The end of the series is poking over the horizon in Spooks, so it’s time to yank tightly on that Lucas subplot that’s been bubbling under the whole time. As our rugged hero acts steadily more unhinged to keep his secrets, the rest of the team get on with the dull task of protecting the nation and … [Read more...]
Buzzcocks, X Factor and mind-blowing illusions: What We’ve Been Watching
I still can't believe that Never Mind The Buzzcocks is into its 14th year and 24th series: I was eleven years old when it started, isn't that incredible? And despite all the various line-up changes, I've consistently loved it and it's no different now, with Noel Fielding and the ever-present Phill … [Read more...]
Merlin: The Castle Of Fyrien – Dork Review
In the old days of Merlin, the whole gang used to go on adventures all the time. Scarcely a week passed, it seemed, when they weren’t sneaking around behind the adults’ backs to save a small child or something. That hasn’t happened for a while, so it’s nice to see an episode in that vein. Of … [Read more...]
Sarah Jane Adventures: The Vault Of Secrets – Dork Review
Having unexpectedly made big cast changes in last week’s “Nightmare Man”, the gang get down to the business of alien-fighting in Sarah Jane Adventures this time. Good job too, as this one features both a new alien and the return of a big nemesis from last year. Aside from that, there’s more … [Read more...]
Spooks: Series 9, Episode 5 – Dork Review
It’s time for “Protect the peace talks”, a Spooks plot that dates back to the dark ages. It exists in many forms, including “Protect the state visit” and “Protect the sensitive meeting”, but the point is that some international occasion happens in London, so our MI5 heroes are pressed into working … [Read more...]
Film 2010, Autumnwatch and #BBCHIGNFY: What We’ve Been Watching
After years of the "one man staring a bit weirdly down the camera" format for Film WhateverYearItIs, the BBC have taken the plunge and given the review show a proper overhaul of Genius proportions (the shake-up of this show has had rather more press coverage, though, for some reason). So with … [Read more...]
Merlin: The Changeling – Dork Review
Last year in Merlin, the King of Camelot accidentally married a troll. It was a bit silly, but in his defence, he was under a spell. This series, his son Arthur is about to make a similar error, without the excuse of enchantment. Also, as I have mentioned, the troll story was dreadful and nearly … [Read more...]
Sarah Jane Adventures: The Nightmare Man – Dork Review
Warm, comforting Sarah Jane Adventures returns to our screens, and proves not to be as relaxingly constant as I’d hoped. This opening two-parter brings the debut of a new villain and, surprisingly, a change to the status quo. As you may have seen, I wrote an entry the other day about why Sarah … [Read more...]
Streaming Services Round-Up – The Best In Free TV
Ever since DVD drives overtook CD drives and students began downloading Buffy illegally, people having using their computers to watch TV and movies. And the rise of legal online streaming sites has only pushed us further from our sofas. Me writing about streaming services as if you don’t know … [Read more...]
Spooks: Series 9, Episode 4 – Dork Review
In these last couple of weeks, Spooks appears to have been pushing a subtle Cold War anti-Communist agenda. After last week’s episode saw them face down the Russians, this time the Chinese are coming. Red Terror lives! Next week: the Cubans? Tragically uninformed political commentary aside, this … [Read more...]