‘Crime and Punishment’ is set in Bleakridge which is, we’re told, “the most remote village in Midsomer.” It also has a chronic shortage of ample parking – either that or, despite its remoteness, it is something of a Mecca for the tourist trade. Whatever the reason, there seems to be no end of cars parked … >
The Counter-Measures team, first spun out of Remembrance of the Daleks back in the 1960s, now have their feet firmly placed in the early 1970s, at least in terms of style. In this first set of four one-disc stories, the team of Sir Toby (Hugh Ross), Group Captain Ian Chunky Gilmore (Simon Williams), Dr Rachel … >
The opening episode of the third season of Inside No. 9 is a Christmas-themed nightmare, dealing with the old legend of Krampus. It also, to some extent, deals with the legend of the BBC multi-camera studio bound dramas of the seventies and eighties, employing both old-fashioned cameras and indeed retired camera operators. All of which … >
[To the tune of the show’s ‘Danse Macabre’ title sequence…] ‘Jonathan Creek, Jonathan Creek; In recent years his show has been quite weak. The quality’s begun to leak; Is this one much better? Let’s take a peek…’ Well, Jonathan Creek‘s 2016 Christmas special, ‘Daemon’s Roost’, is neither festive, nor particularly special but it is the … >
Do you consider yourself to be a film enthusiast? If so, you will agree that 2016 has been an excellent year for the film industry. This year saw the return of one of the greatest movie series of all time. That film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, has hit a homerun at the box … >
Christmas is the season for catching up with old friends and so Boxing Day night seems an ideal time to entertain the Brockman family. It has been almost three years since the Outnumbered gang last graced our screens with their semi-improvised mayhem and unsurprisingly the kids have shot up (what are they feeding them?); Karen … >
As in so many episodes of Call the Midwife, the theme of this year’s Christmas special is spelled out by Vanessa Redgrave as the older Jenny Lee in the opening voiceover. “The most precious gifts cost nothing whatsoever,” she says, before an episode that is all about selflessness and thinking of others. Exploring the power behind simply … >
Look! There, up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a TARDIS? Actually yes, it is. Much missed from our screens this year, the big blue box is back, and bringing with it Steven Moffat’s homage to the superhero movies of old. And as an homage it hits all … >
Grantchester tasks itself with fitting a lot into each episode – mixing personal trauma, familial relationships and a little bit of social commentary in with the homicide and intrigue, it’s no wonder that its murder mysteries are rarely the most devilish or convoluted. That’s not a criticism by the way, just an observation – and … >
The modern era of Doctor Who has brought us some memorable new monsters and villains, but arguably none as deliberately forgettable as The Silence. The Munch inspired creatures were introduced in 2011’s season-long storyline, but their lengthy grip on humanity was promptly loosened by the Doctor; turning their own hypnotic tricks against them in ‘Day … >