291 replies to this topic

[The Mad Maple]

A new CBC drama about a P.I. in St. John's, Nefoundland. I'm actually watching the pilot right now, and it's pretty good, once y' gets past da over-da-top accents, b'y.

So what do you think?

[Miss Dee]

I thought it was pretty good, and definitely showed enough promise to keep with it and see where it goes. St. John's looked beautiful. The accents are a little thick, but the characters don't seem like Newfoundland caricatures (for once). CBC has certainly upped the watchability quotient in its television shows lately, I must say.

[trudyj]

I missed it when it aired Wednesday night but caught it on the CBC website last night. I love, love, love all the exterior shots which make the city look so beautiful (they must have shot all those on the same sunny day last summer that the Google Street View people were here!) There were a few places where I thought both the acting and the writing were weak, but other places where it was really good. To me, the non-Nflder's trying to do accents sounded a bit strained (they never get it quite right) but the locals, esp. Allan Hawco, sounded perfectly natural, not caricatured but mostly real.

"We're not listening to you, you tells lies," was the solid gold line from the whole hour.

[caper24]

I really liked it as well. I've heard a lot of comparisons to The Rockford Files... and I gotta admit, there are similarities. But that, imho, is a good thing.

On the shallow end, it's great to see Rachel Wilson in something other than a Special K commercial again... and the sex scene between her and Allan Hawco was pretty darn hot.

[caper24]

Well, we're a few episodes in now. Anyone else still watching? My wife and I really enjoy the show. Tonight's episode was fairly good character wise... plot wise, I'm not so sure. My wife noticed the tattoo long before Jake and Malachi did.

Not terribly thrilled with the whole Nicki pregnant plot. I'm hoping they'll pull something unexpected, but I wouldn't count on it. I suppose it's one way to keep Nicki around...

[Miss Dee]

I liked it. I thought the writing had improved somewhat too... the dialogue sounded sharper.

I was surprised and delighted to see Robert Joy (the coroner from CSI:NY) in the credits... he has NL roots, apparently. Mary Walsh and Greg Malone were a treat to see as well. Is it just me, or does the latter look like Henry Winkler now? Hopefully his character will become a recurring one; I thought he was funny.

So glad "Constable" did not sleep with Jake! I'd thought from the previews that such a development would be a little bit soon. Seeing as all other women seem to fall into bed with Jake, it'd be nice if Leslie proved to be a challenge.

[GG63]

Well, we're a few episodes in now. Anyone else still watching?

Count me in. I actually watched this "live" last night instead of on tape. Nice to see Mary Walsh back on my screen. Miss Dee I'll second the appreciation that the "constable" didn't have sex with Jake just yet. Actually I thought given the lack of impulse control on Jake that when he pulled back was the most impressive part of that as I think she would have had drunken sex with him.

I'm really hoping if Nicki is pregnant that Jake isn't the father. He can't be the only one she's been having sex with ... can he?

From the shallow end of the pool - anyone else here think Allan Hawco reminds them a little of Colin Farrell? Not sure if it's because he has an accent, the brows or that grin he gets on his face? Staying with that theme a little, once again I'm reminded how non-prudish Canadians are when the opening scene of a show that airs at 8 pm on a "public broadcaster" is a couple having sex. Now this is how I want my tax dollars working....

CBC has been coming through with some very viewable television. I think the turnaround started with "The Hour" with "my boyfriend George". I'd be very pleased if he interviewed Allan on the show. It's only a matter of time before that happens as "The Hour" has been very supportive of CBC shows - not sure if it's a choice by them or the network, but I like it.

[caper24]

I don't watch Doyle live, but then, I don't watch any shows "live" any more. Tape 'em on the DVR and then I can skip the commercials.

When the couch scene started I actually said to the TV "Let her pass out Jake." I was quite gratified when Jake actually did pull away. Not an easy thing to do I'm sure... because a) Jake has poor impulse control and b) Constable Leslie is extremely good looking.

