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Comments and queries for the week of September 1

Love for 19-2‘s latest episode

It’s amazing how this episode was going. From the start, the funeral for J.M. was moving, as every cop in Canada including the RCMP attended. The procession which included the bagpipe version of “Amazing Grace,” as well as carrying the casket to the hearse and the movements to the hearse was tight. When the officer ordered everyone to salute, the arms snapped uniformly to the brim, and the service was reminiscent of a cop funeral.

As the show continued, Nick Barron and Ben Chartier, helped a homeless vet get into a shelter who was denied a bed because the shelter was run by a prison gang. The officers managed to be heroes of the community by kicking out the gang members. Alexander De Jordy (Richard Dulac), the Rook (Rookie), was your typical rookie who lost his head after a man insulted him, but it was Tyler Joseph (Benz Antoine) who came to his rescue. Joseph used his years of experience to get the Rook out of trouble … and a jacket.

This episode was spectacular, as the acting as well as the environment up in Québec gave the feeling of coldness, as snow covered the dingy streets. The snow gave the graveyard the emotion of emptiness as J.M. was going to get buried.

Born, raised and still living in Los Angeles, Ca., the city, Montreal, seemed rough. Though, comparing cities like Watts, Compton, East L.A. and other gang-ridden streets, the lack of graffiti is surprising. Google East L.A. graffiti, one can see the “rough” part of town, while Montreal seems cleaner. Googling Montreal graffiti may prove otherwise, the contrast between the white snow and dirtied buildings made this episode more believable. Even at night as the melted-snow-turned-puddle extols a loneliness that seems to haunt Chartier, a rural cop working in an urban setting.

Great episode. —Tim

This is uncharted territory, as the original French version of the show ended after three seasons, with a very different outcome. It’s interesting to see some more Francophone stars show up on the series (Patrick Labbé as the new guy threatening Ben) and the doctor who Audrey will undoubtedly see again (forget his name but he played a doctor on the series Trauma, I believe). I have no idea how this will end!! But man I’m glad J.M. is dead. —Sara

Well, I’m worried. Ben has a bullseye on his forehead and I don’t think it’s outside forces.

I’m suspecting that mob-former-cop (sorry, cannot recall his name) is working for Internal Affairs. Oh Ben, you just took his word that he was working for the mob? Did you see his car? Classic undercover cop car you see parked behind every cop shop … complete with missing hub cap plates to avoid them being stolen so cops won’t have to out themselves when cops are out on surveillance!

Did everybody catch how calm and change-of-personality the “Bad Cop” projected for a moment when he picked up the mobile phone to call in? He was very professional and his acting sense of menace was completely gone. For a second, he just looked like he was a guy calmly making a phone call. (It’s the little hints I love about this show the way it’s written and acted; you have to pay attention to catch them.)

And oh dear. Martine. I do fear she has gone over to the dark side. She might be in with the mob too since I doubted witness protection would last long with her. The way she blew off Chartier on his call to her seemed as though she couldn’t talk because she might have been with some bad guys.

Or … did Chartier’s letter to her delivered to the witness protection office cop/administrator give Internal Affairs the idea of using Martine to try to get a confession from Ben, since they are such good buddies? Ben helped her for sure, but I think she still blames him for her uncle, so might be playing Ben.

And I think Nick is also in the poo with his new romantic interest. I think before the season is out her former hubby is going to take out his son’s death on Nick by trying to do something to Nick’s son at college. I think “Junior” is going to be a major problem for Nick.

Just cannot figure out why of WHY Ben ran his mouth to bad-cop-possibly-IA guy about disposing of the drugs. What a moron! (Is Ben so naive that if this IS a gang representative they’ll just say “OK then. Never mind?”)

And oh no. The minute one of our fave coppers starts showing everybody his bucket list, he’s a goner for sure. Please don’t let Tyler be killed. Please. Not before he meets the dispatcher whose voice he’s in love with!

I think Dulac is going to be the death of Tyler. The little idiot. —Fiona

 

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

 

 

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Killjoys heads for a “Wargasm”

This is it, Killjoys fans. The final battle for the whole enchilada. The Season 3 finale, “Wargasm,” is upon us. Written by series creator Michelle Lovretta and directed by Stefan Pleszczynski, the episode wins top marks for the title alone.

