TV Critic's Choice for July 26
LiarCredit:
LIAR
Series return ★★★½
Sunday (July 26), To Be Confirmed XXpm, Seven
A sequel to the Joanne Froggatt/Ioan Gruffudd psycho-thriller, in which the latter’s villain paid the ultimate price for his heinous deeds in the shock finale, seemed not just pointless but impossible. And yet the story finds new life as the manipulation and gaslighting continues from beyond the grave. The addition of Katherine Kelly as a tough, savvy detective (and almost unrecognisable from her role in Cheat), helps steer the drama in a new but no less agonising direction.
LutherCredit:
LUTHER
New season ★★★★
Wednesday (July 29), 9.30pm, SBS
Idris Elba’s dashing and damaged super-sleuth, DCI John Luther, storms back onto the beat after the fourth season’s devastating finish, swinging his sense of righteous, rough justice like a streetfighter’s weapon. Whether he’s seeing to a serial killer who targets children or swallowing the bitter pill of his failing marriage, Luther’s heart is on his sleeve, making detachment from the gory stuff difficult for the viewer. Here, he acquires a new adversary in the form of a femme fatale who promises a prolonged and dirty fight.
Insight - Alice MatthewsCredit:
INSIGHT
★★★
Tuesday (July 28), 8.30pm, SBS
Regular host Jenny Brockie steps aside for this forum on “growing up mixed race”. The Feed’s Alice Matthews (pictured) will instead facilitate the discussion between panellists and the studio audience, which should resonate with those with first-hand experience and illuminate those without about how growing up mixed race in Australia shapes identity and an understanding of the world. By all accounts, this looks set to be just the sort of sharing session needed in the ongoing war on casual racism.
PAY TV
The Singapore GripCredit:
THE SINGAPORE GRIP
New series ★★★½
Sunday (26 July), 8.30pm, BBC First
Based on the satirical novel by Irishman J.G. Farrell, The Singapore Grip uses the Japanese invasion of Singapore during World War II to deliver a tragicomic and sometimes brutal essay on British colonialism. Adapted by Oscar winner Christopher Hampton, this often feels broad (as did the novel). But nuanced characterisation and a deep understanding of the complexities of the culture of the region give it real weight and heft. Looks fabulous, too. MH