The Scandalous Lady W
Monday, BBC Two, 9pm
When a woman marries, does she become her husband’s property? In the 18th century, one woman publicly challenged the law that said a wife was little more than chattel and shook up London society in the process. The Scandalous Lady W tells the true story of Lady Seymour Worsley, unhappily married to the wealthy and powerful Sir Richard Worsley. To escape her desperate domestic situation, she does the (at the time) unthinkable: she runs away with her husband’s best friend, Captain George Bisset.
Enraged, Sir Richard takes his former friend to court, seeking compensation for the loss of his “property”. Unwilling to be disputed over like cattle or a piece of furniture, Lady Worsley makes the courageous decision to take the stand and reveal the truth behind her troubled marriage – and expose the hypocrisy of the marriage laws of the time.
This one-off drama might have all the ingredients for a great period piece – costumes, bodice-ripping passion and a gripping courtroom drama – but it also resonates with our times. Especially when you consider what’s up next.
The Rose of Tralee
Monday and Tuesday, RTÉ One, 8pm
The annual debate about how the Rose of Tralee can exist in contemporary Ireland continues with its annual broadcast this week. The RoT is kind of like a hipster in that it insists it's nothing everyone claims it to be. So shoes off, poem at the ready, sit back and enjoy the not-sexist, not-old-fashioned, not-beauty-pageant.
Show Me a Hero
Monday, Sky Atlantic, 9pm
With The Wire, David Simon made himself a modern-day saviour of gritty television, along with David Chase and Vince Gilligan. Follow-up Treme worked less successfully, even if it nailed certain aspects of New Orleans culture to brilliant effect. Now Simon is back with an abrasive urban series on HBO and a fairly unpromising premise – the allocation of social housing units in middle-class neighbourhoods in Yonkers, NYC in 1987. The first episode, starring Oscar Isaac, is redolent of his recent film vehicle A Most Violent Year, and spends a long if essential time setting the scene of local political sniping, vote trading and simmering on-the-street discontent. With American suburbs up in arms today, expect this one to hum with resonance. This is a typically slow Simon burn but should be well worth staying the distance for. And hey – there’s plenty of Springsteen in the soundtrack.
Nationwide at the Special Olympics
Monday, RTÉ One, 7pm
We can be rightly proud of our team’s performance in this year’s Special Olympics, and to celebrate our success, Nationwide brings a special programme from Los Angeles, presented by RTÉ’s Washington correspondent Catriona Perry. Perry meets many of the 88 athletes competing for Team Ireland, including golfer Paul Kirrane, gymnast Ashleigh O’Hagan and runner Rachel Ryan, along with family members, coaches and volunteers, plus the chairman of the Special Olympics Tim Shriver, and Special Olympics Ambassador Robbie Keane. Wear a loose-fitting top because your chest will swell with pride watching this.
War of the Three Kings
Sunday, BBC Two, 9.45pm
In 1315, Ireland was invaded by an army of Scotsmen – and we’re not talking rugby. Robert the Bruce, flush from their victory over the English at Bannockburn, set out on a daring invasion of Ireland to drive the English out and install his brother Edward as the new high king of Ireland, thus reuniting the Celtic nations. War of the Three Kings explores this little-known episode in Irish history, using dramatic re-enactments, CGI effects and interviews with academics and experts.
Narrated by Brian Cox and starring Clive Russell as Robert the Bruce, this two-parter will dig deep into the archives to try and uncover how the war unfolded and why Robert the Bruce’s plan was ultimately thwarted.
Revenge Porn
Monday, 10pm, Channel 4
Channel 4 goes into typically tricky territory with a documentary look at the world of Revenge Porn. Anna Richardson looks at how sexting, particularly prevalent and casual among teenagers, can go terribly wrong, and can have life-changing consequences. She talks to those who have fallen victim to an angry ex, to anti-revenge porn campaigners and experts, and to those who have chosen to taken their revenge. This if from Channel 4’s excellent and adventurous Education department so expect to learn more than a few things about what life is like for teenagers today.
