All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.

Showcase announces Helix return, Lost Girl mid-season finale

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From a media release:

This January, Showcase unveils a schedule packed with new series, new seasons and new episodes of the season’s hottest dramas. Showcase travels through time and confronts the ultimate battle for human salvation in the new sci-fi drama 12 Monkeys. Season two of the hit series Helix explores a terrifying life or death struggle with a deadly new virus, and the critically acclaimed series Broadchurch returns to the schedule with a highly-guarded plot that fans will be speculating about. Also featuring new seasons of Royal Pains and Rizzoli & Isles, the shocking mid-season finale of Lost Girl, and cable premieres of Hollywood’s hottest hits, the winter schedule launches January 5, 2015.

Inspired by the classic blockbuster film, 12 Monkeys explores the provocative story of a time traveler from a decimated future. Using a dangerous and untested method of time travel, he journeys from 2043 to the present day on a mission to locate and eradicate the source of a deadly plague that will annihilate the human race. Starring Aaron Stanford (Nikita, X-Men: The Last Stand), Amanda Schull (Suits, Pretty Little Liars), Kirk Acevedo (Dawn of Planet of the Apes, The Black Donnellys), Noah Bean (Nikita, Damages) and Canadian Emily Hampshire (Rookie Blue, Cosmopolis), 12 Monkeys premieres Friday, January 16 at 10pm ET/PT.

Showcase’s hit series Helix returns for a second season on Monday, January 19 at 10pm ET/PT. In the aftermath of the explosion that destroyed the Arctic Bio Systems base, season two of Helix follows the CDC team as they look into a deadly outbreak of a new disease on a Windjammer cruise ship. The investigation leads them to an island inhabited by a cult who hopes to create a utopian society. Steven Weber (Wings, Murder in the First, Dallas) joins the Helix cast as Brother Michael, the charismatic leader of the cult and a first class geneticist. Also new to the cast is Matt Long (Mad Men, Jack and Bobby) who appears as Dr. Kyle Sommer, the newest member of the CDC team.

Coming this January, the #1 specialty drama of last summer*, Broadchurch, returns. Starring David Tennant (Doctor Who, Gracepoint) as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy and Detective Sergeant Olivia Coleman (Hot Fuzz, The Iron Lady) as Detective Ellie Miller, season two explores how the town copes after the tragedy of Danny Latimer’s murder.

In addition to new series and new seasons, the first half of Lost Girl’s epic final season continues in January with new episodes, including the mid-season finale on Sunday, January 25, at 9pm ET/PT. Sexy succubus Bo’s story will wrap up later in 2015 when the second half of Lost Girl season five returns to Showcase.

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Link: TVO’s ‘Polar Sea’ documentary shines a light on ‘Arctic hitchhiker’

From Bill Harris:

Usually at this time of year if we’re talking about the Arctic, we’re imagining a bearded fat man in a bright red suit, or a reindeer with a strangely shiny nose.

But The Polar Sea is not about Santa or Rudolph, unless I really missed something. Rather, it’s an ambitious 10-part documentary series focusing on a self-proclaimed “Arctic hitchhiker” who is endeavoring to sail through the legendary Northwest Passage. Continue reading. 

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Preview: Polar Sea a stunning sail through the Northwest Passage

I’ve always been fascinated with the search for the Northwest Passage. From Shackleton to Franklin, to those who didn’t make the history books, I’ve read countless depictions of the unforgiving terrain and weather. So I was thrilled–and had high expectations–when screeners for The Polar Sea came across my desk.

Those expectations were filled. This gorgeous, 10-part peek at human, animal and plant life in the north–as well as access to traveling the Northwest Passage–is incredible. Narrated by Gordon Pinsent and airing from Dec. 1 to 12 on TVO, The Polar Sea kicks off by explaining that global warming has advanced to the point the  ever-elusive Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic is now open to traffic both tourist and business. Viewers are first introduced to Richard Tegnér, a Swedish architect and father of two who sets sail in a 9.5-metre sailboat named DAX together with his friends Martin Sigge and Bengt Norvik. Full of excitement, the trio make good time in their first part of their journey to Greenland before technical difficulties cause some delays. Richard marvels not only at how those early English expeditions stocked their war ships to the brim with three years worth of supplies while his trio did one traverse in just four days but at how those teams dealt with close quarters between over 100 men.

The journey Richard and his friends make are juxtaposed between two other ships attempting the same journey–a catamaran filled with a family and a high-end cruise ship packed with wealthy tourists. Some of the best footage in The Polar Sea is the jumping back and forth among the three boats illustrating the challenges faced by all on board them.

