STACK #182 Dec 2019

TV REVIEWS

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CATCH-22

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

doctor who: classic sEASON 23

STAR TREK DISCOVERY: SEASON 2

Release Date: 04/12/19 Format:

Release Date: 04/12/19 Format:

Release Date: 04/12/19 Format:

Release Date: 04/12/19 Format:

Christopher Abbott ( The Sinner ) stars as Yossarian, a WWII bombardier whose plan to bail on combat is constantly thwarted, not least by Catch-22 – you can get out of service if you are mentally unwell, but the mere fact of pleading your case proves a concern for one's own safety and is clearly the act of a rational mind. Aside from directing two episodes, George Clooney delivers a great performance as a bombastic army general. Also worth noting is the comic turn from Hugh Laurie. Based on Joseph Heller's classic novel, this six-part mini-series progresses from bureaucratic farce to a chilling meditation on the futility of war. AC

H.G. Wells's alien invasion classic has been adapted in various ways – as an alarming radio broadcast by Orson Welles in 1938, two feature films, Jeff Wayne’s incredible orchestrated take, and now a BBC mini- series that hones very close to the novel. Rather than setting things in modern times as most previous adaptations have done, this three-parter is set in the Edwardian era, where invaders from Mars – and the tech with which they’re armed – would be truly mind-boggling. Rafe Spall, Eleanor Tomlinson and Robert Carlyle are among the quality Brit cast fending off the martians. AC

Colin Baker's sixth Doctor may not have been the most popular regeneration but his swan song season, The Trial of a Time Lord, was certainly noteworthy Who – not since The Key to Time saga had an entire season featured an epic story arc. The four stories – The Mysterious Planet , Mindwarp , Terror of the Vervoids and The Ultimate Foe – that comprise this 14-episode saga feature enemies old and new, as well as the introduction of irritating new companion Mel (Bonnie Langford). The bonanza of bonus features and never-before- seen extended episodes provide a big incentive for Whovians to grab this lavish, limited edition Blu-ray box set while stocks last. SH

After a dark and subversive debut season, Discovery warps into a more classic Trek groove with the addition of a bearded and brooding Spock (Ethan Peck) and Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) as the ship's new captain. While investigating a series of signals linked to a mysterious being called The Red Angel, Spock has a vision that spells doom for all sentient life in the galaxy. Featuring one of the biggest space battles in Trek history and the return of Philippa Georgiou (the wonderful Michelle Yeoh) as a Section 31 agent, season two should convert any still sceptical Trekkers. SH (See page 24).

“a sumptuous, spicy portrait of an empress” independent.co.uk

“Helen Mirren is magnificent” The Times

“so much more complex than the Hollywood version” Daily Mail

Helen Mirren stars in this epic and dramatic tale of power, politics and passion.

YOURS TO OWN FROM DECEMBER 4 AT

* WHILE STOCKS LAST