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In ancient Greek tragedy the term "catharsis" was used to describe the relief and purification of the spectator, while he experienced and identified with the emotions of the tragic hero on the stage, and identification - according to Aristotle - was supposed to have a healing effect on the emotions of the spectator.

This is exactly my own experience after waching this dark and depressing film, and after being in this hell on earth for 2 hours. It's almost unbearable to watch, but somehow you get a sense of relief.

Most of the scenes are shot in the bleak and wintry streets of Montreal, where the camera is following the protagonist Alex and his fellow addicts in their endless pursuit for new sex clients and drug dealers - or in dark claustrofobic rooms where they minutely prepare the next fix to get a moment's escape from the harsh realities of life. Having sex is another way to escape, but it has become transactional, and all the sex scenes are rough and mechanical, void of tenderness and affection.

Maybe I am being overly optimistic, but I sense a tiny spark of hope in the final scene. Once again the camera is following Alex in his endless pursuit of a fix, but the streets are not empty, they are filled with people, the snow has almost vanished and it is not twilight, but broad daylight.

If you are a sucker for British tv-series like me, "Flesh and Blood" is highly recommendable. It has all the right ingredients: Interesting and psychological complex characters, an intriguing plot, and last but not least great acting.

The plot centers on Vivien, a recently widowed mother of three adult children,. Vivien longs for love and affection, and she is ready for new adventures.. When Mark, a retired surgeon and widower, comes along, she decides to marry him. Her children are not happy about it, and when Vivien also plans to sell their childhood home, a lovely house by the sea, the siblings decide to investigate Mark's past life. Was his first wife's death really an act of suicide, and what if their new stepfather only is after their mother's money?

In contrast to Vivien's sudden happiness the three siblings are going through a bad patch. The oldest sister has neglected her marriage for her new job as a hospital manager, and her husband has left her. Jake, the brother, is deep in debt due to gambling problems, and is fighting hard to get his family back. The youngest sister has a long term affair with her boss, who has promised to leave his wife, and marry her, but will he ever do that?

The main character of the drama, however, is not a member of the family. It is Mary, the loveable, but prying next door neighbour, played by the excellent Imelda Staunton. She is an old friend of Vivien, and perhaps her feelings for Vivien are more than just friendly? Anyway, Mary is not happy to lose her old friend either. Will things work out in the end? My lips are sealed.

Everything is falling apart in Paula's life. She is having an affair with a married teacher colleague, and now her headmaster has found out about it. Her younger brother is having serious problems (drugs, alcohol?) and is living in a garage. Moreover she has discovered rats in her basement, and when she hires a handyman to take care of the problem, he turns out to be a psychopath. No wonder Paula has to swallow a lot of pills to avoid a breakdown.

This is the outline of the brilliant thriller TV-series "Paula" from BBC, which is a movement away from "tedious realism" towards an embracement of the supernatural and elements from old horror movies such as haunting ghosts, rats in basement of your house, and children locked up in a cupboard. It's all really a bit over the top, but I love it. The acting is very convincing. Paula i played by one of the upcoming actresses in British film, Denise Gough and the sexy but dangerous handy man, which Paula hires to fix the basement of her house, is played by Tom Hughes.