Unforgotten - Series 1 - ITV 1 - 22,15,08 /10/15,

ITV presents yet another crime/detective/mystery/thriller. Yawn. Or is it? Advertising  seems to present this show as something different, something we haven't seen before. With one claim so bold as to say it is "Better than Broadchurch". A big statement to make and a lot to live up to. However, 'Unforgotten' just about seems to be pulling it off, so far that is. At its opening we are introduced to a whole heap of characters, most of a certain age, (and most who seem to look the same if we're being honest), and in a flurry of names and faces it gets a bit confusing. But by episode 3 (at the time of writing) we seem to getting into the flow of things. Character traits have been established, personality ticks and flaws and secrets unraveled.

We focus in on DCI Cassie Stuart, played by the brilliant, 'Last Tango in Halifax' actress Nicola Walker (who seems to be in everything at the moment with a stint on 'River' on its rival, BBC) and DS Sunny Khan portrayed by Sanjeev Bhaskar in a different role for him, normally playing comedic roles on his own comedy shows. (However after a bit-part in Doctor Who last year playing a more 'serious' role, perhaps this a future move for him?). They find a body, or rather a skeleton under the concrete of an abandoned building, after much investigation we discover this is a grave 39 years old. This is what makes 'Unforgotten' stand out amongst the others, it manages to bring the past to the present, focusing on the then trying to fix the now.

It took a whole episode, a whole 50 minutes of content just to figure out who this skeleton belonged too. Clearly from the outset, this is establishing itself as a slow-burner of a show, gradually climbing to its pivotal moment of 'whodunnit'? In a strange way, there is an element of 'Sherlock' about this show, clever little bits and pieces all linking here and there. These make the best crime thrillers. It's only after episode 3 that we know which characters link to the dead body and why with further plot holes to fill. Episode 3 sees scenes with breaking of the news of the death to the young boys mother. This brings a different side to the story, a softer side to both the character of DCI Cassie Stuart and to the harshness of the content of the show. In TV drama or in any situation, there is no harder scene than watching a mother who has lost their child, especially after nearly 40 years of not knowing. This was portrayed beautifully and well put together.

Ultimately, this show has a lot of promise. It has endless possibilities of where it could go, with the killers identity not obvious at the present moment. It may be a slow burner but the content is packed full of clever little treats and tricks for our crime-solving delights. With a stellar cast, I just hope the climax to the series will not be a disappointment,

Cilla - Episode 1 - ITV 1 - 15/09/2014

Everybody knows who Cilla Black is. But do they know who Priscilla White is? In a way, this is what is being explored in a new ITV, 3 part drama, simply titled 'Cilla'. We all know the story of Cilla Black in recent times, and she is a household name thanks to hit shows like 'Blind Date' and 'Surprise Surprise', but most younger generations today won't know that she was once a singer and recording artist. The 1960s is a great place for any drama, the nostalgia, the fashion and the music. Any show that plays homage to the Merseybeat sound of the 1960s is a real winner, especially for any fan of the Beatles. This is a particular highlight of the show, when in a scene with Cilla, she says "Oh, pack it in Ringo", it really brings a smile to your face, along with references to "my new boyfriend George" with Cilla's best friend. And when Cilla performed on stage with the line-up of  of The Beatles we know, you know it is something special. They were not only characters that were well represented, Cilla's future husband Bobby Willis is fantastically portrayed by Aneurin Barnard, Willis, who passed away in 1999 is perhaps unknown to many of the modern generation watching 'Cilla' to know how he eventually became her manager and boyfriend, despite initially lying to her, claiming he was a record producer, when he actually worked in a bakery. In the same thread, the theme of religious divides was highlight here, when relationships between Catholics and Protestants were sometimes frowned upon in families in the 1960s.

