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.

The Romeo Section advances the plot in Episode 2

Last week, I wrote that I’d enjoyed Episode 1 of The Romeo Section as it headed into Season 2 and I was going to tune in for at least one more episode. I checked out Wednesday’s new instalment and can honestly say I’ve been hooked.

Maybe it’s because I was buried under a deluge of new and returning fall television shows last season—a good problem to have when you’re running a website that covers the genre exclusively—maybe I just wasn’t ready for it, or maybe I’m just liking the angle Chris Haddock has taken in the sophomore season. Whatever it is, I’m all in, especially when it comes to Wolfgang and Norman.

“The Legwork” continued the odd couple’s investigation into the thwarted terror attack at the baseball stadium. Norman’s paranoia and suspicion into anything connected with the case was a nice juxtaposition with Wolfgang, who stressed coincidences do occur. But as the pair interviewed several people associated with the case—the homicide cop who was first on-scene, the coroner who was stopped from analyzing Mustafa’s body, the security guard who shot him in the street—it became clear this wasn’t an open and shut case. City cops giving way to the RCMP is one thing, but the RCMP being pushed out for another federal group? Something is definitely going on, and it may involve folks with high standing in the government. Norman considers it dangerous enough to tear the notes he’d made out of his book and think about what to do with them. Again, I’m all in on these two and their partnership. I couldn’t wait to see who they were going to talk to next and what thoughts they’d have once they did.

Lily has made her next chess move. She’s working her way into Mr. Sproule’s life—a glass of wine in a safe house will do that—and he’s promised a cushy position for her once his promotion goes through. His one condition, to stop communicating with Bill, puts Lily in a tight spot and I can’t help but think she’s going to be a plaything for both men. After this week’s tease, I want to see more.

Rufus’ story, meanwhile, has gotten a lot more enjoyable. Now that Benny is dead, Rufus quickly moved to fill the hole and took over drug running. This, of course, gives him the chance to move a lot more product and keep the movie funded. I like it when Rufus is a man of action rather than spouting clichés, and what’s going on now is great. The only plot I don’t enjoy at this point are the movie scenes being filmed that introduce the drug money plot. It may end up being important later on—scratch that, I know it will—but at this point it’s an unnecessary distraction.

The Romeo Section airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Image courtesy of CBC.

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Link: CBC’s The Romeo Section dramatizes decades of gangs, drugs and espionage in Vancouver

From Sabrina Furminger of Westender:

Link: CBC’s The Romeo Section dramatizes decades of gangs, drugs and espionage in Vancouver
In the world of The Romeo Section, CBC Television’s critically acclaimed drama about Vancouver’s homegrown espionage scene, lying is as commonplace as breathing. Characters lie to get what they want. They lie to get through the day. Watching these crafty men and women fabricate falsehoods is one of the reasons that, for many Canadians, the series is must-see TV. Continue reading. 

From Safeeya Pirani of BC Living:

Link: Meet The Romeo Section’s Fei Ren
“I love how the whole production is so collaborative and everyone is just like a family. And of course Chris Haddock is just amazing to work with. He focuses so much on character development and communicating with all of us. He also wrote the scripts really well, so it allows me to dig deeper into my role.” Continue reading.

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Photo gallery: First-look at Discovery’s Frontier

With less than a month away until Frontier‘s debut on Discovery, and we’re thrilled to present a photo gallery of the major cast and the characters they’ll play.

And while we’ve known folks like Jason Momoa, Allan Hawco, Shawn Doyle and Jessica Matten were involved from the beginning, finding out Greg Bryk, Katie McGrath and Alun Armstrong have roles in the six-parter have gotten us giddy.

Frontier—co-created by Rob and Peter Blackie—follows Canada’s violent history circa the 1700s, as warring groups battle for control of the country’s fur trade.

Frontier debuts Sunday, Nov. 6, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Discovery.

