Fire In The Estate

We're getting to that point now where there are so many shows returning that only some I probably will talk about at least once. Three of them mentioned here of course.

Bad Education: Back for a third and rumoured final series, BBC3 and Jack Whitehall's comedy remains one of the more funnier programmes with the opening episode largely focusing on a teacher's strike while introducing some new characters (mainly Cleo). Alfie might be a lousy educator but he's an entertaining character, even if you're given the impression that Whitehall is possibly playing a heightened version of himself at times.

Downton Abbey: Returning to 8 million viewers on Sunday (down but not dangerously so), the fifth series of ITV's cosy period drama was something of a mixed bag. On the plus side - more delightful quips from Violet, Baxter's secret finally being revealed (a little better than expected) and Edith and the local fireman coming up with a plan for her to see her daughter along with Bunting vs. Robert as well. On the not so good side, the fire was an anticlimax and lasted for about two minutes of screentime, the episode plodded too much at times and there's a worrying lack of chemistry between Mary and Gillingham to boot. Still, the episode was an improvement on most of the previous series.

Scandal: Nearing the half way point of this third season (really hope SkyLiving don't waste too much time airing Season 4), the show seems to be hotting up a lot. I wasn't too shocked about Olivia's mother actually being alive because seemingly dead characters never stay that way (looking at you, David Clarke), but the moment where her and Olivia reunited was a genuinely punch to the gut moment that the show seems to be capable of delivering in spades. Also, while I wasn't too fussed about Olivia hooking up with Fitz again, I did enjoy Mellie and Cyrus's scheming against Sally and the whole Huck and Quinn plot has been absorbing to watch as well. Oh and more Lisa Kudrow please.

The Leftovers: Perhaps I need another episode or two but having watched the opening episode of this latest HBO drama, I couldn't for the life of me get into it. Possibly something about a rapture, maybe - I could barely keep up with the show and I sat through Lost for six seasons. It just came across as a dull, plodding, lifeless show and not even some of the cast - Justin Theroux, Liv Tyler, Amy Brennerman or Christopher Eccleston could keep my attention.

The Strain: Somewhat better but not yet something I'd class as addictive or gripping was this programme, which offered a genuinely different take on the vampire genre. Anyone hoping for something sexy as the antics in Bon Temps or Mystic Falls might be somewhat disappointed with this show as it's take on the genre is as removed from those series as you can possible yet. The pilot episode was a bit long and slightly slow in parts but the concept is interesting enough and there's a good rapport with leading characters, Ephram and Nora and I certainly can't wait to see more of David Bradley's mystery pawn shop owner and there were some decent scares too. It's got potential.

The Vampire Diaries: Nearly finishing up with the fifth season of the show, the following episodes have most been alright. The usual Damon and Elena angst certainly made itself know as he admitted to bumping off Aaron while Enzo seems to be a decent character and a pot stirrer to boot. The Travellers stuff has been okay to watch as well, but it does feel like it's treading way and do we really need another doppelganger plot so soon? I do like the additions of Liv and Luke though, character wise.

- Gillian Anderson has been confirmed as a regular for Hannibal's third season, which will air April or May 2015 on NBC. Series 2 of The Fall will air in November on BBC2/RTE1.
- Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn have been announced as the lead cast for Season 2 of True Detective.
- Shea Whigham has joined Agent Carter as the chief of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, Roger Dooley.
- Channel 5 have moved the third season of Dallas to late nights and the recent finale saw the death of a major character.
- Yeardley Smith will appear in an episode of The Mindy Project.
- Sally Pressman will be appearing in Once Upon A Time. Her role has yet to be confirmed.
- Jim Sheridan's movie In America is being developed for TV by HBO.
- Brian Benben will be appearing in Scandal in an undisclosed role for now.
- Scott Glen has joined Daredevil, taking on the role of Matt Murdock's mentor, Stick.

Three Ghosts

It's been a while since I last did this one, so any show I miss out on is probably one that I need to catch up with (namely Sleepy Hollow at the moment).

Arrow: Wow, the last two episodes that formed the mid-season finale/winter ending were brilliant, weren't they? The show has gone from being a great watch to being rather unmissable and the latest twist with Slade was another good one but more to the point - Barry Allen. Immediately in two episodes, he won me over and I can't wait to see him return and to see him in action as the Flash. Oh and it's also amazing that it took Oliver 32 episodes to invest in a mask as well. Better late than never I suppose.

