DAVID Wilson is a highly respected criminologist. Professor, former prison governor, police adviser, a suitable host in all sorts of ways for Crime Files (BBC Scotland, Sunday, 9pm). Quite why he had to add the whiff of the am dram society to the task of presenting is a mystery worthy of investigation in its own right.
The ten-part series opened with Prof Wilson striding down a grim corridor. Later, he would walk down an equally gritty back alley packed with bins.
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“Culturally, we’re obsessed by serial killers and Scotland has had her fair share of them,” he began. With that he hauled open a door and announced, “I’M David Wilson and THIS is Crime Files.” Hammy emphasis, cravat, striding: Ronald Villiers, eat yer heart oot with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
There was more of this sort of thing when journalist Fiona Walker took viewers through the trial of Peter Manuel. Telling us how Manuel stood in the courtroom, hand on hip, she opted to illustrate by, you’ve guessed it, making like a teapot. When she joined Wilson on the set – gloomy, urban, Dragon’s Den meets shooting gallery – her account of the case was vivid and compelling. She had even brought with her a scoop: a never heard before tape of the killer being interviewed by a psychiatrist.
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Wilson gave his take on Manuel’s voice, how its flatness was common among psychopaths, how he was in denial about what he had done. It was fascinating stuff, as was the run through of the Bible John case, even if there was nothing new. When the programme got the blend of academic analysis and journalism right it made for riveting television. It was telling, however, that when attention turned to the murder of Angelika Kluk the programme begaNothing extraordinary had happened, they were just slogging their way through the days, bickering and making up. At first it seemed as though she was the victim of coercive control, but it was not that straightforward.
It was a tough watch. Unless you are a scriptwriter for EastEnders, other people rowing is no-one’s idea of a chuckle-fest. But McClure was terrific and Fitzpatrick matched her, emotion for emotion. An hour was more than enough, though.
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Beechgrove (BBC Scotland, Thursday, 8pm), on the other hand, deserved an hour but got half that. As readers of The Herald’s letter pages will know, Beechgrove has been at the centre of a row over its transfer to the new Scottish channel from a regular slot on BBC2. Viewers have complained about the new series taking a seven week break during summer, the busiest season in the garden. It would never happen to Monty Don and it should not happen to Beechgrove.
Beechgrove is a gardening programme for people whose passion is gardening. Sounds obvious, but too many gardening shows are more glossy magazine affairs, light on practical advice for people who actually get their hands dirty.
Though the team only had 30 minutes, they packed in the items, from how to prune a fig tree to where is best to grow cucumbers. Still keeping it real, there were visits to gardens that seemed both wonderful and achievable. Beechgrove: not broken, stop trying to fix.
I had to pay a return visit to Remarkable Places to Eat (BBC2, Wednesday, 8pm) as it was set in Edinburgh. Nothing if not polite, that’s me. A bit like our host, First Dates maitre d’ Fred Sirieix, who ventured north with chef Tom Kerridge.
Fred, always an enthusiastic pup at the best of times, was thrilled with the three eateries Kerridge had selected. He lurvved The Kitchin; he adored The Grill by HW; and the mushy peas at the Fishmarket at Newhaven had him purring with delight. Of Tom Kitchin he declared, “Ee has made terrine sexy again!” They might as well have stuck Je T’aime on in the background and left him to it.
He was in his element massaging the Wagyu cattle in Bridge of Allan (geography wasn’t really the show’s strongpoint). “She likes it,” he called to Kerridge, “she’s moving her tail!”.
“It’s a boy,” said Kerridge.
“Oh well,” said Fred, and carried on.
Nobody’s perfect, but Fred comes close.n to seem exploitative. Too soon, perhaps? Too raw?
The producers will have to keep an eye on the tone. As for Wilson’s sign off, we were back in Villiers territory: “Join me NEXT time, and REMEMBER, take care.” Just run the credits, folks.
If there is one thing Vicky McClure is in no need of it is advice on acting. I Am Nicola (Channel 4, Tuesday, 10pm) was the first of three improvised pieces led by women, and written and directed by Dominic Savage. Nicola and Adam (Perry Fitzpatrick) were a couple going through a miserable time.
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