Utopia

Series one, episode three
At its midway point, this conspiracy drama already feels like a complete one-off. Tonight, the body count continues to rise relentlessly – the first few minutes are particularly shocking and might prove controversial in the light of recent-ish events. But they do justify themselves over time, proving how far The Network is prepared to go to get its own way. Equally striking is ‘Utopia’s’ unique look and tone – washed-out primary colours and a nightmare logic that draws us in by making us picture ourselves in the shoes of the baffled protagonists. As we rejoin the gang, Jessica and Grant are striking out alone while Becky and Ian make contact with Geraldine James’s Milner, a woman who could be the answer to their prayers or yet another big problem. But Neil Maskell’s terrifying Arby could be the key – there’s a tiny flicker of humanity tonight and a snatch of backstory too. Watch this space.