between Sherlock, Downton Abbey and Jo Nesbø I had plenty to watch and read in my spare time.But this week I managed to watch Alcatraz and Touch, down below are the reviews.

Alcatraz – well it has finally arrived. It seems they have been teasing it forever! And if first three episodes are anything to go on, it didn’t disappoint. Obvs I love seeing Jorge Garcia on a weekly basis again. Even though he hasn’t said Dude once I am still fond of him. Then there is Sam Neill, who well… it’s Sam bleedin Neill, enough said. Parminder Nagra seems like the most intriguing character but Sarah Jones was a revelation as the totally kick ass detective who gets roped into the whole thing after she learns her grandad was an inmate at Alcatraz rather than the guard as she previously thought.

So the story is that Alcatraz was closed. Only it didn’t really happen. Both the inmates and the guards have disappeared. And now they have started showing up in the present day and they still look the same and they haven’t aged a bit. The pilot was intriguing enough. But it usually takes me a few episode to get hooked. And I have to report that after episode three I am eager to find out what happens next. Where did they go? Why didn’t they age? What did they do to them? And who did whatever they did to them… it looks promising. And hopefully numbers will be good enough so Fox won’t cancel it before the writers manage to weave the story properly.

Now on to Touch. I didn’t know much about Touch apart from that it stars Kiefer Sutherland. And that his kid can predict the future. But that was all. I am not the biggest Kiefer Sutherland fan (I maybe watched 2 or 3 episodes of 24 in total). So this was more of a watchonwhim kind of thing. And I was pleasantly surprised by the storytelling. I really was. Kiefer Sutherland plays a dude who is a former journalist and whose wife died during 9/11. He is left caring for their son who doesn’t speak at all. But the boy is obsessed with numbers. In the end it turns out… well I don’t want to give stuff away I think you are better off knowing as little as possible about what the show is about. It’s a story that spans the continents and I thought it was rather uplifting.

Then I saw the credits – Tim Kring is the series creator. Which so explains it – I mean the story is truly great. But Tim Kring did the same thing with Heroes. Remember how great Heroes was in the beginning? Before it got turned into an incoherent, rambling mess with too many characters and too many storylines. I can only hope the same thing won’t happen to Touch. I can only hope that there will be someone designated to reel the bugger in before he gets too… ambitious? Because it is a great story.

So tell me dear ladies and gents, have you seen Alcatraz? Or Touch? What did you think?

Image: BBC.com

• Did you know there are 243 types of tobacco ash?

• There is no worse fate then being bored.

• There is no worse fate then being boring and/or being surrounded by boring people.

• If you are bored it is not advised to suffer in misery. It is mandatory to keep shouting at people as often as possible “Don’t be boring” (which I happened to be exposed to a good while back and it is not amusing. My heart goes out to Watson)

• Solar system? Earth revolving around the sun? Not really important.

• How to appear taller? Wear a good coat and have a short friend.

• Ms Hudson? She is not a house keeper.

• There is such a thing as a consulting detective.

• There is such a thing as a consulting criminal. And even though I loved Holmes ever since I was little itsy bitsy part of me thinks being a consulting criminal might be a tad bit more fun?

• You never ever turn your back on a boomerang. Never ever.

• How to check if person has a dog – look for dog hairs obvs. However if the dog hairs are located lower part of the body only it’s a small breed dog.

• There is such a thing as rabbits that glow in the dark.

• Need the police? Find a gun and shoot in the air. Much faster that way you see.

• Benedict Cumberbatch? Hot. Really, really hot. You just need to get over the pretentious name. But yes, hot.

• You know you have a hit show on your hands when even readers of Daily Fail sorry Mail debate what exactly happened

hm yes, so this happened last week. I was in cinema (willingly) and watched a movie with Tom Cruise (willingly). I don’t like Tom Cruise, never did. That is not to say I don’t think he’s talented – I liked Magnolia, Fourth of July and Collateral just fine, but I never really embraced the idea of Tom Cruise action hero/movie star. He is just so bloody enthusiastic!

