From You’ve Been Hooked:
Link: 5×5 With The Hook: Debi Drennan
“What’s nice is our 150th episode of a period show is going to air in Canada’s 150 birthday. My biggest challenge was the Circus Episode. I had the ivy to do, all the hair on the male guy, a torn throat and all of the other circus people as well as our regular cast.” Continue reading.
Thank you, Canada’s Worst Driver
To Andrew Younghusband and Canada’s Worst Driver, I am not a bad driver but I am a frightened driver from a terrible car accident. I have watched your show since Season 3 and I want to thank you for the confidence your show has given me. Hints and instructions I have received while watching saved me the other night from another accident.
At first, when I returned to driving, I was probably a danger to myself and others from being so nervous. LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO is the key that saved me from hitting a huge buck while driving home after dark. If stressed while driving, I think of Andrew and your show to improve a positive thought pattern while I am driving in any weather or tense driving situation. I repeat only the secret to success, “look where you want to go.” When I returned to driving I pulled over on the shoulder every time an 18-wheeler was behind me. It took me a long time to get anywhere!
Your show changed my life and gave me freedom from fear and the ability to become a better driver. Your show has made a huge difference in my life and many others. Thank you sincerely from my heart. —Virginia
Is Heartland’s Gobi desert storyline a dud?
“Galvanizing†isn’t quite the word. It’s more like even a lot of the people who otherwise are enjoying the show think it outright stinks. It’s a dud. It’s nice that the actor is happy, but it’s pretty clear this was one of the worst story decisions, especially in timing, the show has ever made. —Kelly
The episode in which they introduced the Gobi bear storyline was horrendous. I like the show, but half the episodes are poorly written and eye rollingly idiotic. There’s probably four bad episodes for every one good episode. I think maybe certain writers think they have to dull things down for a family audience. I’ll watch this show to the end because it’s telling a rural Western Canadian story but it’s never been a favourite. It’s a shame too because in the episodes that are written well it is a great show. —Alicia
I love Heartland and the direction they are taking it into this season. It is great to see them stretch the relationship of Ty and Amy without breaking it. I love the reflections Amy places on her relationship with Ty over the past few seasons while driving to the doctor’s office. It would beautiful to see this from Ty’s end as well. Keep making a beautiful and enjoyable family show for all of us. —Steven
Great interview Graham, love your passion and commitment to Heartland. I work with dogs and the connection with animals is so very real, they struggle with emotions just like us, they have same medical problems we have, they have social issues, separation issues. For you wanting to show that hopefully next year will be awesome. I can see Ty working more in the reserve or more wild animals coming into the clinic. But whatever happens you are a great actor with a great love to telling the truth to every story. Hope you never leave Heartland. —Karen
Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or @tv_eh.
In last week’s penultimate episode of This Life, the Lawsons suffered twin traumas, as Janine suddenly passed away from a heart attack and Natalie was rushed into emergency surgery. In Sunday’s Season 2 finale, “Choose Life,” the family struggles to regain their footing as they gather for Janine’s funeral.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come.
Natalie recovers from surgery
But learns her treatment options are now severely limited. Can she finally make peace with the unknown?
Oliver tries his hand at love and responsibility
With mixed results. Shannon Kook makes another welcome appearance as Oliver’s new love interest, JD.
Matthew and Nicole move forward
Which means not reverting back to the way things were.
Caleb, Emma and Romy follow their own paths
All three of Natalie’s kids end the season with a better sense of who they are and where they’re headed.
Listen for a Leonard Cohen tribute
Did you expect anything less from a show that so proudly showcases Montreal music?
No word yet on Season 3
But “Choose Life” serves as a lovely series finale if the show is not renewed. Savour another round of fine performances by the entire cast, but take a special moment to recognize the work of Torri Higginson, who has consistently brought subtlety and humour to an emotionally gruelling role. And then hope CBC does the right thing.
This Life airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on CBC.
Image courtesy of CBC.
From Heather M. of The Televixen:
Link: The Romeo Section Season 2 finale preview: “Final Measuresâ€
Somehow, we’re already at the end of the second season of The Romeo Section, and the finale is a fantastic dance between Norman, Wolfgang, Al, and Gary on one side, and Rufus, Tony, Mei Mei, and Jimmy on the other. There are several moments of just flat-out clever maneuvering that are simply a joy to behold. Continue reading.Â
How was Sam going to clean up this mess?! That’s the question, among others, I had after last Monday’s episode of Shoot the Messenger. It was certainly going to take more than a couple of wet wipes to tidy up the situation after Sam beat Marco DaSilva to death and grabbed the cell phone. And, with Phil Hardcastle arrested, there was no one to help Sam distance himself from the crime.
The “Full Circle” teleplay, written by Jennifer Holness and directed by Sudz Sutherland, did just that, tying up the loose ends that have been dangling since Episode 1.
Things certainly didn’t look good for Daisy and Simon when things started to roll. Sam Charles’ lawyer, Lewis, had slapped The Gazette with an injunction, delaying story they’d been working so hard on. I can’t help but feel co-creators Sutherland and Holness were not only showing how much legwork it takes to uncover a big story like the one created for Shoot the Messenger, but took a swipe at websites that post articles without doing due diligence, all in the name of clicks. (The fact Shoot the Messenger is airing amid fake news reporting is timely as heck.)
It was, as a writer myself, really interesting to observe the way Mary, Daisy, Simon and Marty sussed out how The Gazette could still write a story about Sam Charles without expressly tying him directly to anything they wrote, including Lawson’s parties and the super jail.
Meanwhile, Lutz was putting small pieces of his own puzzle together, slowly tying Sam Charles to DaSilva’s death and Lawson’s blackmail plans via careful questioning. With the forensic reports in, DaSilva was identified as the one who’d killed Avril, Hassan and Khaalid, clearing Sam of the deeds. But who, Lutz wanted to know, killed DaSilva?
It wasn’t until halfway through the episode—when Nazeem sat down with Lutz and Daisy—that the circumstances surrounding Khaalid were fully realized. Drugs supplied to Lawson’s sex parties led to Avril and her retinue of ladies. Khaalid became involved with Harry and Sam, and Nazeem and Hassan were determined to pull their friend out by using the video to blackmail Sam into letting Khaalid leave. Hassan turned to Daisy for help, believing her story could protect him from harm. With a copy of the film in hand, Lutz had the evidence he needed. Pair that with Sam’s confession to a tearful Chloe, and his career was over. It also meant The Gazette could print the story, making Simon and Daisy’s careers.
But at what cost? Daisy’s sister has disowned her and she’s turned back to cocaine for solace.
Like I said in an earlier review, Shoot the Messenger is not the type of show you watch while checking emails. It deserves your full attention because of all the machinations and subtleties going on. But what a payoff. Stellar performances by Elyse Levesque, Lucas Bryant and Lyriq Bent carried the ball, while Sutherland and Holness’ intricate storytelling took Season 1 over the goal line.
What did you think of Season 1 of Shoot the Messenger? Comment below!