The Polar Sea isn’t just a triptych, however. Whole chunks of chapters are devoted to the scientists, biologists, geologists and researchers from around the world who are conducting studies across the Northwest Passage and Arctic, measuring the effects of climate change on glaciers, water levels and land. Dr. Shfaqat Abbas Khan, senior researcher at the National Space Institute in Denmark, for instance, illustrates how Greenland’s melting glaciers are actually causing the whole of the country to grow in height because the weight of the ice is no longer compacting the land. Yes, you read that right. The Polar Sea is packed with “holy crap” information segments–not to mention gripping views of glaciers–that are worth tuning in for.

TVO’s plan of getting the show out to as many viewers as possible isn’t confined to Ontario. The whole series is available on the network’s website on Monday while an accompanying website offers a stunning 360-degree view of the Arctic through the eyes of the Inuit and an online magazine is full of journal entries from those featured in the broadcast.

The Polar Sea debuts Monday at 9 p.m. on TVO and is available to the rest of Canada via the network’s website.

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Comments and queries for the week of Nov. 28

Despite being a “bottle episode” designed to save production budgets from going overboard, this week’s episode of Murdoch Mysteries garnered a lot of praise from fans, especially for lead actor Yannick Bisson and guest star Nigel Bennett (above).

Yannick is a very underrated actor. We have not yet seen how good he can be. I look forward to the writers giving him something he can “get his teeth into” and really shine but still not lose the essence of Murdoch. I have no doubt that years from now we will be talking of the amazing things that he has done. As they say, the best is yet to come.—S

This episode was a showcase for the vast talents of the cast. It is, so far, my favourite. Nigel Bennett will be missed on the show even if for his contribution to a great tension simmering between he and Yannick Bisson. Brian Kaulback played his role superbly. I would like to see his character re-emerge in some capacity. In all, I would like to see more of this type of drama as opposed to bringing the “archvillan” back who torments Julia and William. I have never missed an episode and this show is only getting better!—Diehl

I believe that the interrogation scene between Giles and Murdoch will go down as one of the top moments in this series. For me it was a battle of wits and minds, as Murdoch tried to nail Giles, only for him to sly out of the way and strike back.—TJ

Meanwhile, a few readers reached out with their opinion regarding Bachelor Canada‘s Tim Warmels choosing April to be his bride-to-be.

I can see why Tim chose April (she’s beautiful) but looks don’t last forever. Trish seemed much more genuine, grounded and mature and she is also gorgeous. Often with men, their hormones make the decisions, not their minds. From what I can tell, that’s what happened in regards to Tim choosing April.—Joy

Got a comment or question about Canadian TV? greg@tv-eh.com

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Review: Duke and Mara do the dirty deed in Haven

Well, Duke and Mara finally did it. Literally. The pair took the shipping mantle of “Dara” by consummating their relationship on a moth-eaten rug at the fishing cabin. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. To say I was surprised is just plain wrong. I give grudging props to the Haven writers’ room for coming up with a unique way to get Duke and Mara into bed–an expelled Trouble threatened to bake them unless it could be broken by him connecting with someone–but I call foul on the relationship.

As several readers have pointed out, it wasn’t that long ago that Jennifer and Duke were a much-loved item and the woman who killed her was the same gal he just got carnal with. I have a problem with that. Now Duke may end up regretting what just happened, but I don’t think so. After all, this is the same guy who pined for Audrey and now he’s got her. Well, a version of her at least. Haven certainly has a creative way of solving the love triangle.

“Reflections” also got into a battle for the aether, with Duke wanting it prior to his horizontal bop and Nathan and Dwight trying to stop him from taking it. Now a fourth person has entered the fray, a mysterious ball cap wearing dude sporting a Guard tattoo. Since Kirk is the only new character to grab any kind of airtime, I’m pretty sure it’s him.

Meanwhile, the Dwight/Charlotte relationship is starting to smoulder. He invited her out for dinner again but the pair had to call it off after the aether went missing and the latest Trouble–tied to low self-esteem–took up their time. Charlotte may not be from the CDC, but she’s not in a rush to reveal Haven’s secrets either. As a matter of fact, she’s grown more fond of the quirkiness in town, joining forces to stop that latest Trouble and further suppose that the Troubles are science-based rather than supernatural as everyone has assumed. Now that Nathan has stolen a strand of hair from her brush, perhaps we’ll find out just what Charlotte is up to and if it will affect her relationship with Dwight.

Notes and quotes

  • “You are the realest person I know. More real than me most days.”–Nathan
  • “It’s like she was a life-sized Mrs. Potatohead.”–Gloria, after a woman literally fell to pieces
  • “Would you step aside? My popsicles are melting.”–Mara
  • “I like pretty toes.”–Mara

Haven airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on Showcase.

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