EDEN, C4, 10pm
EVERY night this week you can watch the return of this reality show where a bunch of bad-tempered cry-babies were abandoned in the Highlands with cameras and kit, and left to form their own civilisation.
The show was broadcast last year then abruptly vanished from the screens because the participants had gone a bit demented, some were leaving in tears, and viewing figures were low.
Now we go back to see what kind of society the remaining lot have managed to create since the show was taken off the air.
Some have left the central group in disgust to set up their own wee camps in the woods. Unfortunately, those are the ones with the initiative and skills, so the others are left to bicker and moan in the main area. Reality shows will never win respect until they stop bringing annoying brats on board – but who wants to watch calm and reasonable people? It seems we want the tantrums, and so prepare to be annoyed if you tune in.
THE AMERICANS, ITV ENCORE, 10pm
I HARDLY dare admit it but I’ve found the last few episodes of this Cold War thriller a tiny bit boring.
Normally I love it but this series seems as though it’s merely treading water instead of rampaging ahead with wild plots and twists about these deep-cover Russian spies living in Washington as a smiling all-American family.
The plotlines in this season have been seen before, such as the trouble Phillip and Elizabeth are having with their moody, self-righteous daughter and whether it was right to introduce her to their Soviet secret. And we are seeing repetitive scenes on how being a Soviet spy and having to seduce and bed the enemy can sometimes put strain on one’s marriage.
The show is crying out for fresh blood, and tonight we get an attempt at some drama with their fake adopted son, Tuan, and Stan the FBI bore meets his slain boss’s widow.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here