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.
The Disappearance

Links: The Disappearance

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Strong characters draws viewers into The Disappearance’s mystery
“We have a family drama here and what makes the show so good, in my opinion, is the interpersonal dynamics between these people. Regardless of subject matter, what I love is the relationships. For instance, the relationship between Helen and Luke is a relationship that’s not often depicted, one of divorced parents trying to make it work for the sake of the kid.” Continue reading.

From Bill Brioux of The Canadian Press:

Link: Peter Coyote on finding ‘the best writers’ have moved to television
There’s something about Peter Coyote’s voice that simply makes you listen.

The U.S. actor, having just narrated “The Vietnam War” for award-winning documentarian and frequent collaborator Ken Burns, sat with four journalists about a year ago on location at a campground outside Montreal to discuss his role in the six-part miniseries “The Disappearance,” a psychological thriller premiering Sunday on CTV. Continue reading.

From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

Link: The Disappearance and Ten Days in the Valley give two weirdly gripping takes on the missing-child genre
The six-episode series is certainly recommended but lacks the quiet intensity and precise, unfussy restraint of Cardinal, CTV’s most successful foray into original crime drama. As a twist on the disappeared-child genre template, it isn’t twisted enough. Continue reading.

From Heather M. of The Televixen:

Link: Director Peter Stebbings Previews CTV’s The Disappearance
“The scripts were sent to me and I devoured them. It took me a while because I kept reading forward and backwards trying to connect all the dots and out guess the story. I was hooked. I was smoking them like crack.” Continue reading. 

From Brad Oswald of the Winnipeg Free Press:

Link: An uncomfortable story — told well
The Disappearance, which was shot in and around Montreal last year, does a credible job of locking viewers in by offering up a core group of characters whose various strained interactions and individual inner conflicts are allowed to develop at a steady tension-building pace. Continue reading.

 

 

 

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Industry News

Link: Mélanie Joly’s Netflix deal fails to address the real issues for Canadian content creators

From Kate Taylor of The Globe and Mail:

Link: Mélanie Joly’s Netflix deal fails to address the real issues for Canadian content creators
Is any of this going to change with the sparkly $500-million five-year Netflix deal that Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly announced Thursday as she unveiled her new cultural policy? Not likely. The deal, which coincides with a commitment not to tax online services, is merely political cover for Joly as she fails to resolve the central issue her review was supposed to address: how to update analog-era supports for Canadian creators so that they can thrive in the digital age. Continue reading.

 

 

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Featured, Heartland

Old ghosts haunt Georgie on Heartland

After months away from Heartland, it sure was good to go back there this past Sunday, wasn’t it? Being introduced to little Lyndy was fantastic, Ty going overboard to keep her safe was sweet and Georgie bonding with Flame was endearing.

But what about some of our other favourite characters? Where were Cass and Caleb? What about Lisa and Lou? Would this week’s episode, “Highs and Lows,” sate our thirst for more screen time for those four? As showrunner Heather Conkie told us, a lot would happen this week and she wasn’t fibbing! Here’s what the CBC released as an episode synopsis:

The family bands together to support Georgie (Alisha Newton) as she decides whether to face a ghost from her past or leave it behind. Amy (Amber Marshall) is forced to be a tough coach as she tries to get Georgie to refocus on her training. Meanwhile, Tim (Chris Potter) tries to evict an unwanted guest from the Dude Ranch, and Jack (Shaun Johnston) can’t help but be suspicious when Lisa (Jessica Steen) receives a gift from France.

And here’s what else we can tell you about the episode—written by Mark Haroun and directed by Grant Harvey—after watching a screener.

Back on horseback
Now that Lyndy’s been born, Amy is riding again; this is the second week in a row!

Jack + mystery flowers = fun for Tim
We love it when Tim and Jack go at each other, and the younger man has a little fun at the older gent’s expense thanks to those flowers from France. Who are they from? What does it mean? Mon Dieu! The result is some quality time between Jack and Lisa that fans will love.

Things get serious for Georgie
Forget Val’s expectations when it comes to show jumping … something huge from Georgie’s past comes back and she’s got to face it. Luckily, Amy and the rest of the family—including Peter—come to Georgie’s aid with advice, support and plenty of hugs. Alisha Newton is simply stellar in her performance.

