When I began to watch Strange Empire, I naturally gravitated to Kat Loving. I recognized her as the female equal to Seth Bullock on Deadwood, a Western show I dearly loved. Like Seth, Kat is plunged into assuming the mantle of lawmaker in town and it’s a role she doesn’t yet embrace. Offsetting her is … Continue reading Review: Rebecca grows in Strange Empire
Strange Empire creator Laurie Finstad Knizhnik mentioned her doubts in finding an attractive young actor with the intelligence, gravitas and humanity to play Rebecca Blithley, and the miracle of finding Melissa Farman for the role. Tonight’s  episode reveals more about the strange doctor and allows Farman to dig even deeper into the character. I interviewed her last … Continue reading Strange Empire’s Melissa Farman on Rebecca’s internal struggle
What a difference a week makes. Last Sunday night Jade had basically alienated herself on Heartland after holding a party at the dude ranch, and this week she and Georgie were starring in their own buddy comedy. Not that it was easy. Things are never easy at Heartland. But thanks to some mighty big patience … Continue reading Review: Jade and Georgie team up on Heartland
The prevailing tone consuming the first two episodes of Murdoch Mysteries this season has been one of darkness. That’s a pretty odd thing to say about a TV series that deals with a murder of the week, but Murdoch Mysteries has always juxtaposed that with a pretty large dose of humour thanks to Crabtree and Higgins, … Continue reading Review: Det. Murdoch’s dark edge
The first episode of CBC’s newest series brings the disparate characters and story threads together into the camp-turning-town of Janestown.  Set in 1869 along the Montana/Alberta border, Strange Empire starts with two dead babies and a graveside wedding, ends with a cozy pseudo-family scene threatened by lawlessness, and in between there’s the slaughter of men. A fun … Continue reading Review: Welcome to the Strange Empire – “The Hunting Party”
