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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries: There goes the “Neighbourhood”

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It’s been a long time since we visited the Murdoch property, that idyllic plot of land next to the river where William is planning to build the house of his dreams. The land figures prominently in Monday’s new episode of Murdoch Mysteries … and for all of the wrong reasons.

Here’s what the CBC has released as the official episode synopsis for “Mr. Murdoch’s Neighbourhood,” written by Carol Hay:

When Murdoch and Ogden use their riverside property as a burial ground to study human decomposition, they dig up more than they imagined.

And here’s what we can tell you after watching an advance screener:

There is a time jump
Murdoch Mysteries doesn’t use time jumps all that much, but it’s important to the main storyline and advances other plotlines too, namely Dr. Ogden’s role at the Toronto College for Women.

Julia Ogden and Rebecca James in the field…
… And in a field alongside Anne Baxter and Katherine Roy; the quartet are there for some key forensic studies alongside Crabtree, Jackson and Higgins.

How’s Murdoch’s house coming along?
It doesn’t take long for viewers to find that out … and that William’s best-laid plans will never cover all circumstances when it comes to home building.

A third Murdoch?!
The series, of course, follows the adventures of Det. William Murdoch. Then there is Lachlan Murdoch, who portrays Constable Henry Higgins. A third Murdoch drops by on Monday night: veteran actor Laurie Murdoch—Lachlan’s dad—who has appeared on Da Vinci’s Inquest, Dan for Mayor and Cold Squad to name but a few. Here he’s Alvin Nash. Keep an eye on Alvin.

Romance for Jackson?
It’s early days, but Jackson certainly seems to have a spark of connection with someone he works with on a case.

Murdoch‘s homage to a classic movie
Crabtree spouts a line from a beloved, critically-acclaimed film during one scene. We won’t spoil it for you, but it made us laugh out loud.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Heartland

Heartland’s horse heartbreak

Sunday’s episode of Heartland was notable for a couple of reasons. First, it’s the first I’ve been able to review in 2017 (three weeks of vacation means missed write-ups) and secondly, it began with stunning images of Vern’s horse barn burning to the ground.

Yes, “Sounds of Silence” began in a dark place and continued with very little let-up on the emotions as the fallout from the fire was fully realized. How many of Casey and Tim’s horses were in the barn, as was Morgan one of them? Turns out Morgan was the only survivor, but he was in bad shape. Not physically, mind you, but emotionally.

I like it when Heartland explores the darker corners of human and equine life. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I enjoy more than some good, funny scenes between Tim and Jack or feelgood stuff between Ty and Amy, but sobering stories like Sunday’s instalment is necessary. Ken Craw’s script delivered on all counts, from Amy and Jack striving to help Morgan through his trauma to Tim aiding Casey through hers. Everybody was on edge, from the Montana horse owners who lost their animals to Tim, who was determined the rodeo would go on despite the massive losses and feeling personally responsible. (That short scene between Jack and Tim in the kitchen was emotionally raw.)

That didn’t stop some folks from going about their daily lives, however, as Jade roped the television reporter for an interview about her participation in the rodeo. I love Caleb, so having him train Clay and Jade was a definite hoot, particularly his visualization techniques. Of course, the complaining about Caleb caused Jade and Clay to bond and the inevitable kiss. Will they evolve into a full-fledged couple or will their competitive natures (and dodgy moonshine) kill the romance?

As for Ty, a sleepwalking Bob has been keeping him hopping; and Adam was freaking out over feeling different because he has diabetes.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Link: CBC’s Vancouver-shot Crash Gallery returns with fun and facts from the world of visual art

From Craig Takeuchi of The Georgia Straight:

Link: CBC’s Vancouver-shot Crash Gallery returns with fun and facts from the world of visual art
What does trying to paint on a canvas suspended above you while being rotated in a circle sound like to you?

Bizarre? Intriguing? Fun? All of the above?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’ll probably want to check out CBC’s Crash Gallery, back for a second season on CBC. Continue reading.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Crash Gallery returns for a colourful, chaotic second season

Crash Gallery host Sean O’Neill has a few modest goals for the visual art competition series, which is heading into Season 2 tonight on CBC. “I do think art can transform lives, I do think art can help build a more compassionate, empathetic, humane society. And it’s also fun. It feels good.”

He has hopes the accessible, high-energy show—airing on primetime on the public broadcaster—can act as a gateway drug to a type of art that doesn’t often benefit from the pop culture embrace given to music or movies, for example.

“It’s really about having fun with art. It’s not about creating masterpieces. It’s not a 30-minute art history lesson,” said the host, whose day job is an associate director with the Art Gallery of Ontario, where, like other art museums, he and his colleagues have had plenty of conversations about how to bring visual art to a broader audience.

The five episodes of Season 2 were shot one a day in Vancouver, where media were invited to participate in a challenge the contestants had also tackled. Lying face up on a rotating platform, a canvas above us, covered in disposable overalls, we began to paint … and attempt to avoid the inevitable splatters. (My hairdresser a few days later: “Were you painting something red?”)

After our time was up, the judges asked us what our vision was for the painting. Me: “To not get paint in my mouth, oh and the colours and motion of nature.” They then offered their very kind, you’re-not-professional-artists critique which nonetheless had me puffed up for weeks when they compared it to a famous (to people more in the know than me) painting by abstract impressionist Joan Mitchell.

You be the judge: an original Wild on the left, Mitchell on the right.

The judges and critiques are new this season, bringing more depth to the conversation around the art without veering into an “eat your vegetables” art history lesson. Also new is that the show flew in artists from around the country rather than sticking with the Vancouver-area base of Season 1. The colourful, frenetic energy remains, helped by the new set that is more gallery, less warehouse.

“I think people are curious about art,” said O’Neill. “I hope people watch the show and the world of visual arts seems a little less intimidating. I hope they think, hey, I can pick up a sketch book, or take an art class, bring my grandchildren to an art museum, or go with friends to one of the late night parties most of the museums are throwing. I hope it helps break down barriers between people and the visual arts. It’s a show for people who are curious.”

Crash Gallery airs Sundays at 9:30 p.m. on CBC.

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Industry News

Link: Canadian TV talents to watch in 2017

From Kevin Ritchie of Now Toronto:

Link: Canadian TV talents to watch in 2017
British Columbia native Andrea Bang is up for a Canadian Screen Award for her role as the daughter on CBC sitcom Kim’s Convenience. The series, based on Ins Choi’s play of the same name, is about a Korean-Canadian family who run a convenience store. The show marks her first TV role after producing and starring in a series of web shorts, and it’s no surprise she’s been singled out by the CSAs: as the Canadian-raised Janet, Bang often is at the crux of the show’s cross-generational culture clash (and thus, the source of its comedy), requiring her to deftly move between outwardly screwball scenarios and scenes that reveal her character’s unspoken inner life. Continue reading.

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