Four Corners: Retribution
Monday, 8.25pm, ABC
“I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution,” Donald Trump is pictured saying in this Four Corners special and, honestly, it’s chilling.
Ahead of the US election this November, Four Corners journalist Mark Willacy is off to Washington for an in-depth look at what’s afoot, and let’s just say: it’s shaping up to be a bumpy ride to office for whoever is eventually elected.
This two-part series, airing over consecutive Mondays, will take a look at the US presidential race and what it might mean to have ex-president Donald Trump back at the helm, both Stateside and globally.
Willacy will sit down with White House insiders who witnessed the “chaos” of Trump’s first term. Some still believe in his overarching vision, others are now firmly against the one-time president — and have subsequently been labelled “traitors” by Trump’s inner circle. Willacy will find out what they think of what’s afoot.
He’s also going inside “Project 2025”, the blueprint for a second Trump term, looking at the “army of recruits” Trump has assembled to carry out his orders.
The national broadcaster has had some great commentary on the US presidential race thus far — Planet America is reliably excellent — and this is shaping up to be another worthy addition to the analysis.
One for foreign policy boffins and anyone concerned about what the next six months, and beyond, could mean for us all.
Mafia Spies
Wednesday, streaming on Paramount Plus
“One of the most difficult things in telling this story is that almost everyone lies,” says Thomas Maier, author of Mafia Spies. His book is the basis for this look at the hidden conspiracy between the CIA and the Chicago Mob to assassinate Fidel Castro — and boy, when I tell you this is a story. This relies heavily on recently declassified material and is a fascinating look at a truly strange story.
Omnivore
Friday, streaming on Apple TV Plus
If you’re a fan of armchair gastronomy, you won’t want to miss this new series, narrated and created by acclaimed Noma chef Rene Redzepi. He’s tracking the origins and importance of various ingredients, setting off on a truly global journey “from the salt flats in Peru to coffee forests in Rwanda” and beyond — and what a journey! Beautifully shot and wonderfully evocative.
Those About To Die
Friday, streaming on Prime Video
Game Of Thrones, but make it gladiatorial. This big-budget series stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as an emperor in ancient Rome, who sets about distracting his hungry, restless citizens with the spectacle of chariot races, gladiator battles and lion eviscerations. The series follows the “dirty business” of entertaining the masses and will appeal to those who love a Roman sandal and a good bit of gore.
Lady In The Lake
Friday, streaming on Netflix
It’s hard to believe this is Natalie Portman’s first foray into television — how has it taken her this long? No matter, this is shaping up to be quite the first project. Based on the book by Laura Lippman, it tells the parallel stories of Portman’s character, a Jewish housewife turned investigative journalist, and a woman named Cleo Johnson, played by Moses Ingram. This is going to be a big one — mark your diaries.