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 … >
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 … >
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 … >
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, … >
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 … >
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 … >
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. … >
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 … >
‘That doesn’t make sense, even for the Musketeers.’ Like your friendships, it’s best not to examine Musketeers‘ plots too closely. The fun to be had is more character based, or possibly historical if you’re intrigued by the period setting. This week, it was fairly obvious – even to your tired and inebriated reviewer – that … >
Jonathan Creek used to be an outsider. An enigma wrapped in a duffel coat wrapped in a windmill. Everything about him was an act of non-conformation against the sweaty ‘90s urgency to be cool, and that in itself was cool. But on screen it was always the world around Creek that was painted as even … >