UK TV programmes to watch this week : 14/02/2015

In the Commons - 17-02-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 15th February 2015)

Sister Julienne’s faith is challenged when a mother refuses medicine for her newborn baby. Dr Turner’s involvement in the case forces him to face his own demons. Meanwhile, Barbara must work out a way to communicate with a pregnant Sylheti woman.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 15th February 2015)

Jeremy Clarkson tests the new BMW M4 at the track before switching to another BMW, the space-age, hybrid-powered i8, for a revealing trip up the A1 to Whitby. When he gets there, and fuelled by a portion of fish and chips, Clarkson must decide which of the two he would rather take for the drive home. Also in this programme, Richard Hammond marks the imminent demise of the legendary Land Rover Defender with a heart-stopping attempt to drive one straight up the side of a dam. Meanwhile, James May makes a rare trip to the Top Gear track to test the brand new, 500-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT. The Stars in the Reasonably Priced Car are actress Margot Robbie and Hollywood superstar Will Smith.

The Mountain (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 7:30pm | Monday 16th February 2015)

Series charting life around Cairngorm, at the heart of Scotland’s greatest winter wilderness. A tough winter season comes to a close for both the ski resort and Aviemore. Brian and Carol make a decision about the future of their business, Adam carves out a tricks park for snowboarders, and Colin reflects on one of the harshest winters he has experienced in years.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 16th February 2015)

Dale struggles to come to terms with his failure to make the cycling team and looks to find his adrenalin rush elsewhere. Hassan ties himself in knots when Ronnie comes asking questions, leading to a drastic decision. Kenzie finds herself caught between Scott and Justin, but who will win?

Alex Polizzi: The Fixer (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 17th February 2015)

Alex Polizzi, champion of small businesses, finds fixes for the critical issues that kill so many companies. For Sebastien Latour, owning his own pet shop in the heart of Wimbledon was a dream come true – but the reality is a daily strain on his finances and his relationship with his co-worker boyfriend, Carl. And all of this against a backdrop of the much-heralded ‘death of the high street’. How to survive this nationwide trend? A visit to one of London’s premier grooming parlours, the Pet Spa, opens Seb’s eyes to the financial rewards of a dog parlour. Can Alex help this small high-street shop compete with the out-of-town superstores?

Inside the Commons (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 17th February 2015)

Four-part documentary series about the inner workings of the House of Commons. Presented by Michael Cockerell, this series takes an unprecedented look at the heart of British democracy in the run up to the 2015 general election. In the third episode, Michael sees how the traditional three-party system appears to be falling apart at the seams. Back-bench MPs are becoming increasingly rebellious as they confront the dark arts of the whips – the shadowy figures who seek to impose party discipline. Michael follows Lib Dem MP Jenny Willott as she seeks to balance new parenthood with politics. Plus the clockmakers whose job it is to ensure that all the Commons’ 2000 clocks, from Big Ben downwards, tell exactly the same time.

Planet Oil (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 17th February 2015)

Second of a three-part documentary series in which Professor Iain Stewart explores the importance of oil and how the world has become so reliant on it in little over the span of a human lifetime. In this programme, he looks back to the early 1950s, by which time oil, plastics and fertilisers had transformed the planet. However, once those countries producing oil demanded a greater share in profits from the Western energy companies, the oil and gas fields of the Middle East became a focus for coup d’états and military conflict. In the North Sea as well as in America’s Gulf coast, it became a race against time to find alternative supplies, with the offshore discoveries in the 1970 proving crucial to both Western Europe and the US.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 18th February 2015)

Ian and Jayne Hall Edwards bought a large derelict Victorian school in the valleys of west Wales, with the hope of combining a family home and a new eco-building training business under one roof. Already badly hit by the recession, the finance they had counted on fell through, and they were forced to battle through harsh winters in a caravan, struggling to get the school – and their family business – back on its feet, earning as they went. George returns, one year on, to see how they have not only virtually rebuilt the building from scratch, but have transformed it into a modern family home with energy efficiency to beat even the latest new-builds. Their eco training centre is also fitted out for their new business venture launch – ready to be a source of inspiration to eco friendly builders for years to come.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Thursday 19th February 2015)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. DI Goodman is embroiled in the cut-throat world of corporate team building when an entrepreneur is killed, but a surprise revelation from one of the suspects threatens to derail the investigation.

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 19th February 2015)

Henry’s secrets and lies catch up with him, while Lance’s wildest dreams are in danger of coming true, as Daniel makes an extraordinary move. But when Adam and Tomasz’s secret online empire starts running out of control, Henry is set on a collision course with everyone he loves.

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Thursday 19th February 2015)

Josh leaves Freddie’s bed to return home for Sophie’s wedding. Now Josh is out, gay and happy, has he outgrown his best friend?

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:10pm | Friday 20th February 2015)

Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by a celebrity guest to review the main talking points of the week with irreverence and satire. The show features the all-encompassing question ‘Is It Ok?’ as viewers at home, as well as the studio audience, ask questions about anything from the week, without fear of judgement.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.