Thursday's TV tips

Check out our spolier-free guide to the best shows on TV tonight.

Thursday's TV tips

DOCUMENTARY: Pet Island (RTE One, 7pm)

Pet Island regulars Martin and Jennifer travel to rural Donegal for a five star break for both them and their dogs. It’s the All-Ireland final time for budgies and the heart-warming story of great Dane Charlie and his very special friendship with three-year-old Brianna who has epilepsy.

HISTORY: Russia’s Lost Princesses (BBC2, 8pm)

It sounds like something from a particularly dark fairytale, four princesses brought up in splendid isolation, only to then be killed by revolutionaries amid rumours (now discredited) that one of them managed to escape. No wonder the story went on to form the basis of a fanciful animated children’s movie.

But this new two-part programme attempts to strip away the myths and combines interviews with leading historians, archive materials and dramatic reconstructions to tell the true story of Russia’s lost princesses, Tsar Nicholas II’s daughters Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.

The programme finds that the fascination with the girls began long before their dramatic deaths in 1918 – they were among the most photographed royals of the early 20th century.

But while they may have sparked a press frenzy similar to that of Princess Diana, the public knew very little about their upbringing. Their young brother Alexei had haemophilia, and in order to keep the illnesses a secret, their mother Alexandra ensured all her children were largely confined to the palace and had few friends.

One of the only outsiders to become close to the sisters was their parents’ spiritual advisor Rasputin, and rumours about the exact nature of their relationship soon began to spread...

DOCUMENTARY: Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC1, 9pm)

It’s a big week for Tamzin Outhwaite – she’s back for a new series of New Tricks, playing DS Sasha Miller.

But the actress is doing a very different kind of detective work in this latest edition of Who Do You Think You Are?, as she goes in search of her roots.

Appropriately for someone who shot to fame in EastEnders, there are a lot of cockneys in her family tree, but there’s also a distinctly Italian influence - Tamzin has memories of big, informal meals and the clan getting together over antipasto.

So, she’s particularly interested in finding out more about her great-grandfather, former cafe owner Tony Gonella, and his rags-to-riches tale takes her to Italy, Glasgow and the Isle of Man.

And it’s not just Tamzin who’s excited at the prospect. She says: “I should imagine this is a real treat for my mum to find out about her family too. She is far more linked to Italy, far more spiritually drawn to it, and I think this will be a really exciting thing for her and she is hopefully going to tell us a bit more about her mum and dad’s families and how they came here.”

DRAMA: The Honourable Woman (BBC2, 9pm)

Many viewers were predicting big things from this drama as soon as the cast list was announced, bagging Maggie Gyllenhaal for the lead role was a real coup, especially as it turns out she can do an impressive English accent, while the supporting cast includes the likes of Eve Best, Lindsay Duncan Katherine Parkinson and Stephen Rea.

Throw in a twisty plot courtesy of Shadow Line creator Hugo Blick, and we knew we were in for a gripping political thriller.

But what has added an extra dimension to this programme are recent events in the Middle East, which have made The Honourable Woman’s focus on Nessa Stein and her plans to promote reconciliation between the Israelis and the Palestinians even more topical, and left many of us even more intrigued to see how it will be resolved in this final episode.

MI6’s Middle East chief Hugh Hayden-Hoyle begins to fear that businessman Jalal El-Amin and Monica Chatwin, acting on behalf of the Americans, have manipulated Nessa into becoming a martyr. But is there anything he can do about it?

FILM: Ocean’s Thirteen (ITV4, 9pm)

(2007) When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank double-crosses Reuben Tishkoff, causing a heart attack, Danny Ocean vows that he and his team will do anything to bring Willy Bank – and everything he’s got – down... even if it includes hiring help from one of their own enemies, Terry Benedict.

Those who hated the sequel to the original monster hit will be relieved to hear that the healthy dash of smugness which spoiled Ocean’s Twelve has been removed for this outing. Instead, fans will find a slick, polished and occasionally gangster-esque comedy thriller that makes full use of one of the most talented casts in movie history.

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Al Pacino, Andy Garcia

RottenTomatoes.com Rating: 70%

FILM: The Innkeepers (Film4, 10.55pm)

(2011) Two hotel employees are left to run the business alone in the last couple of days before it closes down for good.

However, they use their alone time to investigate whether there’s any truth in the rumours that the building is haunted. It’s not long before the arrival of an eccentric guest who shares their interest sparks a series of disturbing events.

Those who scare easily should either watch through latticed hands, or make sure they have someone to cling on to for the jumpy moments.

Sara Paxton and Pat Healy are perfectly cast in the lead roles, while great cinematography and a brilliant soundtrack only add to the overall atmosphere of the film.

One of the better horror efforts of recent years for those seeking a scare.

Starring: Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis and Alison Bartlett

RottenTomatoes.com Rating: 79%

FILM: Paycheck (BBC1, 11.35pm)

(2003) High-tech genius Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) earns huge fees poaching ideas for rival companies and improving on them.

Once a job is complete, certain parts of his memory are routinely erased to guarantee complete confidentiality.

When he wakes from his latest job for billionaire Jimmy Rethrick (Aaron Eckhart), he is shocked to learn that he has agreed to forego his multi-million-dollar paycheck in return for an envelope of everyday objects, and races against time to learn the truth about Rethrick’s mysterious project.

Ben Affleck carries himself well in this thriller based on a Philip K Dick novel, although it helps that he’s working with a great script, imagination by the bucketload and some stunning cinematography.

Some may argue that Uma Thurman wasn’t exactly the perfect choice for her role, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a decent, fast-paced film (if a little light on action for a John Woo endeavour), and well worth watching if only to while away a couple of hours.

Starring: Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman, Aaron Eckhart

RottenTomatoes.com Rating: 27%

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