Bad Education: Every now and then, BBC3 award one of their comedy shows a Christmas special. Last year, it was Him & Her and this year, it was Bad Education's turn (as well as Bluestone 42) and let's just say, it was certainly a fun episode alright. The Robocracker production aside, I don't think I'm ever going to look at donkeys again thanks to this one. Oh and Frances Barber was a hoot as Alfie's mother, though a little underused.

Devious Maids: This show is moving along rather nicely but I am eager for the Flora mystery to be over and done with now. I like that it's taken a few twists and turns and I've certainly enjoyed seeing Marisol and Rosie working together as well but some of the more interpersonal stuff is a lot more interesting like Alejandro's love, Odessa's recovery and anything involving Peri and the Powells as well. At least with two episodes left, we should probably get the answer to who actually bumped off Flora then.

Glee: This show and Christmas episodes have been a distinct mixed bag. However this was the best one going, especially given that the show's cheesiness during the holidays was slightly dialed down and there was an equal emphasis on both McKinley and New York for good measure. The New York stuff was still the best and I can't help hoping that Rough Trade Santa, Cody crops up in a later episode.

Homeland: I've been dipping in and out of the season because much as I hate to admit it, the show is no longer holding my interest. The finale however was probably one of the better episodes they've done in a while but the decision to kill off Brody is either one that could rejuvenate the show next season or blow up spectacularly in the writers faces. I just hope that whatever the outcome is that the show and Showtime are smart enough not to attempt to take this show to eight seasons like they did with Weeds and Dexter.

Marvel's Agents Of SHIELD: I still think this show could benefit from Arrow at times but I did enjoy the mid-season finale nonetheless. It's just that after ten episodes and despite some interesting moments with recurring characters like Mike and Rayna and Coulson being handed over to the baddies, it's hard to deny that the show is still lacking something. Still the mid-season finale gave me some hope that things might get more interesting when it returns in 2014 though.

Misfits: It's been over a week since the last episode aired and I have to admit, I think it was a good way of ending things. We got some elements of timey-wimey, gross out humour, Greg finally admitting he was gay (and being marginally less creepy for a bit), the jumper gang becoming corrupt and our gang actually/possibly becoming actual heroes. Honestly, I really think this show ended a lot better than I expected it to.

Once Upon A Time: What a brilliant episode. I said somewhere else online that if the last minute didn't happen, this easily could've been a series finale. It had tonnes of tension, brilliant character moments, heartfelt sacrifices from both Regina and Gold, finally got rid of Pan and Storybrooke in one fell swoop. Of course, I'm glad the show is coming back next year, especially now that I know who Rebecca Mader is playing but overall, had this been an actual series finale, it would've been superb.

Learning Is Easier When You Don't Ask Any Questions

And here's a catch up on some of the stuff I've been watching just of late ...

Bad Education: I sort of misjudged Jack Whitehall's comedy series when it aired last year. Like Him And Her, I wasn't initially impressed with the first series of this show but the first two episodes of the second run have actually been enjoyable to watch. Alfie Wickers might be a terrible teacher (because competent ones are not allowed to exist on TV) but he's actually become an enjoyable character this year, especially with his rivalry with Michelle Gomez's insane Head Teacher and the student characters are being better written this series as well. Definitely an improvement from the first run.

Bates Motel: I literally caught this last night by accident and I am certainly glad I did. I've heard some great things about this modern take on Norman Bates and his possessive mother taking over a certain motel and if the quality of the first episode is anything to go by, I'll definitely be watching the rest of the season. A gripping opening episode, drawing some sympathy for both Norma and her disturbed son as their descent in darkness began with bumping off a rather nasty piece of work and disposing of his body. You know, the sort of thing that bonds the average family nowadays.

Orange Is The New Black: I'm nearly at the end of this series but the last few episodes have been a blast to watch. So much that I kind of want to prolong watching the final three just a little longer. As for the episodes I've seen, it's nice to see more of a connection with Piper and Alex (especially considering that Larry is hardly excitement central), the Thanksgiving episode was by far the best we've had, we've lost at least two different prisoners and both Healey and Mendez have shown their nastier sides. On the flip side, the pregnancy plot with Bennett and Daya seemed a little too predictable but it's a minor quibble in an overall fantastic run of episodes.

Orphan Black: It might be starting up on BBC3 this Friday at 9pm but I've done all my viewing of the first season and again, some impressive episodes. It was nice learning more about the origins of the Clones, Sarah's family, the ups and downs of Cosima and Delphine's relationship (plus the former being ill), the identity of Alison's handler and the introduction of pre Clone Rachel. All of which are excellent material for the second season as well in terms of development.

