Julie Helen: 'Watching TV is much more than just sitting on the couch'

A little bit of cosiness is setting in with the autumn television schedule in full swing. David finds it hilarious that I have a particular love for terrestrial television.

I got absolutely hooked on the first ever Irish series of The Traitors. It was too short, but equally had a momentum that kept us glued to the screen. The characters, the gameplay and the psychological elements just gave me a gorgeously warm feeling. I even started telling Dave about what the psychological experiment, where everyone around the table, is based on. I at least think it is based on an experiment about group think by Solomon Ashe in the 1950s. In that, he had seven conspirators and one person in each round. The seven people on his side were instructed to give the same wrong answer each time they were asked if lines were the same length or not. Then the lone person more often than not picked the wrong answer because everyone else did.

The experiment shows the impact of social pressure on people. So when The Traitors were at the round table trying to decide who to banish, I could see the same thing begin to happen on numerous occasions. It was satisfying to watch.

The great thing about the technology we have today means if you missed the phenomenon that was The Traitors, you can watch it back on the RTÉ Player or catch the various interviews or behind the scenes content from the social media channels.

Siobhán McSweeney, the host who hails from Cork, did an incredible job and there was real joy and texture in the theatre of her costumes. Slane Castle shone brightly and the weaving of Irish language and culture into the challenges was particularly magical. Producers are already looking for contestants for the second series. The Traitors is a global brand and we can also get our fill with US, UK, and Australian versions.

I’m not going to lie, I was excited when The Traitors Ireland was over because it made space on Sunday nights for The Walsh Sisters, which has five more episodes in season one. The series is based on the beloved books written by Marian Keyes. I love her writing and it got even better with the screenplay which was adapted by Stefanie Preissner.

After watching episode one, I must say the melting pot of Marian and Stefanie together is all I could have wished for. Marian has always been an author I take on holidays and reread over and over again. I find there is always something relatable in her writing to grasp and grapple with. She deals with important issues that open conversations. Many of the books were written when we weren’t talking about issues as a society.

It was very cool to see Stefanie Preissner update characters and pull them into the present day while keeping the true essence of each. Watching TV is much more than just sitting on the couch. The show also has an excellent official podcast where author and writer come together. If you want it, you can have a more rounded, expanded experience.

I’m all in for the Walsh sisters. I think I’m most like Maggie, the sensible, dependable and possibly slightly boring one, though similarities end there as I have no sister. Maybe that’s why I have always loved The Walsh Sisters so much - it’s a glimpse into a dynamic completely unknown to me but it still feels comfortable and familiar from the books. It’s a lovely show and I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes!