TWO princely brothers locked in bitter feud descending even unto fisticuffs; an ageing monarch unable to restore peace and harmony in his own family; a naïve foreigner brought in to be a royal bride, overwhelmed by prejudice. Will she bring much-needed spontaneity, overturning hidebound protocol and meaningless artifice as she throws open the shutters, allowing daylight to stream in — or will she destroy the entire edifice?
Palace life could not look more magnificent, privileged, glorious; but it is, in fact, a seething hive of intrigue, spying, and a ruthless struggle to build yourself up and undermine everyone else. Surely, not more about Meghan, Harry, and Will? No: this is, in astonishingly timely prescience, Marie Antoinette (BBC2, eight-part series beginning 29 December, and iPlayer).
It looks terrific, with all the beauty and opulence of Louis XVI costume, interiors, and gardens lovingly displayed; but, as drama, never mind accurate history, it is a great disappointment, the lightest confection, devoid of nourishment. There is one cause for rejoicing: TV depictions of the dastardly ancien régime normally feature duplicitous and hypocritical cardinals, bishops, and abbés — but here the clergy are amazingly absent, and the Church is almost nowhere to be seen. My hope to be able at least to wallow in gorgeous liturgy and ceremonial was entirely dashed: even the royal wedding was reduced to exchanging the ring (the groom dropped it), and “You may kiss the bride” (he didn’t). Not even a nuptial high mass.
On Channel 4, Jon Snow celebrates retiring from decades as a daily newsreader and journalist by exploring How to Live to 100 (Sunday, first of two). He visits three communities whose average lifespan and general level of health is far, far higher than average. The first is as close to idyllic perfection as anyone might imagine: the Greek island of Ikaria, whose diet of home-grown vegetables, olive oil, local wine, mutual neighbourly care, and occasional fish ensures freedom from most Western illnesses, and happy old age.
Second, far more of a surprise, is the Seventh-Day Adventist community of Loma Linda, in the United States. In a nation notorious for its rates of heart disease, cancer, etc, how much will he acknowledge that the community’s disciplined regime of exercise flows from faith? Particularly interesting, as Snow considers whether wholeheartedly to embrace a lifestyle similar to those that he reports, is his honesty about whether, deep down, he actually wants to give up the stresses and strains of responsible work. As one who retired from full-time ministry four years ago, satisfyingly into my second interim ministry, I know what he means.
In Mystery Road: Origin (six-part series, beginning 7 January, and iPlayer), BBC4 offers a superior crime thriller. As newly qualified Detective Jay returns home, his native Australian blood brings racism and obstruction. This derelict, post-industrial, outback landscape has a savage beauty — and yet hides dark and destructive secrets.