Dylan Taylor guest stars
We’re still smarting over the fact What Would Sal Do? isn’t getting a second season, but it was a bit of balm to see Dylan on Canadian TV playing a central character in Georgie’s storyline.

Ty goes back to work
It was about time, wasn’t it? That means Caleb and Cass find their way into this week’s episode and we get an update on their marriage.

Heartland airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of Andrew Bako/CBC.

 

 

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Comments and queries for the week of September 29

1 Comment

The Season 10 cliffhanger ending, and the opening of Season 11 [of Murdoch Mysteries] were very well done. Political corruption has its roots at the very foundation of this country. As for the death of Slugger Jackson, I suppose it was the choice of Kristian Bruun since he wanted to leave the show. But if I had a choice it would have been Higgins. He has been a thorn in my side almost from Day 1. But the break came when he allowed a prisoner he was watching to go out and get killed. All because of his stupidity. Being stupid can only last so long. He isn’t funny, but unfortunately, just reading his lines. Shame about Bruun as he will be missed. I’ve met him on various Murdoch events and found him to be a great guy with a nice personality. I wish him well in his future endeavours. —Paul

A cliffhanger ending to Season 10. A full range of emotions in the season opener as we went from near tears to jumping out of our seats when Crabtree appeared. Sad to see Jackson go and hope to see Kristian Bruun in other roles soon. Murdoch Mysteries is, without doubt, the best production anywhere and so proud it’s Canadian and promoting our accomplished homegrown actors. —Doug

Loved the season opener! So excited that George and Brackenreid are both alive!! Really enjoyed his reaction when Murdoch saw that George was alive and Brackenreid says ‘I didn’t get that kind of greeting,’ and then Julia says, ‘Neither did I!’ LOL. Great storyline to bring it all together from the season ending! Sad that Jackson had to go as we were just starting to really get to know who he was, perhaps he can visit Higgins as a ghost when Higgins does something stupid (as he always does) and tell him to smarten up! Although Higgins drives me crazy, I think we need him just for times when you just have to roll your eyes!! Love the show! —Jandy

Why, oh why wasn’t it Higgins that died instead of Jackson? His character is so irritating and pretty thick to boot! All the best Kristian. Love from Anne, all the way from England.

I agree with Anne. I wish Higgins had died for the same reasons. He acts like a little kid and never wants to do anything. He always argues with George and it gets irritating after awhile. Jackson was a fresh new cast member who should have stayed on the program. Best of luck to you. —Diana

I could not stop laughing when Julia reappeared (again!) dressed as a man. Brilliant. I felt sad believing Crabtree was really dead—he is such an important part of the show—and then relieved of course. And Watts is growing on me. A really brilliant episode all around to tidy up the mess of the Season 10 finale. Kristian was a fine addition but not as essential as the original cast. —Noele

I was almost ready to abandon the show without Crabtree in it! The plot kept us guessing and on the edge of our seats, hoping things would work out favourably. So sorry to lose Constable Jackson (Kristian Bruun), who had more storyline last season, and became more interesting; wishing you continued success in your career. Maybe you can return and haunt Murdoch! Hard to explain why we become so attached to people in the show; perhaps it’s the great acting which makes it seem so real. Looking forward to the rest of the season, but my heart can’t stand too many more cliffhangers!! —Deborah

The series “The Wild Canadian Year” is sensational. The photography is beyond belief. Congratulations to all involved and huge applause to the photographers. —Arlene

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or on Twitter via @tv_eh.

 

 

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Industry News

Link: ‘The Carmilla Movie’ Sets Streaming, Theatrical Premiere Dates

From Todd Spangler of Variety:

Link: ‘The Carmilla Movie’ Sets Streaming, Theatrical Premiere Dates
“The Carmilla Movie,” based on the lesbian-vampire romance web series that has become a cult favorite, is set to hit the internet — as well as theaters in Canada — next month.

The film will be available to fans who pre-ordered the film from Vimeo’s VHX beginning Oct. 26. Then on Oct. 27, “The Carmilla Movie” will hit subscription VOD service Fullscreen, the exclusive worldwide streaming home for the film. Continue reading.

 

 

 

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