TV Watch

[igenlode]

"Torchwood" is still bumping along the bottom; a repetition of the worst of last year's offerings would have been enough to give me an excuse to drop it altogether (and after the first episode, I very, very nearly did), but it manages to come up with just enough decent stuff to keep it in the running. The latest development, weirdly enough, is a strain of glutinous sentimentality akin to that introduced into "Dotcor Who" — anything less likely in a series apparently priding itself previously on its sex and bad taste ratio is hard to imagine...

Finally managed to catch up with the taped second episode of "Ashes to Ashes" this morning, after spectacularly failing to tape it the first episode last week. (I forgot to rewind the tape first...) Unfortunately it turns out to be very promising indeed, thus vastly increasing my annoyance at the BBC for failing to provide any scheduled repeat outside the digital ghetto; even "Torchwood" gets a weekly repeat, but "Ashes to Ashes" is apparently sacrificed to BBC Digital's desperate need for additional audience.

Detective Inspector Alex Drake is deeply annoying, with her self-referential certainty that everyone she meets is a figment of the subconscious aimed directly at her (and resulting determination to behave without the slightest consideration for them — it's saying something when Gene Hunt feels the need to apologise for her behaviour), plus a habit of spouting psychoanalytical drivel — but the programme is still somehow riveting, and despite my passionate craving to see her taken down a peg I can't help feeling for her when reality hits her a slap in the face.

Meanwhile the BBC's new serial "The Last Enemy" looks very promising indeed from the initial instalment; chiefly due to a fascinating performance by Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. I'm not sure if it's just talent, or if it's that I identify with the character a little too closely...