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Featured, Travelers

Preview: An old face revisits MacLaren on Travelers

Well, Travelers fans, what did you think of the showdown between Vincent and MacLaren? Pretty great, huh? As Enrico Colantoni told us last week, Vincent’s journey is going to be a fun one.

Monday’s newest, entitled “11:27,” is one heck of a ride too, and marks the return of a character last seen in the memorable Season 1 instalment, “Bishop.” Here’s the official synopsis from Showcase:

MacLaren and the team must help a fellow traveler plan his own assassination while helping an unsuspecting activist complete a deadly mission.

And here are a few more tidbits we can share after watching a screener of the instalment written by Ashley Park and Pat Smith and directed by Amanda Tapping.

Say what?!
We’ll admit that “11:27” sprints out of the gate, leaving us wondering exactly what was going on. It’s meant to put viewers on their heels and is effective in doing that. And, just as quickly, things lock into place.

Bishop returns
Eagle-eyed fans will recognize the profile of Congressman Bishop (Gerard Plunkett) in the main photo. He’s got scathing words for MacLaren and the team, as well as an odd mission directive.

Jenny + Philip
It’s taken us until this week to realize that’s 21 Thunder actress Stephanie Bennett doing such a great job in the role of Jenny, who is helping keep Philip under her power with drugs.

Trevor + Abigail
Paloma Kwiatkowski checks in as Abigail, a mysterious young woman who has a request for Trevor. He follows through but upon reflection has major questions about what he’s helping Abby do. Can he stop her in time?

Travelers airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Showcase.

Images courtesy of Corus.

 

 

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Featured, Heartland

Preview: Strained relationships on Heartland

It’s been two weeks since we’ve had a new episode of Heartland. Fourteen days to think about Georgie’s horse jumping success, Jack and Lisa’s argument and Lou and Mitch’s kiss. This season is shaping up to be an entertaining ride, isn’t it?

Here’s what CBC has to say about this Sunday’s instalment, “Strange Bedfellows,” written by Pamela Pinch and directed by Pierre Tremblay.

Amy has to get creative when asked to work with Lisa’s racehorse, but conflict arises when information about the horse’s breeding comes to light. Meanwhile, when her business expands Lou must make a decision about her relationship, and Georgie tries to figure out where she stands with Wyatt when he makes an unlikely new friend. Then, when lingering tension between Jack and Lisa comes to a head, their stubborn personalities could test their marriage.

And, as always, we’ve got a few more tidbits after watching a screener of the episode!

Amy is burning both ends
With Ty away saving the wolves, Amy is left juggling Lisa’s racehorse needs with baby Lyndy. Thankfully, she’s got plenty of babysitters to help lessen the load, like Grandpa Jack. But we’re hoping Ty returns soon; he’s missing some key moments in his daughter’s life. It is, however, great to see Amy back on a horse.

Lou makes up for lost time
Now that Lou is back for awhile, she and Mitch are making the most of it, if you know what I mean. Trouble is, Katie is missing out of primo time with her mother, but will a summer in New York City with a nanny solve that?

Lisa is in bad shape
It’s been a tough few weeks for Lisa, financially. Sadly, things don’t seem to be improving for her on Sunday either and that puts a major strain on her relationship with Jack.

Heartland airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

 

 

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murder at a private school haunts Murdoch Mysteries

After a week off for Halloween, some gremlins got into Murdoch Mysteries‘ scheduling at CBC. “The Accident,” originally scheduled to be broadcast this Monday, has been bumped to Nov. 13. Instead, we’ll see “21 Murdoch Street,” on Monday. We’re not sure why the swap occurred, but it puts off the crying showrunner Peter Mitchell has been teasing for another seven days.

As for “21 Murdoch Street,” here’s what the CBC has revealed about the episode written by Natalia Guled and directed by Harvey Crossland:

Crabtree and Constable John Brackenreid go undercover at a prestigious boys’ school to break up a gambling ring and uncover murder.

And here are some non-spoilery additions from us after watching a screener.

John Brackenreid steps up
Inspector Brackenreid may not like it, but the murder case Station No. 4 is investigating means John (Charles Vandervaart) trades his work uniform for a school one. The send-up of 21 Jump Street involves George too, as he takes advantage of the situation to make an impression on some young minds via a certain published novel.

Julia continues her journey
We’re loving Julia’s storyline this season. Her attempting to further the science behind infertility is inspiring and emotional; look for a sweet and all-too-brief moment between Julia and William.

Watts returns
Speaking of too brief, we get a spare few minutes with Det. Watts. Of course, he makes the most of his screen time.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

 

 

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Featured, Heartland

Comments and queries for the week of November 3

Love the show, just wonder if Georgie and Val’s storyline with the competitive show jumping horse is aiming above the mark for the Olympics? Wouldn’t Spruce Meadows be a much more reasonable goal for horse lovers and someone of Georgie’s talents? —Louise

[Netflix investing in Canadian productions] is definitely exciting, and fingers crossed these opportunities will be as accessible to independent producers as it suggests. And it’s awesome they’re doing development as well. I see they plan pitch days; any idea how will these be announced, and to (or via) whom? Can we finally connect with these decision makers at events like the Banff World Media Festival? So many Canadian creative producers and writers still wanna know how to get into the room with the decision-makers at Netflix! —Tihemme

Very exciting times! Does this mean that producers will need to go through a local production company, or agent, to be able to even pitch? I am a Canadian producer and the TV show I currently produce is airing on an American network. Would love to know how to take the show to the Netflix level after this season. —Monica

Keep checking back with us; we’ll let you know when more details are available!

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

 

 

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Featured, Frankie Drake

CBC’s Frankie Drake Mysteries solves crimes in a post-Murdoch Mysteries Toronto

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There’s a new detective in town, and CBC’s hoping she’s as popular as Detective William Murdoch. Frankie Drake Mysteries, debuting Monday at 9 p.m. after Murdoch Mysteries, is chockfull of sass, swagger and, yes, murder.

Frankie Drake Mysteries also shares key DNA with Murdoch Mysteries. The drama is produced by Shaftesbury, who also produce Murdoch, and series co-creators, Carol Hay and Michelle Ricci, were longtime writers on Murdoch (learn how Frankie Drake came to be) with fellow Murdochian producer/director Cal Coons doing showrunning duties on Frankie Drake.

So, what sets it apart? Frankie Drake Mysteries is set in 1920s Toronto, a time of change in society in general and for women in particular. The series follows Frankie Drake (Lauren Lee Smith) and her partner Trudy Clarke (Chantel Riley) at Drake Private Detectives, the city’s only all-female detective agency, as they fight crime in the age of flyboys, gangsters, rum-runners and speakeasies. Frankie Drake Mysteries is a riot of flashy wardrobe, sparkling cars, jazzy soundtrack and funky settings. There is a sense of lightness and fun—aside from the murders of course—and a fast pace.

“It has been a bit of a whirlwind,” Smith says during a break in filming on location in Hamilton, Ont. “We’re sort of discovering things as we go along. I’m certainly discovering things about the character as we go along. The writers are kind of doing that on purpose, giving us little snippets here and there.” Last seen on This Life, Smith says she was immediately drawn to Frankie upon reading the first script and had an idea of who she was, looked like and moved. As viewers will see in Monday’s debut, Frankie struts through life with confidence with a twinkle in her eye and a crooked grin.

Along for the 11-episode first season ride with Smith and Riley are Sharron Matthews as Flo, a Toronto morgue assistant; Emmanuel Kabongo as boxer Moses Page; and Rebecca Liddiard as morality officer Mary Shaw. Season 1 guest stars include Lucas Bryant, Steven Lund, Derek McGrath, Grace Lynn Kung and Wendy Crewson, who drops by to play Nora Amory in Episode 1.

“I am having a blast,” Crewson says between takes. “I’m playing woman of that era who is able to understand psychology and really sort of played on men’s egos. Men thought they were smarter and [Nora] plays to that weakness.” Of course, not all is as it appears with Nora and that shakes Frankie to her core.

And while Frankie struggles with the information Nora has for her in Monday’s debut, Smith had some major issues behind the scenes thanks to the 1920s car she was tasked with driving.

“The car and I have a tumultuous relationship,” Smith says with a laugh. “I was trying to make friends with her by saying, ‘Come on, girl. I know you’re old-timey and a little rusty, but let’s be friends.’ I realize she wants to be bossed around by a strong person behind the wheel. She has caught on fire twice, she stalls constantly, the brakes only work sometimes and to go forward you need to put her in reverse.”

Frankie Drake Mysteries airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

 

 

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