End of an era! Sad farewell as Lynne McGranger leaves Home And Away: First review
HOME AND AWAY
7PM, TUESDAY, SEVEN
SIOBHAN DUCK
This week, Irene (Lynne McGranger) finally says goodbye – or, in her own words, 'Au revoir, darl!' – to her nearest and dearest.
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Irene wants to enjoy the time she has left by travelling the world (and sparing those she loves from watching her inevitable decline).
The whole town congregates to send her off with a surprisingly montage-free episode celebrating the Bay's most-loved matriarch since Pippa (Debra Lawrance).
McGranger is Australian TV's longest-serving female actor in a drama, but Irene wasn't always a pillar of the community. Nor was she always played by McGranger.
When she first arrived on the scene in 1991, Irene was a peroxide-haired alcoholic played by Jacquy Phillips.
But over the decades, Irene evolved from villain to hero as she navigated running the diner and raising foster kids while being accused of murder, getting kidnapped by her secret son and surviving a bomb blast. An end of an era.
JAMES WIGNEY
I have to admit that the last time I watched Home And Away with any regularity, Dannii Minogue was still sporting a leather jacket, a feisty attitude and arguably too much eyeliner. That being the case, I have missed large chunks of the bumpy journey of Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger), from beachside baddie to Summer Bay stalwart.
But after McGranger snared a Silver and Gold Logie this month, I just had to tune in to see if she'd get a fitting send-off (something better than just disappearing quietly to Queensland or Yabbie Creek) from the show she's been part of for nearly 33 years.
And bless them, they have done just that, with an affecting Alzheimer's storyline that all too many will relate to, leading up to an emotional farewell as Irene leaves to see the world.
Cue the teary hugs, words of wisdom and Jessica Mauboy ballad – but it's also a lovely reminder of the power of community and connection that make a brief stay in the Bay occasionally well worth your time, even after all these years.
LEANNE
STREAMING, NETFLIX
Created by (and starring) comedian Leanne Morgan and Hollywood heavyweight Chuck Lorre (the man behind The Big Bang Theory and Two And A Half Men), this new sitcom is about an (almost) empty-nester whose world is turned upside-down when her husband of 33 years dumps her for another woman.
With the support of her twice-divorced sister Carol (Kristen Johnston), Leanne slowly adjusts to her new life as a single woman.
Much like the character she plays, Morgan put her career on hold to focus on raising her family. And now – after a joke she did about the ageing folk at a Def Leppard concert went viral – she is a 'hot new talent' at almost 60.
THE VOICE
7PM, SUNDAY, SEVEN
A mortician who dreams of being a rock star, an aspiring rapper with an eye-catching sense of style, and a grieving country singer looking to make her dad proud are among the talented performers hoping to impress coaches Richard Marx, Ronan Keating, Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm and Kate Miller-Heidke with their vocal stylings tonight.
As always, the competition isn't just about what happens on stage. The coaches pull out all the stops to nab the best singers for their teams.
For Mel C, that means escalating her pitch from mere name-dropping to phoning in Spice Girls bandmate Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice) to help her seal the deal. It's hard to compete with that!
CONCLAVE
STREAMING, PRIME VIDEO
Following in the footsteps of her mother, Ingrid Bergman, who was nominated for her third Academy Award playing a nun in 1945 film The Bells Of St Mary's, Isabella Rossellini was Oscar-nominated for her performance as Sister Agnes in this political thriller. Inside the walls of the Vatican, Sister Agnes is a silent observer of the ambitious men of God.
When the Pope dies, Agnes shares key information with Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) as he puts together a conclave to elect a successor. It's particularly relevant after the death of Pope Francis in April, but also a brilliant study of people and politics.
The ensemble also includes John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci.
SAFE HARBOUR
STREAMING FROM THURSDAY, SBS ON DEMAND
Impatient that their ascent into the billionaire tech bros club is taking too long, hackers Tobias (Alfie Allen) and Marco (Martijn Lakemeier) team up with the Irish mob for a shortcut to fortune. Hired to hack into Europe's biggest shipping port, the
pair help dodgy siblings Sloane (Charlie Murphy) and Farrell (Jack Gleeson) move drugs across borders undetected. Made by Mark Williams (Ozark), this dark comedy is inspired by real events.
RICHARD OSMAN'S HOUSE OF GAMES
7.05PM, MONDAY, ABC ENTERTAINS
There's a round in this quiz show called 'distinctly average', which kind of sums up the whole program. Watching four people politely pondering how many eggs the British public eat in a week isn't exactly edge-of-your-seat TV.
Nor, despite the best efforts of host Richard Osman, is it laugh-out-loud funny. It's a bit like tuning in to watch a bunch of strangers sit down to do a newspaper quiz during their office lunch break.
OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD
NEW EPISODE STREAMING FROM SATURDAY, STAN
What better way to continue the Outlander saga than with a prequel that takes viewers back in time to learn about the parents
of the show's original star-crossed lovers? Jamie's folks Brian and Ellen (Jamie Roy and Harriet Slater) are the Scottish Highlands equivalent of Romeo and Juliet – he is the illegitimate son of her family's mortal enemy, while she's dealing with family politics and grieving the loss of her father.
Meanwhile, Claire's parents are torn apart after an accident.
THE MAP THAT LEADS TO YOU
Directed by Lasse Hallström and adapted from the novel by JP Monninger, this love story is set against the backdrop of a European summer.
Having recently graduated from college, Heather (Madelyn Cline) is backpacking with her friends before she returns home to settle down into her carefully mapped-out future.
Then she meets Jack (Riverdale's KJ Apa).
Captivated by his impulsive and adventurous spirit, Heather is tempted to give up all her plans and follow her heart.
In case you missed it …
CRUEL INTENTIONS
Reese Witherspoon was initially reluctant to star in this 1999 independent film because she felt the virtuous character of Annette was too easily seduced into abandoning her beliefs by Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe).
Much like Annette, Witherspoon was sweet-talked into changing her position by then boyfriend Phillippe.
While their relationship didn't last, the popularity of this film, which also stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Sebastian's stepsister and chief mean girl Kathryn, endures – so much so that it was rebooted last year as a TV series (though it failed to recapture the magic of the original cast's chemistry).
Streaming on Tubi.
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