Square Eyes 9-12 June

Emmerdale (Monday 7pm, ITV1)

You know things are desperate when top of your list of TV recommendations is Emmerdale - between Big Brother and the footie, it really is slim pickings out there in the wilderness. Still, there are some storylines bubbling under in Emmerdale that could develop into something, chiefly Andy Sugden’s slow-burning descent into becoming an abusive husband. Emmerdale can do powerful on occasion, but these storylines tend to get lost in the surrounding silliness of murders and explosions. Perhaps this potentially shocking storyline will be allowed the space it needs to develop into something that might make the audience sit up and take notice.

EastEnders (Monday 8pm, BBC1)

Oooh, there’s trouble on the horizon for the EastEnders as mad Dr May Wright is back on the scene and looking for ways to snare little baby Summer away from Dawn. This really cannot end well - but whether that’s for May or the Millers remains to be seen. Amanda Drew has created one of the most memorable soap villains of recent years, giving the scary GP an effective mix of psychotic mania and tragic sympathy. It’s going to be an eventful couple of weeks in Walford.

The Victorian Sex Explorer (Tuesday 9pm, C4)

Part of the Victorian Passions season. Rupert Everett follows in the footsteps of Sir Richard Burton, the infamous 19th century explorer who embraced everything the Middle East to offer - and then some…

The Supersizers Go… Seventies (Tuesday BBC2, 9pm)

I’ve really grown to love this perky little series with Giles Coren and Sue Perkins as they embark on gastronimical time travel to consume the diets of a different era. This week may have more resonance for a majority of the audience as they’re living the 70s life this week, which means Angel Delight and fondue. Hurrah! Thinking about it, I can’t actually remember what I ate in the 1970s, but I’m looking forward to finding out!

Summer Heights High (Tuesday 10.30pm, BBC3)

A curious little sitcom from Australian comedian Chris Lilley, filmed documentary style a la The Office and set in a school. Lilley plays the majority of the parts, from drama teacher Mr G to an exchange student, with hit and miss effect. It’s all fine, but we have seen it all before really. Oh well.

The Apprentice (Wednesday 9pm BBC1)

And this is it, the final titanic battle between some of the most painfully tedious and vicious (and let’s not forget stupid) candidates a series of The Apprentice has ever put forward. Yes it’s been hugely entertaining and the ratings have been superb this year, but at what cost? Will Sir A’s bubble burst this year or will The Apprentice rise to new heights in the next, inevitable series? Whatever the future of this ratings buster, tonight the remaining candidates must create and present to industry experts an original fragrance for men. Of course this all secondary to Sir A’s deliberations, Nick’s raised eyebrows and Margaret’s pursed lips, and rest assured, there’ll be lots of that tonight…

Back To You (Wednesday 9.30pm, More 4)

Having been in the news recently following a heart attack, tonight sees More 4 bringing us the first episode of his new sitcom, where the on-time Frasier actor plays Chuck Darling, a faded news anchor who returns to his old job in Pittsburgh after being fired from his job in LA. His co-anchor just happens to be his ex-wife, played by Everybody Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton. And hilarity ensues… sort of. This is by no means terrible, but when you’ve played comedy royalty, audiences are always going to be comparing - and compared to Frasier, Back To You is found seriously wanting.

Heroes (Thursday 9pm, BBC2)

Ah, so now we finally discover what happened to Nathan and Peter following the climax to season one, in a flashback episode that fills in some much needed blanks. I’m still not hugely fussed by this show, but occasionally it can be mildly diverting.

Margaret Thatcher - the Long Walk to Finchley (Thursday 9pm, BBC4)

Andrea Riseborough is utterly stunning in this frothy drama about Margaret Thatcher’s early drive to become a force to be reckoned with in British politics. A young Margaret Roberts is determined to make it to parliament, despite the resistance of the dusty old soaks on the selection committees - a woman? In parliament? Surely not! It’s perhaps a little to light in places, but who said politics is supposed to be heavy and worthy all the time? And this is worth it just for Riseborough’s turn as Margaret Alone - this is a talent to watch very closely in the coming years.