What I watched on TV… Here are six programmes our TV critic Stephen Miller has enjoyed taking for a test drive recently.
Prehistoric Planet (Apple TV+)
Travel back 66 million years to when dinosaurs and other extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas and skies. Prehistoric Planet combines award-winning wildlife filmmaking, the latest paleontology learnings and state-of-the-art technology. Add to that classic Sir David Attenborough commentary and you have a hyperrealistic, highly absorbing wildlife programme about life on ancient Earth. ★★★★ If this were a car, it would be: Jaguar E Type - timeless, beautiful, digitised history. .
Hacks Series 2 (Stan)
Hacks returns for its second season, which sees the dysfunctional couple Ava and Deborah, hit the road. This smart comedy really understands human behaviour and how that can be affected by the world of show business. I thought season one was great, but I loved this second season even more. What a thrilling, funny and excellent ride! ★★★★★ If this were a car, it would be: Porsche 911 - famous, smooth, quality, unchanged design.
38 TVO
Conversations With Friends (Amazon Prime)
The Staircase (Binge)
This slow moving, sexy drama progresses at such a slow pace you could rightly describe that as glacial. But I’m a fan of the slow burn and Alison Oliver is the standout for me playing the socially awkward Frances. Based on Sally Rooney’s acclaimed novel of the same name, it touches many emotions and as with Normal People before it (on the small screen but after it in book chronology), you will either be enthralled or bored - I loved it. ★★★★★ If this was a car, it would be: VW Beetle - sluggish, solid, reliable and fun.
In 2001, author and aspiring local politician, Michael Peterson, was charged with murder after the suspicious death of his wife Kathleen. The Staircase doesn’t hold many surprises if you’re already familiar with the original documentary, but this dramatisation does bring a different perspective to the mystery. Colin Firth does a good job at playing the unlikeable, narcissistic Michael Peterson, instead of normally making audiences swoon. ★★★★ If this were a car, it would be: Citroën 2CV - Familiar, slow and drives like a waterbed.
Family Court Murders (ABC iView)
Essex Serpent (Apple TV+)
Walkley award-winning investigative journalist and author, Debi Marshall, seeks to find a resolution for the families of a series of shootings and bombings that killed four people and critically injured dozens in the 1980s. Known as the ‘Family Court Murders’, these brutal attacks were fueled by the bitter custody dispute that ensued between Leonard Warwick and his wife Andrea. This fourpart doco has merit but would have been much improved further being spliced down to just two episodes. ★★★ If this were a car, it would be: A stretched limousine - long, captivating and driven by a proficient chauffeur.
Recently widowed, Cora has relocated to a small village in Essex, where she becomes intrigued by a local superstition that a mythical creature (known as the Essex Serpent) has returned to the area. The Essex Serpent is an accomplished Gothic romance with captivating performances. This is not a period drama where everything is rosy and colourful - in fact quite the reverse. It is though very endearing, has real depth and wonderful characters. I really enjoyed this show. ★★★★ If this were a car, it would be: 1955 Citroën DS 19 - romantic, creative and very mysterious.