Will Killjoys be renewed for a fourth go-round? While we wait to get an official word—what is taking so long??—here’s the episode synopsis via Space:

It’s go time. The Killjoy militia has gathered everything they need and are ready to go to war with Aneela and her Hullen using Delle Seyah as bait. But as the battle begins, Aneela changes the entire game.

And here are more non-spoiler teases after watching the episode.

Alvis has left the building
We had stuffed this bad news into a deep corner of our minds after it happened last week. The “previously on” recapped that awful moment once again. Can we get a slow clap for Morgan Kelly for his awesome portrayal of that lovable Scarback?

A final drink
This wicked-cool group shot has been online for a few days now and we love it. Google “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci and compare the two images. Who is The Savior? Who are their loyal followers? Who is the traitor? And who will be sacrificed for our sins? The sepia-toned scene of Dutch, D’Av and Johnny, surrounded by their faithful fighters, is wonderful and sad. And Dutch’s narration played over a montage of her memories, will have you reaching for the tissues. Also? Pree’s war paint is. Bad. Ass.

Zeph and Dutch have a moment
It’s during final prep for Dutch’s head-to-head to Aneela, and it’s tearfully touching.

Turin returns
With close to 10 minutes already elapsed in the episode—and as familiar faces congregated—I wondered if our favourite scratchy-voiced ginger would appear. He does, but can he be trusted by our heroes?

Aneela changes the entire game.
Indeed she does, and our trio don’t see it coming. I yelled “No!” out loud when I realized what was happening. Not good, folks. Not good. Michelle Lovretta promised a drag-em-out fight between Dutch and Aneela in the season finale and she wasn’t lying: it’s a showstopper. I can’t even imagine the prep work and coordination involved to make it look so seamless on TV. Kudos to the stunt crew, doubles and Hannah John-Kamen for some gripping fight footage.

The space battle is top-notch
I have no clue what the CGI budget is for Killjoys, but they must have gone way over with the battle footage. It’s fantastic.

The Killjoys season finale airs Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Space.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

 

 

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21 Thunder: Stephanie Bennett scores as Coach Christy Cook

Stephanie Bennett has scored a major role in Canadian primetime television portraying Assistant Coach Christy Cook on CBC’s summer series 21 Thunder. I recently spoke to Bennett over the phone about her character, what it is like behind the scenes of 21 Thunder and a pet project of hers back in Vancouver.

What personal goal did you set for yourself when you agreed to take on the role of Coach Christy Cook?
Stephanie Bennett: Christy is a very powerful character. She is very driven and ambitious. I have been very lucky to play a lot of characters like that, but this one was very different because she is a young woman in a man’s world, and she is taking on this leadership position. She really has to fight a number of things to get there, including her personal life. My goal was to just really demonstrate her strength as well as her vulnerability, and really make an impression for women taking leadership positions. I hope this character will inspire more women to take on these roles in the sports world.

The media has focused a great deal on the fact that Christy is breaking this ceiling in the world of men’s professional sports, but I want to know, now that we are learning more about her personal life, how do you reconcile Christy the professional coach with Christy in a relationship with the very flirtatious Davey Gunn (Ryan Pierce)—even though we are also beginning to see his own vulnerabilities behind this mask of his?
I think Christy definitely has an attraction to him and he is a lot of fun for her at a time when she is not having any fun in her life. But, I also think she knows what is most important to her and so she is struggling to stay focused. Davey can be a bit of a distraction and I think Christy is aware of that. I don’t think she has any expectations for this relationship. She is very level-headed. She knows what her goals are, what she needs to do to be successful with the team and that is the most important thing in her life at this time.

21 Thunder has a great underlying message about diversity; coming together as a team from many different ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. How do you see people responding to this message given the current political climate?
Well honestly, I am so proud to be a Canadian right now. I just think [21 Thunder] is a beautiful representation of how multicultural and how accepting we are here in comparison to other places and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The show is also a great way to bring international fans together too since we have such a diverse cast that represent so many international regions and backgrounds. I think [21 Thunder] is truly “Canadian” of us. I think the fans really appreciate the diversity and find it a breath of fresh air in a world that is still struggling with such horrible racism.

