TV: Sons Of Anarchy
Even in this age of the gruelling antihero drama, few shows have managed to explore the depths of depravity quite as effectively as Kurt Sutter’s brutal biker drama, the penultimate season of which is currently airing on Spike. For those who can’t wait to see what hideous fates befall the members of SAMCRO and their rivals, the seventh and final season is available on Sky On Demand, along with the rest of the series.
Sky On Demand
Radio: Falling Tree Archive
The Observer has called Falling Tree “a hallmark of excellence when it comes to radio documentaries”, and now this independent producer’s archive is available online. There are 75 docs in the music category alone – on subjects including Jeff Buckley, Judee Sill and riot grrrl – plus poetry, classical music and beautiful impressionistic walks and city guides.
TV: Humans
This high-concept genre series is Channel 4’s biggest drama launch in over 20 years. You can understand why: it wraps up some pretty hefty topics – free will versus determinism, what it means to be alive, the colour of robot blood (it’s blue, obviously) – into a relatable family drama, with a compelling thriller component thrown into the mix for good measure. Combine that with sleek cinematography and a beguiling, creepy score, and you’ve got a stylish slice of modern sci-fi. The series continues Sunday, 9pm, Channel 4, while earlier episodes can be found over on All 4.
TV: The BBC At War
As debates continue about the future of the BBC under the Tories, this two-part documentary hosted by Jonathan Dimbleby highlights another conflict between Auntie and the government – over how best for the corporation to cover the second world war. Those in power felt that the Beeb’s independence would need to be curbed during wartime, to be replaced with something closer to outright propaganda. Dimbleby explains how the BBC resisted these calls, as well as the important role it played in the war effort.
Audio: WTF
Marc Maron’s long-running confessional podcast continues to lure in the big names, most notably a certain president of the United States. Obama’s appearance was closer to a straightforward interview than we’re usually accustomed to on WTF, but illuminating nonetheless. Meanwhile, for something more anarchic, check out recent episodes with Judd Apatow, Parker Posey and former Minutemen guitarist Mike Watt, whose tales of tragedy and triumph are never less than absorbing.
