“Unsentimental, convincing, heartfelt drama, a credit to its makers.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV.

Torchwood

Torchwood: Miracle Day, BBC1

Interview with creator Russell T Davies and exec producer Julie Gardner

“Will all the camp innuendos survive Stateside?…It’ll be intriguing to see what does get lost in transatlantic translation and if anyone mourns it.”
Matt Baylis, The Daily Express

“There will be moans, I’m sure - that it’s lost its soul, its Welshness perhaps. Pah! Come on, look it’s got rocket launchers now, and…it doesn’t ignore the interpersonal, the characters are still at its heart. Sci-fi that sci-fi phobes will enjoy too.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“Any apocalyptic American drama that makes jokes about the Severn Bridge at moments of high tension - “Wait a minute, I’ve got to pay for this bridge?” - has my vote.”
Alice Jones, The Independent

“The premise of Miracle Day is first rate, worth of John Wyndham…But the high concept soon became bogged down in Torchwood’s not particularly interesting mythology.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

Single-Handed, ITV

“Sort of Heartbeat…but more interesting because it’s darker and deeper…I wouldn’t mind a little bit more of the policing stuff though.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“Unsentimental, convincing, heartfelt drama, a credit to its makers.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

Rick Stein’s Spain, BBC2

“Must have had stomachs rumbling up and down the nation”
Matt Baylis, The Daily Express

Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers, Channel 5

“When I first became hooked on this compelling series, I thought the drivers’ complexions looked unnaturally pale owing to their trademark dark green uniforms. Now I realise they’re all suffering from scurvy.”
Matt Baylis, The Daily Express

Classroom Secrets, BBC1

“The programme turned up little. Schools will always have behaviour issues….And spying on pupils is not all that healthy.”
Alice Jones, The Independent

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