Camelot - The new Games of Thrones?

So where does Camelot sit in our brand spanking new post Game of Thrones World? On the evidence of the feature length opener, not too great and not too badly. Obviously it is nowhere near as outstanding as Game of Thrones.

Camelot is the familiar story of the young Arthur, but with a few new twists like the sword in the stone being on top of a raging waterfall, which made for quite an exciting sequence. What really got Camelot going though, was two powerhouse performances, firstly from Eva Green as the sorceress Morgan. All venom and menace I found it hard to keep my eyes off her, I'd deny anyone not to do her bidding. Second was Joseph Fiennes as a shaven headed Merlin. No cosy Saturday tea time version here, he was a mad mix of Alistair Campbell and Derren Brown. Both Green and Fiennes seemed to revel in their roles, which bodes well for the future. The only problem there, is that none of the other characters seemed to register when they were on screen. At ten episodes I feel Camelot has to move a bit swifter, some of the plotting and sparring tended to plod.

As with all these type of shows, nowadays, it had the requisite amount of naked flesh and gore, so all the correct boxes ticked there. Camelot might just ease our with-drawl pains as Game of Thrones ends. But, even as I wrote that, I have my doubts. Think we'll have to come back to this one around episode six. Stay tuned.

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in Treatment - As dull as dish water or TV genius?

If I am to believe what I read, the viewing figures for season one of In Treatment made The Vanessa Show look like the X Factor final, but then again it was tucked away on Sky Arts. Now season two has arrived on the much snazzier Sky Atlantic.

Based on the Israeli show Be Tipul, (imagine how poor the ratings would be if they showed that) In Treatment centers on fifty something psychotherapist Paul Weston, immaculately played Gabriel Byrne. Each episode is basically a one to one with a patient. And we follow their progress, or lack of it, through the season. I can feel you yawning already. But what, at first, seems a stifling concept turns out to be quite the opposite. Put bluntly, In Treatment is one of the best shows on the telly. Character driven, the conversations are riveting, as secrets emerge and tables are turned. Often the spotlight falls on Paul Weston, who is a deeply flawed man, add to this In Treatment is one of the finest acted shows you will come across and you have the complete package.

But the only problem is that Sky Atlantic are showing it in double episodes, where as Sky Arts put out an episode a night (Monday- Friday). This enabled the season to flow. Meaning you were only a week away from each character returning, but that's a small quibble, at least it is back. I know I haven't put forward a great case for you to give In Treatment a go. That's one of the show's drawbacks I suppose, it sounds dry and dull until you watch it and find yourself hooked.

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UPDATE: In Treatment has been cancelled by HBO after three seasons. However there are some reports it could come back in a different format. Possibly just focusing on the main character Paul Weston.