TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 470
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television

Preview: Travelers closes out Season 2 with a shocking finale

This is it Travelers fans. The second season finale is upon us here in Canada on Showcase. The rest of the world gets to see these 12 instalments beginning on Dec. 26 and can bask in the brilliance of the writing and performances we’ve seen this year.

Were you as shocked as I was when last week’s episodes revealed Marcy once worked for Vincent and that the woman David met in Episode 1, Season 1, had been affected by Vincent’s experiments? Yeah, we didn’t see that coming either, and that’s a testament to creator Brad Wright and his writing team; they just keep throwing curve balls at us. Now the season finale is here with two back-to-back episodes on Showcase.

Here’s what the network has revealed about Monday’s first episode, “Simon,” written by Jason Whiting and directed by Will Waring:

When the team meets Simon, a homeless man with a startling history, they’re led down a path that leads directly to the very first traveler.

Here’s what the network says about the second instalment, “001,” written by Ken Kabatoff and directed by series star Eric McCormack:

In the season finale, the travelers must follow the rules of a madman in order to rescue their kidnapped loved ones and ensure the traveler program isn’t exposed to the world.

And we’ve some info on both episodes after we watched screeners. Bonus: we’ve got some sweet images to share too!

[slideshow_deploy id=’46207′]

 

Flashback!
“Simon” sends us back to 2012 and gives a bit more background on Kat and Mac’s relationship and Vincent, who they literally bump into while attending a soirée. Of course, neither of them can know how much Vincent will impact on their lives at this juncture in the story and we’re given the opportunity to see a more fleshed-out Vincent.

Who drew that half-moon design on the sidewalk?
David and Marcy discovered the sketch last week; on Sunday we learn who did it and other pieces of art. The artist, Simon, becomes a pet project for Vincent. Like Jason on Continuum, it’s the supposedly crazy person who knows the real truth and that’s the case with Simon on Travelers. Pay attention to him because he knows stuff and has seen a lot.

Philip visions are getting worse
I really feel badly for Philip. First, he was addicted to drugs. Now he has to take them to keep his visions of other futures at bay. How tough a gig is that?! Plus, he’s got a crush on Carly. Nope, like is not easy for Philip.

Does the truth come out?
In the opening moments of “001,” it sure seems as though Mac blows the lid off who really is and what he’s doing in 2017. Why he does it is the key to Episode 12 and will have you yelling “Oh my gosh!”—or something stronger—at your TV around the 40-minute mark.

What is Vincent’s plan?
We don’t want to ruin it for you, but will say that not one person involved with our travelers is safe from Vincent’s reach. What happens during the last episode is so shocking and final that I’m not sure how Wright can turn it around in Season 3. But I’ve got my fingers crossed we get to find out thanks to a renewal.

Travelers‘ Season 2 finale airs Monday at 9 and 10 p.m. ET on Showcase.

Images courtesy of Jeff Weddell for Corus.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Traders star Bruce Gray passes away

Bruce Gray, best known for portraying Adam Cunningham on the Global drama Traders, has passed away at the age of 81. According to Northern Stars, Gray died Dec. 13 after a fight with cancer.

Gray played the elder statesman Adam Cunningham at Gardner Ross investment bank on Traders for five seasons alongside Sonja Smits, Patrick McKenna, David Cubitt and Kim Huffman. Gray won a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Role for the part in 1996.

Gray’s passing was first noted on Facebook by Murdoch Mysteries showrunner Peter Mitchell, who was the showrunner on Traders.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gray moved to Canada with his family when he was 13. In addition to roles in Canadian television on such projects as Queer as Folk and The Listener, Gray had roles in American TV series like How I Met Your Mother, Falling Skies, Medium, Playmakers, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Chicago Hope, Beverly Hills 90210 and Murder, She Wrote. His most recent roles were in Good Witch and Timeless.