Without a doubt, the real star of the show is Sheridan Smith who is an absolute stalwart in this role. We know she can play other people exceptionally well, winning a BAFTA for her role as Charmian Biggs in 'Mrs Biggs' and 'Cilla' continues the trend. Even with fake teeth a red bob, she becomes Cilla in every sense, with the Liverpudlian accent and the singing voice. We know Sheridan Smith can sing, winning her first Olivier award for the musical Legally Blonde, and at the end credits it was shown that all vocal performances were filmed live on set, a real praise for this drama. The first of 3 episodes left on a cliff hanger, wondering if Cilla had ruined her music career, having blown her audition for The Beatles infamous manager Brian Epstein and having not turned up to her already booked gig with another band. The problem with cliffhangers in historical or real life dramas about real stories is that with hindsight we know what happens, we know that Cilla made it in the music industry, so it does make the cliffhanger, not as dramatic. But, it will still get the millions of viewers tuning in, both in fond memories of those who remembered it the first time round and new viewers, intrigued by the 60s era of The Beatles, miniskirts and of course Cilla Black.

If the rest of the series carries on in the same way as the first episode, I predict that another BAFTA might be heading its way for Sheridan Smith and the 'Cilla' team.

Doctor Who - Series 8 Episode 4 - Listen - BBC 1 - 13/09/2014

*WARNING MASSIVE SPOILERS*

'Listen' embodies the perfect elements of a Doctor Who episode - An unseen monster, some humour, a moral message and completely scaring the wits out of every one. 'Listen' is what Doctor Who does best, and when it is written by Executive producer and writer, Steven Moffat, you know that you're going to leave the episode behind your sofa. Some of the best, scary episodes of New Doctor Who from 2005 have been written by Steven Moffat - The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, Silence in The Library/Forest of the Dead, The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon, and of course the most famous of them all, Blink. Yes, if you wanted to be really picky about this episode there were many similarities between 'Listen' and previous Moffat penned episodes and other episodes.  There was the creepy children home from Day of the Moon, the banging on the door from Russell T Davies story, Midnight, and the not-quite-there/don't-turn-round monster from Blink. Sometimes these can get a little tiresome if repeated again and again, but if like me you appreciate each story on its own separate merits then 'Listen' ticks all the boxes and genuinely left me terrified.

It played on every childhood fear, 'what is under your bed?' and the fear of the dark. This is where Doctor Who comes into its element, it doesn't need showy, tacky monsters who are blatantly obvious. What worked so well in 'Listen' is that you couldn't see a monster, if there was one at all, it was all in our minds, planting questions in our head from the fear of the unknown, as the Doctor said, "are we ever alone?" This is where Peter Capaldi's Doctor comes into his element, asking all the confusing questions that we've never quite asked ourselves before, handling it with eccentricity, humour and darkness. But, the real star of the show had to be Remi Gooding who played the young Danny Pink (more of him later), but in this guise was going by the name of Rupert. He showed the fear that every child goes through when they think that something is under their bed. With some humorous banter with the Doctor "he's not in every book (where's wally)" "Really? Well that's a few years of my life i'll be needing back."The scene in Rupert's bedroom in the children home perfectly captured the essence of the episode and leaving some questions unanswered, what was that thing on the bed? Are we speculating too much? And in true Moffat style, actually turns out to be something very insignificant? Series 8 will tell. 

Another stellar performance again by Jenna Coleman as Clara in 'Listen' who is really showing off her acting talents, she again takes lead, telling the Doctor to "sit!" when dealing with Rupert. With this new Doctor, who isn't quite as cuddly and loving as the Eleventh Doctor, it is left to Clara to comfort, in this case scared children. But while this episode was about something otherworldly, there was also many great scenes that featured in modern day earth. This is where we were re-introduced to Samuel Anderson's Danny Pink. Who it turns out, was called Rupert when he was young before he changed his name. We learn this, plus a lot more about Pink's character in this episode all in scenes with Clara on their first date, which doesn't go particularly well, but thanks to some time-travelling they end up sharing their first kiss at the end of the episode. Danny Pink is coming across extremely well in this series and I hope that if it is continued in the same way, he could become a fan favourite. This was not the only time we saw Samuel Anderson in this episode, he also played the character Orson Pink, Earth's first time traveller from the distant future with some possible clues to the fact that he may be related to Clara, speaking of things to come in her future. 

