I don’t know if some new quota has recently come into effect, but for the second episode in a row there are only two Midsomer Murders as opposed to the usual three. In the case of ‘Last Man Out’ though, I think we can forgive the shortfall – because the potential third victim, saved in … >
Here we see The Crown begin to introduce a little more subtlety, in a move away from its prior style of outlining themes in great detail – and it does so by placing greater faith in the ability of its stars, namely Claire Foy, Matt Smith, and Alex Jennings. Certainly, it’s an improvement on previous … >
Based on the book, Bobby Moore: By The Person Who Knew Him Best, ITV’s new three-part drama tells the story of the romantic relationship between Tina and Bobby Moore, who was famously the England football captain during the triumphant 1966 World Cup. “I’ve always had higher hopes for you, Tina Dean.” Interestingly the story is … >
A mere four episodes in, and we have what feels like The Crown’s first filler episode. That’s perhaps an unfair description – and perhaps an inaccurate one, too. It may be closer to the truth to describe ‘Act of God’ as an episode of The Crown which is trying to be a different programme entirely; … >
We return to the island of Saint Marie tonight, with the Honore Police investigating the murder of a young girl who died from an apparent suicide, as the town celebrated the first (and presumably last) Saint Marie Literary Festival. “She wrote a novel we all studied in school, The Flame Tree.” With all the potential … >
The obvious next step, of course, considering the established themes of The Crown – responsibility and duty taking priority over love and autonomy – is to show us the royal who shirked the former in pursuit of the latter; the man who, in his own words, couldn’t handle the responsibility. Prince, formerly King, Edward (here … >
‘Hyde Park Corner’ begins with Elizabeth (Claire Foy) and Philip (Matt Smith) on a tour of Africa, spending the duration of the episode in Nairobi. It’s a look at the decadence and dark side of royalty, with the first confrontation with the colonialism and imperial tendencies that the crown still represented at this point; Elizabeth … >
It’s May of 1940 and the skies above London are full of RAF planes as ITV’s new hotel drama The Halcyon continues. The “phony war” rapidly becomes real when the Dutch surrender and German tanks cross the Maginot Line. Conflict is brewing within The Halcyon and battle lines are drawn. Lady Hamilton observes Richard Garland … >
The only true measure of a great episode of TV is when you spend ten minutes after the credits repeating “wait, what?” like a mantra. ‘The Lying Detective’ was all about confessions; inner secrets laid bare for all. Our big bad, Culverton Smith (what a great name) is on the end of the spectrum, relishing … >
The fourth season of Sherlock certainly didn’t pull any emotional punches with its first episode, ‘The Six Thatchers’. The loss of Mary Watson is not only an important game-changer as far as the show’s central dynamic is concerned, but also delivers a kick to the gut with its poignancy. Thing is, it’s only really effective because … >