I loved the first episode of House of Saddam (BBC Two, Wednesday, 6 August, 9pm) but what to make of the second? I had worried that it might not be able to keep the thumb-screws on for more than the opener, but was hopeful that it would. I was right to be optimistic as the drama managed to etch 'This is the best thing you've seen on telly this year' on my brain...

Last night's show found us in Iraq '88. In '88, I was just coming out of breakdancing with my brother on off-cuts of kitchen lino and discovering the joys of acid house. I was far too young to go to clubs, so I spent my time imagining what these raves looked like. 1988 was a weird time because, even though the Berlin Wall was about to come down and the world felt positive in The Second Summer of Love, overseas, big things were afoot... namely, Iraq's war with Kuwait over oil prices and the imminent bombing raids by George Bush senior.

However, thankfully in my opinion, the show didn't get bogged down in dry political exchanges, preferring to give a brief snapshot to flavour and remind. It was enough to set the scene in your head while the personal drama of Saddam's life unfolded on screen. This second segment focused almost entirely on family and friends, underpinned by Saddam's complete ruthlessness.

The major turning point in this episode was Uday's (Saddam's son) killing of a reveller. It was crass, cold... but provided the viewer with a sterling performance from Philip Arditi. After the needless violence, Arditi played the crazed suicidal to a tee... finding me with a sore arse from sitting right on the edge of my couch where there's a bit of uncomfortable wood. Saddam's slapping of Uday in the hospital and the astounding delivery of "Do you think violence is a pastime?! IT IS A TOOL!" was powerful, wonderful in both acting and scripting... the works. Of course, like the first show, this continued in the rich seam of intoxicating cinematography throughout.

The casting of Arditi was a masterstroke. Throughout the episode, his performance nearly matched that of the brilliant Igal Noar (who plays Saddam). Uday is played in layers - evil, manipulative, spoiled, weak, erratic, out of control, spiteful... it's a sensational performance. However, nearly is not quite. Saddam's killing of his childhood friend, Adnan, to intimidate his military provided an chilling performance worthy of award.

What is brilliant about this show is just how easily it switches between complete disarray, fear and breakdown to calculated, icy and menacing. It's a rollercoaster to watch... and we all know how terrifyingly brilliant those can be. In fact, 'terrifyingly brilliant' is probably the best short review you could do of this great show. It's got something of a Shakespearean power struggle about it, whilst grabbing some of the trashy glamour of a classic gangster flick. It's a tour-de-force this show... and yes, quite possibly the best thing I've seen on the box all year.