I think the best part of the "drunk Leslie" plotline was the payoff of Leslie and Malachi in the kitchen. Priceless.

I have to agree with you, GG63: CBC has been coming through lately. (Although I still curse them for canceling Intelligence.) Too bad that I can't stand Little Mosque right now, but that's a topic for another thread.

[The Mad Maple]

I'm in the Atlantic time zone, which means that the American prime-time shows start at 9 pm, so I usually wind up watching CBC at 8 anyway. But I agree, they have a lot of good shows on this year. Between this, Death Comes to Town, and 18 to Life (which I'm still on the fence about, but it is growing on me), there's definitely a bit of a resurgence in the quality of their original programming these days.

My brother decided about a quarter of the way through the show to go on about an online poker game he was playing, so I wound up missing about a half an hour's worth of dialogue, but I do have it on tape, so I'll catch up later. What I did catch I liked, though. It was great to see Mary Walsh, and a pleasant surprise that Robert Joy showed up on the show. (And a fun coincidence that he was actually featured in a subplot on that night's episode of CSI:NY, too.)

I wonder what the international reaction to this show would be. It'd be great to see it hit in the States, but I have a feeling it would play a lot better overseas, especially in the U.K. (I wouldn't be surpised if they'd get a lot of complaints about the lousy Irish accents, though. :D)

[Blackie]

I looked for this thread the other night and didn't find it, so glad that I found it tonight. I'm liking this show so far. Rockford Files in St John's, 2 of my favourite things!!! Plus Alan Hawko is Hawt! The only worry I have is that in an interview Allan said that "Rescue Me" was also an inspiration. Hopefully Allan doesn't become too much like Dennis Leary, who, IMO, writes that show so he can see himself having sex on TV with various women. The amount of sex for far has been OK, just don't take it too far. My fav line so far was when Mal's girlfriend unhandcuffed herself from the young guy "what's wrong with you, Stockholm Syndrome". I like her character. I like the Constable but seriously would she be getting pissed in a George St bar? Mary Walsh was great.

[Tulse]

I've grown enormously fond of this show after the first three episodes. It seems to have a lot of features that I associate with Canadian approaches to series. For example, I find it really interesting that, in what is a generally lighthearted show, there is genuine character conflict that isn't just played for laughs (e.g., Jake's niece vs. the rest of the family, Jake vs. his dad). And I loved that, however unrealistic it might have been, Constable Bennett is shown out drinking hard for no other plot reason than she likes to drink -- other shows would have contrived an explanation for her getting drunk, in order to keep her character less tarnished. All the casual portrayal of drug use, and the more "explicit" sex, also is much more "Canadian", as is having a main protagonist who, honestly, is somewhat of a jerk.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but so far Doyle & Doyle are batting .333 at solving cases -- they only figured out the case in Episode 2 at the very end, and they did an even worse job of detecting in Ep. 3. They really are terrible at their jobs.

[GG63]

caper24 Too bad that I can't stand Little Mosque right now, but that's a topic for another thread.

I'll join you on that bandwagon. Stopped watching after about 3 shows this season.

Back to our regularly scheduled show.... I didn't realize that Allan Hawco was creatively involved until I actually looked at the credits for this past show. As for Dennis Leary being an inspiration, here's hoping Allan is as successful with this show as Dennis was with "Rescue Me" without going off the rails like Dennis did in one of the seasons.

I'd also like to add my admiration for how beautiful the city looks when filmed in sunshine. As a daughter of a Newfoundlander it always warms my heart when people get to see the beauty of the province. The only problem I can really see with the show going international would be with the U.S. market and the accents. From second hand knowledge/hearsay from other places I understand that the Americans aren't very fond of shows with actors with accents. That appears to be a big part of why so many "foreign" actors adopt some kind of American accents when working there. Also not sure how some of the humour may translate. I used to love "Codco" and would be almost crying for laughing so much but my ex didn't understand it at all. Sometimes I think you have to be an easterner, have lived there or be related to someone from there to really understand some of the more subtle humour. It goes the same with some of the regional humour/customs in the U.S, like some of the things that are particular to the southern states.

