Best of the rest on TV
Spirited Away
Film 4, 4.35pm
The superb animated film from 2001 forms part of a season of offerings this week from Studio Ghibli in Japan. In this, 10-year-old Chihiro is trapped among the creatures of a strange amusement park.
Charlotte’s Web
RTÉ One, 6.35pm
Dakota Fanning and Julia Roberts provide the voices for this children’s fave about a pig who teams up with a spider, Charlotte, so he can avoid ending up on the dinner table.
The Jonathan Ross Show
UTV, 9.20pm
Guests include acting heavyweights Ben Kingsley and Audrey Tautou while music is provided by British indie band Alt-J.
The Village
BBC One, 10pm
Peter Moffat has plans for seven seasons of this drama, and on the evidence of last week’s opener, the working class riposte to Downton Abbey looks like becoming a welcome Sunday staple. Tonight, we’ll see John Middleton (John Simm) turning even more to drink as his farm falters, and there’s also a new mouth to feed. Charlie Murphy looks well suited to the role of the outspoken Martha Lane, and the Wexford actress’s northern English accent is easily as accomplished as the Dublin one she sports in Love/Hate.
Ceol ón gCroí
TG4, 7.30pm
Alan Burke travels across the border to assess the musical legacy of the 1981 hunger strikes. Former prisoners Lawrence McKeown and Bik McFarlane are among the contributors.
The Prisoners — Holloway
BBC One, 9pm
Prison-based observational documentaries have produced some fine viewing in recent months, and this latest addition to an increasingly popular genre will run over three episodes. First up is a focus on offenders from Holloway women’s prison. Among them is 18-year-old Jade, who manages just two weeks on release before being returned to the London jail. We also hear from Crystal, 23, who has been a regular inmate in Holloway since her teen years, and admits she feels very much at home there.
Game of Thrones
Sky Atlantic, 9pm
Episode two has Arya Stark encountering the outlaw group, Brotherhood Without Banners.
Six In the City
RTÉ Two, 9.30pm
Tonight’s episode features couples from Dublin, Kildare and Derry, with activities including dry slope skiing, off-road Jeep driving and paint-balling, along with plenty of eating and drinking.
Would You Believe? Special — Life In the Balance
RTÉ One, 9.35pm
With legislation on the way at last to clarify when a pregnancy can be terminated in Ireland, presenter of religiously-themed programmes, Mick Peelo, attempts to look beyond the placards and see how possible it is to strike a balance between the life of a woman and that of an unborn child. Among the people he talks to about this extremely complicated question are medics and lawyers.
Dallas
TV3, 10pm
JR died in last week’s show, a plot development necessitated by the passing of actor Larry Hagman. In this week’s episode, the Ewing family unites for an emotional farewell, but there’s also a shocking revelation that soon distracts them.
Revenge
RTÉ Two, 9.50pm
We’re up to episode 15 of the 22-part series and after last week’s carnage and the death of Amanda, the vengeful Emily renews her commitments to destroying those who’ve hurt her.
Later… Live With Jools Holland
BBC Two, 10pm
Holland is back for a 42nd series to reclaim his spot as host of the best music show on the telly. Guests tonight include Suede, Laura Mvula, Cat Power and the Strypes. As usual, there will also be an extended version of the show on Friday.
Frank Gardner’s Return to Saudi Arabia
BBC Two, 9pm
When Irish cameraman Simon Cumbers was shot dead in Saudi Arabia by Al Qaeda in 2004, among those injured in the attack was BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner. The bullet that grazed his spine has left Gardner needing a wheelchair or other support to get around, but it hasn’t stopped him returning to the country to explore some of its ongoing issues. He joins a security patrol looking for drug smugglers on the Yemeni border, and is granted a rare chance to question a senior prince of the ruling Al Saud family. The appalling treatment of women is also explored, with Gardner meeting a woman who was imprisoned for seven months after complaining that her father physically abused her.
The Zoo
RTÉ One, 7pm
There are few cuter creatures in the world than a sea lion pup, and tonight’s show has new arrival DJ getting his first swimming lesson. Tough decisions also have to be made about the futures of two young male gorillas as they increasingly clash with the troop leader.
The Takeover
RTÉ Two, 9.30pm
Michael Ganly of Ganly Hardware in Athlone leaves his store in the control of his staff and their mentor Norah Casey for two weeks. The yard foreman decides to transform an empty space into a new paving centre, so orders tonnes of bricks and mortar. Meanwhile, two of the workers in the electrical goods section attempt to increase the profile of their section.
Bia Dúchais
TG4, 9.30pm
The food history series continues with the tale of the salmon. Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire explains how the king of fish was given the prized position by Celtic chiefs at their feasts, and how it also has a prominent place in Irish mythology and folklore. We also hear about the incredible life cycle of the salmon and the damage done by drift-net fishing.
Boss
More4, 11pm
Episode four has Kane (Kelsey Grammer) beginning to lose control and his supporters starting to question their confidence in him. Quality drama with the former Frasier star.
Coronation Street
TV3, 7.30pm
Karl the arsonist breaks down and flees the crematorium during Dev’s eulogy at Sunita’s funeral.
Gardeners’ World
BBC Two (not NI), 8.30pm
Wildflower meadows have become all the rage in recent years, and Monty Don has the lowdown on how to grow one. Meanwhile, Carol Klein is helping at a community garden.
