The Sarah Jane Adventures, BBC1, Monday 4.35pm (followed by CBBC Channel, 5.15pm)
As Sarah Jane herself rushes off on important journalistic business, the Joseph Lidster-scripted Mark of the Beserker concentrates on the junior cast, in particular Daniel Anthony’s Clyde Langer. Now happily adapted to life with his single mum (Jocelyn Jee Esien), Clyde’s life is turned upside-down by the sudden reapparance of his father (Gary Beadle). Meanwhile, Rani discovers a pendant which enables the wearer to force others to do their will — and you just know it’s going to fall into the wrong hands… The second half of the story airs on the CBBC Channel immediately afterwards.
Spooks BBC1, Monday 9pm
In an effort to stop al-Qaeda bombing London, MI5 opens up covert talks. As the terrorist representatives are otherwise respectable businessmen in suits, though, the actual organisation Harry ends up talking to could be any generic shadowy organisation from the last forty years of spy dramas. Potentially more interesting is the simmering plot with Jo’s (Miranda Raison) fragile state of mind, after her incarceration at the end of last season and being caught in the blast of last week’s bomb — plus, does Harry really have a traitor on the Grid, and could it possibly be Connie, his most trusted confidante?
The Commander ITV1, Monday 9pm
Oh dear. I’d really begun to believe that ITV had managed to get their Monday night drama sorted out, with Lost in Austen, The Children, Place of Execution and Wired all proving highly watchable. Alas, it seems that they seem to have given up the ghost a bit. Maybe it’s sensible given that the slot is up against MI5’s finest, but The Commander is especially weak, formulaic fare.
My Family At War BBC1, Tuesday 9pm
In effect a Who Do You Think You Are? wartime special, this final episode of the series sees Kirsty Wark and Rolf Harris undertake two very emotional journeys into their own family history during wartime. Perfect viewing for Armistice Day.
What the Dickens? Sky Arts 1, Wednesday 7.30pm
Sandi Toksvig chairs this comedy panel game in which celebrities are given the answer, and they have to come up with possible questions. It sounds like a round of Mock the Week expanded into a full half-hour, but with Chris Addison and Sue Perkins as team captains should be diverting enough.
The Bill: Proof of Life ITV1, Wednesday & Thursday 8pm
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sun Hill, we’re presented with a special double-bill of episodes that form a crossover with German police procedural SOKO Liepzig, both of which are made by Fremantle Media. Tonight’s episode is set in London, with the action transferring to Germany on Thursday, as DCI Jack Meadows teams up with his German counterpart to find the latter’s kidnapped god-daughter.
Apparitions BBC1, Thursday 9pm
Oh boy, is this going to get the tabloids’ knickers in a twist — indeed, some papers have already been stoking the flames. This series, written and directed by Joe Ahearne, who created ultracool vampires series Ultraviolet and produced by Ann Harrison-Baxter (who also produced Russell T Davies’ The Second Coming), features Martin Shaw as a priest with a talent for performing exorcisms, and who faces run-ins not only with your actual live demons, but other figures in the church who have their own reasons for wanting Father Jacob’s activities curtailed. The first episode is not quite as good as its potential implies, I hear — but be warned: the final sequence contains some truly horrific special effects. Best make sure your dinner’s nice and settled…
Lead Balloon BBC2, Thursday 10pm
A third series of Jack Dee’s in-now-way-autobiographical sitcom about curmudgeonly comedian Rick Spleen. Rick’s wife Mel announces that housekeeper Magda (the peerless Anna Crilly) is moving in, which makes Rick fret that it may be a permanent move. Meanwhile, Rick and Marty’s favourite cafe has been turned into a restaurant, which is just begging for trouble…
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