So Mission Impossible. The movie is ridiculous. Obviously. It’s an action movie with special effects, it is supposed to be ridiculous. Tom Cruise leaps of tall buildings, leaps of some type of moving parking lot, walks into Kremlin with just a prosthetic nose and fake mustache for disguise and drives through a sand storm in a convertible with just a scarf for protection against the elements. As I said ridiculous. Not to mention almost every nation under the sun is deemed whats the polite word to put it – problematic? It’s your bog standard big budget Hollywood action movie. But Monika and I (hello Monika waves giggled through out. Convulsively. And I’ll be the first to admit after those 2 hours I left the cinema feeling entertained. After a Tom Cruise action movie!

For the life of me I couldn’t understand why. So I watched Mission Impossible 3. In interest of research. Obviously. And it’s much the same thing – things getting blown up, Tom Cruise leaping of stuff, the whole shebang – it still wasn’t nearly as entertaining.

And then I realized. It was that Simon bloody Pegg! He made it funny. He was the perfect antidote to all the Cruise’s action hero posturing and he wasn’t featured nearly as much in the third installment. Mystery solved.

So you see Simon Pegg made me like a Tom Cruise movie. I thought I was not feeling well or that I’ve been dropped on my head without even realizing.

Although come to think of it – I did bump my head about 5 times on our kitchenette vent at the hotel we were staying at (obviously there was drink taken). Oooh – so you think it might not be Simon Pegg after all?

let me wish you and yours happy, healthy and prosperous 2012! I hope you managed to survive the holidays with your sanity intact. Please let me a share a few TV shows that have kept me occupied over the last few weeks. Do let me know what you have been watching, just in case I might have missed something great.

The Layover

Anthony Bourdain is back with more food, what’s not to like? The premise is that he goes to different major cities and in a short time span  (somewhere between 24 and 48 hours) gives you a lowdown on any given city you might find yourself in. I like the format, I like the useful information he provides and the first episode about Singapore made me want to visit something rotten.

Downton Abbey

I have to admit Downton Abbey made for some really nice and cozy holiday watching. It has drama, it has intrigue and it has funny quips courtesy of Dame Maggie Smith, what’s not to love? I still haven’t caught up entirely (started on season 2) but our American readers might be interested to know second season premieres on PBS on January 8th.

Sherlock

Look I’ll be the first to admit I turned my nose when I heard of Sherlock. I mean a modern version? Blasphemy! I’ve read all the novels when I was little and obviously got a tad bit attached. However Sherlock is not just good telly, it’s exceptionally good telly. And I would rate the last episode (A Scandal in Belgravia) as the best one yet. In part it is down to great cast, but also Steven Moffat wrote the episode. If you are being a snobbish bish like I was and refuse to watch it, please give it a try – you will not be disappointed.

Leverage

I professed my affection for Leverage plenty of times. And I still like it, it’s funny, the cast is great and it is just irreverent enough to be enjoyable. Plus you have got to appreciate an American series that actually airs during the holidays and doesn’t go on hiatus.

Honorable mention

Ab Fab

Now let me preface this by saying I do love Eddie and Patsy. And while I thought the Christmas special was good, I didn’t think it was exceptional. It was funny yes, but I just… I don’t know maybe they need to get their groove back a bit?

unlike their American counterparts British TV networks go all out during the holidays. And when I say all out – I mean ALL out. New shows, old shows, specials, mini-series, TV movies, there is something for everyone. Down below is a list of shows that will air during the holidays. I do hope you will find something you’ll enjoy.

Absolutely Fabulous (Dec 25th; BBC)

No explanation need – Eddy and Patsy are back. Here is another sneak peek

Sherlock Holmes (Jan 1st; BBC)

Cumberbatch is wearing a sheet. Well… hello there!

