The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
REBUS WITH A TWIST
TV PREVIEWS
Rebus – Saturday, BBC1, 9.25pm
It’s not the first time Ian Rankin’s world-weary Edinburgh police detective has appeared in a TV show, but the makers of this new six-part series have taken a different approach to the character. Out go the somewhat haggard faces of Ken Stott and John Hannah to be replaced by the fresherlooking Richard Rankin – no relation to the author, by the way. He’s playing a younger version of John Rebus, who’s a lowly detective sergeant when we meet him. He’s also about to tackle a case with a personal twist when his brother, a former soldier, gets caught up in a violent struggle, leaving Rebus with a dilemma – does he ensure justice is done or turn a blind eye to protect his sibling?
The Piano – Sunday, C4, 9pm
Host of many television programmes Claudia Winkleman, singer and entertainer Mika and worldrenowned pianist Lang Lang take their search for the UK’S best amateur pianists to London’s Victoria Station, where they encounter a romantic milkman, a soulful rugby player and an operatic singer whose performance leads Lang Lang to dub him as “the new Bach”. That’s high praise indeed, but will it translate into an invitation to play at the show’s final concert? Cynics may occasionally question whether this show is more about the tear-jerking backstories than celebrating musical talent, but it remains one of the most uplifting shows on TV.
Blue Lights – Monday, BBC1, 9pm
“Coming back for series two was like coming back to meet old friends, then devising new ways to put your old friends through torture,” says co-creator and writer Declan Lawn about Blue Lights. Watching his and Adam Patterson’s work is a nailbiting, gripping experience, but if that’s how they treat their mates, then thank goodness we’re not one of them. What makes it stand out from many other police dramas is the emotional punch it packs, and there’s more of that in the final episode of the run – yes, it’s come round rather quickly, hasn’t it? Monday nights will seem dull once we find out what happens after Mount Eden descends into chaos, with Grace desperate to save Henry from Lee.
Into The Amazon With Robson Green – Tuesday, C5, 9pm
It’s the largest rainforest on Earth, home to an incredible variety of wildlife, from piranhas to sloths – and now actor and presenter Robson Green is going there, too. He begins this three-part adventure in Alter do Chao, known as the gateway to the rainforest, which has also been dubbed the Amazon’s answer to the Caribbean. However, if you think that sounds like Robson will be having a nice, relaxing time before his journey of discovery begins in earnest, you would be wrong. Instead, he’s a taking a perilous route to the very top of the tree canopy, where he’s rewarded with an incredible view that brings home just how unbelievably vast and important this ecosystem really is.
Race Across The World – Wednesday, BBC1, 9pm
They may be racing each other, but the remaining teams still come together this week to mark Owen’s impending 21st birthday in the traditional Indonesian way, with a splattering of egg and flour. Then it’s time to set off on the next leg, which sees Owen spending his big day in Padang with a local fisherman and his family, who take him and Alfie into the heart of their community. But the pair still feel like celebrating when they take a chance on the roads along Sumatra’s southern coast? They may have an impressive lead, but on an island with limited accommodation options and a somewhat ad-hoc transport system, it may be easy to fall behind, especially as there are few English speakers around.
Murder, They Hope – Thursday, BBC2, 9pm
Terry and Gemma arrive at the hotel 48 hours before their wedding looking to relax in the spa – but Gemma’s mum Patricia (Sherrie Hewson) and Monica (Sarah Hadland) have other ideas. The weekend soon takes a turn when they discover a dead wedding guest and, before long, Gemma and Terry face a race against time to solve the murder before their nuptials can take place. Then, in tonight’s second episode, Terry and Gemma’s relationship looks like it’s on the rocks, and Terry reconnects with his old mate Willy Watkins (Lee Mack), leaving Gemma to investigate crimes on her own – until Monica (Sarah Hadland) gets in on the action, that is.
The Young Offenders – Friday, BBC1, 9.30pm
The Cork-based smashhit sitcom, a spin-off from an equally popular 2016 movie, has returned with more laughs to keep fans of the show happy. With best friends Jock (Chris Walley) and Conor (Alex Murphy) separated for the moment – Walley’s busy schedule has meant season four had to be effectively written around him – it has given the craic-filled comedy’s ensemble cast the chance to shine. They include Healy (Dominic Machale) and Mairead (Hilary Rose), who are becoming increasingly infuriated with having Conor living in their house. When Healy shares that he’s going on a fishing trip to where he grew up, Mairead insists he takes his troublesome stepson along with him.