By Tony Squires
The first episode in the return of Redfern Now (ABC1, 8.30pm) is worthy of a standing ovation. Once I'd stopped bawling, that's what I did. Having already received glory and awards for its first outing, this second instalment of the drama written, directed and produced by indigenous Australians had much to live up to. Turns out it was easy.
Still with the amazing talent of Cracker's Jimmy McGovern as story producer, Where The Heart Is takes only minutes to grab hold of the viewer. It never gives up its grip. Let's not go into too much storyline detail here, so the shocks, twists and turns arrive, as they should, without warning.
In essence, gay Aboriginal man Peter (Kirk Page) fights his partner's mother (Noni Hazlehurst) over what is best for his daughter, Amy (Saskia Williscroft). It's bigger than that, but that'll do you.
Heartbreak, loss, homophobia, alcohol abuse, self-pity and love, love, love. These are just some of the issues that are batted around in a script that is moving yet economical. But it's the performances that will thrill you.
Kirk Page as gay dancer Peter and Noni Hazlehurst as down-to-earth martinet grandma Margaret open the second season of socially searching Redfern Now.
Hazlehurst is ridiculously good as a woman caught somewhere between bitterness and self-righteousness. It's not a particularly attractive address but this great actor manages to make us understand her motives completely.
Crucially, Page somehow rises to match her. If he hadn't, the whole thing would have collapsed. Throw in another gem from Deborah Mailman and you've got a casting agent who should be popping champagne corks. Apologies for gushing … but this is really, really good.
Unlike Beauty and the Geek Australia (Seven, 8.30pm), which is also good, but only because it's so stupidish. This week, the Beauties learn about comic books, trying to discover their superhero alter-ego.
Brett (without sounding Geekist, he's the tiny one with the giant beard … very garden gnome) is in his element explaining comics culture to his beauty. After all, he's met his hero, Marvel's Stan Lee, at a comic book convention.
''Who's Stanley?'' his beauty asks. ''He doesn't even have a second name.'' One Geek receives an early makeover - always a winning moment.
And it's goodbye to the almost geek from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Ten, 8.30pm), with the departure of Sergeant Munch (Richard Belzer). The show will sorely miss the gaunt figure who ghosts into scenes with a cynical line. He's been the dry comic relief in the franchise since the dedicated detectives first lobbed in 1999.
Even in his final show, it isn't really about him. His farewell is interrupted by news of a case that has to drag the show's stars from the party.
Munch was always third or fourth banana. Let's hope we see him again.
Apologies for gushing - but this is really, really good.