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Featured, Frankie Drake Mysteries

Preview: Frankie Drake Mysteries explores the civil rights movement

Frankie Drake Mysteries‘ Monday night CBC partner, Murdoch Mysteries, explored racism directed at Greek immigrants in the city circa 1906. This week’s newest instalment of Frankie Drake Mysteries did the same by delving into the civil rights movement in this country in the 1920s.

Here’s what the CBC has revealed as an episode synopsis for “Emancipation Day,” written by Andrew Burrows-Trotman and directed by Ruba Nadda:

When donations are taken from a coloured girls’ orphanage, civil rights hero Marcus Garvey (Ryan Allen) hires the team to catch the thief and find the cash.

And, as always, a few more facts I gleaned after watching a screener.

Do some research on Marcus Garvey
Garvey is a fascinating figure and well worth you doing more digging into. And yes, he did really visit Toronto, though a little later in real life than the Frankie Drake timeline. Every August 17 is celebrated in Toronto as Marcus Garvey Day.

Trudy sings
This isn’t the first time Chantel Riley has gotten to show off her singing skills on Frankie Drake and I’m sure it won’t be the last. If you want to hear more of her music, search for Riley on your favourite music platform.

Karen Robinson stops by
Yes, you already guessed it from the above image. Mildred Clarke and her side-eye are in full effect on Monday night and she plays a key part in the main storyline. Also, look for 19-2‘s Richard Chevolleau and Defiance‘s Dewshane Williams in guest roles.

Frankie Drake Mysteries airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Teddy Wilson climbs aboard Season 2 of Mighty Trains

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You can’t fake enthusiasm. And Teddy Wilson oozes it when he’s talking about Season 2 of Mighty Trains.

Returning this Sunday at 7 p.m ET/4 p.m. PT on Discovery, the world traveller and unabashed train fan once again rides the rails spotlighting the machinery, people who keep them running and those who climb aboard to enjoy them around the world. The journey begins on a train I’ve had on my bucket list for years: the Rocky Mountaineer. This luxury line boasts 16-cylinder locomotives that winds the train through spectacular mountains on the way from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper, Alberta.

“Whether you’re a hardcore train fan or even just a travel fan or a Canadian you’re already familiar with the Rocky Mountaineer,” Wilson says. “It is a train that’s famous the world over. There is the incredible scenery, but the train itself is kind of a feat of engineering and design with these incredible double-decker cars that have panoramic windows and state-of-the-art tinting technology. It’s just awe-inspiring.”

The Rocky Mountaineer

I’d be happy if the Mighty Trains folks just pointed their cameras out the windows to show the scenery this and other trains offer, but they go the extra mile, not only pulling back the curtain on the logistics and tech required to keep the trains rolling but the people who ride and work on them too. It adds a personal feel to each one-hour episode. In particular, Wilson explores how the railway track the Rocky Mountaineer rides on was laid in the area over 100 years ago and the way modern technology and science is being used to ensure animals don’t stray onto the tracks when it or freight trains are on them.

Mighty Trains leaves Canada in the coming weeks. Among the locations is Ecuador to experience the Tren Crucero, a train that takes passengers on a four-day excursion using switchback technology to climb from the coast into the Andes mountains; Sweden to spotlight Hector Rail’s lumber train; two trains in New Zealand in the Northern Explorer and the TranzAlpine; and India’s Maharajas’ Express, voted “The World’s Leading Luxury Train” three years in a row, which traces an eight-day route from Delhi to Mumbai. How did it rank on Wilson’s list?

“It wasn’t just a highlight for me in terms of Mighty Trains but, honestly, a life highlight,” Wilson says. “Getting to go to India and ride this luxurious train. They offer all of these off-train excursions that we go on as well. That was incredible.”

And, there are more Mighty Trains on the way. A third season is currently in production.

“We’re three episodes [into production] so far and have covered three very different corners of the world,” he teases. “It’s taking us all over.”

Mighty Trains airs Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Discovery.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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Featured

Comments and queries for the week of October 12

On Murdoch Mysteries, I reckon that George Crabtree should have gotten married instead of getting dumped all the time. And all the girls he has been dating should wake up themselves because he is the sweetest and the on the show. —Suzanne

A small detail that perhaps most people would not notice: just like in Julia and William’s wedding, the wedding march was all wrong. When the bride goes down the isle it should be “Here comes the Bride” and not Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” that is played at the end of the ceremony. If there is ever another wedding of importance, it should be corrected. Detail, yes but it is important to get such details right. —Noele

I truly did love all the costumes but the oly thing I have some reservations about is that I find Dr. Ogden’s apparel has rather been on the darker side, especially the one at the wedding. It kind of stunned me actually. It almost looked as though she was planning to attend a funeral instead. What it did was made us think that she was still mourning her miscarriage even though her sense of being is more hopeful and happy. Just an opinion, I guess. —Liz

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

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries explores immigration in “Murdoch Without Borders”

And just like that, the big Ruth-Henry wedding on Murdoch Mysteries is over. If you want some insight into the costumes everyone wore, give my interview with costume designer Joanna Syrokomla a read.

Now on to this Monday night’s instalment, “Murdoch Without Borders.” Here’s what the CBC has released as the official synopsis for the episode:

After anti-immigrant laws lead to the arrests of Greek men, Brackenreid regrets releasing his carpenter when he’s suspected of murder.

And, after watching a screener, here are a few fun tidbits about the storylines, written by Dan Trotta and directed by Harvey Crossland.

The Immigration Act of 1906
Murdoch Mysteries is constantly reaching into the past for storylines that actually occurred during the time its set. And, often, it also reflects on modern-day. That’s the case this week as the A-story deals with the Immigration Act of 1906. You can read more about that here and here. The Act impacts our main characters in different, and far-reaching, ways.

Guest actors aplenty
Look for James McGowan, Stephanie Belding and Sebastian Pigott at U of T, as well as Jonathan Whittaker and Darrin Baker.

Violet Hart’s skills are improving
Like it or not, Miss Hart is becoming quite adept at the morgue. The hint in last season’s finale that she may have devilish plans for Julia appear to be on the back burner for now.

Louise Cherry returns
Miss Cherry loves to stir the pot and does plenty of it on Monday night, especially when she starts spouting facts that Brackenreid dismisses in a very Trumpian way.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Podcast, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

TV Eh B Cs podcast 86 — Making it right with Mike Holmes Jr.

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Mike Holmes Jr. is a professional contractor, television host, public speaker, educator and guest expert. Mike Jr. started working with his father—celebrity contractor Mike Holmes—when he was just 14 years old on the set of Holmes on Homes®. Canadians have watched Mike Jr. grow up on screen over the years as he has helped his father on some of his most ambitious builds including Holmes in New Orleans, Holmes Makes It Right, Mike’s Ultimate Garage and Holmes + Holmes.

Having inherited Mike’s dependability, honesty, loyalty and determination, Mike Jr. supports the importance of upholding proper building code and improving building standards across the board. He also supports the skilled trades by helping build respect for the people at the forefront of the world’s leading industries.

Season 2 of Holmes+Holmes airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HGTV Canada.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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