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.
Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries digs into William’s painful past

It’s hard to believe that, with almost 12 seasons of Murdoch Mysteries under our belts, there are still things to learn about Detective William Murdoch. And yet, that’s exactly what happens in Monday’s upcoming episode.

Here’s what the CBC has revealed as the main storyline for “Six of the Best,” written by Lori Spring and directed by Sherren Lee.

Murdoch’s distressing childhood memories are evoked while investigating the death of an orphan under the care of the same Jesuit priest who taught him.

And here are more details I picked up on while watching a screener.

Classic Murdoch Mysteries
I don’t know how to explain it, but the opening moments of “Six of the Best” felt like Season 2 of the show. Maybe it’s the cinematography, the fact it’s written by Lori Spring or the intense sorrow of the moment—I’m not sure—but I got that vibe. Let me know if you do too. By the way, Yannick Bisson’s performance is truly wonderful. It’s not often that we see William display true anger and rage and we get both from Mr. Bisson on Monday night.

Violet Hart is back
It’s good to see her at the crime scene, aiding Murdoch and Watts in their quest for the truth. So far, we haven’t gotten any hint as to what Violet was plotting for the morgue at the end of Season 11. Perhaps some light will be shed this week? As for other actors dropping by, look for David Ferry, Craig Lauzon and Mike Taylor in supporting roles. It’s Ferry’s character who has the connection to William; they were both at the Nova Scotia Jesuit School for Boys. William isn’t the only one who recalls his past; Watts remembers his own childhood while aiding in the investigation.

Julia is frustrated
The good news that she and William have landed a publishing deal to write a comprehensive police handbook has been tempered somewhat by the thing writers fear most.

Ruth has a job
After accepting a position at the hospital, I had my fingers crossed we’d see Ruth on the ward. We do. And it’s amazing. Congratulations, once again, to costume designer Joanna Syrokomla for doing a spectacular job creating the clothes for these folks. Ruth in her uniform is a sight to behold.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC and streams on CBC Gem.

Images courtesy of CBC.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Heartland

Link: Calgary child actor Lucian-River Chauhan is the new face on CBC’s Heartland

From Eric Volmers of the Calgary Herald:

Link: Calgary child actor Lucian-River Chauhan is the new face on CBC’s Heartland
Lucian is the newest face on CBC’s family series Heartland, cast as a troubled boy named Luke who arrives at the Bartlett Ranch much in the same way that Ty (Graham Wardle) did 12 years earlier and Georgie (Alisha Newton) did seven years ago. Continue reading. 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured

Comments and queries for the week of January 18

Why has Frankie Drake Mysteries disappeared? It was great fun and very interesting. —Doris

Season 2 of Frankie Drake Mysteries has completed its 10-episode run on CBC. We’re waiting, with fingers crossed, for a third season renewal.

As much as I enjoy all of the [Murdoch Mysteries] characters and the actors who portray them, I agree with many who would like William and Julia to be front and centre in the episodes rather than making an appearance now and then in the B storylines. I got interested in the show because of Yannick Bisson and wish he were in 90 per cent of the scenes, like in the good ole’ days. On another note, Julia has been a coroner, a family physician in private practice, an alienist and a university adjunct professor. Am I the only one who remembers Julia was also head of pediatric surgery in a new children’s hospital in Buffalo? So why is she “in school” to learn surgery? —Lynne

I love the show. References to old Toronto, Murdoch’s inventions, and Crabtree’s titles are fun. Seeing other characters take the lead is like taking a break; you need to develop those people too. I also find John B. a little flat. What I really want is for William and Julia to have a child. Thanks for a great watch. —Judith

The young lady who portrayed Annabella was like a beam of light. I really was into the character. We need to see her back again with the attraction to the young constable as a theme for another episode. Kudos! —Jack

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Little Dog

Links: Little Dog, Season 2

From Charles Trapunski of Brief Take:

Link: Interview: Joel Thomas Hynes and Sherry White
“I think everyone loves an underdog story and he is an incredible underdog who, I think, everyone felt quite sympathetic towards. I also think that it didn’t take itself too seriously but it also wasn’t a send-up, there are some raw emotions in it as well as the fact that it’s funny. It’s the kind of show that I’d love to watch so I’m glad that other people are enjoying it as well.” Continue reading. 

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Little Dog creators say it’s time for Tommy to take responsibility
When viewers last saw Little Dog’s Tommy Ross (Joel Thomas Hynes), he was riding off into the night after a winning a fight that he was supposed to throw, making his family, adversaries and many others pretty upset with him. Continue reading.

From Melissa Girimonte of The Televixen:

Link: Get ready for Round 2 of Little Dog with Joel Thomas Hynes and Sherry White
“The second season is exploring the fallout of [Tommy winning the fight], and his relationship with his father, Lowly Sr. (Andy Jones). In the first season, we looked at Tommy’s relationship with his mom, but now we’re diving into fatherhood.” Continue reading.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured, Little Dog

Preview: Little Dog gets back into the ring for Season 2

Life for Tommy “Little Dog” Ross isn’t getting any easier. In fact, it’s looking a lot tougher for him in Season 2. And, honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. That makes it all the more rewarding when he punches his way—literally or figuratively—out of a bad situation.

Returning for Season 2 this Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on CBC, Little Dog picks up moments after the Season 1 finale. Tommy “Little Dog” Ross (Joel Thomas Hynes) was on the run after winning his rematch with Rico “Havoc” St. George (Dwain Murphy). Why? Because that went against Tucker’s (Mary Walsh) wishes. The win also messed up Lowly’s (Stephen Oates) bet against his own brother. The result? Sylvia (Ger Ryan) lost her house.

When we catch up with Tommy, he’s in a bad way. Battered and bruised physically from the showdown with Rico and hurting emotionally thanks to his family turning against him, Tommy pedals into the night and seeks shelter in an old shack. Freezing and frustrated, he lashes out at a bird fluttering overhead and kills it. Shaken, Tommy adopts the now empty bird nest and its egg contents as his own. Finally, this is something he can control and care for and not even a bad canned spam will stop Tommy from mothering the eggs.

Show creator, executive producer Hynes and showrunner, executive producer Sherry White have created something truly special in Little Dog in general and Tommy more specifically. Hynes brings an incredible amount of hurt, longing and vulnerability to Tommy. It’s truly special. Amid the maelstrom of life in the Ross clan, he’s the sensitive centre, a guy who wants to be loved and cared for but gets dumped on at every turn. It doesn’t appear as though things will be getting any easier for Tommy. By the end of Thursday’s return, Tommy is introduced to the child he had with Pamela (Julia Chan), opening a new door for Tommy to stumble through: fatherhood.

I can’t wait to see how he handles that.

Little Dog airs Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. on CBC.

Image courtesy of CBC.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail