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Alex Paxton-Beesley talks Freddie Pink and Murdoch Mysteries fans

Alex Paxton-Beesley has nothing but pure love for fans of Murdoch Mysteries and of Freddie Pink in particular. But, in the beginning, she was very nervous; Murdoch fans are a passionate group and make their feelings known.

“I was very nervous because the fans are incredibly loyal to the established relationships on the show,” Paxton-Beesley says. “If they [had put William and Freddie together as a couple], I would have said, ‘Guys, I’m going to be killed in real life!’ It’s so cool to see a Canadian-made show—with a Canadian cast, written by Canadians and shot in Canada—that is such a massive hit with a global audience. It’s awesome and inspiring and really fun and speaks to the quality of the show.”

The Toronto actress is days away from wrapping production on Pure, CBC’s upcoming six-episode drama about the Mennonite Mob dealing drugs out of Canada, Mexico and the United States. Paxton-Beesley plays Anna Funk, Mennonite wife to Pastor Noah Funk (Ryan Robbins) who sees her quiet life threatened after a mob leader named Eli Voss (Peter Outerbridge) gives Noah an ultimatum, forcing the Funks into the crime world.

“My character has to hold down the home front and make some pretty tough choices,” Paxton-Beesley teases. “It’s fun to play, but emotional.”

After filming wraps in Halifax, she jets back to Toronto where she’ll once again assume the role of Freddie Pink in a Murdoch Mysteries episode to air later this season.

“I don’t know if I can tell you anything,” she says. “But I can say that show is the most fun.”

Season 1 of Pure will air during the winter on CBC.

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

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Black Watch Snipers recalls Canada’s elite WWII soldiers on Remembrance Day

Band of Brothers changed my whole outlook on the Second World War. The excellent HBO series put faces to that conflict in a way no school assembly, as important as those are, could as a group of American troops slogged their way across Europe and into Germany.

Black Watch Snipers has done that again from a Canadian point of view. Airing Friday at 9 p.m. ET on History as part of the network’s Days of Remembrance programming, the yap films documentary follows the actions of this country’s most storied regiment: the Black Watch Battalion. Mixing interviews with the five remaining snipers, now all in their 90s, of that elite group—Dale Sharpe, Jim “Hook” Wilkinson, Russell “Sandy” Sanderson, Mike Brunner and Jimmy Bennett—with stunning recreations, Black Watch Snipers is the gripping recounting of their heroic and terrifying experiences over a 10-month period in 1944.

“We looked after each other. That’s how we survived,” Wilkinson says into the camera. If only it was really that easy.

Russell “Sandy” Sanderson
Russell “Sandy” Sanderson

“It’s a damn war and we didn’t start it,” Sanderson says. “And it had to be ended. So we did the job.”

Black Watch Snipers begins on Juno Beach on D-Day, with the Black Watch Battalion heading 20 miles inland to Verrieres Ridge where they encountered the full force of the Germans. Hundreds were killed. The scout platoon, formed soon after and led by Sharpe, consisted of young men with one mission: to be ahead of the main group and take out as many high-ranked German soldiers as they could. Their movement continued across the top of France and into Belgium, where the team took on the dangerous task of interacting with the Germans entrenched in Antwerp. Then it’s on to the Netherlands, where the battalion suffers more tragic losses, its liberation and a final showdown in Germany.

To a man, they all say at some point during the broadcast that they’ll never forget what they went through. We shouldn’t forget either, and Black Watch Snipers helps us remember.

Black Watch Snipers airs Friday at 9 p.m. ET on History.

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Holmes + Holmes teams father and son for personal project

I’ve been a fan of Mike Holmes since the first episode of Holmes on Homes aired way back in … well, it was a long time ago. Holmes Inspection, Holmes Makes It Right, I’ve seen them all at least once and often several times over. The guy has an infectious personality, unmatched knowledge of right and wrong when it comes to home building and an urge to educate and inspire others. Those traits have been carried down to his kids Amanda, Sherry and Mike Jr., who have all appeared on his series.

After renovating his father’s garage—documented for the network with a short-run series—Mike Sr. and Jr. return to HGTV Canada with Holmes + Holmes, where they turn the latter’s bachelor abode into a great place for he and his girlfriend, Lisa. Debuting Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Holmes + Holmes is as much a renovation program as it is a spotlight on the evolution of Mike Jr. as a person while in the shadow of his superstar father. Footage of Jr. back in 2004 shows a skinny teen who is more interested in playing video games than he is hefting a hammer, but he’s learned a lot in the 12 years since.

