Tag Archives: Featured

Featured, Mohawk Girls

Mohawk Girls review: Wherefore art thou Feathers?

This week we have two  major lessons for outsiders. The first comes in the form of the the title itself– Where are the feathers? This is particularly fitting at this time of year when we see cultural appropriation in the form of Hallowe’en costumes. Feathers represent a host of traits revolving around bravery, trust , and power, and are only  awarded to those who have bravely fought a significant battle. In short, feathers are hard earned and once earned, displayed proudly. So this begs the question: what acts of bravery are our fearless four up to?

Caitlin ( Heather White), is still on her heroic quest for personal growth, in order to overcome a lifetime of hurt perpetrated unwittingly by a loveless father. She is still making mostly positive life choices explaining to her personal trainer  and hottie “perfect gentleman” Leon (Alain Chanoine) that “there is no more booze, no more men” and Caitlin decides to  enroll in a business course. Leon is incredibly proud of her successes and a few more little sparks let fly.

However, Caitlin has a few little set backs: feeling like the seventh wheel among her friends, and slips a bit in the “flirting with men” department, but throughout she ultimately forges on with her path to self improvement.

Bailey ( Jennifer Pudavick) is clearly settling into her new romance with Watio (Jimmy Blais). But as fabulous boyfriend material goes, they are less than simpatico when it comes to Mohawk politics. Watio passionately sides with those who believe if you Marry Out Get Out whereas Bailey sides with those who wish to stay, join in, and raise their families in the Mohawk community. This mirrors the widely publicized debates regarding the intermarriage policies that are in place at the real Kahnawa:ke. At any rate, Bailey holds her tongue and later we learn that Watio invites Sose (Glen Gould) and Auntie Velma ( Ashley Michaels) for breakfast so he can meet her family. I guess we need to stay tuned to find out if Bailey can overcome this politically based obstacle or if this proves to much for her to tolerate within the context of an intimate relationship.

Next we turn to Anna (Maika Harper) and her ongoing struggle to fit in and learn about her Mohawk heritage. Whilst out walking with Thunder ( Kyle Nobess)  she meets Thunder’s younger brother Danny (played by Kyle Nobess’s  brother Jesse Nobess) and learns that he is worried about the social complications this relationship can mean for Thunder and their family.

The issue surrounding Anna’s Blood Quantum Number continues as a  major plot device when our girls and their partners gather for a games night. Watio feels it is necessary to to attack Anna’s Mohawkness, or rather her lack of Mohawkness, forcing Thunder to come to her defense.

Undaunted, Anna decides to take her pursuits further and she visits the Longhouse. It is here our second lesson, this time delivered by an Elder of Kahnawa:ke ( played by Billy Two Rivers) is learned. For Mohawks’ it is at the Longhouse that the people come to learn to “live in harmony with creation–all of Creation”. The Elder invites Anna to attend a Social the next evening so she can learn about her people. With Caitlin and Bailey by her side for moral support, Anna initially flounders, obsessing with note taking and picture taking rather than just listening and experiencing.

In the end, Anna in her typical guileless self enters and ultimately wins the ladies’ Smoke Dance but her happiness is short lived. The community members feel threatened and misunderstand Anna’s exuberance to learn. Thunder tries to explain the chasm that exists, but instead of easing her concerns, he lands squarely in Anna’s gun-sight.

Finally, we learn what is motivating Zoe ( Brittany LeBorgne) and this new found relationship with Ohserase (Shawn Youngchief).  Caitlin and Bailey confront Zoe and she admits that she is only dating Ohserase to improve her public persona. The girls agree she needs a “personality makeover” in order to avoid losing her position as legal counsel for the band. To advance her cause, she hosts a football party, but leaves to meet her master Dom (Kyle Switzer).

Episode 3 closes on an entertaining twist. We see Zoe turning up unannounced at the the school Dom has said he is principal at only to discover he is merely the custodian. Dom announces that he never wants to see “stalker Zoe” ever again.

So, what is in store for our ladies next? Will we see more sparks between Caitlin and Leon? Can Bailey convert Watio to her way of thinking regarding the Marry Out Get Out policies at Kahnawa:ke? Will Anna and Thunder put this latest tiff behind them as she continues to learn about Mohawk Culture? Now that Dom is out of the picture, will Zoe focus on building a healthy relationship with Ohserase? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Blackstone, Featured

Blackstone returns seeking happiness

It’s kind of ironic that the focus of Tuesday’s Blackstone return dealt with happiness. APTN’s drama, ending after this final fifth season, hasn’t featured a lot of lightness or positivity. Instead, it’s reflected the real issues affecting Native Canadians, from alcoholism and drug use to sexual abuse and murder. So, to hear the word happy even uttered was a little strange.

And yet there it was, used by Gail, the one person on Blackstone whose life is anything but happy. Wendy was kidnapped by Darrien and shows no signs of returning her, throwing Gail and Leona’s lives into disarray. Wilma is dying, and Gail is engaged in a daily battle with the bottle. But as Dr. Crowshoe suggested, discovering what makes Gail happy is her key to getting better. That included getting up in front of those at the band office and apologizing for her sins of the past.

