X Company

This show is a brilliant highlight of Canadian TV. There are many people who are quick to point out historical inaccuracies - there are some in every crowd who insist on making it less fun for the rest of us - but this show is emotional, fast-paced, and fairly accurate for a show that is only loosely based on a real life spy camp in WWII.

The acting is brilliant. Warren Brown (Luther) is a gift to Canadian TV as tough guy Neil Mackay, Jack Laskey intrigues as synesthesiac Alfred Graves, and Evelyne Brochu (of Orphan Black fame) shines as front-running woman Aurora Luft. Up-and-coming Torontonian Connor Price is brilliant as young Harry, and Dustin Milligan is great as Tom (although this last character took a bit of time to grow).

The few episodes following the pilot were a bit slow, but the last few episodes of Season 1 were brilliant. Dramatic, exciting, and emotionally-driven. Worth sticking around for.

This show displays great acting talent and features some brilliant writers. But most importantly, it's a way for Canadians to learn more about the country's history in the Second World War, which is often overlooked.

I'm hooked.

I was eager to watch this pilot episode and it did not disappoint, beautifully filmed it has the feel of a movie rather then a series, and bearing in mind that X Camp actually did exist makes it even more interesting. The writing takes you along a journey that the cast headed by Hugh Dillon as camp commander Duncan Sinclair brings to life with amazing skill, and includes some heart stopping moments, showing not everything even in war is black and white. It has heart, feeling and even some laugh out loud one liners.

Can't wait for the next episode and is WELL WORTH a watch....definitely a hit show.

Just watched the first episode and am already sucked in by these characters. I want to know so much more about Alfred and his 'talent.' Love the premise, love the characters. CBC is really on a roll these days. I've been a huge fan of Orphan Black and Rookie Blue so to see the creative brainiacs behind those shows get together is a match made in heaven.

Really excited to continue watching this series and it makes me super proud of what we do in Canada!

Also - I had to look up my IMDb password to log in and comment on this - my first comment on ANY television show ever.)

It's fantastic to see a new TV drama that puts our current geopolitical struggle into historic perspective; in X Company the audience get to witness how ordinary people rose to the challenge against such overwhelming military adversity to win victory. While we can always rely on our soldiers and intelligence officers, recently our leaders seem somehow weak and more inclined to appease, reflecting a willingness to overlook our enemies ruthlessness and utter hatred for our way of life with bizarre, conflated statements often ignoring the elephant in the room which in turn worries a great many people.

To the show, I love the cinematography, shooting locations have been chosen with great care with matching attention going into the period costume recreating a completely believable period during World War 2. The cast is completely unknown to me apart from Warren Brown, the English detective in 'Luther' (what a show that is!). Hugh Dillon seems up to the task before him though. However, X Company is let down by the script which at times can come across as pedantic, hopefully, this can be addressed by season two.

Another element that inspired me to write this mini-review is how the producers have avoided that particularly American pitfall; pumping themselves up at the expense of their allies. You'll notice in British, Australian and Canadian TV shows covering war they don't get caught in the trap of boosting their own national reputation at the expense of the allies which reflects very well on them and poorly on American producers.

All in all a quality Canadian historical drama which should appeal to both WW2 buffs and viewers looking for something outside of generic cop shows and the dreadful reality TV swamping our TV sets at the moment.

Is this historically accurate? No, not at all. Is it entertaining? Very much so.

This is all character development. Story. I really cant wait for the next series now that series 2 has been given the green light.

In this day and age we have Agents of Shield, Captain America et al. All of which are complete fantasies. This is a hi-bred. It is demonstrably a more realistic rendition of Marvels Agent Carter, same same but with a thin veneer of accuracy. More compelling than Carter, simply because it is more closely aligned with the truth.

Having said that, it is a very well characterised fantasy rendition of reality where the emphasis is on characterisation.

In any event, very compelling. Looking forward to the next rendition.