I frequently complain about the quality of modern television programmes, most of which range from barely watchable to abysmal. All of our terrestrial channels seem to serve up the same diet of 'soaps', cookery programmes and American tripe and, frankly, it's nearly all boring rubbish. How can it be that the French, of all people, have made a difference ?
"The Returned", on Channel 4, is an eight part story, from France, about people who died in an accident and yet mysteriously reappear 4 years later; the first episode was terrific and if the rest follow suit it will become a televisual classic. Even allowing for the fact that I speak no French and only understand a little, the subtitled first programme was extraordinarily brilliant. After a few minutes, I was drawn in and trapped; at the end of the episode I couldn't wait for the next, such was the web that had been created.
Thus far, admittedly based on only one episode, this promises to be a sensational series. There is none of the usual loud and intrusive 'background music' that dominates most American, and too much British, drama; while the story is, thus far, still a little confusing in parts, it's also clear that every aspect has been considered and is slowly being explained. For some strange reason, the fact that it's in French and subtitled actually seems to make it more attractive; perhaps I imagine this and it's really just that it is a superb programme. Either way, I'll be watching the remaining seven episodes with some enthusiasm.
Brilliant television !
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