I really liked the scene with Jake and his father offering to take the burned girl's drawings until the mother was ready to have them back again. Typically Newfoundlander for me - big hearts and always wanting to help people. I had to suspend my reality when Jake walked into the bar and told the bartender he had just come off the boats. Knowing how the newfie grapevine works I didn't believe the girl didn't have any idea who he really was. The "muscle" in the bar knew who Jake was and called him on his line, so that redeemed it a bit for me. I like the family dynamics as well.

[caper24]

Magnum, PEI? Man, I wish I'd seen that one. I was a little too young to see much of SCTV, and I never got into the reruns.

GG63 I wonder if you're right about needing to be an Easterner to love the humour on this show. I'm from Cape Breton, my wife is from mainland Nova Scotia, and as a bonus half her family is from Newfoundland. And we get everything. It's something to think about. Anyone here not from the east coast?

[Blackie]

Me. But I think I am getting most of the humour, I think anyways.

[Tulse]

I'm one of those evil Central Canadians, from evil Trana.

[The Mad Maple]

My family's from the west coast of Newfoundland, but I was born and raised up here in Labrador.

Edited by The Mad Maple, Jan 24, 2010 @ 2:50 AM.

[GG63]

GG63 I wonder if you're right about needing to be an Easterner to love the humour on this show.

I think as more people watch the show they will get more of the humour. Sometimes it takes awhile. I think the show will have an easier time succeeding in Canada because East coasters along with relatives etc are now in all parts of the country, so it's not quite as regional as it would have been years ago. (Yes I guess I'm showing my age) I also think there's so much talent coming from the Maritimes that eventually it won't be an issue. Here's hoping.

BTW - I'm only part easterner. I was born in New Brunswick but was a military brat. I also lived in Halifax for several years so really appreciate the humour and may I add the warmth of the people from all the eastern provinces. I think that's a big part of the show - the humanity/warmth between the characters. No where else could I imagine someone letting a guy into their home after said person has spray painted their vehicle. In Newfoundland, totally believable. I just need to picture some of my relatives to know it's true.

Well "The Hour" came through a little bit with Allan Hawco. Watched my tape of Mon or Tues's show and Allan was telling his "Best Story Ever". Now could we have a complete interview? Quite a nice story about his dad. If you want to see it I haven't checked, but bet it'll be up on the CBC website for "The Hour".

[The Mad Maple]

For the most part, it was a pretty good episode. But speaking as someone who's taking care of a parent with dementia, certain parts of the show tonight made me pretty uncomfortable. I'm just thankful that my mother isn't nearly as far gone as she was.

[caper24]

Yeah Maple, I gotta agree with you. The mother scenes were rather painful.

Interesting to see Jim Codrington as Nicki's date. Jim plays Darnell on The Border, another Canadian TV show I really like.

The whole Jake and Nicki mess just gets... messier. Note to Jake: When breaking into your soon-to-be-ex wife's house, turn off your cell phone!

Lots of fun this episode, even though things were a bit more serious then in previous. Looking forward to more next Wednesday.

[GG63]

I only manage to catch the last 5 minutes or so - the rest is on tape for me to watch, but I'm really glad Nicki isn't pregnant. Also really happy that question was resolved in one episode instead of dragging it out for several.

[keeptrying]

After a chat with Maple, I decided to check the show out and I'm glad I did (thanks Maple!). I was pleased with how well things moved along in the episode, although I had a similar problem with the mother's scenes, knowing it was a one-time thing I'll be back.

On a semi-shallow note, what amazing scenery! And how funny that the CBC ran a couple NL Tourism spots during the show. Every year I tell the trying man that we should go; maybe we will this year.

