Friday 27 April
The City & the City
BBC Two, 9.00pm
The climax of this atmospheric adaptation of China Miéville’s sci-fi novel sees troubled Inspector Tyador Borlú (David Morrissey) go through hell while seeking answers to the mysteries dogging him: why was archaeologist Mahalia Geary (Andrea Deck) murdered and what happened to Borlú’s missing wife, Katrynia (Lara Pulver)?
Borlú endures torture at the hands of Breach, the Stasi-style police, and gets fired in his quest. But, in true TV cop fashion, he forges on in a solo investigation, bruised and nearly broken. Ultimately, it’s a mundane trawl through CCTV footage that provides Borlú with some answers. This reminds us that despite the fantastical premise of two cities coexisting in the same space, this TV drama really just boils down to a routine murder-mystery.
Having said that, a couple of nice twists towards the end explain whether Orciny, the fabled third city between Besźel and Ul Qoma, really exists. Along with impressive production design that creates a rich backdrop to the series, what makes The City & The City compelling is Morrissey’s performance; he’s able to convey the soft centre within the cop’s hard-boiled shell and is always worth watching. Vicki Power
Bobby Kennedy for President
Netflix, from today
Marking half a century since Robert F Kennedy’s assassination, Dawn Porter’s four-part docuseries pays tribute to the former US Attorney General. Through previously unseen home footage and contributions from his confidantes, the documentary focuses on the younger Kennedy’s 83-day race for the White House in 1968. And Porter portrays him as a principled family man and dedicated public servant with a progressive political vision. It only highlights the tragedy of his early demise.
Unreported World
Channel 4, 7.30pm
This episode sees Marcel Theroux brave the deadly smog that hangs over Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar, where the air pollution can reach more than 100 times the accepted limit. As a public health catastrophe unfolds, officials scrabble for a solution.
Our Wildest Dreams
Channel 4, 8.00pm
This new docu-series follows Brits who’ve upped sticks to take a new path in life. The jaw-dropping opener sees Londoner Mari move to her husband’s homeland, the Ecuadorean rainforest, to join a community of just 26 people. With their young daughter, they must build a house and learn to farm.
The Nineties
Sky Arts, 9.00pm
In terms of politics, the Nineties were seismic. The decade saw, among other things, Nelson Mandela freed from prison as apartheid ended in South Africa, the Soviet Union collapse and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. This episode of the CNN documentary series relives those times, with contributions from Christiane Amanpour and Dan Rather. VP
Home from Home
BBC One, 9.30pm
This sitcom features the considerable talents of Emilia Fox and Johnny Vegas, but it offers precious few laughs. In the second episode, Neil (Vegas) tries to look macho next to his suave neighbour Robert (Adam James) on a hike, but his attempts prove disastrous.
Episodes
BBC Two, 10.00pm
In keeping with this comedy’s subversive tone, mirth is mined from the death of Matt’s father (the episode is dedicated to the actor who played him, Alex Rocco, who died in 2015). In true Matt Le Blanc style, he brilliantly handles a foul-mouthed tussle over his father’s ashes between his mother and dad’s girlfriend. VP
The Week Of (2018)
Netflix, from today
This is the fourth and final film in a four-film deal between Adam Sandler and Netflix, and sees a re-teaming of Sandler with his Saturday Night Live buddy Chris Rock. The film stars the pair as fathers who are polar opposites and have to endure a road trip together in a stuffy car in the week leading up to their children getting married. Frequent Sandler collaborator Steve Buscemi co-stars; Robert Smigel (Hotel Transylvania) directs.
Knocked Up (2007) ★★★★☆
ITV2, 9.00pm
27 Dresses, The Ugly Truth, One for the Money – as a rule Katherine Heigl doesn’t make terribly good films. Luckily, this warm-hearted comedy by Judd Apatow is an exception. She stars as a journalist who finds her life plans in jeopardy when she becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with a likeable slacker, played by Seth Rogen (in the role that made him a bona fide star). In 2012, a spin-off sequel, This Is 40, was released.
Tropic Thunder (2008) ★★★☆☆
BBC One, 11.50pm; N Ireland, 12.20am
This comedy/action romp charts the filming of a guerrilla-style Vietnam War movie that derails thanks to the egotistical actors, including Kirk Lazarus (a blacked-up Robert Downey Jnr). Even with its all-star cast (Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Ben Stiller and Jack Black among them), the standout performance is by Tom Cruise as megalomaniac film producer Les Grossman.
Television previewers
Toby Dantzic, Sarah Hughes, Gerard O'Donovan, Vicki Power and Gabriel Tate