'Listen' wasn't just about scaring us witless, it was also about some classic Doctor Who plot twists, and boy did they come. It was at the end scenes when the TARDIS materialised in a barn with a child crying in bed. Clara presumed it was Rupert/Orson Pink again, but in what was a very clever cinematography moment, an off-screen voice spoke and said "Well he'll never become a Time Lord" in that moment, the music changed and Jenna Coleman's facial expressions were brilliant. We knew that this was a big moment, and i'll admit I did shout out loud "What the hell!" This was only added to when clips of John Hurt's War Doctor from the 50th Anniversary, The Day of the Doctor were shown, with Clara's accompanying speech. This speech was just beautiful and highlight Coleman's acting perfectly, to which she spoke of how thing young child was going to come back to this barn someday. At this moment, we knew it was significant in the series 8 plot. Again, like most Doctor Who episodes there was a moral message, which was highlighted very beautifully and simply by Clara, which echoes the same words muttered by the First Doctor in the first serial in 1963, "fear makes companions of us all."

Scott and Bailey - Series 4 Episode 1 - ITV 1 - 10/09/2014

*WARNING SPOILERS*

'Scott and Bailey' is back on ITV and in its fourth series it's stronger than ever and a firm favourite among fans. And before you groan "not another ITV crime detective drama!" this one is a cut above the rest. Mainly for the following reasons, it's funny, it's real and actually doesn't really focus much on the crime element of the show. From the miserable dramas that various channels have given us in the past year alone, 'Scott and Bailey' is a real breath of fresh air, giving us real, gritty, northern humour and banter, particularly through the title characters of Rachel Bailey (A brilliant Suranne Jones) and Janet Scott (Lesley Sharp). These two have had a rocky friendship in pasts series, especially in the last series (3), but this show works so much better when they are the best of friends again. Especially when the uber fans of the show have a nickname for the two characters' relationship, "Janchel", so I think everything works better for everyone when they are getting alone.

But all this might be thrown away in this coming series with possible trouble brewing between the pair. Basically, the two both went forward for the post of Sergeant, thanks to an available post now being free due to Danny Miller's return to Emmerdale, both are pitted against each other, but in a friendly way. And staying true to style we see that although Rachel claims that she's "not a liability" in her interview, as soon as she's out she is slaying the interviewer claiming his jokes "are as funny as sewage." However in a twist to the story that will clearly form the basis of the coming series, Janet is offered the Sergeant role first, but declines because she wants to stay at home more for her kids. So, by default, Rachel is given the job, but DCI Murray (played by the superb Amelia Bullmore who also writes this series) begs Janet not to tell Rachel that she was offered the job first. But you can bet in true ITV drama style, the truth will be revealed eventually.

To be honest, I can't really remember what the really plot of the opening episode was, and nor do I care. 'Scott and Bailey' doesn't really focus on the crime stories and who-killed-who, and maybe that's why it works so well. Seeing all these deaths on TV dramas can get boring and repetitive, so when the show instead focuses on the main characters in more detail , it can make a refreshing change. So, if you tune in to watch a gritty crime being solved in clever, whodunnit style, I don't think this is the show for you. Generally, 'Scott and Bailey' tends to be for the dedicated fan who have watched previous series and watching it for the first time can be quite difficult to get into.