Gray had an extensive theatre career as well, acting alongside Donald Sutherland in Androcles and the Lion while at the Mermaid Theatre and acting in plays in New Brunswick, British Columbia, New York, Texas; he became a member of the Circle Repertory Company in New York City where he created premiere performances.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Comments and queries for the week of December 15

Just as Murdoch Mysteries is really getting its stride, you introduce and keep this goofy detective in the mix. Totally distracting with his overacting. He is killing the show. Once might have been OK for some light comedy, but not for the whole season. —Paul

I’m pissed. Jackson had become a strong character on the show. They should have taken Higgins off the show. His character is unlikeable, I don’t like how back-stabbing his part has become. Take Higgins and leave Jackson on the show. —Cindy

I absolutely agree with you, Cindy!!! How could they kill Jackson and NOT Higgins? —Beverly


I thoroughly enjoyed A Christmas Fury but was multi-tasking and would love to see it again. As commented by others, it was hilarious, contained salty language and was most enjoyable and satisfying. I had never heard of Hatching, Matching and Dispatching but recognized some of the actors from 22 Minutes and Still Standing, etc. What a comic relief after the many sappy Christmas movies during this season. Please air it again on TV, not just streaming. —Kathleen

 

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

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries heads Home for the Holidays

In what has become a welcome Christmas present from Murdoch Mysteries, CBC and Shaftesbury, this year’s special TV-movie, Home for the Holidays arrives this Monday at 8 p.m. on CBC in all its bow-wrapped glory.

Written by Peter Mitchell and Simon McNabb, the two-hour spectacle directed by Gary Harvey boasts snow, holly, presents and a murder. Here’s the official episode synopsis from the CBC:

Detective Murdoch and Dr. Ogden travel to Victoria to visit Murdoch’s brother, RCMP officer Jasper Linney (Dylan Neal). There, they investigate a murder connected to an archaeologist (Megan Follows) who has uncovered an ancient Indigenous settlement, leading to a trek through the rugged beauty of British Columbia and encounters with the Songhees and Haida nations.

And here are a few more morsels we can add after watching the project.

Have no fear, the Brackenreids are here
Margaret and Thomas weren’t left out of Home for the Holidays. Their storyline involves an investment opportunity that, well, doesn’t turn out exactly as planned. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Skiing, anyone?
Crabtree and Higgins plot a holiday at a ski chalet with Nina Bloom (Erin Agostino) and Ruth Newsome (Siobhan Murphy). We might not always agree with the way Higgins conducts himself on the job but we love seeing he and Ruth together. As for Crabtree and Higgins, a trip sounds like fun until they find out exactly what snow skiing is. Kudos to Lachlan Murdoch for a very, very funny scene outside Station House No. 4.

Guest stars galore
The stockings are stuffed with familiar faces from Canada’s deep stable of actors. Among those participating in Home for the Holidays are Jake Epstein, Wayne Baker, Trevor Carroll and Simon R. Baker, as well as Dragons’ Den‘s Jim Treliving and ET Canada‘s Sangita Patel.

The West Coast does us proud
British Columbia is a beautiful province and is a stunning backdrop for this year’s A-storyline. There might not be any snow, but the lush vegetation is breathtaking.

Murdoch Mysteries: Home for the Holidays airs Monday at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

TV Eh B Cs podcast 74 — A Stern Reflection

Born on Friday the 13th, 1989 in Toronto, Evan Stern is known for his work in RoboCop. Stern was most recently seen in a supporting role in the feature film The Void and currently plays Roald in the CraveTV original series Letterkenny. A graduate of Queen’s University, he spent his first year at The Bader International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle in the United Kingdom. Stern completed a four-year program in Drama Studies, receiving his B.A. (Hons.) in 2011.

Stern hosts a podcast called Sleep Tight Fcker, where he and his friends watch and discuss horror movies.

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

Want to support TV, eh?’s work? Become a Patreon!

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail