Tag Archives: CBC

Featured, The Romeo Section

The Romeo Section advances the plot in Episode 2

Last week, I wrote that I’d enjoyed Episode 1 of The Romeo Section as it headed into Season 2 and I was going to tune in for at least one more episode. I checked out Wednesday’s new instalment and can honestly say I’ve been hooked.

Maybe it’s because I was buried under a deluge of new and returning fall television shows last season—a good problem to have when you’re running a website that covers the genre exclusively—maybe I just wasn’t ready for it, or maybe I’m just liking the angle Chris Haddock has taken in the sophomore season. Whatever it is, I’m all in, especially when it comes to Wolfgang and Norman.

“The Legwork” continued the odd couple’s investigation into the thwarted terror attack at the baseball stadium. Norman’s paranoia and suspicion into anything connected with the case was a nice juxtaposition with Wolfgang, who stressed coincidences do occur. But as the pair interviewed several people associated with the case—the homicide cop who was first on-scene, the coroner who was stopped from analyzing Mustafa’s body, the security guard who shot him in the street—it became clear this wasn’t an open and shut case. City cops giving way to the RCMP is one thing, but the RCMP being pushed out for another federal group? Something is definitely going on, and it may involve folks with high standing in the government. Norman considers it dangerous enough to tear the notes he’d made out of his book and think about what to do with them. Again, I’m all in on these two and their partnership. I couldn’t wait to see who they were going to talk to next and what thoughts they’d have once they did.

Lily has made her next chess move. She’s working her way into Mr. Sproule’s life—a glass of wine in a safe house will do that—and he’s promised a cushy position for her once his promotion goes through. His one condition, to stop communicating with Bill, puts Lily in a tight spot and I can’t help but think she’s going to be a plaything for both men. After this week’s tease, I want to see more.

Rufus’ story, meanwhile, has gotten a lot more enjoyable. Now that Benny is dead, Rufus quickly moved to fill the hole and took over drug running. This, of course, gives him the chance to move a lot more product and keep the movie funded. I like it when Rufus is a man of action rather than spouting clichés, and what’s going on now is great. The only plot I don’t enjoy at this point are the movie scenes being filmed that introduce the drug money plot. It may end up being important later on—scratch that, I know it will—but at this point it’s an unnecessary distraction.

The Romeo Section airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Image courtesy of CBC.

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The Romeo Section

Link: CBC’s The Romeo Section dramatizes decades of gangs, drugs and espionage in Vancouver

From Sabrina Furminger of Westender:

Link: CBC’s The Romeo Section dramatizes decades of gangs, drugs and espionage in Vancouver
In the world of The Romeo Section, CBC Television’s critically acclaimed drama about Vancouver’s homegrown espionage scene, lying is as commonplace as breathing. Characters lie to get what they want. They lie to get through the day. Watching these crafty men and women fabricate falsehoods is one of the reasons that, for many Canadians, the series is must-see TV. Continue reading. 

From Safeeya Pirani of BC Living:

Link: Meet The Romeo Section’s Fei Ren
“I love how the whole production is so collaborative and everyone is just like a family. And of course Chris Haddock is just amazing to work with. He focuses so much on character development and communicating with all of us. He also wrote the scripts really well, so it allows me to dig deeper into my role.” Continue reading.

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The Romeo Section

Link: Andrew Airlie talks The Romeo Section Season 2 + preview

From Heather M. of The Televixen:

Link: Andrew Airlie talks The Romeo Section Season 2 + preview
This week on The Romeo Section, Wolfgang and Norman continue their investigation while Wolfgang sorts out the after-effects of his mystery mugging. When I visited the set last week, I chatted with Andrew Airlie about Wolfgang and Norman’s camaraderie, and working so closely with Brian Markinson which, surprisingly is a first for the pair. Continue reading.

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Featured

Firsthand: It ain’t easy “Being Greene”

My first experience with the public face of depression was back in 2012, when TSN’s Michael Landsberg discussed it openly in the documentary “Darkness and Hope: Depression, Sports and Me.” Because of folks like he and Clara Hughes, who herself has spoken publicly about mental illness, more and more people are opening up about their struggles.

