All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
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Comments and queries for the week of Nov. 28

Despite being a “bottle episode” designed to save production budgets from going overboard, this week’s episode of Murdoch Mysteries garnered a lot of praise from fans, especially for lead actor Yannick Bisson and guest star Nigel Bennett (above).

Yannick is a very underrated actor. We have not yet seen how good he can be. I look forward to the writers giving him something he can “get his teeth into” and really shine but still not lose the essence of Murdoch. I have no doubt that years from now we will be talking of the amazing things that he has done. As they say, the best is yet to come.—S

This episode was a showcase for the vast talents of the cast. It is, so far, my favourite. Nigel Bennett will be missed on the show even if for his contribution to a great tension simmering between he and Yannick Bisson. Brian Kaulback played his role superbly. I would like to see his character re-emerge in some capacity. In all, I would like to see more of this type of drama as opposed to bringing the “archvillan” back who torments Julia and William. I have never missed an episode and this show is only getting better!—Diehl

I believe that the interrogation scene between Giles and Murdoch will go down as one of the top moments in this series. For me it was a battle of wits and minds, as Murdoch tried to nail Giles, only for him to sly out of the way and strike back.—TJ

Meanwhile, a few readers reached out with their opinion regarding Bachelor Canada‘s Tim Warmels choosing April to be his bride-to-be.

I can see why Tim chose April (she’s beautiful) but looks don’t last forever. Trish seemed much more genuine, grounded and mature and she is also gorgeous. Often with men, their hormones make the decisions, not their minds. From what I can tell, that’s what happened in regards to Tim choosing April.—Joy

Got a comment or question about Canadian TV? greg@tv-eh.com

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Featured, Haven

Review: Duke and Mara do the dirty deed in Haven

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Well, Duke and Mara finally did it. Literally. The pair took the shipping mantle of “Dara” by consummating their relationship on a moth-eaten rug at the fishing cabin. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. To say I was surprised is just plain wrong. I give grudging props to the Haven writers’ room for coming up with a unique way to get Duke and Mara into bed–an expelled Trouble threatened to bake them unless it could be broken by him connecting with someone–but I call foul on the relationship.

As several readers have pointed out, it wasn’t that long ago that Jennifer and Duke were a much-loved item and the woman who killed her was the same gal he just got carnal with. I have a problem with that. Now Duke may end up regretting what just happened, but I don’t think so. After all, this is the same guy who pined for Audrey and now he’s got her. Well, a version of her at least. Haven certainly has a creative way of solving the love triangle.

“Reflections” also got into a battle for the aether, with Duke wanting it prior to his horizontal bop and Nathan and Dwight trying to stop him from taking it. Now a fourth person has entered the fray, a mysterious ball cap wearing dude sporting a Guard tattoo. Since Kirk is the only new character to grab any kind of airtime, I’m pretty sure it’s him.

Meanwhile, the Dwight/Charlotte relationship is starting to smoulder. He invited her out for dinner again but the pair had to call it off after the aether went missing and the latest Trouble–tied to low self-esteem–took up their time. Charlotte may not be from the CDC, but she’s not in a rush to reveal Haven’s secrets either. As a matter of fact, she’s grown more fond of the quirkiness in town, joining forces to stop that latest Trouble and further suppose that the Troubles are science-based rather than supernatural as everyone has assumed. Now that Nathan has stolen a strand of hair from her brush, perhaps we’ll find out just what Charlotte is up to and if it will affect her relationship with Dwight.

Notes and quotes

  • “You are the realest person I know. More real than me most days.”–Nathan
  • “It’s like she was a life-sized Mrs. Potatohead.”–Gloria, after a woman literally fell to pieces
  • “Would you step aside? My popsicles are melting.”–Mara
  • “I like pretty toes.”–Mara

Haven airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on Showcase.

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Featured, Lost Girl

First look: Lost Girl Season 5 gallery

This is it, Lost Girl fans. Bo, Lauren, Dyson, Tamsin and the rest of the crew are saying goodbye after five Fae-bulous seasons.

The upcoming super-sized year of 16 episodes kicks off Sunday, Dec. 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showcase, and the network released new gallery images of the main cast as well as episode images for the upcomg season premiere, “Like Hell, Part 1.” Enjoy!

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Link: Fuel for the fire: Brent Butt’s Corner Gas may not be the show we want, but it’s what Canadian TV needs

From David Berry:

There tends to be a lot of handwringing in this country about producing good television, but Corner Gas managed to do something that is even more rare: It was a Canadian TV show that Canadians actually watched. At the peak of its popularity, it could break even with, or outdraw, the American imports that make up most of our TV watching.

Corner Gas doesn’t present as a particularly prestigious show, one of those things that changes our ideas of what television can do, or even just takes a novel or insightful look at the modern world. Its unabashedly rural setting is reasonably unique among even semi-modern TV comedies, though it does play perfectly into a certain regional, steadfastly quaint Canadiana that runs back to Sunshine Sketches and plays out still in Vinyl Cafes and Kraft Hockeyvilles, one of our main national myths. (The new movie actually revolves around a competition for quaintest Canadian town, but even its point that these ostensibly serene places are populated by free-range loons with good intentions is keeping with tradition.) Continue reading. 

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