Great Expectations (Dec 25th; BBC)
The adaptation of Charles Dickens novel the series stars Gillian Anderson, Ray Winstone and David Suchet.

The Borrowers (Dec 26th, BBC)

Based on a book written by Mary Norton The Borrowers is about tiny people who live under the floorboards in your home and survive on scraps. Stars Christopher Eccleston AND Mr. Fry.

The Gruffalo Child (Dec 25th; BBC)

Another children’s story this time based on a book written by Julia Donaldson and featuring voices of Robbie Coltrane, Rob Brydon, Helena Bonham Carter, John Hurt and James Corden.

Dr. Who (Dec 25th; BBC)

Please, what’s Christmas without Doctor Who?

The Royal Bodyguard (Dec 26th; BBC)

The Royal Bodyguard marks David Jason’s return to comedy.

Lapland (Dec 24th; BBC)

Lapland is a comedy drama series about the Lewis family who make a trip to Lapland to search for Santa and all other things Christmassy. But it is not so easy to leave your troubles behind. I couldn’t find a separate trailer but you can get a sneak peek in this BBC trailer below.

Raymond Blanc’s Christmas Feast (Dec 18th,; BBC)

I’m not saying I will be trying to attempt to cook any of these complicated dishes but you know… I love cooking shows. Plus it’s nice to see Adam again.

Downton Abbey (Dec 25th; ITV)

I love Downton Abbey so much, but I have been trying to pace myself and leave something for Christmas. The special will have to wait because I need to catch up. Hence I haven’t looked at the preview, but you can find it below.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot (Dec 26th; ITV)

Poirot returns and this story is based on the novel Clocks.

Just Henry (Dec 18th; ITV)

Just Henry is based on a book written by Michelle Magorian. Henry is a boy whose father died during World War II. When his medal is posted home Henry decides to investigate what he led to his father’s death. For the life of me I couldn’t find a trailer for the show but you can get more details at the link above.

I am preparing a longer post to have ready before the holidays but The Dark Knight Rises trailer dropped today. And it looks… well… see for yourself. It made my jaw drop and do the jumpy claps. At the same time.

saw this on Twitter yesterday. That is all.

the biggest gripe I have when series get canceled is that I don’t know how the story ended. Some get lucky and get a chance to wrap things up (think Jericho) and others just dwindle, wither and die.

Do you know I didn’t even bother to see last episode of FlashForward after I learned it got canceled? I mean what’s the point? The story of that magnitude, how can it be wrapped up in 40 odd minutes? Don’t get me wrong I don’t expect for everyone to live happily ever after with a big bow on top, but I think some sort of closure would be nice.

And I’m not talking about series that got canceled and you wished they continued. For example Veronica Mars. Sure I would have loved it if it continued and I was bitter when it ended, but at least the ending made some sort of sense.
No, I’m talking about characters you digged and whose stories you loved only to be left hanging and wondering what could have possibly happened to them. So here are three shows that left me wondering what could have possibly happened after the credits rolled.

Kingdom

I freaking love Kingdom. And not because I like Mr. Fry and not because I freaking love Norfolk. Sure it was light and fluffy and cozy but because things just started to get really, really interesting and the writers never got the chance to wrap it up. I mean it’s not on to end with a mother of all cliffhangers. At least give me a Christmas special to see what happened.

