Graham Dean – Google

This rather surreal crime series is surely a modern classic. I have watched all 3 series, and the third is the best of all. Superb acting, direction and script. While clearly not close to the "real" world (what crime series is?), each character brings insights into reality of the human condition, even if, by artistic necessity, magnified. I particularly like the balanced diversity and depth of the casting. Each episode has left me with interesting thoughts. (The most recent, if rather simplistic, one, after reading a negative review by an obviously elderly culture warrior, is why is it unusual/uncomfortable for the male detective sergeant to be in a relationship with his female boss. Would the reverse seem so odd?).

A brilliant read, I couldn't put it down. I agree with David on most things (not everything), but he creates a wide, accurate and interesting panorama of history and its famous individuals (kings and their cronies), persuasively (spoiler alert) analysed as being largely irrelevant, by comparison to the immensity of, say, Shakespeare. A lot of little people thrust into unmerited greatness (in our memory), leaving the thought of how many Shakespeares we have missed because of these twats (Alfred the Great excepted).