TV will probably be so advanced it’ll be too busy cooking your dinner for you to watch it. But still TV manufacturers are behind the times, because they haven’t yet managed to construct a set that can fully … >

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‘Silk’ Series 3 Episode 3 review

This week’s Silk episode dealt with the highly sensitive subject of assisted suicide. A mother was accused of murdering her severely disabled daughter in a case that pitted friends/lovers Martha and Clive against each other. Despite the tragic case, there was the sense that this was more about Martha and Clive’s rivalry than anything else. … >

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‘Mr Selfridge’ Series 2 Episode 8 review

Having Harry omitted from last week’s events meant that the episode he returned in was always going to be fraught with tension. It stands to reason that he is the primary focus of tonight’s episode. However, in doing so, many other worthy storylines are left virtually untouched, perhaps only referenced in passing comment. Given that … >

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