LAST week’s TV was clogged up with all-encompassing competitions, not only recording but also encouraging quasi-religious fervour in the hordes of devotees flocking to worship at shrines dedicated to a pantheon of strange gods: Wimbledon and UEFA Euro 2024. The most important: the General Election. Rather movingly, several current and previous candidates contributing to the innumerable programmes surrounding the event attested to the mystical aspect of democracy itself; particularly the sense of handing over their destiny to others from the moment the polls opened — all their preparation and energy and ambition stilled as they awaited the people’s judgement.

Something normally hidden comes to life: a slumbering giant awakened for one brief period, greater than individuals or parties. The result, however unwelcome, is conjured from an infinitely precious Something beyond them all. It was a week when TV’s most compelling dramas were actually the news bulletins (all stations) — especially the all-night live election coverage, and associated analysis and comment.

Each result announcement, each Returning Officer’s brief moment of national glory, was a moment of crisis, of dreams realised and hopes dashed, of foregone conclusions trashed or vindicated. The drama was intensified by Sir Keir Starmer’s resolve to ignore predictions of a Labour landslide, taking nothing for granted, his succession of triumphs becoming thereby all the sweeter.

The overall response was encouraging: magnanimity towards defeated opponents, willingness to admit mistakes, eagerness to look forward positively rather than wallow in recrimination. MPs and parties all promised to serve not only their supporters but their constituents and the whole nation. The great disappointment was how wholly insular it appeared: virtually nothing was pledged about joining international action to contend with the appalling worldwide threats of war, injustice, poverty, mass migration, or climate change.

The retrospective programmes — for example, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (BBC1) — were notable, however, for the civilised conversation between holders of violently differing views. The historian Sir Simon Schama emphasised how precious in an increasingly volatile lawless world our democratic elections were, with results accepted, and unquestioned transfer of power from party to party, however dramatic.

For a contrast to political excitement, try the marvellously beautiful Argentinian film Inheriting the Castle (BBC4, Tuesday 2 July). The housekeeper Justina’s socialite mistress left her a mansion — but no funds — so it crumbles around her. Her wayward daughter Alexia dreams of becoming a racing driver. Yet what should be a bitter tragedy grows into a luminous celebration: affection and simple daily pleasures prevail.