Satellite choice
CHEFS DOWN UNDER Masterchef New Zealand, 7pm, Watch
THE new, second series of this lifeaffirming show begins with strong contenders — including a woman who can do great things with flounder and a bush hunter with a refined line in wild game.
WIZARD MOVIE Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, 8pm, Sky Family
SOMETHING of a minor blip in the perennially popular Potter franchise, though it has a job to do — and does it well. Namely, setting the stage for the final act. . .
A SHAKESPEARE PLAY As You Like It, 8pm, Sky Arts 2
A ZIPPY production of Shakespeare’s comedy from the Globe Theatre, one that’s blessed with an irresistibly sunny disposition — but not at the expense of depth. The cast are clearly enjoying themselves.
U.S. CRIME DRAMA Bones, 9pm, Sky Living
WHY would someone take apart a human spine, expertly reassemble it in a different order, then deposit the results at the base of a statue of Abraham Lincoln? The new, seventh season resumes with a twisting case that’s packed with bewildering detail. Pity poor Booth and Bones, who have to balance that with finding a new home that will satisfy both of their exacting natures — and have space for a baby.
WHODUNIT Poirot, 9pm, ITV3
ONE of the better-plotted Poirots in recent memory, The Clocks was first broadcast at Christmas. The story concerns a stabbed man and a German mole, but it’s the supporting characters that are its most rewarding aspect — especially in the scenes between David Suchet’s Poirot and the Blands (Tessa Peake-jones and Jason Watkins).
TRUE-LIFE MOVIE
127 Hours, 9pm, Film4
DANNY BOYLE’S clever telling of the exceptional true story of American thrill-seeker Aron Ralston. James Franco (pictured) gives a remarkable performance as Ralston, who, after becoming trapped in a fall, resorts to desperate measures in order to set himself free.
MOVIE MUSICAL Moulin Rouge!, 10pm, Sky Drama
BAZ LUHRMANN’S typically flamboyant romance, set in the murky world of fin-de-siecle Paris and inspired by Bollywood. Ewan Mcgregor’s young, aspirational writer, Christian, is attracted to the big city by the promise of romance, bohemian decadence and certain adventure. But it is his heart that will become a potential victim as he falls for the charms of Nicole Kidman’s beautiful courtesan Satine.
UK CRIME DRAMA Cracker, 11pm, ITV3
FITZ, the hardsmoking criminal psychologist, could so easily have been a cliche, and it’s to Robbie Coltrane (pictured) and writer Jimmy Mcgovern’s credit that he wasn’t. He also wasn’t easy to o replicate — the Americans tried and failed with their own Cracker. This very first two-parter begins with Fitz giving a most unconventional lecture.
PAY-PER-VIEW MOVIE Blackthorn, Virgin On Demand
BUTCH CASSIDY and the Sundance Kid were immortalised by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the 1969 film. This rewrites the myth to speculate what would have happened had Butch survived. Sam Shepard plays a grizzled Butch, who, deciding he will end his self-imposed exile in the stark Bolivian salt flats, sets off for home. Nostalgic and visually arresting.