TV DVDs: The Thick Of It, Doctor Who and Persuasion

Welcome to a new, it-may-become-regular-if-you-like-it preview of the latest TV shows to hit DVD this week.

The Thick Of It - Series 1

Americans had The West Wing, presenting its politicians as liberal idealists who only want to do the best for their country. We present politicians as idiots, who have devolved the real power to civil servants and, in the case of The Thick of It, policy advisers and media experts.

Here, Chris Langham is the bumbling MP Hugo Abbot, who continually finds himself up against the machinations of the Prime Minister’s enforcer, played by Peter Capaldi as a foul-mouthed rottweiler. Not so much Yes, Minister as F*** Off, Whoever You Are.

This DVD includes 30 minutes of deleted scenes, cast/crew audio commentaries, a script-to-screen guide with producer Armando Iannucci, and production and rehearsal photo galleries (with commentary).

Doctor Who: The Runaway Bride

2006’s Christmas special of Doctor Who starred Catherine Tate as Donna, a bride who walks up the aisle only to find herself transported not only into the TARDIS, but into a plan to unleash a horde of galactic space spiders from inside the centre of the Earth. The first few minutes aren’t too promising — as Tate is forced to shout most of her lines, she comes across as a bigger version of Lauren in a wedding dress. But once the script calms down, she’s able to introduce some decent characterisation in alongside the joke-filled dialogue.

There’s a real sense of Hepburn and Tracy in Donna and the Doctor’s fractious relationship which works well. Throw in an unrecognisable Sarah Parish as the giant, spider-like Empress of the Racnoss, plenty of jokes and at least one clue to Series 3’s ongoing storyline, and you get a good Christmas evening romp. Not quite so appealing in April, maybe, but it’s still great fun.

The absolute highlight, though, is the included Doctor Who Confidential: Music and Monsters, which goes behind the scenes not only at the filming of the Christmas special, but also at a Children in Need concert celebrating Murray Gold’s music for the new series. It’s a wonderful hour, and makes you realise just how symphonic the series’ soundtrack has become since it returned.

No commentaries or other extras on this disc.

 Persuasion

Yes, the final film in ITV’s Jane Austen season may have only been broadcast last night, but it’s already to buy on shiny disc if you want to keep it, and have a permanent record of Rupert Penry-Jones in breeches. No extras.

 Dancing On Ice, Series 2

Much as I enjoyed dipping into this series, I’m at a loss to wonder quite who would want to buy a disc of edited highlights for viewing all year round.

Wedding Belles

As with Persuasion, Wedding Belles was only aired last week (and is still available on Channel 4’s 4OD service), yet it’s already pushed out on to DVD. What, no endless schedule-filling repeats on E4 and/or More4?

Regardless, Irvine Welsh and Dean Cavanagh’s black comedy has been one of the TV highlights of the year to date, and stands up to repeated viewings.

Also released this week:

• Victoria Wood - As Seen On TV - a welcome issue on DVD of the complete series, rather than the previously-available “best of” compilation
• New Street Law
• Midsomer Murders: The Fourth Collection - A Further 10 Investigations