Happiness was a big part of “Beginning of the End” for every major character, albeit in subtle ways. It seems like the only thing that will make Andy happy is reclaiming the chiefdom from Victor. Andy loves power and everything that comes with it—money and women—and blames Victor for Debbie’s death and Alan’s injury. But to become happy, Andy is going to make desperate, rash decisions to get there and I worry things will end badly. Nothing good can come from digging up a buried body. Daryl, meanwhile, is happy just running a successful club. If only things were as simple for others.

I know Darrien is a monster to most, but his most tender moments on Tuesday were reserved for his quiet time with Wendy. He may puff himself up like a tough guy, but Darrien clearly wants to connect with his daughter. I’m not sure kidnapping her was the right decision, but it’s where his brain went first. And then there was that little cough; clearly things aren’t right in Darrien’s lungs.

As for Victor, well … I’m sure he’d be happy if someone finds him before he dies out there in the forest.

Blackstone airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on APTN.

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Featured, Podcast

TV Eh B Cs podcast 35: Matt MacLennan’s Smell of Hope

M2Matt MacLennan is a writer and producer who, over the past few years, has worked on some of Canada’s most popular homegrown shows including Rookie Blue, Played, Call Me Fitz, The Listener, Republic of Doyle, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Life with Derek, and Overruled.

He’s currently got two seasons under his belt of writing and being a supervising producer for CTV’s Motive which flips the whodunit on its head by starting each episode telling you whodunit.

We talk about his jobs producing, writing, a childhood of Dungeons & Dragons and his plans to milk artisanal goats in my conversation with Matt MacLennan.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries introduces new character in Rebecca James

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Just a week after a tearful goodbye to Dr. Emily Grace, Murdoch Mysteries is introducing a new character.

Rebecca James, played by Mouna Traoré (Rookie Blue, The Book of Negroes), appears for the first time in tonight’s new episode, “Barenaked Ladies,” as the morgue’s cleaner. Julia is back as the coroner in Station House No. 4 and working on a corpse when Rebecca shows up for her overnight shift.

“Over time I become suspect that she knows a lot more than she’s letting on,” Hélène Joy told me during a set visit earlier this year. “She knows anatomy, she seems to be pulling in the environment, so Julia starts giving her books to read, and over time it becomes really obvious that she’s much more than she admits.” Not much is known about Rebecca at this point, but that changes in the weeks ahead when a bit of detective work reveals much more about Rebecca’s life and what brought her to Canada.

Mirroring real events in history as Murdoch Mysteries does, not everyone is happy with the attention Julia is giving to an African American woman.

As for the rest of Monday’s episode, it’s much lighter in tone than last week’s swan song. There’s still a body count, but Carol Hay’s script calls for several light moments too, including the usual stuff from Crabtree and a couple of zingers from Julia.

And the case of the week? A brilliantly twisted story based on an iconic piece of art you’ll have to see to believe.

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

 

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Blackstone, Featured

APTN’s Blackstone ending after five seasons

It’s the end of the road for Blackstone: APTN’s gritty, award-winning drama will conclude with a final eight episodes next month.

“It’s been quite a run and when I say ‘No. 5,’ I’m a little shocked,” says Ron E. Scott, Blackstone‘s writer, executive producer and director. “The show still has a lot of momentum, people aren’t saying, ‘Oh, they’re doing that again?’ After five seasons I think it’s time.”

Critically-acclaimed by critics, beloved by fans and winner of numerous Leo, Gemini and Alberta Media Production Industries Association Awards, Scott’s series hasn’t shied away from hard-hitting First Nations stories. Instead, he’s shone a bright light on such topics as alcoholism, sexual abuse, corruption and violence, societal issues faced on reservations and across the country.

Season 4 was particularly harrowing: former Blackstone chief Andy Fraser (Eric Schweig) was in prison and missed his wife Debbie’s (Andrea Menard) funeral; his son, Alan (Justin Rain), was injured during a blockade against Shale Industries’ plans to drill for oil on Blackstone; and Leona (Carmen Moore) and Gail Stoney (Michelle Thrush) suffered anguish when Wendy (Miika Bryce Whiskeyjack) was kidnapped by Darrien (Julian Black Antelope). Child welfare will be a big focus in the final eight episodes, as will violence against native women, a topic top of mind in Canada because of real-life events surrounding the death of Tina Fontaine and assault on Rinelle Harper.

Season 5 picks up right after the events of last season’s cliffhanger, with Andy still reeling from Debbie’s demise, who he described as the only one who truly knew him. Scott teases Andy comes to the realization he can never go back to being the guy used to having luck and good fortune fall his way. Alan’s injuries affect Andy, as does his relationship with brother Daryl (Steven Cree Molison), who appear to be on the verge of a cash windfall after allowing Shale to conduct test drilling on their private land. Scott describes Gail’s journey this year as “wonderful”; after years of being knocked down, she is going to enjoy a lot of wins thanks to improved health and a renewed focus on life.

Scott, meanwhile, has got several projects in development with networks but has left the door open to more Blackstone stories, including a TV movie if the opportunity came along.

“In this TV market, I don’t know if anyone knows it it’s truly over,” Scott says with a chuckle. “It’s exciting, as a content creator, because there are so many platforms. I would love to do a Blackstone movie, I think that would be really interesting.”

Blackstone airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on APTN beginning Nov. 3.

The past four seasons of Blackstone can be watched on APTN’s website.

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