I kinda liked Citadel, the American spy action TV series. Mindless escapism with expensive production values, like a James Bond movie.

So I tried the Italian spinoff on Prime ➙ Citadel: Diana.

It’s not nearly as good, nor expensive.

But Matilda De Angelis as Diana Cavalieri is extensively easy on the eyes. I was mesmerized by her supposedly futuristic hair style. 2030 in Milan.

And there is something charming about the awkward dialogue lip-synch from Italian to English. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Extremely good.

Extremely hard to watch. It’s dark.

I finally got around to trying the acclaimed TV series Prime Suspect — “The Final Act“. (2006)

The final season.

In this one, while dealing with her increasing alcoholism, Tennison leads her team in solving one last case before her retirement as a detective superintendent.

Laura Greenwood is excellent as Penny Philips.

This British police procedural influenced many other shows that followed.

Oscar® winner Helen Mirren is Det. Jane Tennison, rising through the ranks, solving horrific crimes while battling office sexism and her own demons.

The first five series were produced annually from 1991 to 1996, until Mirren left the role, supposedly to avoid typecasting (according to a PBS interview). She returned to play the character in 2003 and again in 2006.

Prime Suspect was voted 68th in the list of 100 Greatest British Television Programmes as compiled by a poll given by the British Film Institute, and in 2007 it was listed as one of Time magazine’s “100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME.”

The series has won multiple BAFTA Awards, Emmy Awards, and a Peabody Award.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

One American version was popular on NBC from 2011 to 2012.

Great television. I wouldn’t mind watching all of the many LONG episodes. (90 min.)

It is formulaic. But a terrific formula. Fast paced. It keeps me guessing.

I watched a number of episodes with my family over the Christmas holidays.

Vera is a British crime drama television series based on the Vera Stanhope series of novels by Ann Cleeves.

First broadcast 2011, it stars Brenda Blethyn as the principal character, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.

In January 2024, it was confirmed that the show had been renewed for a fourteenth series, which was later announced to be the show’s last.

Vera is a nearly retired detective chief inspector of the fictional Northumberland & City Police, who is obsessive about her work. She plods along in a dishevelled state but has a calculating mind and despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about her work and colleagues. …

I really like Paul Kaye as pathologist Dr. Malcolm Donahue. But he’s only in 14 episodes. Dry humour.

Well … all good things must come to an end.

Vera’s final season — the 14th — with Brenda Blethyn aired January 2025. Two episodes considered to be a Special.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Excellent. One of the best shows of the year.

Silo is an American science fiction dystopian drama television series …

Set in a dystopian future where a community exists in a giant underground silo comprising 144 levels …

10,000 people live in a society bound by regulations they believe are meant to protect them. …

You should watch this show.

Brave. Original. Well edited. Great cast.

My favourite character, by far, is Solo.  Seemingly … the only survivor of one silo disaster.  He’s played by Steve Zahn. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. He shows off to viewers where he survived alone for decades.

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian opined that the “world-building is meticulous” and “the story is equally thrilling” …

For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 96% approval rating with an average rating of 7.85/10, based on 42 critic reviews. 

Season 3 is filming. And the final season 4 already written.

These are the 2 seasons following the departure of Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez.

Good. Bye.

Perez was depressing for this viewer.

Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder was a far more interesting and entertaining replacement.

Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson is impressive. Such a nuanced performance. A good man who cares deeply about his family, friends and neighbours.  A totally sincere and dedicated co-worker. The ultimate team player.

I really like Alison O’Donnell as DS (later DI) Alison “Tosh” McIntosh. As does everyone.

Finally in charge of  Lerwick Police Station. Good on ‘er.

The entire cast is great, of course. This is one of the best shows on British TV.

Season 8

A fast paced murder mystery that had me making notes to keep track of all the characters.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Season 9

DI Ruth Calder decides to stay. That’s good.

Season 9 is very good, of course. But I liked it less than season 8.

The resolution was not all that convincing.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I streamed season 3 of Shetland because I’d seen a few pundits saying it was best of the 9 seasons, so far.

Shetland is critically acclaimed for good reason. The acting and writing is superb.

But it is hard to watch, at times.

For example, the rape aftermath depicted in season 3 even disturbed Ann Cleeves, the author of the books on which this TV drama is based.

DI Jimmy Perez faces a gripping new single mystery.

When a young man disappears on the overnight ferry to Shetland, the team embark on a challenging case that leads them from the suspicious close-knit communities of the remote Shetland Islands to Perez’s old stomping grounds in Glasgow.

As they start to unpick this increasingly complex conspiracy, Perez is aided by, and becomes romantically involved with, enigmatic police official Asha.

But he is unprepared for the ruthlessness of his adversaries, who are willing to take an appalling step to protect their interests: one that will have a devastating effect on them all.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.