[GG63]

On a semi-shallow note, what amazing scenery! And how funny that the CBC ran a couple NL Tourism spots during the show. Every year I tell the trying man that we should go; maybe we will this year.

It is gorgeous, although I will add I'll bet anyone affiliated with the show is glad they don't film in the winter. Our east coast of this fine country is amazingly beautiful and the people get friendlier the more east you go. That's a fact from someone who has lived on both coasts (me of course).

I really like the tourism ads they run during the show. I don't know if they run all the same ads on all the CBC stations or if they're particular to the maritime CBC station. They should run them for the entire country to see. Maybe this show will help bring people to the Rock.

[keeptrying]

I don't know if they run all the same ads on all the CBC stations or if they're particular to the maritime CBC station. They should run them for the entire country to see.

Well, I'm near Toronto and I remember seeing two of the tourism ads during last night's show. Don't ask which ones, because I tend to get lost in the beauty.

[Tulse]

speaking as someone who's taking care of a parent with dementia, certain parts of the show tonight made me pretty uncomfortable.

I felt that too, but I actually like that about the show -- it isn't afraid to do real conflict and real drama. For example, Tinny is a genuine pain, not just a "TV teen", and there is both real anger at her and apparently real neglect of her among the rest of the family. And while Jake's problems are usually played for laughs, he's clearly got real issues with women. And there's honest tension between him and his father. For me, all that serves to elevate the show far above a "Magnum P.I. in Newfoundland" or "Rockford Files on the Rock", even though those kind of '80s PI shows seem to be the model for this one.

And <A href="http://news.yahoo.co..._the_moon">look who's in a Sam Shepard play in New York</a> -- it's Malachy Doyle himself, Sean McGinley.

What's odd to me is that both he and his co-star Stephen Rea are Irish, but the play sounds very southern US to me.

[Blackie]

How come nobody's posting? I hope you haven't given up on this show. I am enjoying it and I think it is getting stronger each week. They certainly are bringing out the big guns of Canadian talent. And who can resist a side trip to St Pierre?

[GG63]

Still watching, but always a couple of days behind as I watch it on tape. There certainly is lots of Canadian talent on this show. Adored seeing Gordon Pinsent in the episode on St. Pierre.

Allan Hawco is in the Globe and Mail today in the Auto section talking about his truck. He talks a little about driving his truck vs. Jake's cool car.

Am recognizing more actors from more CBC shows. That would make a good drinking game - down one every time an actor from another CBC show pops up on the screen :) Looks like another "The Border" alumni is going to be popping up - Nicholas Campbell who played Gray's dad.

eta the actors

Edited by GG63, Feb 11, 2010 @ 10:25 AM.

[The Mad Maple]

I watched it last night, but (thanks to a few loudmouth family members) I missed a good chunk of the dialogue in the last half of the show, so I'm gonna have to watch it again on tape later.

Loved seeing Leah Pinsent on TV again. I was a huge fan of Made in Canada, and it's great to se her playing a dramatic role. And Nicholas Campbell did a hell of a job as Rose's not-so-ex-husband. (Spoilered for those who haven't watched their tape yet.)

Hey, has anyone checked out the webisodes?

[keeptrying]

I missed last night's episode and have yet to check it online. I had tickets for Jersey Boys and decided the sacrifice would be worth it. ;)

Last week's was fun. I had completely forgotten that we saw the niece giving the box to Mark Critch because, hey! It was Mark Critch! And then we got to hear Gordon Pinsent swearing in French and I wondered when The Listener is coming back. I know, I'm bad at this.

[Tulse]

The show's guest stars really are like a who's who of Canadian actors -- Gordon Pinsent (and his daughter Leah), Nicholas Campbell, Joanne Kelly (not as well known, but currently in Warehouse 13, and next week, Eric Peterson!

I guess that means that we'll be seeing Saul Rubinek at some point...