He’s learned so much so that he’s able to challenge his dad, and has the know-how to back it up, on certain things. With $50,000 devoted to the renovation, Jr. plans to spend $30,000 on rebuilding inside with the remainder spent on outside issues. But as folks who watch these programs can attest, budgets go out the window once work commences and awful secrets are revealed as walls come down. And while Jr. is thinking of a mere facelift for his place, Sr. is leaning towards a complete gutting and rebuild of the bungalow.

There is a marked change in the tone of many DIY and renovation programming from straight hands-on, nuts and bolts stuff to a lighter, character-driven model and Holmes + Holmes is certainly that. Both men have spent hundreds of hours working in TV and know their stuff when it comes to the mechanics of a job. What viewers want now is to see folks like the Holmes’ interact and show a more personal side. You certainly get that with this; much time is spent in Episode 1 as Jr. states he’s got the knowledge to complete the job on his own without help from dad, and there is plenty of good-natured ribbing between them and a barbecue challenge. And though she’s a rookie to the TV thing, Lisa has got it together, both serving as a grounding influence for Jr. and a set of fresh eyes taking in the Holmes’ renovation process for the first time.

It’s going to be a fun ride.

Holmes + Holmes airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.

Image courtesy of Corus.

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Mohawk Girls: Defending my turf!

Insecurities are abundant in Episode 3 of Mohawk Girls and, as a result, some very clear boundary lines are drawn: S/He is MINE is the theme, but we also see some cultural lines peppered throughout.

Bailey (Jenny Pudavick), Caitlin ( Heather White) and Luscious Leon (Dwain Murphy) all head to the city to attend James’ (Jeffrey Wetsch) art show. However, Watio (Jimmy Blais) also decides to turn up. His discomfort is palpable in the world of wine and canapes but he shadows Bailey, making it clear she is with him. Unfortunately, Watio’s presence makes a nervous Caitlin even more so; she is not ready for Kahnawa:ke to discover she is dating  Leon. Once the coast is clear—i.e. Watio and Bailey leave—a hyper-aware Caitlin defends her turf with typical Caitlin verve. There are some really fabulous Caitlin gems in this week’s episode. It is a good thing Leon is so understanding—does everyone agree we all need our own personal Leon in our lives? Caitlin is completely not herself and these two worlds keep colliding in and out of the bedroom.

Anna (Maika Harper) is torn between two Annas. The old Anna is trying to sort through her feelings for Thunder (Kyle Nobess) while the new Anna is out to take her newfound acceptance for a test drive. She attempts the latter. Her new BFF Butterhead (Meegwun Fairbrother) gives her a pep talk and sends her off again into the wilds of Mohawk dating. She tries once more, this time with Lyle (Kristopher Bowman) but after just one batch of macaroons, that too falls flat.

Zoe (Brittany LeBorgne) made it to the pink cloud. Despite feeling she has made a breakthrough with her sex addiction, her therapist points out Zoe is simply not ready for any entanglements. Undaunted, she revises her campaign platform and presents it to a captive audience at the local diner. Even the presence of her formidable mother and Chief (Tantoo Cardinal) during her impromptu presentation does not throw Zoe off her game. Impressed with her daughter’s political savvy, the Chief has encouraging words! Could Zoe really be gaining some control in her life?

Getting back to Bailey and Watio; while at the art show, Bailey felt attacked for her work at the tobacco factory. Watio comes to her defence—cue the awwwwww—but still that attack planted a seed. Now I think Bailey, in some part of her, whether she is ready to admit it or not, has realized she is “settling” with Watio. In order to  satisfy her need for adventure, she tries to find an avenue to pursue it professionally. Bailey applies for an unpaid intern position at a travel magazine, but this proves fruitless. She recognizes that, in order to compete for a job in Montreal, she needs to learn French, much to everyone’s dismay.

