Pick of the Day: The Battle for Laikipia – Storyville
10pm, BBC Four
This powerful documentary, filmed over several years during a time of severe drought in Kenya, provides a nuanced exploration of the escalating conflict fueled by climate change. It thoughtfully examines the tensions between the Samburu people, a nomadic community reliant on grazing their cattle and goats in the lush grasslands of the Laikipia plateau, and third and fourth generation European settlers who own ranches and conservancies in the area. With the drought severely impacting grazing resources, the settlers have resorted to erecting fences and employing armed guards to block the Samburu’s traditional migration routes, leading to violent confrontations and a deepening crisis.
Alan Titchmarsh’s Underdog to Superdog
7pm, Channel 5
Two-year-old Labrador Duke, affectionately nicknamed “Captain Chaos” by his owner Kizzie’s friends, is bursting with energy and enthusiasm. Despite his reputation for mischief, Duke possesses a striking appearance and demonstrates remarkable intelligence, prompting Titchmarsh to enlist the expertise of renowned dog trainer Jo-Rosie Haffenden. Together, they aim to unlock Duke’s potential as a talented stunt dog, revealing a fascinating world where dogs can perform extraordinary feats.
The Fear Clinic: Face Your Phobia
8pm, Channel 4
In this gripping episode, the final cohort of phobia sufferers arrives at the Amsterdam clinic, led by ex-prison officer Paula, who grapples with a debilitating fear of spiders that she inherited from her mother. Additionally, Chloe battles emetophobia, the intense fear of seeing others vomit, which has made caring for her three young daughters a heartbreaking challenge. The show poignantly illustrates the generational impact of such fears when Chloe’s eldest daughter begins to exhibit similar anxieties after witnessing her mother’s reactions.
Waterloo Road
9pm, BBC One
In this emotionally charged episode, poor Stace (Tillie Amartey) finds herself torn between the neglectful behavior of her mother and the prospect of moving in with her grandfather, whose lifestyle she dismisses as boring and unappealing. As she navigates her turbulent home life, Stace becomes a victim of Dame Stella’s harsh new school regulations. Meanwhile, Stella (Lindsey Coulson) faces mounting backlash from parents upset over her ambitious new accelerated learning program designed for the school’s brightest students, leading the school secretary to lament, “Our inbox is like toxic waste.”
The Real Unforgotten
9pm, ITV1
In the gripping conclusion of this documentary series, viewers delve into the cold-case investigation surrounding the 1981 murder of Bedfordshire shopkeeper Carol Morgan. Two pivotal witnesses step forward, shedding new light on the case. One witness, a neighbor, provides crucial testimony about spotting Carol’s husband Allen when he was allegedly at the cinema with his children. Even more incriminating is the account of Jane Bunting, a “mixed-up” 17-year-old at the time, who recalls overhearing Allen and his mistress discussing plans to murder Carol, adding a chilling dimension to the investigation.
Kursk: 10 Days That Shaped Putin
9pm, Sky Showcase
This compelling documentary offers a meticulous examination of the harrowing events that unfolded in August 2000, following a catastrophic explosion aboard the Kursk submarine, which left a group of survivors trapped at the bottom of the Barents Sea. The film probes into the reasons behind Russia’s delayed acceptance of international aid and explores how this tragic incident transformed the nation and influenced Vladimir Putin’s trajectory as the newly elected President. Featuring firsthand accounts from key figures, including former US President Bill Clinton and the grieving families of the lost submariners, the documentary provides a profound insight into a pivotal moment in modern Russian history.
