The Savoy
Channel: BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Docu-Reality
Filled with glamour, elegance, history and character and truly the first luxury hotel in Britain, The Savoy has sat alongside the River Thames for over 130 years.
It has hosted rock stars and royalty, Oscar winners and prime ministers and is now opening its famous revolving doors to the cameras.
Filmed over the most dramatic period of the hotel's history – from the incredibly busy winter season to its devastating coronavirus shutdown - the series gives a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those lucky enough to be able to afford this slice of luxury, and those who serve them, as cameras capture the upstairs, downstairs and the most secret of corners.
As a global crisis looms, the series sees the challenges the staff face to continue to make the magic happen with their hard work and attention to detail, before the hotel was forced to shut its doors for the first time ever in its history.
This is the first time an iconic hotel has been filmed using an innovative state-of-the-art luxury multi-camera rig, providing unique and intimate access into the intoxicating world of this prestigious location.
This is the story of The Savoy as it has never been seen before.
In the series premiere: There are nerves in the basement florists as one young trainee attempts to create her first bouquet for a VIP guest.
Also, a young butler muddles his way through a pricey cocktail party and there are tensions in The Savoy Grill when owner Gordon Ramsay arrives to do a menu tasting.
Crucifixion
Channel: HISTORY (DStv 186)
TX Time: 21h55
Genre: Documentary, Docu-Drama, Religion, History
Since the Romans chose crucifixion as their method to execute Jesus Christ, most people wrongly associate crucifixion as a strictly sacred or religious symbol.
In fact, crucifixions didn't start with the Romans.
One of the cruellest, most demeaning and excruciating ways to die was documented about 500 years earlier when the when the Persian King Darius crucified 3,000 political opponents in Babylon.
In 332 B.C. Alexander the Great ordered 2,000 crucifixions after the siege of Tyre.
During the rule of Caligula, Jews were even crucified in the local amphitheatre to entertain the citizens of Alexandria.
Crucifixion has travelled across history, empires, cultures... and is even still in use today.
Water Patrol
Channel: CBS Reality (DStv 132)
TX Time: 19h30
Genre: Docu-Reality
This series follows the courageous professionals tasked with patrolling New Zealand's waterways.
Living in an island nation with thousands of kilometres of beautiful coastlines, rivers and lakes, Kiwis are keen on water activities.
But with all of that use comes a lot of risk.
The Police Maritime and Dive Units deal with out-of-control drunks on party boats, prevent and investigate crashes and crimes committed on the water, provide emergency search and rescue services, oversee crowded aquatic events – and a lot more besides.
Each episode follows a selection of jobs from start to end, showcasing all of the suspense, drama, tragedy and humour involved.
With unique underwater footage shot by the Dive Squad itself, Water Patrol is emotional and factual at the same time.
The Ten Commandments
Channel: HISTORY (DStv 186)
TX Time: 20h15
Genre: Documentary, Docu-Drama, Religion, History
What's the real story behind history's most famous written document?
This two-part special examines the three different – and sometimes contradictory – biblical accounts of Moses on the Mount, and then looks at each of the 10 Commandments in historical context.
In "Part 1: The Laws of God": Adultery, perjury, murder, theft, graven images, Sabbath laws, coveting - what did they mean then?
And do they mean anything today?
Also examined are the other 603 commandments prescribed by Moses that took a backseat to the more famous first 10.
What was in these commandments and why have they been largely forgotten?
Legal, religious and historical scholars, including legal author Alan Dershowitz and Old Testament expert Daniel Smith-Christopher, reveal how the issues raised by the 10 Commandments have been viewed and punished throughout history.
From ancient times to modern times, see how the definitions, the laws and morality have changed within the parameters of history's most formidable "Top 10" list.
In "Part 2: The Laws of Man": Thousands of years ago, the laws of Moses were given to the Israelites, laws that prescribed both their relationship with God and with each other.
The 10 Commandments, the word of God, carved into stone - a sacred covenant between God and the Israelites.
In both Exodus and Deuteronomy, it tells us that Moses brought down these commandments in the form of two tablets.
It has become traditional to split the commandments between them, half on one tablet, and half on the other.
The first commandments deal with God and how He should be worshipped.
The second set of commandments, sometimes called the Laws of Man, provided society with the means of living with one another.
We'll take a close look at these last commandments and see how they have translated into our modern legal system.