Stuff I Watched: 8th Oct – 10th Oct 2009

FlashForward: Channel 5 (Recorded 5th Oct Watched 8th Oct)

Episode 2 –  This week’s episode had a bit of a poor start; some kids played an unconvincing game of ‘blackout’, one of the kids was unconvincingly bullied for not joining in, and then the parents of that kid unconvincingly dealt with the aftermath.  Luckily, things picked up a bit, and they had at least the good grace to address early on the fact that our heroes are the self appointed world experts on the  ’blackout’, despite working in a FBI sub-office.   After last week praising the vigilance of the agent that managed to spot the one person who didn’t black out, this week I’d like to commend the FBI web developers, who knocked up the world’s most complicated web-site in a few hours.  And, a special mention must go out to whoever managed to get the authorisation for the ‘millions of dollars’ in funding needed to set it up, as their superior somehow hadn’t noticed that it had been spent.  Maybe I’m just being picky.

Like early episodes of Heroes, I think I’m watching for the intriguing set-up and not how the programme is being executed; it may be the clunkiest script I’ve heard for a long time, and their love of hammering a point home by endless repetition of earlier scenes is bordering on OCD.  There is also the deeply troubling question of why nobody seems that bothered by it all, and, given we’re in America, where are all the religious  fanatics?  Now I’m definitely just being picky.

Despite its obvious flaws, it’s still interesting enough to keep me watching. For now.

Emma: BBC HD (R 5th Oct W 8th Oct)

I’m determined that one day I’ll watch one of the BBCs acclaimed costume dramas in it’s entirety and not just give up after 10 minutes of the first episode. That day, however, is not today.  Believe it or not, I’ve actually read some Jane Austen novels and quite enjoyed them. I just can’t seem to bear it when they turn up on the telly.  Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

It’s Only a Theory: BBC4 (R 7th Oct W 8th Oct)

This is a new series in which highly-qualified experts submit a theory to a panel, which consists of Andy Hamilton, Reginald D. Hunter and a guest (this week, Clare Balding).  After some amusing cross-examination, the panel then decide whether or not the theory is approved or rejected.  On the face of it, this seems to be exactly the same format as Dave Gorman’s Genius, but with theories instead of inventions.  Whilst they are very similar, the big difference is that IOAT is actually quite serious and the theories are genuinely interesting; this week’s were, ‘the first 1000 year old human has already been born’ and ‘we’re in danger of  turning sadness in to an sickness’.  The appeal of the show is helped by the wit of unlikely duo, Hamilton and Hunter.  Yes, it’s another variation on the comedy panel show, but it’s also one where you might actually learn something to go along with your laughs.

In Treatment: Sky Arts 1 (R 5th, 6th & 7th Oct W 8th Oct)

I had mixed feelings going in to this; it’s made by HBO and is highly acclaimed, but I didn’t know if I had the stomach for watching a five nights a week drama about a therapist talking to his clients.

I watched the opening three half-hour episodes back-to-back, and each starred Gabriel Byrne as Dr Paul Weston.  The first episode sees Laura  (Melissa George) describe the events of events of a drunken night out  and ultimately confessing her unrequited love for Weston.  The second saw Alex (Blair Underwood), an über-confident fighter pilot, who slowly begins to reveal his inner turmoil over a mission which resulted in the  death of children. Episode three was the story of suicidal teen, Sophie (Mia Wasikowska).

Just watching two people have a conversation for half an hour, in a single room, shouldn’t be as interesting as this is.  The acting is uniformly superb, but special mention must be made for Byrne who spends much of the show just listening; he goes to show what a skill listening is for an actor.  Acting alone doesn’t make a show, and the scripts really shine through.  It’s really compelling  television and each strand feels like it’s slowly being opened out as we learn more about each of the patients and their therapist. I’m exciting to see where this is going to go over the next 9 weeks, and how the writers are going to sustain the momentum built in these opening episodes.  Don’t be put off by the concept, you should definitely watch this.

Stargate Universe: Sky One (R 6th Oct W 8th Oct)

I’ve never followed any of the Stargate franchises and may well not have bothered this time if it wasn’t for the inclusion of Robert Carlyle as its star.  I’ve seen bits of other Stargate episodes, but I had no real preconceptions going in to this, so I just tried to sit back and enjoy the ride.  I watched the two opening episodes, which are part of a 3 part opener, and it’s pretty good, but feels like we’re still establishing the premise.  And the premise is this; some military and scientists, who are part of the Stargate program, escape an enemy attack by taking a one-way ride to an ancient spaceship that is billions of light years away from earth.  The current plot is almost entirely concerned with their attempts to get the decrepit life support system working, and when they, presumably, get that working, then I don’t know where it’s going.  At the moment it feels like it lies somewhere between Voyager and Battlestar Galactica.  Hopefully, they will err towards the latter in terms of plot and quality.

Harry Hill’s TV Burp: ITV1 (R 10th Oct W 10th Oct)

It’s a welcome return for the show the remains the exception to the rule that ITV don’t do comedy.  I was worried during the first half that it had lost its touch, but the second half really picked up and was hilarious.It’s perfect Saturday evening entertainment.

Lie To Me: Sky One (R 8th Oct W 10th Oct)

It’s not been that long since the first season finished its run, and this season 2 opener was a welcome return.  It’s the story of Dr Cal Lightman (Tim Roth), a ‘human lie-detector’, and his team of related experts.  They’re regularly sub-contracted by various US law enforcement agencies to solve their crimes for them.

It’s not the kind of show that I normally like; I generally steer away from police procedurals and there’s no real overall storyline running through the series.  Credit to the writers and cast then that they have made essentially an episodic cop show that isn’t completely vacant.  A large part of its appeal lies in the casting of Roth who commands every scene in which he takes part; it’s worth watching just for him.