Gary Speed RIP

Wales reels in shock at the news of the untimely death of their national side's inspirational new manager.

He will be sadly missed, but after his family it will be that side itself which will feel the loss most keenly. Under Speed's direction, Wales's transformation on the international footballing scene has been quite amazing. A series of spectacular wins sent them shooting over 70 places higher in the World rankings, and Wales is now a better side than any since the days when John Charles wore the red shirt. What now of their prospects? Please God they can recover from this terrible blow and somehow maintain their momentum.

TV SUPPLEMENT:
THE FIRST 48 (Crime and Investigation Channel)

In grimly restrained tones, the narrator begins each film with the words:
"If detectives fail to solve a crime within the first 48 hours, the chances of making an arrest falls by half."
Then we hear an actual 911 call, with someone reporting a body, or bodies, lying dead or dying, a spreading pool of blood around their heads. The police respond, and the quest to piece the story together begins. All too often a story of a drug deal gone wrong, or some explosion of murderous rage emerges. As the police interview witnesses and family members, collect forensics and perhaps, if they're lucky, get a tip from an informer, the number of suspects dwindles to one pretty quickly. But how to build a case which will stand up in court?

In a sober, unhysterical delivery the films show the police at work in a very favourable light, which probably explains the extreme latitude the film crew are granted to show exactly how things go down. We see a bunch or ordinary, but highly committed professionals who day after day find themselves in the midst of the horror of mundane life, but somehow seem to retain their sense of humour. The grief of the families is shown, but there is also a sense of grief at the perpetrators, almost always young men barely out of their teens, their futures destroyed by a single reckless act. As "real-life" cop shows go, this is one of the best out there.