Doctor Who - Series 8 Episode 3 - Robot of Sherwood - BBC 1 - 06/09/2014

*WARNING SPOILERS*

There is no denying it, 'Robot of Sherwood' is a complete romp. And nor did the the BBC/Doctor Who/Mark Gatiss deny it either, we knew that the third episode in the eighth series of Doctor Who would be a comedy episode, a silly, clichéd filled episode with a typical boo-hiss bad guy and a hero to cheer on. This is where the theme of the episode comes to a head, it was all about 'heroes', the ultimate hero was met between two of the biggest heroes in British culture - Robin Hood and Doctor Who. So how would these gallant heroes get along with each other? Well, not so good as it seems, sparring in a sword (or spoon) fight in the first minutes of meeting. But all the banter between the two characters made for hilarious viewing, especially highlighted in the great scenes in the dungeon which ended up with The Doctor and Robin Hood hilariously arguing on the best way to escape. Such witty lines such between Clara and The Doctor also like "I have a plan." "Can you explain your plan without using the words 'sonic screwdriver'?" can only have been written by writing talent Mark Gatiss. He is no stranger to writing for Doctor Who, yet in the past his episodes have been a bit hit and miss, while he can produce fabulous episodes such as 'The Crimson Horror', he can also produce poorer ones like 'Victory of the Daleks', but Gatiss can be proud of 'Robot of Sherwood'.

Yes, it has to be said the plot was frivolous and silly and it would have been nice to have more mentions of a Series 8 plot to keep us hooked, this therefore left 'Robot of Sherwood' feeling like a stand-alone episode, rather aloof from the rest of the series with only one fleeting, throwaway mention of something to come, 'The Promised Land'. But, perhaps this episode didn't need high rate drama and confusing plot lines to make it work. What worked in 'Robot of Sherwood' was the great cast that Doctor Who had managed to secure for this episode, special mention has to be made to Tom Riley's Robin Hood who was just excellent. It was a typically clichéd performance of Robin Hood, green tights, merry men and all, but with a charming wink, witty one liners and a more sensitive side, especially when his Maid Marion made a emotional return at the end of the episode. Other special mentions have to be made to the other principal cast members in this episode, including Ben Miller's Sheriff of Nottingham, whose evil, very typical pantomime baddie role would have made a perfect Master once upon a time, also his very cringy lunging at Clara, certainly grossed us out! And as ever faithful, Peter Capaldi's Doctor continues to impress and shows that he can have the comedic abilities that so gloriously Matt Smith's Doctor was given. Making every line seem completely natural and his exasperation at the continuous laughing at the Merry Men made for very funny viewing -"guards, he's laughing again!". Also, not forgetting the wonderful Clara as played by Jenna Coleman, not only did she look stunning in her Made Marion-esque period costume but it was very funny when she was seen as the 'ringleader' who was making trouble, as she said "you can take the girl out of Blackpool!" Just to add more excitement to the cast (sort of) did anyone spot a blink and you'd miss it picture of Patrick Troughton (aka the Second Doctor) but not as The Doctor, but when he played Robin Hood, a very nice touch by Gatiss there.

While this episode was a bit silly, the end scenes and interaction between The Doctor and Robin Hood were very poetic and almost beautiful and seemed to have a fairytale element to it. This can be seen in an earlier scene between Clara and The Doctor, to which The Doctor asks "When did you start believing in impossible heroes?" to which Clara replies, "don't you know?". Robin Hood has always been Clara's favourite story as a little girl and now she has her very own real life hero to believe in, The Doctor. Even after all the jealously and the sparring between The Doctor and Robin Hood, they both claim that neither are heroes, but as Robin Hood replies "but if we both keep pretending to be, perhaps others will be heroes in our name.". So, even if these dark times of recent news, so much so that a scene in which the Sheriff of Nottingham was to be  beheaded in a battle with Robin Hood was cut out of the final edit (quite right BBC) in respect to the two journalists killed in a similar way. 'Robot of Sherwood' is the perfect pick-me-up to cheer up a dark day, and along with a few laughs also presents a beautiful message.

"History is a burden, stories can make us fly."

Chasing Shadows - Series 1 Episode 1 - ITV 1 - 04/09/14

Another year, another ITV dram season, another police-serial-killer show. ITV's latest offering, 'Chasing Shadows' would have to try very hard to make it a cut above the rest in order to stand out. British television has seen some incredible police dramas recently, including BBC's 'Happy Valley' and ITV's 'Broadchurch' and 'Scott and Bailey' amongst many, many others. So the question is, did 'Chasing Shadows' make it work?