Under The Dome: A few weeks ago, this debuted on Channel 5 and last week, Irish viewers got it as well. Having watched the first two episodes again, I can say that it's a decent show. As an adaptation of a Stephen King novel goes, we've had better and we've certainly had worse. It's got a likeable enough cast and most of the characters are interesting enough but I'm not sure if it's something I'll watch week in and week out and while it's been picked up for a second run, I'm also not that sure if it's a premise that can be sustained for too long either. Still, it's a diverting enough show.

- Breaking Bad will be giving viewers a spin-off with Better Call Saul, focusing on one of the show's popular characters. It will also be set before the events of the parent show too.
- Penny Dreadful will air on SkyAtlantic for UK viewers in 2014. Harry Treadaway has been cast as Frankenstein and Reeve Carney as Dorian Gray.
- Bob Newhart will be appearing again in the upcoming season of The Big Bang Theory.
- Eliza Coupe has bagged a recurring role on Showtime series, House Of Lies.
- Expect a Homeland spoof in an upcoming episode of The Simpsons.
- Erinn Westbrook will be playing a new Cheerio named Bree in the fifth season of Glee.
- Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. will air on Channel 4 from September 27th.
- The Originals will air on SyFy for UK viewers.
- Paul Adelstein will be appearing in an upcoming episode of Scandal.
- Cynthia Nixon will be playing an FBI agent in the second season of Hannibal.

Some People Shouldn't Teach

2 Broke Girls: I think I'm losing it with this show a bit. The stereotyping of anyone who isn't a white female aside, the last episode I watched seemed like a ridiculous endorsement for Law And Order. I get that Max is a fan of the show but did she need to mention it about twenty times throughout the episode though? I did however get some amusement from Caroline predictably succumbing to the side effects of a clinical drug trial. The show is still a guilty pleasure but even I can't deny that it's the two leads and not the writing that makes it watchable.

Bad Education: I literally think that Jack Whitehall is one of these comedians who really shouldn't stick with the acting lark for too long. Not because he's awful (he's okay for the most part) but because, while watching this programme, I couldn't help but think his character from Fresh Meat just became a teacher. A pathetic, posh one who mostly doles out bad advice, is generally incompetent, easily bullied by his own students and is generally rather annoying. There are some laughs here and there and it seems to be a ratings hit with BBC3 but it's not actually really worthwhile viewing.

Once Upon A Time: I am getting seriously into this show that I've now seen as far as the eighth episode of the first season. The revelations keep coming thick and fast, that surprise death really floored me and the growing rivalry between Emma and Regina has been an absolute joy to watch. There are times when Henry is a little too twee but he's not that bad and the 'will they, won't they?' antics between Mary Margaret/Snow White and David/Prince Charming have been interesting to watch. However, it's still Mr Gold/Rumplestiltskin that has proven to be the most compelling character of them all. Overall, this show is definitely better than I thought it would be.

Sinbad: We've had a tiny bit of a game changer in this series in the last few episodes. Getting rid of Akbari and making Taryn into a slightly more interesting character was a wise move and if Nalla really is gone, then Tiger does seem to be a decent replacement for the character. The rest of the characters seem to be developing nicely enough (Anwar especially) but Sinbad himself could do with a bit of a shake up at times though. The show is still a little lacking in some parts but it's actually nowhere near as bad as other critics are making out. I just hope the last three episodes end the first run with a satisfying punch.

The X Factor: Yes, it's back, yes, the ratings are down, yes, the sob stories are still lame and yes, for a ninth year, it ain't gonna produce a global superstar but it's still watchable enough fluff nonetheless and while the guest judges have been a mixed bunch (Mel B - too bitchy, Rita Ora/Anastasia - dull), the regular ones have been adequate enough. To be honest, it's been pretty thin on some true standouts so far, so hopefully in the next few weeks we get some interesting folk.

- France Conroy is returning to American Horror Story, playing an angel of sorts. Not a literal one I think.
- True Blood's sixth season will only have ten episodes instead of the usual twelve with production due to start in January.
- Sinbad will air on SyFy for US viewers from January 2013.
- Hit & Miss has been cancelled after one series. It's a shame but somehow, I'm not surprised.
- Expect songs from Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber (vomit) and Jennifer Lopez in the first two episodes of Glee's fourth season.
- Robert DeNiro is working on a TV version of his 2006 movie, The Good Shephard.
- Joss Whedon will be doing a S.H.I.E.L.D series for ABC.
- Tricia Helfer will be appearing in the fourth season of Community as Lauren.
- Grey's Anatomy's ninth season will feature an episode that will only feature Meredith and Cristina.
- Dowton Abbey's third series will air on ITV from September 16th.