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Color Page 2 • Terre Haute Tribune-Star • October 15 - 21, 2023 It's Scottish crime with a Scandi- navian twist this autumn as Season 2 of the BBC series "Annika" premieres on PBS Masterpiece, Sunday, Oct. 15. An interesting clash of northern Eu- ropean cultures, the two worlds meet seamlessly due to the titular character's Norwegian roots and the often-folkloric nature of the crimes she encounters at work. The series' main character, DI Anni- ka Strandhed, has been a hit with audi- ences across the pond since the original radio series premiered in early January 2017 on the U.K.'s BBC Radio 4. The radio series, titled "Annika Stranded," wrapped Sept. 4, 2020, but for lovers of the series, the story continues on television, complete with Nicola Walker ("MI-5") in the role of Annika — no doubt a familiar voice for fans who jumped over from the radio play. Both series follow Strandhed, a former Oslo-based "murder squad" police officer, as she relocates to a re- mote region of Scotland to head up the country's first-ever Marine Homicide Unit. Given her dedication to the job and a lifelong love of fast-moving boats, Strandhed seems poised as the perfect fit to lead the new team. That said, her cohort DS Michael McAndrews (Jamie Sives, "Guilt") has other opinions. McAndrews attended police college with Strandhed, but the two detectives selected career paths that took them in opposite directions, causing them to drift apart. While McAndrews is clearly supportive of Strandhed and finds her to be a very intelligent leader, he still believes himself to have been a better candidate for her position as leader of the MHU. Nevertheless, the pair must find a way to work together — thank- fully McAndrews' duties as head diver keep him busy and away from Strand- hed much of the time. Working alongside the two team leads are DC Blair Ferguson (Katie Leung, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," 2005), who provides data analy- sis and tech support for the team; DS Tyrone Clarke (Ukweli Roach, "Blind- spot"), a former drug unit investigator who prefers to work alone; and DCI Diane Oban (Kate Dickie, "The Green Knight," 2021), who oversees all police proceedings within the precinct and of- ten has the final say on how the MHU operates. Joining the MHU this season is DC Harper Weston (played by Varada Sethu, "Jurassic World Dominion," 2022), a motorcycle-riding trainee who, given her youth, may act as a second person to provide Strandhed a bit of insight regarding her daughter, Morgan (Sylvie Furneaux, "Red Rose"). This guiding role has previously only been played by Ferguson, who is of a similar age to Weston and only a few years old- er than Morgan herself. What we do know headed into Season 2 — and there is quite a bit, given that the season (or "series," as it is referred to in the U.K.) has already premiered on its home channel of BBC One — is that the very first episode centers on a "brutal drowning" death that has been recorded on a mobile phone. When the cellphone is turned in to police and passed over the the MHU, Strandhed and her team jump into action to try to identify and catch the murderer responsible. "Annika," like "Annika Stranded," is created by Nick Walker, who is of no known relation to the franchise's lead- ing actress. Despite the popularity of both series, "Annika" remains Walker's only credit to date on IMDb. Season 2 of "Annika" also sees the return of Paul McGann ("Queen of the Damned," 2002) as Jake Strathearn, Taylor Goodwin ("Goodbye Charlie," 2015) as Femi Talla, and budding star Sophie Sloan as Madison McAndrews, while Sven Henriksen ("Varg," 2008), Cora Bissett ("High Times") and new talent Mya Milne join the cast. coverstory BY DANA SIMPSON Nicola Walker in "Annika" Tides of crime: Secrets and murder abound in Season 2 of 'Annika' One of the most popular sitcoms in television history dates back to the early years of the medium, and it basically hasn't been off the air since then. "I Love Lucy" is now shown weekdays by Catchy Come- dy, and no matter how many times one has seen the antics of Lucille Ball's Lucy Ricardo – wife of bandleader Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz, also Ball's real-life husband at the time) – they remain greatly amus- ing. William Frawley and Vivian Vance, who reportedly did not get along when the cameras were off them, also were essential to the show as married neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. So many episodes of the series are classics in their own right, if you asked five people which one was their favorite, you'd likely get five different answers. In any event, the world continues to love "Lucy." Keith Thibodeaux, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in "I Love Lucy" Viewers still can love 'Lucy' every weekday classiccorner BY JAY BOBBIN "Rawhide" (Heroes & Icons, weekdays): By the time Clint Eastwood attained international stardom in "A Fistful of Dollars," TV viewers were used to seeing him in a West- ern milieu, thanks to this series. From producers including "Gunsmoke" veteran Charles Marquis Warren, it casts the actor as Rowdy Yates, a trail hand assisting with cattle drives. The legendary theme song is performed by Frankie Laine, and cast regulars also include Eric Fleming, Sheb Wooley and Paul Brinegar. "Saboteur" (Peacock, streaming; Turner Classic Movies, Monday, Oct. 16): Alfred Hitchcock was establishing his Hollywood cred when the director made this terrific 1942 melodrama, hugely memorable for its use of the Statue of Liberty in its finale. That iconic New York site is where an alleged traitor's (Robert Cummings) pursuit of the actual culprit (Norman Lloyd) reaches its superbly tense climax. more retro rewinds