What You Should Be Watching: Broadchurch

David Tennant and Olivia Colman

When it's on: Wednesdays 10 p.m/9 p.m. Central, BBC America

Why it's good: I think TV critic Alan Sepinwall put it best in his (mostly non-spoilery) review:

It's a simple conflict, and "Broadchurch" for the most part is a simple series. ... The writing by Chris Chibnall is lean and spare, and the directing (most of it by James Strong) takes advantage of the seaside vistas without calling attention to itself. ... this is as straightforward a mystery series as you can imagine.

It's also about as devastating as you can imagine, precisely because of that simplicity.

 Who it's for: David Tennant fans, Anglophiles, those who were disappointed by The Killing, people who like great character work in their police procedurals.

Seriously, this show is brilliant (as the Brits say). I sometimes have a little trouble deciphering the accents, but that's a small thing. With the exception of a so-far minor subplot, the show hasn't made a wrong move. Last night's episode (the fifth of eight) unfolded beautifully to a tragic end that seemed both stunning and inevitable. It broke my heart, not for the first time and I'm betting not for the last.

Go watch it.