TV review Second helpings of ace feminist drama are served

THERE is something doubly wicked about Sunday dramas that delve into the murkier reaches of the human soul. By tradition, the end of the week is meant to be a day for contemplation and relaxation, not revelling in behaviour most horrid.

This week saw the start of two tales which show, in the words of Terry-Thomas, what an absolute shower humans can be given the chance. Fortunately, just one is true. The Handmaid’s Tale (Channel 4, Sunday, 9pm) only seems as though it could happen, which makes it more disturbing.

Set in a future America where women are enslaved to breed for the state, the first series stuck by Margaret Atwood’s book of the same name. The novel ended, but the viewers, this one included, wanted more. So now we have it. Ain’t capitalism grand?

Minutes into the second season and it looked like a case of be careful what you wish for. Offred (Elisabeth Moss), having led a rebellion against the stoning of a woman in the last series, was led towards the gallows with the rest of the outlaws. Part of the joy of The Handmaid’s Tale are Offred’s interjections on voiceover. Like the bursts of music, they don’t happen often, but when they do, they are sublime. Her reaction here included very non-Sunday language, and no wonder. I have a feeling this new series is going to outdo the first for nightmares.

Younger readers, or those of a sunny disposition, may find it hard to believe that the events at the centre of A Very English Scandal (BBC1, Sunday, 9pm) actually took place. But they did, and the whole sinister farce is conveyed wonderfully by Russell T Davies, working from John Preston’s book. Hugh Grant plays Jeremy Thorpe, the only

this documentary, Bradley Walsh explores the venue’s history, unearths a few backstage secrets, showcases memorable moments (including some long-lost footage of Morecambe and Wise) and chats to some of those who have associations with the place, including Tommy Steele, Lionel Blair, Jim Dale and its current owner, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Steve Backshall v the Monster Mountain (BBC2, 8pm)

Anyone who’s watched any of his programmes or his performances on Strictly Come Dancing a couple of years ago will be well aware that the naturalist is a very fit man indeed. So you might think he would need minimal training to get him up the North Face of the Eiger, but you’d be wrong. Since Offred (Elisabeth Moss) chews the fat reluctantly with Aunt Lydia (played by Ann Dowd), who is definitely not as nice as she sounds party leader in British politics to stand trial for conspiracy to murder.

All that was still to come, though, as we saw the Liberal MP meet Norman Scott (Ben Whishaw) for the first time. With Scott stripped to the waist in a stable, it looked like a scene straight out of a Jilly Cooper novel, with a jolly tone to match. There were more laughs to come, including one lovely moment with Thorpe and Scott eating chips on the top deck of a bus. But Davies knew when to cut the cackle and get serious. In those days, being gay could land a person in jail. While Thorpe chose to hide his

he was a boy, Backshall has dreamed of conquering this notoriously difficult route and now, at the age of 45, he’s giving it a go. Thankfully his wife Helen Glover is a double Olympic rowing champion, so she is on hand to help him reach peak fitness. But, as he trains on the Gogarth Cliffs in north Wales with Leo Houlding, one of Britain’s greatest climbers, it becomes clear that he needs to be mentally fit too if he’s to successfully deal with the Eiger when the Beast from the East strikes.

A Very English Scandal (BBC1, 9pm)

Jeremy draws one step closer to his goal of becoming prime minister but his success is threatened by the return of Norman, demanding that he keep the promises he made. With his political