It occurred to me recently that there are a few TV programmes I would like to go back and watch as if new. There are plenty of shows that I need to catch up on, but that’s a different matter. These are episodes I have watched, but would do anything to wipe my mind clean so I can enjoy them all over again.

1. Jonathan Creek. I had the biggest crush on the lovable magician’s assistant when he first appeared on our screens, and I watched the first few series several times over. The problem is that a whodunit with a twist isn’t particularly engaging once you already know how it’s going to end. There were only a couple of episodes where I guessed what was going on, and I’d like to rewatch now and see if I am any smarter. (I am not.)
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My overriding memory of this show is my friend telling me to watch a late night repeat of an episode I had missed - the one where Buffy’s mother dies. I watched and didn’t cry and that’s when I realised that I have a heart of stone. Therefore, now I have come to terms with that, I would like to go back and watch, and enjoy the series without feeling guilty that it doesn’t make me sad.
3. Hornblower. Ahh, I am partial to watching a little bit of Ioan Gruffudd on screen, even if he is dressed up to the nine’s in dodgy 18th century sailor outfits. I remember being particularly dismayed when Mr Hornblower had his first on-screen kiss. Not allowed. Anyway, the stiff-upper-lipped-ness of the show appealed, but makes it hard to enjoy over and again. I’d love to go back and watch as new, though.
4. Doctor Who. I hold my hands up and say I am one of those annoying people who has only watched the new series with the ninth and tenth doctor and still considers herself a fan. The problem is that the show is repeated endlessly on the iPlayer, and I get annoyed at seeing it. With only four new episodes this year, I’d love to go back and have the prospect of an entire brand new series to enjoy.
5. Thunderbirds. Although any episode of Thunderbirds is easy to watch repeatedly (you know that the crisis will be averted in the end), my introduction to the puppets came when I lived with my parents. They were debuting on BBC2 for the first time in a long time. I was older than the target demographic, but watched them with my dad, and those were good times.

As an aside, the film I would want to watch as new is Back to the Future 3. I may have mentioned previously how I saw the first and third films before the second one, so it made no sense. Having the benefit of watching the second film many, many times now, it would be good to go back and fix that.

I’ve also realised a programme I am going to have to go back and watch as if new again anyway is LOST because it makes.no.sense.