The Week in HD - Monday 3rd November

Sherlock - Series Three

The fourth series of Sherlock is still a while away, although there will be a TV special early in the New Year. So, if you're after your fix of Benedict Cumberbatch as the sleuth detective and Martin Freeman as his always dependable friend Dr Watson, this release will hopefully tide you over.

Mad Men Series 7: Part One

The end is in sight for this austere and glamorous series. Some have labelled Mad Men as boring, but we find it to be a series that's elegant and takes its time. The seventh series is split in two, with the first seven episodes included here and the rest set to air in mid-2015.

Chef

Jon Favreau returns to smaller, independent films with Chef, where he plays a chef (duh) fired from his job after a disagreement with the owner (played by Dustin Hoffman). He sets off to rediscover his zest for life and cooking by buying a small food truck, all the while developing a bond with his son.

The story is a bit sappy, but if you love food, then you'll salivate over the dishes that Favreau's camera covers. The film also boasts a top-notch cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara and John Leguizamo.

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug - Extended edition

Just when you thought it couldn't get any longer, Peter Jackson adds another twenty-five minutes to the Desolation of Smaug. Fear not though, even with a chunkier running time this sequel improves on An Unexpected Journey with a bit more in the way of thrills and focus. Still, the lack of a conclusive ending stings (again) and it can't get over the feeling that this is a smaller-scale story that's been expanded a mite too much.

Super Mario Bros

Do we recommend you watch this film? Not with good conscience, no.

But for those who want to journey back into time to see the late, great Bob Hoskins as the moustachioed plumber and Dennis Hopper as King Koopa in this odd, misguided and laugh-out-loud bad adaptation of the massive Nintendo franchise, well, now you can watch in all its high-def glory.

UCL: Real Madrid v Liverpool ITV 1 HD, 7.45pm

Losing against Real Madrid was a blow, but Liverpool still have a chance to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League. However, losing at the Bernabeu will make that objective much harder, and - as of late - Real have not been in a forgiving mood.

The Flash Sky 1 HD, 8pm

Fastest Man Alive. The Flash surprised us with a decent opening episode last week. While it featured some clichéd storytelling and felt a little rushed in places, it had no small amount of charm and ended on an interesting note. Barry Allen (Flash to you and me) faces more difficulties this week when he confronts a robber who can make multiple versions of himself. 

Human Universe BBC Two HD, 9pm

What is our Future? The final episode of Prof. Brian Cox's look at the universe. This episode has a look at what lies ahead for humankind.

This could make for a good double-bill when Christopher Nolan's similarly themed Interstellar  takes off on Friday.

UCL: Maribor v Chelsea Sky 1 HD, 7.45pm

The Chelsea juggernaut keeps on rolling with an air of inevitability. Will Maribor be able to halt them? Not if they offer the sort of resistance they did in the previous match (i.e. not much).

The Leftovers Sky Atlantic HD, 10pm

Cairo. Kevin fears he losing touch with reality after a confrontation with the leader of the Guilty Remnant movement while Jill, still looking for a way to make sense of what happened, joins the Remnant.

Film 2014 BBC One HD, 11.15pm

The venerable film reviewing series is back (for seven episodes) as Claudia Winkelman and Danny Leigh look at the week's new releases - including Christopher Nolan's Interstellar and rom-com Say When.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Channel 4 HD, 8pm

Making Friends and Influencing People. We finally find out where Jemma has been – she's working at Hydra! More familiar faces return when Donnie Gill (Dylan Minnette, who last appeared in an episode titled Seeds) is wanted by Hydra for his freezing abilities.

QI BBC Two HD, 10pm

Liblabble. As we skate through the letter L, Fry and his guests - including Reverend Richard Coles, Sara Pascoe, Bill Bailey and Alan Davies - have a look at a list of L-themed larks that have been granted the moniker of Liblabble. Doesn't it just roll of the tongue?

Barclays Premier League: Liverpool v Chelsea BT Sport 1 HD, 12.45pm

Big, big match at Anfield as league pacesetters Chelsea come up against a struggling Liverpool team. Mourinho's men played a key part in ending their opponents' title challenge last season; could they do it again with only eleven games gone?

Rugby Union: Autumn Internationals - Scotland v Argentina BBC Two HD, 5pm

The World Cup is a year away and preparation for the tournament starts now as Scotland take on Argentina at Murrayfield.

Doctor Who BBC One HD, 8pm

Death in Heaven. All things come to an end as the first series of Peter Capaldi's stint as the Doctor reaches the finishing line. There will be panic on the streets of London with the Cybermen running amok, and the Doctor reuniting with old friends to combat a familiar threat.