TELEVISION / The critics

Thicker Than Water (BBC1):

'A lot of poetic imagery has been poured over TTW . . . It makes it lovely to look at but it does tend to slow things down rather.' Nancy Banks-Smith, Guardian

'In cinematic / literary terms, TTW was just dripping with quality . . . But where were the thrills?' Max Davidson, Daily Telegraph

'Original drama? In the summer? British-made? Decent cast? Good production values? Not a repeat? Are those pigs I see flapping their huge porky wings above BBC Television Centre?' Marcus Berkmann, Daily Mail

'What transformed these events into taut and engrossing entertainment was . . . Jonathan Pryce.' Compton Miller, Daily Express