Canadian film and TV stars come home
The pull toward Hollywood is hard to resist for many Canadian film and TV stars. But for some performers who’ve found success in the United States, the pull to return home can be just as strong. Continue reading.
Sarah Manning and her sister clones have proved to us once again that they are a force to be reckoned with in the third season of Orphan Black. While the last two seasons gave us some unexpected plot twists and reveals, the third was just as riveting.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most outlandish, perplexing, and downright shocking moments of a season that veered off into some unexpected (yet delightfully entertaining) directions:
Sarah Attacks Ferdinand In the premiere episode, “The Weight of This Combination,†Sarah kicks us off with an attempt at murder. She poses as Rachel (who’s still recovering from being shot by Sarah with a pencil fired from a makeshift gun), to get to Ferdinand, a Top-Side employee looking to get rid of all the Leda clones. We almost see her succeed by strangling him with a belt until Delphine intervenes and tells her to stand down. Considering his conspiracy with Rachel, it goes without saying that we all wanted Sarah to fully carry out the murder.
Bedroom Dance Performance by Alison and Donnie Alison and Donnie Hendrix celebrate their new found wealth in one of the more irreverent but incredibly entertaining and lighthearted moments in the sixth episode “Certain Agony of the Battlefield.†We find the two busting out some hilariously bizarre moves in their undies as money flies everywhere not unlike a typical rap music video. Considering how serious things were getting with the unfolding new information about Project Castor, this scene cut the tension tremendously.
Mrs. S and Helena Fight… Then Make Up The seventh episode, “Community of Dreadful Fear and Hate,†finds Helena hungry for Siobhan’s (a.k.a. Mrs. S) blood after she found out about Mrs. S’ betrayal. But when she attempts to get a rise out of her, Mrs. S refuses to fight since Helena is pregnant. After a few thrown punches, the scene de-escalates with a tight embrace and Mrs. S’ acceptance of Helena into the family.
Felix Pretends to Be Straight In order for Rachel to decode Duncan’s book, Sarah must get her out of Dyad to somewhere far, far away. This requires the identity of another clone who is not self-aware: Krystal Goderitch. Sarah and Felix come up with a plan to steal her ID and passport with Felix pretending to be a straight man with an American accent getting a manicure. Their flirtation is more than awkward, knowing that Felix is actually gay. Either way, it makes for an amusing scene.
Helena Murders the Drug Dealers After failing to get the refund from the drug dealers in the second to last episode of the season, “Insolvent Phantom of Tomorrow,” Helena (in a not-so-convincing disguise as Alison) and Donnie are on their way out when Pouchy’s niece threatens Donnie and Alison’s kids—a big mistake. Moments later, there’s a high body count as the Portuguese drug dealers take the full brunt of Helena’s rage. It just goes to show that you don’t mess with a mother and her babies, even if they aren’t biologically hers.
The third season of Orphan Black presents several new dynamics to the series. The drama in this season is countered by some refreshing comedic moments, proving that there’s much more to this show than meets the eye. Check out what makes Orphan Black so amusing and groundbreaking by re-watching past seasons in Canada on CraveTV and CTV, where Season 3 will be rebroadcast starting on July 4 (and on Netflix, DirecTV and Comcast Xfinity in the U.S.). Although science, drama, and action are at the forefront, it’s the smaller details that many of us look forward to. It’s these very elements that add to the anticipation of what’s to come in season four next year.
The best bad Canadian television shows ever made
There’s a voice that keeps on calling me to some of the (perhaps wisely) forgotten shows from our not-so-visionary past. Like the embarrassing family photos you keep in the back of a drawer, they’re worth revisiting for a few laughs and a lot of cringing.
As we celebrate Canada’s 148th birthday Wednesday, here’s a look back at the best of Canada’s worst TV shows from the ’70s and ’80s. Continue reading.
Fool Canada, CBC
British bachelor Roland Shaftesbury (Will Sasso) tries to find a Canadian girl to marry; the Dead People’s Clothes vintage store opens in Kensington Market; the Angry Ranger (Craig Lauzon) enforces park rules in BC; and Kyle the Theatre Guy (Will Sasso) sells discount theatre tickets at Toronto’s Harbourfront.
Still Standing, CBC – “Coleman”
Jonny digs up the dirt on the Rocky Mountain mining town of Coleman, Alberta.
Escape or Die!, OLN – “Underwater Coffin (Nassau, Bahamas)”
The last time Dean Gunnarson attempted Houdini’s famous underwater coffin escape, he died and was miraculously brought back to life. Thirty years later, he takes a second chance and attempts to escape a coffin chained underwater in the shark-infested waters of the Bahamas.
Illusions of Grandeur, OLN – “Los Angeles”
Zack arrives at the end of his journey with one final goal – audition for, and become a member of, the legendary Magic Castle. The Castle is an exclusive club frequented by the best magicians in the world – but to pledge magic’s ultimate fraternity, Zack will have to overcome his fear of performing in front of other magicians.