TV in 2010

So here's a review of TV in 2010. There's been some brilliant programs on the box over the past 12 months.

By the way, I must add that this blog has not been researched. This is all from memory. I bloody love these shows, that's why I'm writing about them.

Ashes to Ashes

A class drama about the lives of a team of Detectives based at Fenchurch East. This carried on from the previous two excellent series. Time travelling DCI Alex Drake wanted to find out the truth about DCI Gene Hunt once and for all. Much was devoted to the relationships between Drake and Hunt, and the team, namely Ray, Chris and Shaz. The twist that the five protagonists were in an intermediate state of limbo between heaven and hell was superb.

DCI Jim Keats stepped in as the voice of hell, whom Gene Hunt opposed throughout. Suddenly Hunt was transformed into an anti-Christ figure leading them to heaven (or the pub, in Hunt's case!). Brilliantly written, poignant and effective continuity, I watched the final episode twice it was that good. The link to Sam Tyler in Life on Mars again a fitting ode to a tremendous series.

Getting On

Getting On was a genuinely superb comedy. It had its twists of realism that made it close to home, but it was expertly done. The characters each had their own caviats, and the relationship between them made the program. Hilary Loftus' and Den Flickster's relationship has to be the most awkward pairing ever, but it worked a treat. Plus Kim Wilde (not the singer) was the character I associated most with because of her down-trodden image.

It was so similar to The Thick of It in style and the way it was shot, but it was my favourite comedy of the year. It just was a class above, and I had tears in my eyes at several moments throughout.

The Thick of It

Which is a nice segue into my next program of the year. The "third" series of The Thick of It was class. With Rebecca Front as Nicola Murray it invited another dimension to the show. My wasn't Murray useless at front line politics?

Tucker was as rude as ever this series, and the sacking episode was superb. "You will see me again!" He always seems to get his own way too, the various show downs with Julius Nicholson that he always seems to win. Plus, Joanna Scanlan is brilliant in this too, as she is in Getting On.

So there's three, which I could talk about until the cows come home. There was also a new series of Mad Men, the marvellous prequel Rock and Chips and the continuation of Peep Show, which will run and run.

That was the best of TV this year.