You have been heavily involved with the program Project Limelight. Can you share a bit about the program and your involvement?
Project Limelight is a free performing arts program located in the downtown east side of Vancouver. Currently, we are working with about 30 kids aged 8 to 15 or 16 and the program provides them with free experience in the performing arts. The kids work for about six months rehearsing and preparing for their shows, working with costume designers and lighting. The kids come in multiple times during the week to rehearse and participate in workshops to improve their craft; skills including singing, dancing and acting. Many Vancouver professionals have come together to provide workshops. During my time with the project, I tend to do whatever needs doing, whether it is using my extensive acting or dance background or just feeding the kids when they arrive. Sometimes we just hang out if that is what the kids need too. It’s amazing because these kids are super committed because they are putting on a full production at the end of the program.

Can you share with me one of your most memorable moments on set with Team 21 Thunder?
On set, throughout the season, the boys all came up with chants that they wrote themselves and then they would perform them in the locker room or on the field. It was really cool to see that creative collaboration between the cast members and the rest of us would be there cheering them when they performed them. It brought an authenticity to the show that I really loved.

And finally, which storyline, other than your own, has you most intrigued?
I would say the Nolan [RJ Fetherstonhaugh] and Emma [Clark Backo] storyline. The young love between them and just how torn Nolan is because of his life and how much he loves Emma. This last week ended in a proposal so we don’t know but I think they do a beautiful job with their characters.

My thanks to Stephanie for taking the time to speak with me!

21 Thunder airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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TV, Eh? podcast Episode 233 — Auctioneering

After a bit of a summer vacation, Greg and Anthony are back sponsored by Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold.

We dive into a busy calendar that is about to get much, much busier as the fall arrives (including the return of Mayday), discuss this year’s Kids Help Phone charity auction items (the auction closes Friday, Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. ET) and finish off discussing Canadian network CHCH’s upcoming programming, which includes House of Cards.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

Want to support TV, eh?’s work? Become a Patreon!

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Bell’s Rencontres spotlights life in Toronto’s French-speaking enclave

Some of the most interesting programming available in Canada is coming out of Bell Fibe TV1. The local On Demand channel has debuted stuff like the comedy Touring T.O. and has quickly become the space for folks to break into television.

The latest program to debut on Bell Fibe TV1 is Rencontres. Debuting Friday with all 10 episodes available, Rencontres is a curious little project about what Toronto looks like through the view of the city’s lesser-known Francophone community. OK, I’ve lived in Toronto for almost two decades and I had no clue there was a Francophone community in the city. Mais oui, according to award-winning directing, writing and producing duo Brennan Martin and Florian François—François also stars as the series’ lead—and they are a vibrant, vocal group. The pair expanded their award-winning short film of the same name into the series, intent on showcasing a city that usually stands in for another location.

“We want Rencontres to be an entertaining tribute to the Greater Toronto Area and its diversity through the eyes of a tourist discovering the city,” François said in a press release. “There are so many films and series shot here, but so few that actually incorporate the city itself.” With locations like Christie Pits Park, Kensington  Market and Stouffville showcased, Rencontres certainly does that.

In the debut 11-minute instalment, we’re quickly introduced to Laura (Mylène Theriault) a homeless woman who frantically searches the bushes for her bag before confronting Jen, who she accuses of stealing it. Frustrated, Laura goes to a local park and sings for money in her native language … until folks refuse to give her cash. She may say “tabernac” to fellow Francophones but uses the all-understood f-shot for everyone else. (There are English subtitles, but my Grade 13 French served me well.)

Meanwhile, Sebastien (François) a French tourist, arrives at the airport and, right from the get-go, has trouble asking if he’s in the right spot to catch the downtown bus.

“So you speak French in the air but not on the ground here…?” Sebastien says to an anglophone buried in his cell phone. It’s a funny line, but a poignant one too. Where else but aboard a Canadian airline or on a highway sign do you see French outside of Quebec? He steps off the subway into bright sunlight and enters a park, taking photos of his surroundings. It’s there the title of the series—Rencontres (“encounters” or “meetings”)—makes sense. The chance to speak his mother tongue with someone results in the pair bonding over food, language and music.

Rencontres is sweet, funny and definitely worth a look. I was entertained by Laura and Sebastien’s Episode 1 encounter and it gave me a unique outlook on the city I’ve called home for close to 20 years. And I used my high school French to fine effect!

Rencontres debuts Friday, Sept. 1, on Bell Fibe TV1.

 

 

 

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