2 (25) THE REASONABLY SOON BIT.

WATCHING: AT HOME.

The impending election. 
Had your fill of rats-in-a-trap, oh-so-sincere, politicians yet? Fed up with the incessant string of patronisingly implausible promises? Begun to wonder how the hell Britain ever puts one foot in front of t'other? 
Join the club. 
But vote! 
As I have already indicated, I shall vote this time. I have no expectation that any of the prospective candidates will fulfil a fraction of their published proposals, but I shall go to the polls and vote for someone, I have no idea who and wouldn't say even if I knew. Enough that it will not be for a UKIP candidate: I think they are quasi-patriots and Johnson had their like in mind when he said: “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” 
End of political diatribe. 
THE DETECTIVES. 
Grimm still rattles along. 
Our hero has regained his unearthly powers, the love of his life has picked up a nifty new self-defence technique to protect herself when he is away and that nice little oriental station sergeant has finally been introduced to the world's most unreal real world. If you haven't seen it you should look in. It's charming and daft and the make-up's marvellous. 
Person of interest. 
Mr. Reese and Mr. Finch (together with their two NYPD helpmates) remain the persons of most definite interest in this sublime take on crime technology gone mad. It, too, is charming and daft; we love everything about it, especially the dog. 
The Mentalist. 
We have recorded the last ever episode. Could have ended when Patrick Jane did away with Red John but it didn't. We've since had all the stock situations including a flag-on-the-coffin funeral. The pleasant actors will be missed, but it really is time to go.
Safe House. 

This one is unlikely to go on too long. It is a four part thriller and it stars an actor who believes actors should never hang around long enough to be typecast, Christopher Eccleston. No doubt the series, like the actor, will keep moving and will be remarkably impressive. 
Inspector George Gently. 
Martin Shaw's Fabian of the Yard character is back and well on form. Another world. 
Longmire. 
Still the quirkiest cop show around. This series ran for ten episodes and ended with a question mark. 
AND THE REST. 
Peter Kay's car share. 
This new television series has the comedian and his bubbly companion, Sian Gibson, getting to know each other as they car share their way to and from work. They are a likeable pair and their car-bound double act could well become as popular as Rob Brydon's solo turn in Marion and Geoff (2000/03). Good viewing. 
Not to be deleted. 
I have not that many television recordings on our not to be deleted list. The Gruffalo twosome and Room on the Broom are there as is Nigel Kennedy at the Proms, a couple of Young Musician of the Year marvels and the best pianists at the last Leeds Piano competition. I have also kept Joseph Calleja's August 2013 concert in Malta because we love the spot where, with guest Sarah Ferguson, he sings “Can't help falling in love.” The duet seems at times to be sadly under-rehearsed and the BOV Joseph Calleja Children's Choir try hard to cover up the gaps, but in the orchestra behind the duettists, just up above Mr. Calleja's left shoulder, there sits a lovely, smiling flautist who clearly adores the song and cannot resist singing along with it. So far as we are concerned, she turns what might have been a minor disaster into a not to be deleted gem. I do hope nobody remonstrated with her afterwards. 
Another royal wedding. 
This time an acting royal. Well, he's King Louis XIV in his latest film, A Little Chaos, which he also directed. That's already close enough for my money. 

Whatever, it has been reported this week that actor Alan Rickman and his partner of 50 years, Rima Horton, have finally concluded they are compatible and have secretly married in New York. “Afterwards,” he said in an interview, “we walked across Brooklyn Bridge and had lunch.” 
I don't know them and have seen him only once off screen (at Anthony Minghella's memorial service), but I wish them both a happy and healthy future. 
On screen I have never seen Mr. Rickman give other than a mesmerizing performance (from the Sheriff of Nottingham to Severus Snape). Make no mistake, the man is an acting royal. 
I doff my cap.

Afraid I'm slightly late publishing this post. Put it down to age, my dears.