Bruce Lee-penned crime drama coming to television

Yes, you read that correctly. Bruce Lee – that adored martial arts demi-god who died in 1973 – had a little pet project that he kept under wraps for a number of years. Unfortunately, that’s where it stayed. Until now, because news reaches us that his passion project is set to become a reality over 40 years after his death.

Netflix confirms season two of Stranger Things for 2017

Even though Netflix do not release viewing figures, the streaming site does boast a global subscriber base of over 40million people. Which is quite a lot. I’ll be willing to bet good money that at least three-quarters of that subscriber base has seen Stranger Things, and, if they haven’t, have at least heard about it – it became a huge word-of-mouth hit when it released back in July. Even though we’ve heard various snippets about a second series, Netflix has remained quiet on an official announcement. Now, in the least surprising piece of news the television world has ever seen, the service has finally spoken.

Review: One Of Us (S1 E2/4), Tuesday 30th August, BBC1

(C) BBC – Photographer: Alan Peebles

Last week’s opening episode of One Of Us sped by in a flash, offering up a moral conundrum: if you suddenly played host to a wounded man who you knew had killed your son and daughter (or brother), would you nurse him back to health or finish him off, serving him the type of justice he deserves? The Douglas and Elliot families decided – or at least one of them did – to take the latter course of action, which turned this grim-faced crime drama into a whodunit.

NB: Spoilers abound

Review: Ripper Street (S4 E2/7), Monday 29th August, BBC2

(C) Tiger Aspect 2016 – Photographer: Bernard Walsh

The docks have become a character in their own right in this series of Ripper Street; at the opening of this episode a dockworker’s daughter jumps to her death, presumably dragged  down by the lead weights in the hems of her skirts. But these watery matters must wait, as Dove and Drake have to fend off Constantine of Special Branch, eager to take their prisoner Hafeez for questioning over a supposed Muslim plot. Did Hafeez kill lawyer Al-Qadir? Drake’s afraid that Constantine will resort to torturing Hafeez – waterboarding, presumably, or some Victorian variation thereof.

NB: Spoilers ahoy

The 10 Best Crime Dramas This Week (Monday 29th August – Sunday 4th September)

(C) BBC – Photographer: Mark Mainz

We’re heading into the autumn season with vigour and there’s lots and lots of new stuff to enjoy this week. One Of Us continues, while there are new series of Narcos on Netflix and the hardy perennial, DCI Banks on ITV. Over on More4/Walter Presents, The Out-Laws comes to a close.

Review: Beck: In The Name Of God, Saturday 28th August, BBC4

This week’s episode is called In the Name of God, an obviously ironic title as the theme is a neo-nazi organisation conducting a vicious campaign against the gay community. With several assaults and murders having taken place, Jansson, a paparazzo, is beaten to death by a masked man, and his work stolen. 

Review: The Out-Laws (S1 E6&7/9), Friday 26th August, More4

So it’s been a busy few weeks here at The Killing Times Fort, and I missed posting up a review of The Out-Laws last week. Apologies to anyone who cared. It’s a series that has a lot going for it and, while not setting the televisual landscape on fire it’s significantly distinct and different enough – as well as being enjoyable enough – for me to want to see it through to the end, which comes next week in a feature-length episode. But onto the two most recent episodes.