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.
Featured, Vikings

Vikings storms onto DVD and Blu-ray & win a trip to Ireland

I don’t normally cover DVD and Blu-ray reviews for TV, Eh?, but when Season 3 of Vikings was sent to me, I had to give it a look. Aside from being in my wheelhouse—it’s history—Touchwood and Momentum Pictures have teamed with Tourism Ireland to offer Vikings fans a pretty cool prize: a trip to Dublin and a visit to the Season 4 set (the details on the contest are at the bottom of the page).

Season 3 of the Canada/Ireland co-production—on sale Tuesday—was the most expansive and dramatic so far. King Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) led his troops to Paris where he plotted to take over the city and its riches while Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) planned to unseat Ragnar over his partnership with King Ecbert (Linus Roache) and fascination with Christianity through Athelstan (George Blagden). Throw in some truly killer battle scenes—the siege of Paris is incredible—and the death of two major characters and creator Michael Hirst is on a roll.

Aside from all 10 episodes contained in the DVD and Blu-ray sets are some great bonus features. There are the requisite Season 3 trailers that teased the broadcast and deleted scenes. While most deleted scenes and episode moments deserve to be on the cutting-room floor, these give some real insight into fringe characters like Porunn (Gaia Weiss) and Torstein (Jefferson Hall).

In celebration of the DVD Blu-ray release, Momentum Pictures partnered with Tourism Ireland and fans of the show can enter to win a trip to Dublin, Ireland, the home of the Vikings set. It includes airfare for two, seven nights’ accommodation, daily Irish breakfasts and a visit the Season 4 set. Enter here.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Link: Susan Fleming and her Moose Fixation

From Jim Bawden:

Susan Fleming and her Moose Fixation
“Next I’ll be doing a film about moose.”
Respected filmmaker Susan Fleming told me this startling news more than two years ago and I kept wondering what had happened to her latest project. You can check it out for yourself when Moose: A Year In The Life Of A Twig Eater debuts on CBC-TV’s The Nature Of Things on Thursday. Continue reading.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

When Murdoch met Mark Twain: Five facts for tonight’s case

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William Shatner’s guest appearance on Murdoch Mysteries has been discussed almost as much as whether or not Crabtree would be freed from prison. Shatner portrays American novelist, essay writer and speaking Mark Twain in Monday’s new instalment, “Marked Twain,” and doesn’t disappoint. Here are some key facts about tonight’s case before it begins.

Margaret is back!
Fans of Arwen Humphreys rejoice, because Margaret is back and better than ever. Thomas is being considered for a membership at the exclusive Empire Club and Margaret is doing her best to make sure he gets in. The Empire Club is a real thing; established in 1903 (the year this season of MM takes place) and was created to keep ties with Britain strong. And while Mark Twain never really spoke there, several other notable folks did, including Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, A.Y. Jackson, Roberta Bondar, Indira Gandhi and Prince Philip.

Not everyone loves Mark Twain
He may have written beloved books in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but not everyone liked Twain at the time. He was against the way countries like Britain had settled territory around the world through colonization and military force. Hence, Mr. Twain becomes a target.

A certain someone is Twain’s biggest fan

Murdoch_George

The Curse of the Pharaohs makes an appearance
In a very cool way.

Higgins goes undercover
The Constable First Class dons a top and tails, slicks his hair back, adopts a British accent and ingratiates himself with the Empire Club’s members to suss out the wannabe assassin.

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

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Lost Girl

Link: Lost Girl Talk: Michael Grassi on “Follow the Yellow Trick Road”

From Emily Gagne of Cinefilles:

Lost Girl Talk: Michael Grassi on “Follow the Yellow Trick Road”
“We thought of this episode as our last opportunity to do one of our Lost Girl “out of the box” episodes, and this one in particular presented a new challenge for each of our actors. As always, they stepped up to the plate and delivered performances that exceeded our expectations and made this one of my favorite episodes yet. And not just because of the fun performances in Bo’s dream. I thought the scenes in the clubhouse were especially strong. The reading of Trick’s will is particularly special.” Continue reading.

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Featured, Heartland

Heartland’s hard lessons

I tend to give Lou a lot of grief in my Heartland reviews. Though she always means well, I’ve never been a fan of how involved she gets in other people’s lives and—last season especially—over-thinking how to best protect Georgie and Katie from the details of her eroding marriage.

But after watching Sunday’s latest, “Begin Again,” and thinking about it some more, I totally get her actions. Banning Katie from horse-riding lessons and quickly hanging up phone calls with Peter makes perfect sense in Lou’s world. Why involve the kids when separation is difficult enough for the couple? Every family is different, but I think they all want the same thing: to make the best of a bad situation. Resolving to allow Katie to continue her riding and her pledge to Georgie to work harder at making the transition more seamless is an important step. I certainly can’t fault Lou for trying her best … and admitting when what she was doing wasn’t working out. 

Kudos to Michelle Morgan for taking on a difficult storyline over the past two seasons, and for Heather Conkie and her writing crew for continuing to produce thoughtful, educational scenes that reflect real life and not what Hollywood tends to portray. Using Stephen, a.k.a. “Bacon Boy,” as an example for Georgie has gone a long way to showing things can work out when everyone tries.

Sunday’s new episode wasn’t all about Lou, however. After a night out partying, Ty graduated and is a professional veterinarian. It’s been great watching him grow as a man and a vet, and Amy’s gift of a plaque and fantastic desk was the perfect way to wrap up that story.

I’ve been a big fan of Shaun Johnston’s ever since I started watching Heartland. The man can do more with that moustache and craggy face than most in the industry, and that was never more apparent than his touching scenes with Paint. I don’t want Jack to stop being involved in everyone’s life, but his chat with Paint cemented it: he’s thinking of his own mortality and the legacy he’ll leave for family and friends. Paint has been put to pasture, and Jack realizes he’s headed that way.

I can only hope that’s still a long way off.

Notes and quotes

  • “I’m playing for a horse, because he appreciates talent.”
  • This week’s tune: “Wherever You Go” from Fortunate Ones

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

 

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