Wow. This is terrific television.

100% on Rotten Tomatoes for season 1.

The cast is fantastic.

The Tower (season 1) … follows the aftermath of the deaths of a veteran Metropolitan Police officer and a young Libyan girl who fell together from the roof of a London tower block.

When Constable Lizzie Adama—one of the only witnesses—disappears soon afterwards, Sarah Collins‘ investigation becomes two-pronged: what happened on the roof, and finding Adama. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I felt season 2 was equally good. But that season 3 was somehow not up to the quality of the first two.

In fact, it was cancelled after three seasons.

On the other hand, Ella Smith as DC Elaine Lucas is a terrific character. Hilarious.

In any case, this is top notch British television. Recommended.

My biggest complaint is overuse of flashbacks. Weak story telling, in my opinion.

Father Brown is one of the most popular British cozy mystery TV series.

It’s been running since 2013!

The series is set in England during the early 1950s.

Father Brown is the priest at St Mary’s Catholic Church in the fictional village of Kembleford …

Britain is struggling with the aftermath of the Second World War, rationing is still in effect, the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place, the death penalty has not yet been abolished, and homosexuality and abortion are still illegal.

An empathetic man of keen intelligence, Father Brown solves murder cases when members of his parish are involved, when circumstances are strange enough to gain his interest, or when he is directly asked for help. During his investigations, he occasionally neglects his more mundane parish duties.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sister Boniface Mysteries is a spin-off which began 2022.

The series is set in early 1960s Britain.

Sister Boniface is a Catholic nun at St. Vincent’s Convent in the fictional town of Great Slaughter …

In addition to her religious duties at the convent, she makes wine and has a PhD in forensic science (although this is referred to as a MA (Cantab), in the “The Forensic Nun” episode of Father Brown) allowing her to serve as a scientific adviser to the local police on investigations

I watched one episode of each simply to know what folks are talking about.

Light entertainment.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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.