There have been some epic TV show on over the last few weeks, some of which have restored some of my faith in the BBC programmers! (I have issues with some of their choices over which shows to keep *ahem* New Tricks *ahem* and which shows to cull *ahem* The Hour *ahem*!) Here are some of the best things I’ve seen recently.

[Thirteen – BBC Three || Inside Obama’s White House – BBC2 ||
Line of Duty – BBC 2 || The A Word – BBC One]

I’d seen adverts for Thirteen on the iPlayer, but as it was on BBC Three, assumed it was for young people! While that may be the main demographic for the channel, this show was really good. It was gripping, weird, disturbing and really well put together. BBC Three is now solely on iPlayer, which means there are loads of box sets on there. Thirteen is one of them, meaning you can binge watch, which is how we watched Thirteen. Good work BBC, good work.

It’s no secret that I’m pretty much in love with Barack Obama. This documentary is a fascinating, and at times, incredibly terrifying glimpse, into the world of American politics. I won’t pretend to fully understand the way British politics work, let alone American politics, but oh my word, it seems bonkers. This shows the highs and lows of Obama’s presidency, as well as the stumbling blocks along the way, most notably the Republican party. As it’s on the iPlayer, it’s only going to be playable for 30 days and I think the first episode has already vanished into the ether (why isn’t it there for longer BBC?!) but it’s bound to reappear somewhere, someday. If it does, watch it, especially in the wake of the fact that Trump might be the Republican nomination. *shudders*

I first came across Line of Duty last year, when Keeley Hawes played Lindsey Denton. I was gripped then and I’ve been gripped watching series 3. What I didn’t realise until later was that the series with Keeley Hawes was series two, meaning I had to also watch series 1 and OH MY GOD am I glad I did! It made so much more sense and made it very clear who The Caddy was. (I didn’t know until I saw it on series one but thought I knew, and I was right!) We caught up on series one on Netflix, where they also currently have series two. So I’m guessing that if you missed it on iPlayer (and the first few episodes have already disappeared), then I’m pretty sure it’ll end up on Netflix too. If you haven’t watched any of them, then boy, you are in for a treat. It’s as good as Happy Valley in my humble TV addicts opinion!

If you haven’t heard about The A Word, then you have a great series ready and waiting for you. About a little boy who receives a diagnosis for Autism, and the reaction of the family, is heartbreaking, enraging, frustrating and hilarious. The soundtrack is awesome, as music is what the little boy, Joe, goes to for comfort. Well worth watching.

I’ve also been watching the new series of The Good Wife, which as much as it pains me to say this, is not great. Obviously I’m staying up to date with Game of Thrones, hoping for something good to finally happen for the remaining Stark children. I’m looking forward to the return of Birmingham’s finest Peaky Blinders too, though am in desperate need of a box set to devour. There’s very little that I haven’t seen (!) but if you’ve got any good recommendations, then please let me know!