My So-Called Life

Oh shoot me, I was in my teens when My So-Called Life was the dog bollocks (that was back in the day when Jared Leto could be considered hot but what with the hair and shit it’s just too try-hard for my liking). Now My So-Called Life was never about things being neat and orderly and for sure it wasn’t about happy endings but again some sort of closure would have been nice. Which brings me to…

The Lost Room

I don’t have you seen the Lost Room but it is the only series out of these three that was intended to be a mini series. It aired one Sci-Fi and stared Peter Krause, Kevin Pollak, Julianna Margulies and Elle Fanning. It is a bit difficult to explain if you have not seen it – Krause stars as a police detective who stumbles upon the Room by accident. Then his daughter gets lost inside the Room and he sets up to rescue her. But he needs to find the Objects first. The Room is a place alongside Route 66 that has existed in different time and space continuum since 1961. As I said a bit complicated. Deliciously so. But definitely worth the watch. And there was definitely potential for more because things were left a bit well… open ended. And just as I was adding the link for the series, I found an link to a blog post that the Lost Room should get a second installment in a comic book form (although that hasn’t materialized yet).

So tell me dear readers, are there any endings you would like to see told?

I know it can be easy to hate the holiday (especially when you can hear the Christmas jingles in the shops at the beginning of November). It can get really old, really fast. But I have grown to like the holidays over the last few years – the food is great and plentiful, there is plenty of time to read, watch telly, take a long walk, see friends and as far as the family matters go, well I’ve found that either some alcohol or a herbal remedy can be helpful (mind you, do not mix the two together).

But there is one thing that is sure to perk up even the grumpiest of curmudgeons this year. Because this year on Christmas day Patsy and Edwina are making their return.

How can you not love them bishes?

Down below you can find the sneak preview that aired on Graham Norton’s show. Don’t they just get better with age?

down below you can find a list of few new British shows that you catch up on this November (or what is left of November). As you can see there is crime, there is drama, there is a documentary and there is Jamie Oliver so I hope you will find a new favorite.

The Jury – The Jury is the latest legal/drama/crime offering from ITV and this is the second season (believe it or not Gerard Butler stared in first season). The story centers around a high profile murder trial (or rather a re-trial) and 12 jurors who have to decide whether the accused man did or did not kill three women a few years ago. I found it compelling enough to tune in and this is the type of series ITV does really well so it is definitely worth the watch.

This is Jinsy – now This is Jinsy you will either love or hate. Because it is rather bizarre. And surreal. But it does have its funny moments. It was originally produced for BBC but now it is airing on Sky. This is Jinsy is about residents of Jinsy island (all 791 of them) who are being monitored by Arbiter Maven and Operative Sporall from the Great Tower and a system of tessellators (includes video cameras/slot for paying fines/pills dispensers respectively). As I said I think it is an acquired taste.

Top Boy – Top Boy is a Channel 4 mini series and a story about a group of young lads living on at Summerhouse housing estate in Hackney. Because they are so marginalized they have turned to gangs and drug dealing to get a sense they belong somewhere, anywhere. Rather grim but worth the watch.

Death in Paradise – a BBC production Death in Paradise is about detective Richard Poole (played by Ben Miller), a London police officer who is sent to Caribbean island of Saint Marie to investigate the death of detective who died at the mansion of the local aristocrat. After that murder is solved Poole stays at the island as the new detective. The only thing is he is not that into sea. Or sand. Or the heat.

Spy – Spy is another comedy series for Sky about a man called Tim (played by Darren Boyd) who is stuck in a dead end job and rather miserable. In a bid to impress his 9-year-old son he decides to apply for a job thinking it is for data entry with the government. However it turns out after he gets the job that the job doesn’t really involve data entry at. It does involve being an MI-5 spy.

Frozen Planet – if you love a good documentary you will love (loooooove!) Frozen Planet. It is produced by BBC and narrated by David Attenborough (the perfect combination really). It is about Arctic and Antarctic, the change of seasons in the region, the wildlife and the changes and challenges the region is facing due to the climate change. The camera work is unbelievable, the series is informative and educational and interesting. AND Blu-ray is out in UK on December 8th (which would make for a perfect Christmas gift is all I say).

Jamie’s Great Britain – you know I am more than willing to watch anything Jamie Oliver dishes out. And this is no exception. In this Channel 4 series Jamie travels all across UK in search for some new ideas and inspiration and to cook up some of UK’s most favorite dishes.