Dispatches: Escape from Isis, Channel 4

DISPATCHES: ESCAPE FROM ISIS, CHANNEL 4 The horrific testimony of captured women who miraculously got out alive

The horrific testimony of captured women who miraculously got out alive

“Say your last words before you leave this life.” Somewhere in the so-called Islamic State, a woman was accused of adultery. Her father joined her accusers, then, as her shrouded body was lowered into a pit, picked up a rock and hurled it at her. We didn’t have to watch her die, but Moona, an Iraqi activist using the internet to spread the truth about IS, did. It’s remarkable that Moona is still alive. IS gunmen turned up at her flat to confiscate her laptop and threaten her family. She now lives in exile in Turkey.

Humans, Channel 4

HUMANS, CHANNEL 4 Ghost of 'Blade Runner' hovers over promising new sci-fi series

Ghost of 'Blade Runner' hovers over promising new sci-fi series

New sci-fi series aren't exactly a dime a dozen on British TV, awash as it usually is with serial killers, cops and costume dramas, so the fact that Humans not only exists but is also bold and fresh-looking triggers instant brownie points. It doubtless helps that it's a collaboration between Channel 4 and America's AMC, home of Mad Men and The Walking Dead. It pitches us into a contemporary London which looks superficially unchanged, but has been rendered utterly alien by the new boom in synthetic humans, or "synths".

The Trainer and the Racehorse: The Legend of Frankel, Channel 4

THE TRAINER AND THE RACEHORSE: THE LEGEND OF FRANKEL, CHANNEL 4 The emotional story of an extraordinary bond between man and steed 

The emotional story of an extraordinary bond between man and steed

This was the story of a remarkable man, Henry Cecil, a genius with horses and 10 times Champion Trainer. He was felled by tabloid scandal but rose again to train one of the greatest racehorses in history, Frankel. This wholly absorbing programme was not a tale of everyday folk, but of horse racing, told through its human and equine characters, looking into a rarefied bubble inhabited by some of the richest and most powerful people in the world – and the finest thoroughbreds of the animal variety.  

TFI Friday, Channel 4

The Nineties return for one night only. Aaaaaaand… cue spontaneous fun!

When TFI Friday first assaulted our screens (nearly) 20 years ago, things were very different. An untucked checked shirt passed for sartorial elegance, magazines sold in big numbers and, within their pages, women were routinely objectified, but ironically and in front of a paper-thin façade of equality.

The Secret Life of Tinder, Channel 4

THE SECRET LIFE OF TINDER, CHANNEL 4 Documentary about dating apps fails to ask penetrating questions

Documentary about dating apps fails to ask penetrating questions

Lucky old us. We are now living “in a techno-sexual era”. So claimed this documentary about dating apps which radar-guide you to the nearest available groin. If groins are your thing, that is, and they are by no means everyone’s. We heard about a man who wanted to paint a woman green and “spank you like a big fat avocado”. Another woman was considerably aroused by the sight of a man putting his motor into reverse. We met a puppy fetishist who trusses himself up in leather straps and yaps a lot. This is not to be confused with dogging.

No Offence, Channel 4

NO OFFENCE, CHANNEL 4 Paul Abbott’s much-anticipated return hit our screens and landed some good punches

Paul Abbott’s much-anticipated return hit our screens and landed some good punches

There’s been much hullabaloo surrounding the new series from Paul Abbott – and with good reason. It’s a decade since we’ve seen any TV from the creator of State of Play and Clocking Off and, given the impact and lasting legacy of Shameless, anticipation has been as high as Frank Gallagher at the business end of a three-day bender.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Channel 4

The fantasy drama returns without much fantasy, or drama

Warning! Spoilers ahead, etc… Bearing in mind the high-octane thrills of recent Marvel forays into cinema, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a surprisingly unshowy show. Some have taken this to be a good thing, though I suspect these people simply don’t like comic book adaptations or superheroes much. Me? I love comic-book characters – preferably covered in spandex and the sweat of battle. I want to see them have a massive scrap and fight personal demons along with extraterrestrial threats and improbably accented supervillains.

Raised by Wolves, Series One, Channel 4

RAISED BY WOLVES, SERIES ONE, CHANNEL 4 Caitlin Moran mixes fact and fiction with the help of her little sister

Caitlin Moran mixes fact and fiction with the help of her little sister

For somebody who never seems to be short of things to say, journalist and author Caitlin Moran doesn’t half like to repeat herself. Raised by Wolves is, for those of you keeping score at home, her third attempt to tell the story of growing up chubby, eccentric and poor in Wolverhampton. Like last year’s novel How to Build a Girl this one is nominally fictional, but the addition of younger sister Caroline (Caz) as co-writer introduces something new.

The Romanians Are Coming, Channel 4

THE ROMANIANS ARE COMING, CHANNEL 4 Immigration story told from inside, comedy unexpected

Immigration story told from the inside? Comedy unexpected

The Romanians Are Coming was the immigration story from the other side. Bustling along with the wry, sometimes desperate comedy (and themed music) of a Balkan film, its characters said things about themselves that others would hardly get away with. “I’m going to tell you the stories of some of the arseholes like me who came to take your jobs,” said narrator Alex Fechete Petru at the beginning of James Bluemel’s revealing three-parter.

Catastrophe, Channel 4

CATASTROPHE, CHANNEL 4 Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney have created a sitcom for grown-ups to fall in love with

Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney have created a sitcom for grown-ups to fall in love with

There’s a tricky balancing act involved when writing a sitcom. Too much "sit" and you’re in danger of losing the laughs, too much "com" and it becomes increasingly difficult to find the space to land a serious dramatic punch. Get one of these things wrong and, like a fat man facing a baby on a see-saw, it looks all wrong and is no fun for anyone.