Topic: "Due South" marathon

[addicted2dvd]

Juliet is Bleeding

I really enjoyed this one. Sure there is a lot of tragedy... and virtually no comedy... but this one worked for me. It kept my interest much better then the previous few episodes. Though after this episode I do think I am in the mood for a more comedic episode.

My Rating:

[addicted2dvd]

One Good Man
This episode is not bad... but there isn't really anything special about it either. This one feels like nothing more then a filler episode to me.

My Rating:

One Good Man

The return of Mackenzie King, the reporter from Episode 2. I think Pete was looking forward to her return. This time though the character is not played by a brunette but by a blonde (sorry Pete  ). Maria Bello actually. (ER; Coyote Ugly).

Pretty good episode. Nothing great though. We do learn a bit more about Ray's background.

Rating:

Yes... I was looking forward to her return... and I don't like that they had to replace the actress playing her. Don't get me wrong... I don't really dislike blondes... I just prefer red heads and brunettes. Though they should have gotten a brunette for continuity sake! 

[addicted2dvd]

The Edge
This one didn't impress me too much. There was a couple decent laughs... but too few to be too enjoyable. I didnt care too much for the dream sequences.... though it was kinda fun to see inside Deifenbaker's dream. And there is a couple pretty good moments between Fraser and his boss.

Rating:

[Tom]

2.15 Body Language (1996-04-25)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), James Kramer (Writer)
Director: Jon Cassar
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Lisa Engelman (Ida), Nick Sandow (Barry), Milton Berle (Shelley Litvak), James Gallanders (Mark), Ellen-Ray Hennessy (Waitress), Les Porter (Nelson), Elle Downs (Lily), Laura Catalano (Vi), Lolita Kerr (Mount Olympus Dancer)

An enjoyable episode but nothing special. Again some nice closet fun. What is it with Ray, Fraser and closets?

Rating:

[Tom]

2.16 The Duel (1996-06-02)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Seth Freeman (Writer)
Director: Gilbert Shilton
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Colm Feore (Carver), Lisa Houle (Madeline Carnes), Anthony Sherwood (Frank Greco), Dave Nichols (Van Slyke), Katayoun Amini (Angela Vecchio), Christina Rouner (Laurie Zaylor), Gary McMillan (Corey), Doug Lennox (Kelly), Catherine McNally (Parole Officer), Monique Kampherm (Shannon)

Although this movie has hardly any humor in it, I enjoyed it. And finally an appearance by Francesca again.

Rating:

[Tom]

Next deadline: 2009-09-06

Red, White, Or Blue
Flashback
Burning Down The House
Eclipse

[Tom]

2.17 Red, White or Blue (1996-05-16)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Gross (Story By), John Krizanc (Story By), Paul Gross (Screenwriter)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Kenneth Welsh (Randal Bolt), Raye Birk (Francis Bolt), Alex Carter (Agent Ford), Gary Reineke (Judge Brock), Ellen Dubin (States Attorney), Mark Melymick (Agent Deeter), Shawn Wright (Mountie Trainee), Norm Spencer (Agent Shorren), James Allodi (Asst. States Attorney), Maria Ricossa (Vivian Richards)

A good episode. I love the scene, where Ray and Fraser have a conversation with each other without being in the same room. It's a throwback to an earlier episode. This shows how well they know each other and can tell exactly what the other would be saying to them. I also find it nice that they have some small moments between Fraser and Thatcher showing us, that their "contact" on the train is not entirely forgotten.

Rating:

[Tom]

2.18 Flashback (1996-09-19)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Peter Mohan (Writer), Michael Teversham (Writer)
Director: Gilbert Shilton
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Sandra Nelson (Sheila), Tony Rosato (Clifford), Kristin Lehman (Rhonda), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Eleanor Davies (Karen), Karen Glave (Darlene), Ho Chow (The Doctor)

Considering that this is a clip show episode, where half of the episode consists of footage of other episodes, it was quite enjoyful. The selected clips were good. But it is sad, that the series finale (originally the series was cancelled after season 2, but was resurrected a year later) is a clip show.

Rating:

[Tom]

3.01 Burning Down the House (1997-09-14)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Gross (Writer)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), George Bloomfield (Zoltan Motherwell), Neil Dainard (RCMP Inspector), Diane Douglass (Greta Garbo), Vito Rezza (Tony), Edgar George (Battalion Commander), Bill Parrott (Junior Mountie), Kevin Lee Louis (Officer), Sam Shields (Janey), David Taylor (Sven), J.J. Evans (Witness)

After Due South was cancelled after season 2, it seemed to be the end. But because this series was very popular overseas (e.g. here in Germany), it got international funding for further episodes. This resurrected series is often regarded as a spin-off series (for example IMDb lists it as an extra entry). There are some cast changes. David Marciano didn't come back to play Ray, so a new Ray was introduced. In my opinion in a fun way (it's funny how Fraser tries to prove throughout this episode, that the new Ray is not the Ray he knew). A lot of people didn't like this replacement, but I always enjoyed it. I think it brings a fresh wind to the series. Other cast change is, that Fraser's dad and his boss (I really do no like her new hair) are now series regulars. Also other supporting characters like Thurnball and Francesca are getting more screen-time (about time!).

Rating:

[Tom]

As everyone is way behind on this one, and also I am missing one episode of last week's bunch (I didn't have much time to watch DVDs because of the FantasyFilmFest), I will not announce new episodes for this week.

[lyonsden5]

I'm finally back from my trip. Been back for a few days but just now getting back into the swing of things. I'll skip the ones from when I first left and just start with
Red, White, Or Blue
Flashback
Burning Down The House
Eclipse

[Tom]

I'll skip the ones from when I first left and just start with
Red, White, Or Blue

Skipping "All The Queen's Horses"? 
I would never do that 

[Tom]

3.02 Eclipse (1997-09-21)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), John Krizanc (Writer)
Director: Richard J. Lewis
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Jackie Burroughs (Gladys Caunce), Diego Matamoros (Detective Hallet), Alan Peterson (Brandauer), Maria Vacratsis (Charmain), Walter Alza (Jimmy), Steve Michalchuk (Bronco), Tyler Kyte (Young Raymond), Peter Bray (Marcus Ellery), Diana Salvatore (Young Stella), Aron Tager (Tom)

A good episode where we (and Fraser) learn more about the new Ray. Nice touch is, that Ray needs glasses for shooting. With them he is a really great shot, but without them he doesn't hit anything.

Rating:

[Tom]

As I am currently the only one somewhat active in this marathon, I will not announce another deadline until at least one other has caught up. I will continue watching further episodes when the moot strikes until then.

[Kathy]

Sorry Tom, I should have stayed on track but once I started...