This year has been a really busy one — hence the paucity of posts from TVClaw Towers. Apologies to anyone who’s missed me.
What have I enjoyed watching in the rare moments when I haven’t been working? Here’s what. And if you haven’t seen the good stuff yet, then pull up a comfy chair and get ready to watch some really, really excellent TV shows.
In no particular order, here’s what’s grabbed my attention in 2015:
Ripper Street: the perfect ending to the whole H Division saga. The very end even had a cheery little nod to Spooks. *Sob*
Game of Thrones: gory, sad, frightening. Utterly compelling.
Fortitude: clever plot twists and a knock-out cast. Some completely bonkers moments. Can’t wait for Season 2.
Penny Dreadful: utterly bananas, but Timothy Dalton + stunning production design = a must-watch in the first half of the year.
No Offence: Joanna Scanlon is terrific as potty-mouthed DI Vivienne Deering. Rocking the heels-and-leather combo she turned in one of the most memorable performances of the year. Brilliant scripts from the “Shameless” team.
Pointless: best host banter. Ever.
The Last Kingdom: in the mood for some Anglo-Saxon Chronicles action but fed up with Vikings‘ insanely violent torture porn? Watch this instead. Clever and well-written, with a winning lead in Alexander Dreymon. A breakout role for superb Ripper Street alum David Dawson.
Man Down: still funny, but I found myself pining for Rik throughout.
Les Revenants: t’inquiete pas — it’s still brilliant.
Yonderland: talc my downstairs! The hilarious Season 2 paid homage to Star Wars and Sherlock among other things and was chock full o’ family-friendly nudges, winks and smutty asides.
30 Degrees in January: have to admit, I loved the first half but found the second half heavy-going. Too many annoying, poor decisions.
University Challenge: obviously I have no idea what Paxo’s asking most of the time, but it’s an oldie that remains a goodie. (Cough, looking at you Doctor Who, cough…)
Last Man on Earth: if I was the last man on earth I would so steal all the great art from every museum and poo in the neighbour’s pool. This makes me laugh out loud every episode. Boris Kodjoe steals every scene he’s in.
River: unbeatable combo of Nicola Walker and Stellan Skarsgard aided and abetted by most of the ex-cast from last season’s Game of Thrones and a Sixth Sense-y vibe. Is River totally batshit crazy, or is he the ghost whisperer?
Great British Bake Off: ’nuff said.
TVClaw 
I agree with nearly everything here, although I haven’t tried some of them but now know what to catch up on. You recommendations of Fortitude and Yonderland (so different) were a huge bonus to my viewing mid-year… will now try Last Man on Earth and River (couldn’t get into 30 degrees…) Hope to hear more from TVClaw in 2016 – yes we have missed you!