Winter is a difficult time, a time when the troubles of the world can seem to crowd in upon one.
Whether it is the cold, or the fading of the light and the lengthening darkness stealing over one's soul like the flickering shadows of the grave, the spirits are inclined to slump like a sinkhole in the subconscious.
Perhaps that's why I have spent the winter brooding over the terrible tale of ruptured love that is the breakdown of Laurence Fox and Billie Piper's marriage.
Let me say right now I have been besotted with Billie Piper since I fell in love with the fabulously talented English singer, dancer and actress when she was in Doctor Who.
That smile!
That hair!
Billie Piper is a goddess, and I am happy to go so far as to say she is as terrific as the amazing Kylie Minogue, and I would marry either at the drop of a hat if they asked me nicely.
There. I said it.
So it was with a cauldron of difficult feelings that in 2007 I greeted the news of her marriage to the slim, athletic, tall and very deeply sexy Laurence Fox, who plays the desirably intellectual and spiritual Hathaway, the former sidekick of Weekend Murders' star Lewis (Kevin Whately).
I was so confused.
Now, nine years later, those feelings are reversed and even more confused as I ponder the pair's divorce.
How could two stars so bright fall from the heavens of domestic bliss?
What could have torn the pair, who have two lovely children, asunder?
Now Billie Piper is single, might she consider marrying me?
Who knows the answer to these questions?
As some small solace, we can at least see Fox making a good go of things post-divorce by returning to what he does best, playing Hathaway in Lewis, the eighth series of which begins on Prime on Sunday, August 21, at 8.30pm.
Lewis is now in retirement, with Hathaway in charge as he attends the apparent arson of a hunting lodge near Oxford University as the show begins.
Yes, he is now an inspector, but will he still need Lewis' help?
Is that why the show is still called Lewis?
All these questions, or at least a couple of them, should be answered when the always excellent Lewis makes a welcome return to our winter.
Meanwhile, on Shortland Street, things are looking potentially lethal for poor Blue (Tash Keddy), who was busy transitioning to being a boy when s/he became infected by a mystery virus.
Will Boyd Rolleston (Sam Bunkall) make a medical discovery of some sort that will save the day?
Or will TV2 allow Blue to die a horrible lingering death?
Surely not; time to step up, Rolleston.
- by Charles Lougherty
