Thursday, 9/2/2017

The Great Pottery Throw Down (BBC2, 8pm)

The ceramicists return to Stoke-on-Trent for week two of the ceramics challenge, with judges Keith Brymer Jones and Kate Malone setting them three more tasks to show who is best at working with clay. They begin by throwing a double-walled pot on the wheel, then for the spot test they have to create handles for a set of casserole dishes. Finally, the main challenge sees them making a large clock, which involves slab rolling large amounts of clay to shape, then raw glazing and firing them to produce what they hope will be beautiful timepieces. But for one hopeful, this will have been their last day in the contest. Host Sara Cox breaks the bad news.

After Brexit: The Battle for Europe (BBC2, 9pm)

In the wake of last year's referendum result, people on both sides of the Brexit debate have been discussing what leaving the European Union will mean for the UK. However, this documentary looks at the implications for the future of EU itself, which is currently facing the biggest challenge in its 60-year history. As the BBC's Europe Editor Katya Adler points out, it's not just Britain's departure that is making waves – populist eurosceptic movements are on the rise across the continent, leading to the prospect of more countries following the UK's example and voting to leave. As Britain begins the controversial and uncertain process of withdrawing, Adler asks whether the EU can survive.

Escape to the Wild (C4, 9pm)

British couple Neil and Louise have quit the London rat race to start a new life in a home that's so remote, it takes Jimmy Doherty three flights and a 25-mile boat trip to reach them. The couple live in the Yukon wilderness of Canada, an area that is twice the size of the UK yet has just 34,000 inhabitants (if you don't count the bears). So as Jimmy discovers, it's certainly a great place for anyone in search of peace and quiet, but with no running water or electricity, life in the couple's log cabin wouldn't fit everyone's idea of relaxing. With temperatures about to plummet, Jimmy helps Neil and Louise prepare for winter by gathering wood and hunting moose and grouse, while also asking them if the scenery, solitude and sense of adventure are worth the hard work and threat of grizzly bears.