Idiot Box Guide

As you’d all be aware, the AFL season is well and truly upon us. So it’s not until now that I’ve come to miss Foxtel.

We had it for a few years with the basic package and we’d do Sport in winter for me and the footy and then Lifestyle in summer for the wife and all the lifestyle programs. Alas, as interest rates went up last year and the home budget got tighter and tighter, the decision was made to cancel Foxtel at the end of last year’s footy season.

It was back to free-to-air telly then and to be honest, it hasn’t been that bad at all. There is a lot of shite on Foxtel and we’d often struggle to find something to watch even with 100+ channels. Free-to-air does mean less choice but that’s just forced me to really look out for the good stuff. Especially as there can be some very decent programs on the multiple digital channels now operating.

So without further adieu, here is my current Idiot Box Guide and a rundown of some of the shows that have become compulsory viewing for yours truly.

Rake, ABC2, Monday 8:30pm

This is an Australian series set in Sydney that follows the life and times of Clever Greene, a brilliant but self-destructive barrister. Each episode has Greene defending a client, usually guilty, and follows that case to the end. At the same time, Greene’s life is slowly spiralling out of control as he deals with past lovers and old enemies while also putting his closest friends and family through hell. The ultimate loveable rogue.

Rake is the only Australia show to make this list but probably the most enjoyed program over the last 18 months. The dialogue is tight and the events that collide with Greene and his life are pretty funny while also being realistic and true to modern life. A great ensemble cast as well with the likes of Sam Neill, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths and Noah Taylor playing key roles in different episodes. I watched it for the first time on ABC1 last year but is currently getting a showing on ABC2 so is well worth tuning in for if you can.

Deadwood, ABC2, Monday 9:30pm

An American western drama series set in Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s and charting the growth of the town from a miner’s camp to thriving city. The essence of the drama is the byplay between the characters and predominately the power struggle between the reluctant sheriff, Seth Bullock, and the scheming businessman, Al Swearengen. The story ties in with actual historical events at the time such as the Custer’s Last Stand and features a number of historical figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp and George Hearst.

It’s currently about half-way through Series 2 so a first viewing may leave one a little confused as there’s numerous storylines being interwoven and progressed. It’s worth giving it a go though, as you’ll soon pick them up and understand the central themes around power, corruption and politics. I must deliver a warning about the language though. They don’t hold back and I’ve read somewhere that it’s been calculated there’s 1.56 utterances of ‘f*%k” for every minute of footage. Seems about right I reckon.

Whitechapel, ABC1 Friday 9:30pm

A British miniseries which is a very modern take on the detective genre and uses London’s East End as the backdrop. The first series dealt with a modern version of the Jack the Ripper murders while the second created the investigation into the Kray Brothers in the 60s. Again, it’s the byplay that makes this program, particularly between the police characters of DI Chandler, the young up and coming outsider in charge whose destined to be Commissioner one day, and DS Miles, the hardnosed and cynical veteran who grew up and has lived in the East End his whole life. The historical aspect is also intriguing and brings to life again the Ripper and Kray legends.

I only came into the first series of this half-way through but was really taken by it and had been on the lookout for the second series for a while. Stumbled upon an advertisement for it after watching Deadwood one night and promptly set the PVR for record. Unfortunately the second series took the form of three two-hour episodes and finished up just last week on ABC1. Recommend you keep an eye out for it though as I’m sure it’ll be on ABC2 sometime in the coming months and is well worth a viewing.

The Tudors, ABC2, Friday 9:30pm

This is a historical fiction series based upon the story of King Henry VIII and the Tudor dynasty. It’s definitely a ‘sexed up’ version of events and does take some poetic licence to the life of King Henry and his six wives. It also weaves in the history of the time and King Henry’s role in the Reformation and the separation of the Church of England from the Catholic Church. The first season aired on ABC2 last year which showed the power struggle with France and Spain and Henry’s frustration at having no male heir. The second season has just commenced on ABC2 again and it’s now dealing with the divorce of Katherine of Aragon and the conflict that that caused with the Catholic Church.

As you can probably tell, I am a bit of a history nut so was very interested in this series as soon as I heard of it going to air in the UK in 2007. While I’m not usually one for lavish costumes and period dramas, the acting and intriguing plot are well put together to the point that you forget you already know how this story pans out. The various murders, assassinations and wars also ensure there’s enough testosterone about to keep even the most red-blooded male interested.

Spooks, ABC1, Saturday 8:30pm

This long-running British series has been going since 2002 and is up to its 9^th series. It follows a group of MI5 officers based in London and the numerous exploits to save king and country from all sorts of villains and enemies. It may sound a little melodramatic, but it’s done with a grungy style and sharp dialogue that keeps you intrigued and constantly wondering whether this sort of stuff actually goes on and that we, the general public, just never hear about it. It certainly doesn’t glorify the spy game either as all the characters fight their own personal demons and lack of any normal life or existence.

Series 8 was shown on ABC1 late last year and finished with the death of a couple of regular characters at the hands of the mysterious organisation known as Nightingale. Series 9 has just started up again on ABC1 and introduced some new members of the group while the battle against Nightingale continues. Not for everyone I’m sure but certainly the best thing on telly on a Saturday night for mine. Especially if you’re stuck at home with little to do like I am most Saturday nights since the son came onboard.

Well, that’s my recommendations of the current programs on TV. All are subject to compulsory viewing or at least PVR recording at the EDM household. They’re pretty much the only pieces of television I watch although I am intrigued by Detroit 1-8-7 (Ch7, Wednesday 9:15pm) which starts tonight and stars Michael Imperioli from The Sopranos. Think I’ll give it a go and see whether it’s just another overhyped American crime drama or whether it actually is something different with a new take on an old genre.

On that note, I should also highlight some of my favorite TV programs of all time that are currently getting a showing on digital TV. I’ve watched The Sopranos (various days/times, 7mate) and The Wire (ABC2, Friday, 10:25pm) from go to woe already so don’t have a need to tune in again but definitely recommend them to anyone who hasn’t seen them before. My Top 2 of all time. You can’t get a stronger recommendation than that.

So there you go. Plenty of viewing options provided by yours truly. Get on board if you’re in the hunt for something new and something decent. And don’t ever say I never give you anything.

EDM.