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.

Secrets revealed on X Company

I watch a lot of television shows. And while I enjoy every one, some are really special. X Company is one of those that strikes a cord with me emotionally every time, especially with an episode like this week’s.

“La Vérité Vous Rendra Libre,” written by Adam Barken and directed by Amanda Tapping, translates to “the truth will make you free,” and a lot of truths were uttered Wednesday night. With just three more episodes to go in Season 2, Barken’s script blew the doors off secrets kept for awhile. Perhaps the biggest of them all was the double shot of Sabine admitting to Aurora that she and Franz smothered Ulli and Aurora admitting to killing Rene (Aurora didn’t say Rene, but we all knew who she was talking about.) Alfred listening in to their confessions, in a church no less, means the Allied team is even more divided.

Now Aurora and Sabine have hopped on a train and headed to parts unknown. I’m assuming they’re going to the ocean so Sabine can bury Ulli’s bow tie. And if they are going to a beach, I’m betting it’s Dieppe, because of course it would be. Either way, Aurora has put herself in a dangerous position, betraying the team in order to get closer to Sabine and blowing their cover in Paris. And while Sabine and Franz’s relationship has been in the crapper since the tail end of Season 1, I always assumed things would work out between them. Not anymore. Franz knows Sabine told Aurora about the concert and it was he who told his wife in the first place.

As for the rest of the squad, they’re without a safe house or a camp. The guerrilla army was shattered when Martin revealed the location to the Germans—Neil’s cold killing of the young man was shocking but expected—and Miri and Neil’s relationship appears the same way. Him admitting his nightmares were tied to killing the German wasn’t what she wanted to hear, especially since Germans slaughtered her family.

Did I mention there was a lot going on in Wednesday’s episode? A planned mission to sabotage an auto plant being retrofitted to build tanks was jettisoned, and we learned Scuba Man joined the Royal Care Society so he can get into Camp X and kill Sinclair. And, thanks to the radio being shot up, Harry has no way to warn the camp of the coming attack.

Next week’s episode, “Fatherland,” is co-written by Sandra Chwialkowska and showrunners Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern and promises to be another nail biter. What do you think will happen? Will Franz turn against his wife or will he choose her over the party? Do you think Aurora and Sabine will end up in Dieppe? Comment below or via our Twitter feed @tv_eh.

X Company airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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Schitt’s Creek and The Book of Negroes dominate Night 2 of the Canadian Screen Awards

Schitt’s Creek and The Book of Negroes were among the winners of Night 2 of the Canadian Screen Awards. Hosted by Steve Patterson, the non-broadcast spectacle gave a nod to supporting actor and actress roles in television drama and comedy, children’s categories, and writing, directing, sound, makeup, costume in scripted series.

“Welcome to Night 2! I don’t care if you laugh or boo, as long as you’re listening,” Patterson quipped. “I do believe these awards mean something. Exactly what, I don’t know because I’ve never won one.” CBC’s Schitt’s Creek—recently picked up for a third season—took home a number of awards, including those for co-stars Chris Elliott and Emily Hampshire in the performance categories and Daniel Levy for writing.

The Amazing Race Canada continued its winning streak from Night 1, as host Jon Montgomery was recognized for Best Host. The Book of Negroes won a slew of trophies, including Aunjanue Ellis for Best Actress, Lyriq Bent for Best Actor and Shailyn Pierre-Dixon for Best Supporting Actress, Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Limited Series, Best Sound, Best Original Music and Best Production Design.

Here are the winners in some of the key categories:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series
Chris Elliott, Schitt’s Creek

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series
Emily Hampshire, Schitt’s Creek

Best Host in a Variety, Lifestyle, Reality/Competition or Talk Program or Series
Jon Montgomery, The Amazing Race Canada

Best Pre-School Program or Series
Odd Squad

Best Writing in an Animated Program or Series
Mark Steinberg, Numb Chucks

Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series
Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series
Rick Mercer, Rick Currie, Greg Eckler, Tim Steeves, George Westerholm, The Rick Mercer Report

Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Limited Series
Clement Virgo, Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes

Best Writing in a Dramatic Series
Alex Levine, Orphan Black

Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series
Degrassi

Best Animated Program or Series
Rocket Monkeys

Best Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series
The Rick Mercer Report

Best Performance in a Guest Role, Dramatic Series
Christine Horne, Remedy

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series
Torben Liebrecht, X Company

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series
Shailyn Pierre-Dixon, The Book of Negroes

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Limited Series
Aunjanue Ellis, The Book of Negroes

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Limited Series
Lyriq Bent, The Book of Negroes

Here’s the complete list of winners.

The Canadian Screen Awards gala airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBC.

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Link: Edmonton’s Delmer and Marta premiere their own comedy on APTN

From Fish Griwkowsky of the Edmonton Journal:

Edmonton’s Delmer and Marta premiere their own comedy on APTN
It’s wisely said indigenous people’s issues are everyone’s issues, especially when it comes to taking care of our planet.

OK, but what about struggling to buy a bra — can that be anyone’s problem, too? According to the brand-new sitcom Delmer & Marta, it sure can. Especially if you’re a hoser named Delmer, exploring the uncharted land of cup sizes and straps in a hot panic. The comedy about a small-town TV station, shot in and around Edmonton, premieres at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN 119). Continue reading. 

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Link: Why Dr. Jennifer Gardy Deserves Her Own TV Series

From Jim Bawden:

Why Dr. Jennifer Gardy Deserves Her Own TV Series
It hasn’t been the best of TV seasons for the CBC.

Big new series have flopped badly, I’m afraid to say. What’s needed is an influx of new shows that can guarantee sturdy ratings. Which is why I’m proposing CBC-TV hire Dr. Jennifer Gardy to front a second science show –she’s been excelling for years on occasional specials for the venerable The Nature Of Things. Continue reading. 

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Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Alexandra Zarowny

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Women Behind Canadian TV: Alexandra Zarowny
“I love the idea of setting stages where women and young girls can recognize themselves, and understand that they can build equally grandiose stages to play on that explore every facet of who they are, and that it’s OK to do that. You don’t have to compartmentalize who you are. You don’t have to be one thing at any given time. You can be everything all at once and sometimes – okay, most times – it’s going to be messy, but you know what? That’s what makes an amazing character. And, I think, an amazing writer as well.” Continue reading.

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