I'll be honest, I was first intrigued to 'Chasing Shadows' because of the stellar cast. Doctor Who alumni, Noel Clarke and Alex Kingston and the genius writing and acting talent that is Reece Shearsmith. I have to admit, they really made the show, the actors and their respective characters. Were it any other unknown actors in the role, I doubt this show would have worked in the way that it did. In itself, 'Chasing Shadows' didn't really offer anything different or anything we haven't already seen a million times before in TV police dramas. The general plot goes something like this, someone goes missing, usually a teenager, and there is a hunt to the find the serial killer (sorry multiple murderer).

But that's not to say this show wasn't good, because it was hugely enjoyable. The best thing about it was that it was funny. Mostly ironic humour it has to be said and it almost left you wondering if you should be laughing at all due to the seriousness of the content of the show. This brilliant humour was mostly due to the superb acting relationship between Reece Shearsmith's character Sean Stone and Alex Kingston's Ruth Hattersly. Shearsmiths character had an almost 'Sherlock' quality to it, removed from the rest of the world, preferring to do things by himself, much to the humorous exasperation of Kingston! Though the best scenes of the show came from these two characters, it did feel that Noel Clarke's character Carl Pryor was underused, but there is hopes that he may be shown and used more in later episodes of the series.

Overall, the opening episode failed to reach the dizzying heights of drama and suspense that other police dramas of recent times have done this year, giving us only one really tense moment, approximately as a cliffhanger to the episode. But if you remove the thought of previous shows that are in a similar vein, 'Chasing Shadows' is a hugely enjoyable, witty, if forgettable ITV drama. The only thing to keep me tuning in each week would be the cast, which is brilliant and who really make this show, 'good'.

Our Zoo - Series 1 Episode 1 - BBC 1 - 03/09/2014

The problems with historical biopics based on a true story is that you already know what happens. Yet in BBC One's new British drama, 'Our Zoo' based on the real life story of George Mottershead and his trial and tribulations into developing Chester Zoo, I found myself shouting at the television when the Mottershead family were racing against time to get to the auction in order to buy the place that would eventually become the Zoo. I'm sure many people are unaware of the story of Chester Zoo, I count myself one of them, but the hope with this new series is that it will enlighten people on this story. However, if Chester Zoo wanted to increase the amount of people through its doors on the back of this new drama, to which 5 million initial viewers tuned in, BBC missed a shot there, by showing it at the end of the kids Summer holidays.

Despite all this, it was a glorious episode, really heartwarming, family friendly viewing. In this first episode, we saw the problems that George Motterhead faced trying to set up his vision of  a "Zoo without bars" and how he couldn't stand to see the animals at the circus in such poor health with no freedom, even if that did mean keeping a camel in his backyard, much to the disgust of his family. This opening story was a mix of some very funny humour, especially featuring the brilliant Ralf Little, who it is great to see on our screens again. The humour can be best shown in a scene in the pub where someone asks "what are those?" "These are sunglasses, straight from America." The irony of history makes for some very funny jokes!

But, this story was also pained with sadness and some truly emotional scenes, which showed a mothers heartbreak at losing her child in the war and the pain that a survivor of the war, in this case the First World War at struggling to adjust to Civilian even after 10 or more years. The sound of gun shots in the circus still manages to affect George Mottershead, played superbly by Lee Ingleby, bringing flashbacks of the war. Even though this is a show that has no outward relation to the First World War, it is perfectly timed by the BBC to involve a show about the war, in its 100 year anniversary.

'Our Zoo' is a delight to watch, that manages to combine the past with some historical knowledge and comedic, drama and emotional scenes along the way. Individual characters are each brilliant, especially child actor Honor Kneafsey, playing the Mottershead's youngest child June, managing to play all the wonder, amazement and intelligence, i'm sure of the real June Mottershead. There are hopes to make more series of 'Our Zoo' to which Lee Ingleby believes it can go on for 'decades', telling stories of the development of Chester Zoo throughout the 20th century. And if the rest of this series continues as the first episode has done, the BBC would be foolish to make more.