Now this is where we get to our mini cultural lesson—it remains a political statement by many Mohawks who reside in Quebec to deliberately speak English rather than French. Historically, the Mohawks sided with the British in colonial times, but of late this political rift stems from ongoing tensions as the Parti Québécois continues the fight for recognition of its sovereignty within Canada. This is a battle Mohawks have been fighting for more than a century: recognition of their sovereignty within Quebec and Canada. In fact, the school actress Heather White (our Caitlin) teaches at—Kahnawa:ke Survivial School—was built in 1976 in direct response to language Bill 101. For those of you old enough to remember, this was the time when French became the capital “D” dominant language in Quebec and those who spoke English found themselves at odds in their own province.

So what does everyone think? Will Team #Cailon reconcile? How is Watio going to react to Bailey taking French lessons? What the HELL is up with Anna and Butterhead? And is Zoe finally getting her head on straight? Let me know in the comments below.

Mohawk Girls can be seen Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on APTN.

More Mohawk Girls content can be found at their website here … and you can interact while you watch here.

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Frolicking in the fantasy suites on Bachelorette Canada

After a last week’s emotional episode that saw Jasmine going on the hometown dates and Mike’s elimination, the heartbreak was truly ramped up for Tuesday’s season finale of The Bachelorette Canada. But anyone expecting Jasmine to choose between Kevin W. or Mikhel were in for heartbreak of their own because her decision won’t be shown for two more weeks.

Instead, the trio jetted back to Cuba for some more one-on-one time, questions and to meet Jasmine’s mom, sister and friend. And though there wasn’t a proposal at the end, this penultimate episode—aside from The Men Tell All next week—was certainly dramatic.

At the top of Jasmine’s To Do list? Finding out why Mikhel withdrew from her at the final rose ceremony, walked away and told producers he wanted to leave. Did he mean leave the show, or exit the interview he was taking part in? Viewers quickly learned Mikhel had slid back into his old way of thinking and was worried about being hurt. But he was back on track and ready to go with Jasmine. Moments later she found out the same info—while aboard a catamaran—and that Mikhel didn’t want to think about Jasmine and Kevin in the fantasy suite together. It took him a long time to tell her, but I’m glad he finally did. Keeping secrets from Jasmine so far into the show is a really bad move, so he was smart to confess.

The pair chose the fantasy suite—Mikhel couldn’t say yes fast enough—and they headed off to the booze, candle and rose petal-filled room for the night.

bachelorette2

Then it was off to visit with Kevin and address the elephant in the room: how his mom grilled Jasmine. I have to say Jill’s comment regarding a bad day at the hair salon versus a bad day for a Kevin firefighting was insensitive and demeaning, and I was surprised Jasmine gave Kevin a rose. Clearly, she has very strong feelings for him, something evident as the pair talked about the situation in Waterloo, Ont., and then got onto their date. According to the fortune teller they sat with, Kevin and Jasmine are going to have a ton of pretty kids and lots and lots of money. I guess the producers can skip the conclusion of the finale: Wanda has picked the winner.

Not so fast, as it turns out. Despite Kevin wanting Jasmine to commit to him and say he was the one she was choosing, she wouldn’t do it. It led to a super-awkward few minutes—especially after she seemed to have to do the opposite with Mikhel—but it didn’t stop them from heading to the fantasy suite to be “normal.” But things went awry and Kevin ended up leaving the suite, leaving their relationship up in the air. Luckily, Jasmine’s mom Linda, sister Jade and friend Laurelly were there to grill the fellows. (I’ve got my fingers crossed that Laurelly is part of The Men Tell All and she sits down with Drew. It won’t happen, but a guy can dream, can’t he?)

Something viewers have already known is that Kevin is totally Jasmine’s type and Linda was quick to jump all over that fact. Laurelly didn’t waste any time grilling Kevin, questioning him on past relationships and what he learned while being a bachelor in Toronto. It made from fantastic television, but maybe not as a romance-builder. By the end of the group chat Linda saw him as a ladies’ man not suited to be with her daughter. (Can Laurelly be part of every season of The Bachelor Canada and Bachelorette Canada?)

By the end of the episode—and based on the editing—it appeared Mikhel had the inside track on winning Jasmine’s heart. But The Bachelorette is all about the editing, so you can’t put too much stock in that. What you can, perhaps, is Linda’s reaction to Kevin and Jill’s thoughts on Jasmine. And, of course, what Laurelly thinks.

The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All airs next Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on W Network.

Images courtesy of Corus.

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