Coronation Street (Monday 7.30/8.30pm, ITV1)
It’s the aftermath of Friday’s dramatic events that saw Liam Connor hail a cab to the big knicker factory in the sky - those Connor boys really need to stay away from cars. Maria is still in a daze, but how will Carla cope when she visits the grieving wife with her murderous fiancé? Elsewhere, Sally is back from her trip, but the pout is well and truly wiped from Rosie’s face as she is kept prisoner in a cold attic miles from anywhere.
Amazon with Bruce Parry (Monday 9pm, BBC2)
A downbeat end to Bruce Parry’s voyage of discovery, as the realities facing the tribes of the Amazon in the future are laid bare. Increased farming and deforestation are eroding a way of life, and Parry is quite clear about his views on this. A brilliant series that leaves us with a lot to think about.
Wired (Monday 9pm, ITV1)
This silly but enjoyable drama thriller continues as the true extent of the scam carried out by our conspirators comes to light. Jodie Whittaker and Laurence Fox rise above some fairly outrageous material and manage to make their characters vaguely well drawn. Whittaker gives manipulated bank worker Louise a winsome likeability as she battles with her conscience over her recent actions, while Fox provides a great villain far removed from his slightly more cuddly persona as Sergeant Lewis’s sidekick. Wired concludes next week.
Sunshine (Tuesday 9pm, BBC1)
This lovely little drama from Craig Cash and Phil Mealey comes to an end as Bing (a rather excellent Steve Coogan - which is a relief after last week’s criticisms of his live show) attempts to beat his gambling addiction once and for all and win back his wife. He has a lot of hurdles to overcome, and then there are his dad’s problems waiting to come to light - will they send Bing spiralling back into the grip of addiction? There’ll be tears and laughter before bedtime, mark my words…
Jamie’s Ministry of Food (Tuesday 9pm, C4)
After talk last week of Jamie tattooing Rotherham on his arse, and this series’s obsession with meatballs, Ministry of Food has been a somewhat bilious show to watch. Still, you have to admire Mr O’s pluck in trying to spread the word to the peoples of Rotherham about how easy it is to cook cheap, nutritious food. There clearly needs to be some jeopardy in a show of this nature, a bit of drama to raise the stakes, and this final episode has it in spades. Will the mayor of Hull like his meatballs?
Bear Grylls: Born Survivor (Tuesday 10pm, Discovery)
Sometimes I wish I was called Bear. Just think, Bear Wright: Born Blogger. Usually worth watching for a giggle, and there’s always the chance that Harry Hill will have something to say about this come Saturday’s Burp…
Desperate Housewives (Wednesday 10pm, C4)
What a novel way of clearing out the old and brining in the new for an ongoing drama series, now entering its fifth season. Just jump the narrative forward five years and see what happens. Things really have moved on in five years - Gaby is now a frumpy mother of two, Susan is no longer with Mike, and Bree is a hotshot businesswoman. And best of all, Edie is back living on Wisteria Lane, complete with a scary husband. Will this narrative trick from the production team make audiences happy to keep up with the Wisteria Lane lovelies? Time will tell…
The South Bank Show: Bond (Wednesday 10.40pm, ITV1)
Melvyn Bragg probes deep into the resuscitation of the world’s most famous film franchise in this nicely revealing South Bank Show. He interviews current Bond, Daniel Craig, the actor who silenced the many critics that had written him off before seeing a single frame of Casino Royale. He talks about his doubts on taking the role on, and the success the Bond series has once again found. Also interviewed is the original Bond, Sean Connery, who will no doubt be as candid as ever.
The Restaurant (Thursday 8pm, BBC2)
The remaining candidates get to cook in Raymond’s kitchen - no doubt with hilarious results, but probably just for the audience, not the contestants… Joyous, addictive television…
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Thursday 9pm, Virgin 1)
This show, only just granted a full season order by Fox in the States after some disappointing early ratings for this second run, is actually quite brilliant. It’s taught, action-packed and slightly outrageous in places, but remains terrifically watchable. There’s no point in talking much about storylines here as it will just make your head spin, but things get off to a furious start with a cracking chase and, erm… Shirley Manson off of Garbage, joining the cast.
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