After discussing the return of Private Eyes, The Next Step and other items on the Calendar, we analyze CBC’s new programs for the upcoming broadcast season including 21 Thunder, Burden of Proof, Frankie Drake, Caught and Little Dog. Finally, we break down the CRTC’s latest decision and whether Canadian broadcasters will use it to opt out of new scripted programming in the future.
Matt Shade (Jason Priestley) and Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson) are back in Private Eyes, but there are changes afoot in Season 2. Tonally, there is a different feel to Global’s whodunnit drama, returning to the network on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
We spoke to Priestley and Sampson ahead of Thursday’s return—where Shade and Angie investigate death threats against a race car driver—about this season’s adventures.
In Thursday’s Season 2 return, Shade tries to stop a driver from racing
It feels like these characters are getting away from the sexual tension that was there in Season 1 and focussing more on the cases.
Cindy Sampson: Most definitely. Season 2 is more about the guest stars and the cases.
Jason Priestley: We’re getting on with it now. In the first season, we were laying a lot of the groundwork. Now we’re getting on with it and getting into the life of the show.
Having a new set, the diner makes a more natural place for everyone to hang out as well.
Sampson: It’s just like The Peach Pit!
One of the things I wondered about was the mystery surrounding Angie’s father and the envelope Shade found taped to the bottom of his desk. I was concerned that would be drawn out, but it’s resolved almost immediately. And, you’ve got Samantha Wan joining these two. What can you say about Wan’s character, Zoe?
Sampson: Having Zoe has added a different dynamic. It’s not just us. We have someone to play off of in our space and to bounce ideas off of. There is foreshadowing and maybe a relationship with Maz and Zoe. It creates a lot of different ways to go.
Priestley: It also frees us up to not always have to go back to the office to do legwork and sit in front of our computers. We can lay a lot of that stuff on her and stay out in the field and get into trouble and be the best investigators ever.
Where is Angie and Shade’s relationship at going forward? Is it friendship, a true partnership?
Priestley: We tick a lot of boxes for each other. This season, Shade and Angie’s relationship sort of ebbs and flows. They come together and then move apart, come together and move apart.
Sampson: At the core of it is what’s always best for the agency. There is that common goal they have and it’s always the most important because it’s become their lives. But, Shade begins a relationship that could screw our professional lives, so … you know … he’s a man. He’s not really thinking that through…
Priestley: … which men are prone to do from time to time …
Sampson: Actually, it’s really funny. In Episode 12 the four of us go away on an adventure.
What can you tell me about Angie and her relationship with Dr. Ken?
Sampson: They were together for five years. He proposed and she didn’t want to be Mrs. Perfect and ran away and called off the wedding. He moved away for work overseas with Doctors Without Borders and she hasn’t seen him in a year. Then he moves to town and his clinic gets broken into and, coincidentally, we’re there to save the day. It’s a major coincidence.
Priestley: That never happens on TV, what are you talking about?!
What about the custody situation between Shade and Jules? They’re struggling because Jules is spending most of her time away from her father.
Priestley: It’s tough on both of them at the beginning of the season and as the season progresses that situation—because it is so stressful—changes and Jules spends more time in Shade’s house because that custody setup was not working for anybody. Putting Shade in that position where he was dealing with it was adding just another pressure point to his life and that’s the kind of thing we like to explore on this show. We don’t like it to be smooth sailing for the characters … ever.
Private Eyes airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global.
First, there was Dino Dan. Then Trek’s Adventures. Now, TVO has got a new dinosaur-themed kid’s series in Dino Dana. Debuting with two episodes on Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET before moving to its regular timeslot on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dino Dana is from Sinking Ship, the same folks who have partnered with TVO for Annedroids, Dino Dan and Odd Squad.
Where Trek’s Adventures picked up with Dan’s younger brother, who can also see, learn and educate about the ancient beasts, nine-year-old Dana heads off on 16 new adventures. Wednesday’s premiere storyline, directed by creator J. J. Johnson, is “Dino Field Guides,” and sets up the rest of the series. A chance encounter at the library causes Dana (Michela Luci) to begin her adventure; she runs into Trek Henderson (Trek Buccino) who presents her with his and Dan’s field guide. Turns out there are still experiments that need finishing and Trek invites Dana to have at them as the newest palaeontologist in training. Of course, once the fabled guide is in her possession, Dana can see and interact with dinosaurs all around her—beginning with her favourite, the Troodon—and the journey kick-starts in earnest.
Michela Luci is great as Dana, an enthusiastic girl with a voracious appetite for anything dino-related. And Dana’s knapsack is to die for: a carry-all that can transform to look like any dinosaur Dana desires. Saara Chaudry is the perfect foil, playing Dana’s eye-rolling, mp3 consuming older sister Saara who is often drawn into her sibling’s undertakings. Nicola Correla-Damude plays mom while Amish Patel is dad on Dino Dana.
The stunning CGI we’ve come to expect from Dino Dan is in full effect here, offering plenty of education in an entertaining package.
Dino Dana debuts Wednesday, May 24, at 5 p.m. ET before moving to its regular timeslot on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. ET on TVO.
Renew Shoot the Messenger, someone pick up Pure, X Company, 19-2 and Orphan Black … all great shows! —Rosanna
I loved [Anne] even though it takes some sidetracks from the book. The characters are beautifully crafted, the actors are giving stellar performances and the cinematography is outstanding. I am drawn right into the story with both feet in Avonlea. I can’t wait to see more! PLEASE keep it going. —Monica
Oh nooo, I just finished Episode 7 without knowing until just now it was the last one! Does anyone know if Season 1 is complete? Anything about a second season? I absolutely loved this show, it is so well done and the main actress is just perfect. —Massimiliano
Please, please, please get rid of Thea [on MasterChef Canada]. She should never have lasted this long. —Margaret
Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.
