Here are John Byrne’s TV choices for the week ahead (Fri Feb 15 - Thu Feb 21).
Pick of the Week
Mr Selfridge (Sunday, UTV and TV3)
Essential Sunday night viewing, this. From Jeremy Piven’s OTT acting to the mock-drama surrounding the trials and tribulations of a shop that remains a success to this day, it’s effortlessly diverting and such fun.
This week, Rose finds that Harry’s been having nightmares and hallucinations and doesn’t think he’s ready to return to work so soon. At the store, legendary author Arthur Conan Doyle – Sherlock Holmes’ creator - is in store for a book signing. Harry seems to have a renewed zest for life and work, and wants his senior staff to improve and reinvigorate their departments: new product lines, new suppliers, an injection of fresh thinking. And Miss Ravilious knows what she wants to improve her department – Agnes Towler. Harry agrees to Agnes’ transfer to Ladies Fashion as a reward for Miss Ravilious’ smart and deft handling of the Suffragette crisis in last week’s episode.
Star of the Week
Eddie Izzard
Meet the Izzards (Wednesday & Thursday, BBC One)
Eddie Izzard - actor, comedian, transvestite and marathon-runner extraordinaire - is about to embark on a remarkable journey, using his own DNA as a road map – that’s presumably a first. Using recent scientific breakthroughs and the help of geneticists, Izzard seeks to unlock the secrets of where he - and we - came from. It will make Eddie the first Briton to use his own DNA to retrace his ancestors' journey across thousands of miles and nearly 200,000 years of history. Wrapped-up in a two-part special screening on consecutive days, this is the epic story of humanity’s journey from shared origins in Africa 10,000 generations ago all the way to – well - Eddie Izzard.
Starting this Week
Chicago Fire (Wednesday, Sky Living)
The engaging US drama returns. Christmas is back with us again as the crew of Firehouse 51 return from their mid-season break full of the festive spirit. Until, that is, Casey and co are accused of stealing a diamond necklace from a rescue at a lavish townhouse and put under an internal investigation. While Dawson encourages Casey to party his troubles away at her cousin’s holiday shindig, his colleagues struggle to do the same, especially Cruz whose brother gets embroiled in an escalating gang war.
Also starting this week:
Life on the Inside (Monday, RTÉ One)
This two-part exploration of the Irish prison system was filmed over the course of a year in within Wheatfield and Shelton Abbey prisons and explores life behind bars through the eyes of the prisoner and of the prison officers. Men convicted of drugs offences; robbery and murder have allowed cameras into their cells to reveal what it’s like to serve time. From prison conditions to prison violence, these men recount their stories, how they pass their days and how being in prison affects them, and their families.
Dallas (Monday, TV3)
Back after a mid-season break (and – sadly – without the great Larry Hagman), a whole new wave of back-stabbing, plot-scheming, black-mailing fun is about to sweep over Texas.
Would You Believe (Sunday, RTÉ One)
Ifrah Ahmed came to Ireland as an unaccompanied child asylum seeker from war-torn Somalia. A committed Muslim, she is the driving force behind a campaign to raise awareness of female genital mutilation, through an unlikely combination of fashion and beauty. WYB? follows her as she organises Miss Ethnic Ireland.
666 Park Avenue (Tuesday, ITV2)
Already axed in the US (which is probably why it's on ITV2 instead of the main channel), this spooky drama has a great cast – Dave Annable, Vanessa Williams and Terry O’Quinn – and a promising plot about the new co-managers of the Drake residential hotel on Manhattan’s posh Upper East Side, and its residents. Defo worth a look-see.
Ending this Week
Utopia (Tuesday, Channel 4)
The final episode of the dark, stylish and extremely violent thriller. With time running out, the gang must find Mr Rabbit and stop The Network's plan to release Janus. As a daring plan is formed, only one question remains - will the true secrets of Utopia finally be revealed?
Once Upon a Time (Saturday, RTÉ One)
Easily the most out-there show currently on TV, this fairytale-folk-for-real series comes to its season one conclusion. Regina forges an alliance with Emma in order to save Henry's life and Emma starts to believe in the Curse while the events surrounding Prince Charming's escape from the Evil Queen's Palace are revealed along with his attempt to reunite with a fallen Snow White.
World Without End (Saturday, Channel 4)
The drama climaxes with an epic double-bill in the final instalment of Ken Follett's World Without End. Prior Saul's monastery is full of rotting bodies, Godwyn is still alive (if insane), while in Kingsbridge, no one is safe from the Plague.
Don’t Tell the Bride (Thursday, RTÉ Two)
John and Lisa have been together a long time – but does he knows what she wants? He doesn't seem to take her into consideration as he starts his preparations for what could be Lisa’s worst nightmare – a wedding in a pub!
Blandings (Sunday, BBC One)
A wonderfully diverting series comes to an end with the arrival of sophisticated widow Daphne and her spoiled brat Huxley. As a result, Connie once again forces Clarence to look presentable. But when Daphne flirts with Clarence and takes an interest in his pig, Beach and Connie become suspicious of Daphne’s motives.
Drama of the Week
The Good Wife (Thursday, More4)
The best show on TV by some stretch, it’s such a joy to watch so many actors who are really on top of their game. This week, an accountant employed by drug dealer Lemond Bishop, one of the firm's most lucrative and dangerous clients, is arrested by the FBI. Alicia and Diane must work with Lesli Rand, from the law firm that handles Bishop's illicit activities, to find out whether the cops are after his legal businesses or his drug money. Meanwhile, Nick creates more trouble for Kalinda, Peter prepares for a poll, and Eli tries to stop a blogger from publishing a story that he’s been working hard to bury.
Comedy of the Week
The New Normal (Thursday, E4)
After a lame pilot, this amusing show just keeps improving, with Ellen Barkin chewing the carpet as a reactionary grandma. Bryan and David want to appoint Godparents for their unborn child, but when they ask their friends Tiffany and Victoria, they’re unwilling to accept the role. Meanwhile, in an effort to reconnect with his faith, Bryan visits a nearby church and gets some unexpected advice from local priest Father Michael. Also: Goldie and Shania have difficulty coming to terms with the idea that they might have to part-company with David and Bryan once the baby is born.
Documentary of the Week
A Eurovision Affair (Monday, RTÉ Two)
TV and radio producer/director, Pat O’Mahony, could never be described as a Eurovision Song Contest fan. But late last year when it was announced that six of the biggest Irish names in Eurovision history (go on, you know them all) would be touring Ireland together for the very first time, his curiosity got the better of him. As a result he went behind the scenes of this unique travelling show, not only exploring up close and personal how it all came together over two weeks in October 2012, but also witnessing first-hand the extraordinary affection that this pan-continental song competition inspires in the nation’s collective heart.
Also worth watching:
Walking Wounded: Return to the Frontline (Thursday, Channel 4)
While he was embedded with the US army in Afghanistan, British humanitarian photographer Giles Duley stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device). The explosion left him a triple amputee. After hovering between life and death for months, he returned to Afghanistan to complete his work documenting the impact of the invasion on civilians, as well as focusing on the wounded who have sustained injuries similar to his. Brave or what?