People like the Greene family, who are featured in this week’s episode of Firsthand. Written and directed by Jeff Newman, who executive-produces alongside producer Jocelyn Mitchell, “Being Greene” from Nüman Films delves into a family where mental illness is a part of their lives. Quinn Greene serves as the narrator, describing how he’s the one always looking for a laugh when he’s on stage performing. He introduces his father, Dave, rock quarry operator by day and Elvis tribute artist (he’s pretty darn good) by night; mother Roxie, a writer and intellectual; and youngest son Kane, a big-hearted guy with a gap-toothed smile. Of course, what folks see outwardly is no indication of what’s going on inside their heads.

The small-town Manitoba family pulls back the curtain on their struggles with mental illness as Dave unlocks the door to his childhood home, revealing a major case of hoarding because of a childhood of abuse and poverty. But while Dave found solace and success in performance, he became distanced from Roxie, Quinn and Kane. Roxie has attempted suicide in the past and deals with unipolar depressive disorder, Kane suffers from anxiety and suicidal thoughts and spends days in bed, unable to get up or hold a job. Quinn decides to have Kane move in with him, so he can keep tabs on his brother.

being_greene2
(l-r) Kane, Roxie and Quinn Greene

The problem? Quinn wants to have his own life, and feels guilty for having that desire. And when, just 13 minutes into “Being Greene,” Kane is openly discussing his dark thoughts at Sara Riel Inc., a mental health facility, I imagined he was on the right path. But then autumn and winter arrive, the darkest seasons of the year for Kane emotionally, and everything spirals out of control. With guys like Kane’s boss, Sam, thinking his employee just needs to eat more fruit to get out of his funk, it’s no wonder some people have trouble discussing their struggles.

But “Being Greene” isn’t meant to be a sob story, or a vehicle to pity the family. Rather, it’s meant to educate and encourage us to talk about our feelings and reveal what’s going on with our own mental health. And, thanks to “The Greene Warriors,” it can be entertaining too.

Firsthand airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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Featured, Kim's Convenience

Kim’s Convenience: Janet’s Photos

The second episode of Kim’s Convenience gave viewers an opportunity to get to know some of the finer nuances of the main characters.

The cold open presented two of Janet’s (Andrea Bang) classmates, Gerald and Samira (Ben Beauchemen and Getenesh Berhe) who arrived to work on a mid-term project. However, they first ran the gauntlet that is Appa (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee). Appa not only demanded proof of their work, but also a critique of his own photographic skills. It is scenes like these that set the viewer up to underestimate Appa, only to be caught unawares as he offered yet another cutting rejoinder, in this case his assessment of their work. Appa doesn’t fully understand Janet’s passion for photography and this led to some competitive behaviour from him. It was this enthusiasm  that resulted in some difficulties for Janet at school.

I mentioned in my review of Episode 1 that Jung (Simu Liu) is estranged from the rest of his family.  Much of this episode revolved around this breach, which was particularly difficult for Umma (Jean Yoon). She felt pressured to brag about her children’s successes and yet she was unable to fully rejoice in their accomplishments, particularly Jung’s. Jung, meanwhile, applied for the assistant manager position at his car rental company but where is the accomplishment in that when you dream your children will become a doctor or a lawyer? As children of immigrant parents, Jung and Janet are the source of constant anxiety to them. In the end, Jung got the job and even Umma was able to brag!

This was another solid episode. This is not just a sitcom—there is too much depth of character and too much emotion for it to be a comedy. This is not quirky or off the wall; this is real life. The familial relationships are those that anyone could see themselves in. Having friends who are newly immigrated to Canada, I can see their circumstances represented here. Then, to set this in Toronto … brilliant!

One more thing. It was fun seeing Hiro Kanagawa playing Pastor Choi! I loved him in Blackstone, iZombie, and The X-Files, so it was an added treat to see him here.

Kim’s Convenience airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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