John Byrne’s TV choices for the week ahead (Dates covered: Friday Oct 03-Friday Oct 09)
The Leftovers, Homeland and Empire are three biggies back on the small screen this week. Who needs a life when there's telly?
Pick of the week
The Leftovers, Monday, Sky Atlantic
The best new show of last year is back for a second season and the only thing guaranteed is that it won't be more of the same as there are major changes ahead. Going out just a day after its debut on US TV, this compelling but downbeat drama was created by Damon Lindelof (Lost) and Tom Perrotta, and based on Perrotta's novel of the same name.
It stars Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler, and Carrie Coon – with the latter putting in a series of stunning performances during the opening run that should've earned an Emmy nomination at least.
The Leftovers takes place three years after the Sudden Departure, a moment when 2% of the planet's population inexplicably disappeared. In season one the story focused on the Garvey family, their neighbours and acquaintances in the fictional town of Mapleton. In season two the story relocates to the desert as Garvey (Theroux) and his family join a mysterious exodus to Texas.
Star of the week
Claire Danes
Homeland, Tuesday, RTÉ2
Loved by many for her teenage role in the superb My So-Called Life, Claire Danes became a mainstream star playing the bipolar Carrie Matheson on this paranoia-fueled drama.
As season five opens, the game has changed for Carrie. Out of the CIA and living in Berlin, she's trying to start a new life but realises now she's the one with a target on her back. As the danger intensifies, and without Saul and Quinn to rely on, one thing becomes clear she's never been at greater risk or with more to lose.
Starting this week
Empire, Tuesday, E4
The opening season was a brassy blast of soapy hip-hop shenanigans and a massive hit in the USA. Personally, I watch it just for Taraji P Henson, the most in-yer-face actress since Rosie Perez got lippy back in the late 1980s.
Three months after his shocking arrest and incarceration, Empire Entertainment head Lucious Lyon is still in federal lock-up. He is trying to run Empire from inside, but a headline-grabbing state prosecutor is hanging her political ambitions on bringing him down, no matter what it takes. Cookie stages a star-studded concert in his support, while scheming with Andre, Hakeem, Anika and the business-savvy Mimi Whiteman to finalise the hostile takeover of Empire.
Also starting this week:
The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice, Monday, BBC Two
Anthropologist professor Alice Roberts and archaeologist Neil Oliver go in search of the Celts - one of the world's most mysterious ancient civilisations.
Lewis, Tuesday, UTV Ireland
There's a new Chief Inspector at Oxfordshire, which spells trouble for Lewis when the pair clash over the latter's more traditional approach to work.
Battle Creek, Tuesday, Universal Channel
Starring Josh Duhamel and Dean Winters, this new dramedy follows the mismatched partnership of a police detective and FBI agent in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Paul O'Grady: for the Love of Dogs, Thursday, UTV Ireland
The title is pretty much self-explanatory.
Strictly Come Dancing, Sunday, BBC One
It’s the first results show of the 2015 contest and tonight the first couple will be leaving the competition. Fingers crossed for Wee Daniel.
Ending this Week
The Great British Bake Off, Wednesday, BBC One
So this is it; we're down to the final three contestants who battle it out to see who gets crowned this year's champion. In the Signature Challenge, the finalists tackle enriched dough to create delicious filled iced buns. Then the Technical section requires them to conquer something they previously struggled with, and finally they've to make a Classic British Cake.
Also ending this week:
Garda Down Under, Wednesday, RTÉ One
In the final episode of Garda Down Under: Joe is reunited with his dog, Riggs. Ciaran makes an alarming find during a drugs search and Michael and Sarah finally tie the knot.
Doctor Foster, Wednesday, BBC One
Gemma is on a mission to reveal all of Simon’s betrayals, and has ensured this will be as explosive as possible.
This is England '90, Sunday, Channel 4
Expect a dark and gloomy finale to Shane Meadows' extraordinary drama about growing up in England during the 1980s.
50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy, Monday, Sky One
Baz and his long-suffering mother Nancy conclude their series two adventures with a wild trip to Japan.
Ballers, Tuesday, Sky Atlantic
The first season of the hit HBO series concludes with its final two episodes and it looks like Vernon’s nightmare with Angie is finally coming to an end.
Boy Meets Girl, Thursday, BBC Two
It’s Judy’s 40th birthday and the day of the not-very-Surprise Party. Leo wants to buy her a really lovely present, but is strapped for cash.
Patagonia, Earth's Secret Paradise, Friday, BBC Two
The last of this three-part series uncovers the magnificent coastline of Patagonia, where the Pacific and south Atlantic meet the great southern Ocean.
New Tricks, Tuesday, BBC One
In the ultimate series finale, UCOS is threatened with closure following their perceived mishandling of the Henway case.
Drama of the week
From Darkness, Sunday, BBC One
Ex-constable Claire Church has fled her dark past by escaping to the remote Western Isles with her partner, Norrie. But no matter how far she runs, she can’t escape the shadows cast by her history.
As decades-old bodies are unearthed on a Manchester building site, the darkness threatens to fracture Claire’s life once more.
DCI John Hind immediately suspects the bodies are connected to a case that dates back to 1998: women who were reported missing, but few cared about - apart from his former protégé, Claire. Harassed by his own impending misconduct investigation, Hind realises there’s only one option available - he must reconnect with Claire.
Comedy of the week
Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms, Saturday, Channel 4
Narrated by Tamsin Greig, this two-part series pays homage to the funniest shows on British TV over the past half century. From modern game-changers such as The Office, Twenty Twelve, Mrs Brown's Boys and Peep Show, all the way back to old-school classics such as The Likely Lads, Dad's Army and Steptoe and Son - via perennial favourites Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses and Fawlty Towers. Expect canned laughter from the start.
Documentary of the week
Hidden Impact: Rugby and Concussion, Monday, RTÉ One
Why anyone would want to play rugby is beyond me, and here's one of the reasons why. This promises to be a fascinating documentary investigating the troubling issue of concussion in rugby. With contributions from Ronan O'Gara, Johnny Sexton, Conor O'Shea and players who have been affected by concussion as well as the medics trying to tackle the problem, this documentary looks at the macho culture that encourages players to carry on regardless and asks what can be done to make the game safer. Eh, more boys playing football?
Film of the Week
Fight Club, Monday, TG4
This hugely enjoyable David Fincher-directed drama from 1999 is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. It stars Brad Pitt and Edward Norton as two men who form a fight club, as the film uses nihilistic violence as a metaphor for the moral vacuity of modern living. Or at least that's my take on a movie that divided critics but became a major cult classic. Consumerism is even more rampant now so, obviously, we need a new Fight Club. Well, more than we need yet another new i-Phone.
John Byrne