[slideshow_deploy id=’36593′]

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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It’s a cutthroat, untamed new world as Discovery’s Frontier premieres November 6

From a media release:

FRONTIER, Discovery Canada’s riveting new drama, makes its worldwide debut Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, beginning Nov. 6. Ambitiously cinematic in scope, the network’s first-ever scripted series shot entirely in stunning 4K UHD follows the chaotic and violent struggle to control wealth and power in the North American fur trade of the late 18th century. The gritty series’ star-studded international cast is led by action star Jason Momoa (GAME OF THRONES, Justice League), Landon Liboiron (HEMLOCK GROVE, DEGRASSI), Alun Armstrong(NEW TRICKS, Braveheart), Zoe Boyle (DOWNTON ABBEY, SONS OF ANARCHY), Allan Hawco (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE), and Jessica Matten (A Red Girl’s Reasoning). Unabashedly true to its time period, the six-part series offers viewers the raw beauty and cutthroat power struggle of the fur trade, portraying a world of unfettered ferocity.

Discovery’s broadcast of FRONTIER is sponsored by Samsung Canada, the exclusive 4K UHD TV partner. The series is commissioned by Discovery Canada and shot in St. John’s, Nfld., Louisbourg, N.S., and Cornwall, U.K., providing the stunning backdrop for this premium, beautifully vivid 4K UHD drama series. Following each television premiere, episodes of the groundbreaking series will be available on the Discovery GO app.

Set against the stunning, raw backdrop of 1700s Canada, FRONTIER is a thrilling action-filled series revolving around warring factions vying for control of the fur trade in a ruthless game of wealth and power. Irish stowaway Michael Smyth (Liboiron) has barely stepped foot in the New World when he becomes embroiled in a dangerous battle between the fearless and violent Declan Harp (Momoa), and the formidable Lord Benton (Armstrong) of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

A dramatic story of revenge and riches, betrayal and brutality, and survival of the fittest in the James Bay fur trade, FRONTIER’s rich and raw cast of characters are all gunning to be the last man standing – from the combustible Scottish Brown Brothers (Hawco, Michael Patric, Stephen Lord), to crafty ale house owner Grace Emberly (Boyle), to treacherous Captain Chesterfield (Evan Jonigkeit), and rich America entrepreneur Samuel Grant (Shawn Doyle). All are willing to do whatever it takes to hold the keys to the kingdom of the New World.

FRONTIER is co-created by Rob and Peter Blackie, and produced by Take The Shot Productions and ASAP Entertainment, in association with Discovery, the exclusive Canadian broadcaster. Netflix is the international broadcast partner. Edwina Follows is Executive Producer for Discovery, and Ken MacDonald is Vice-President and General Manager, Discovery. Tracey Pearce is President, Distribution and Pay, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media. For Take The Shot Productions, Alex Patrick, John Vatcher, Rob Blackie, Peter Blackie, Allan Hawco, Perry Chafe, and Michael Levine are Executive Producers. For ASAP Entertainment, Brad Peyton and Jeff Fierson are Executive Producers.

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CTV renews The Amazing Race Canada for a fifth season

From a media release:

Race on, Canada! As announced this afternoon by host Jon Montgomery, CTV confirmed it has renewed a new instalment of Canada’s #1 summer series THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. The announcement sets the stage for a fifth adrenaline-pumping season during Canada’s historic 150thanniversary in 2017, with plans to celebrate and showcase the country like never before.

CTV also confirmed today that casting for the upcoming fifth season is now open. Fans of the competition series can get set to grab their camera and their partner, and prep their auditions for the extraordinary opportunity to embark on a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The deadline for submission is Thursday, December 1 at 11:59 PM ET. For all casting details and updates, including instructions on how to submit an audition video, fans can visit CTV.ca/TheAmazingRaceCanada, the CTV Facebook page, and follow @AmazingRaceCDA.

CTV renews Season 5 of Canada’s #1 summer series THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.

Spanning the corners of the country and beyond, Season 4 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA averaged 1.9 million viewers, with a season high of 2.1 million Canadians catching Steph Leclair and Kristen McKenzie’s race to the mat to claim the title and grand prize in the Season 4 finale in September.

In anticipation of the new season, and the discovery of a new batch of Racers, fans can watch the craziest, funniest, and most-memorable audition videos from the series on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA AUDITIONS, available now on Bell FibeTV1, channel 1. Hosted by fan-favourite competitors Gino & Jesse (Season 3), Natalie & Meaghan (Season 2), Alain & Audrey (Season 2), and Brent & Sean (Season 3) the show delivers commercial-free clips of the most entertaining auditions from Seasons 2 and 3. To relive all of the series’ high-stakes thrills and excitement, viewers can also find all four past seasons of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA available now on CraveTV.

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