TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 944
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television

Murdoch Mysteries goes to hell

“Bl**dy H*ell” indeed. With just two episodes left in this season, Murdoch Mysteries rid itself of another villain intent on taking down anyone associated with Det. William Murdoch. OK, so it wasn’t a serial killer or Gillies back from the dead, but Chief Constable Davis was a wily fellow.

Where Chief Constable Giles became a character fans could feel compassion for, Davis was a straight-up jerk to the end, framing Brackenreid for racketeering when it was Davis who’d been shaking down businesses in Station House No. 5’s territory since he was a lowly constable. Unlike most Murdoch Mysteries episodes, Monday’s newest—written by Paul Aitken—got right into the action, first by having Rebecca rush to the aid of a man who’d fallen off a ladder and had a piece of glass pierce his chest and following with the arrest of a pawn broker selling stolen goods. Before long, Murdoch and Brackenreid were up to their eyeballs in corrupt cops led by Davis. But the moustachioed Chief Constable successfully stayed ahead of the two and Brackenreid was framed. Brackenreid quite understandably took the job in City Records—that meant he could keep his police pension—and ran into one of the show’s most colourful people not based on a real-life character.

David Hewlett was simply fantastic as the uptight Mr. Dilton Dilbert, the head of City Records whose Swear Jar was 10 cents richer mere seconds after Brackenreid had joined the office. Yes, putting Brackenreid in that spot was humorous, but it also contributed to the main story, as he uncovered deep corruption within the city. With help from Murdoch, Crabtree and Higgins, Brackenreid proved Davis was the one in charge of the racketeering ring and sent the bad cop packing … right into City Records. Bloody hell, indeed. (Favourite moment of the night? Higgins eating a spoiled sandwich to throw Davis off the trail. A close second? George going through his repertoire of Italian, Swedish and Hungarian voices to help identify the “woman” involved in the money drop plot.)

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

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Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Kristin Lehman

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Women Behind Canadian TV: Kristin Lehman
“I haven’t looked at the DGC (Director’s Guild of Canada) to see how many women attempt to register. I haven’t actually sat in that many women director’s environments to talk about the challenges that are faced. I certainly think that that arena that we’re talking about isn’t any different than arenas that most women face in the workplace. It’s always a bit of an uphill battle because systemically women are marginalized and can be not afforded the same opportunities as most men. I hope that changes and I’d like that to change.” Continue reading.

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When Calls the Heart returns to Super Channel for season three Wednesday, April 13

From a media release:

Super Channel, is pleased to announce to the delight of Canadian “hearties” across the country, that the sweeping frontier drama, When Calls the Heart, will return for a third season on Wednesday, April 13 at 8 p.m. ET (SC2). Each episode will also be available on Super Channel On Demand the day following its initial broadcast.

The enchanting Hallmark Channel original series is a Canadian co-production filmed on location in British Columbia and based on the bestselling book series by acclaimed Canadian author Janette Oke.

Returning cast this season includes Lori Loughlin (Fuller House, 90210) as Abigail Stanton, Erin Krakow (Army Wives) as Elizabeth Thatcher, Daniel Lissing (Last Resort) as Jack Thornton, Jack Wagner (The Bold and the Beautiful) as Bill Avery and Kristina Wagner (General Hospital) as Nora, Jack’s estranged wife. Guest stars this season include Brooke Shields as Jack’s mother, Charlotte.

Season three brings new challenges and opportunities to the tight-knit residents of Hope Valley. In the season three premiere episode, “New Year’s Wish”, a fresh start for Jack and Elizabeth, a surprise guest for Abigail, an adventure for Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and Lee (Kavan Smith), an unwanted visitor from Pastor Hogan’s (Mark Humphrey) past, and new beginnings for the town makes this the most unforgettable New Year’s celebration Hope Valley has ever seen.

When Calls the Heart is produced by Canadians Vicki Sotheran and Greg Malcolm, and executive produced by Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird, Michael Landon Jr., and Michael Shepard. Eric Jarboe and Neill Fearnley are co-executive producers.

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Link: Why Canadian TV Producers Don’t Want To Make A Downton Abbey

From James Bawden:

Why Canadian TV Producers Don’t Want To Make A Downton Abbey
“Why can’t Canadian TV make a Downton Abbey?” one guest asked me and everybody stopped eating to listen to my reply. I patiently explained that first of all Canadian TV simply hasn’t that kind of money these days to finance such an expensive undertaking.

How many TV adaptations of great Canadian novels have you seen on CBC or anywhere else ion the last few years?

“None!” shouted the hostess.

I rest my case. Continue reading. 

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Lou’s love life brightens on Heartland

Georgie’s right, once you open Pandora’s Box things will be changed forever. And, as the saying goes, it might seem like a small thing but it has far-reaching consequences.

In the case of Sunday’s new episode, “Pandora’s Box,” every small thing that happened on and off the ranch became bigger as the hour went on. And, I’m sure, will continue to loom larger as the season comes to a close. Lisa’s checkup turned into a medical scare that shadowed she and Jack until a follow-up phone call the next day relieved them both. But does Lisa’s pre-emptive plans to update her will hint at something sinister on the horizon?

Ty, who is seems has been gone from Heartland for weeks, was back and flip-flopping over whether to open the box his father had left for him. I knew he would eventually decide to take a peek inside and that cigar box held a flood of memories for Ty. His dad’s birth certificate confirming he lied about his age. A picture of Ty on the day he learned to ride a dirt bike. His mother’s engagement ring and a note explaining he’d scraped together enough money to buy it back after pawning it. Opening that plain paper wrapped parcel seemed small, but it held big significance for Ty: the man he’d painted as a criminal and scoundrel had tried to be a better person.

Georgie and Adam took a leap forward in their relationship. Yes, agreeing to “hang out” outside of studying appears to be minuscule, but it’ll change everything. Adam will be invited to those awkward family dinners that make me laugh out loud and Georgie will once again find herself under the gaze of Olivia, who I’m sure won’t be happy she lost Adam.

But perhaps the biggest box opened on Sunday was Lou, who took the plunge and made out with Mitch. The two have been bickering back and forth for weeks and I was silently thanking those guys for putting all of the dude ranch furniture on the roof because it forced Mitch and Lou to spend some time together. Once she realized he wasn’t a one-dimensional player, Lou dove in with both feet. After everything she’s been through, Lou deserves some happiness in the romance department. Of course, doing this opens up a can of worms. On the surface, how can they ever hope to keep their budding romance a secret from everyone? And in the larger scope, Lou’s decision affects Georgie and Katie, especially if she and Mitch get serious.

Speaking of serious, things get very serious next week when a suspicious-looking fire rages at the sanctuary, putting the animals and humans there in jeopardy.

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

Were you happy Lou and Mitch finally kissed? Think things will last between them? Comment below or on Twitter via @tv_eh.

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