Blue Heelers

Most of Australia has been watching blue heelers since its humble beginning 12 years ago, weather regularly or on and off. But what startles me when i sit down for the first time in weeks to catch up with the folks in Mt Thomas is new faces constantly appearing and disappearing.

It is a sad thing to see the original cast members say farewell to the show and as fast as their gone, they are replaced. But this is not a bad thing. Raise your hand if the 94 eps of Blue Heelers would still enthrall you today? Would you bite your nails in anticipation to discover who actually stole the Harris's tractor, or other such slight criminal investigations? I appreciate the nature of growth and change on Blue Heelers. The truth is, no drama can survive without it. Times change, demands change and i admire that the old dog has held on, instead of going under.

I was born and raised in Melbourne. Only recently have I moved to the US to get an education and find work. One thing I have missed as a result of moving away is Blue Heelers. I have heard rumours that it is playing on some US Cable companies, but I do not know which ones and where. Anyway if anyone stumbles across the television show, just sit down, have a beer and relax while you watch it. I think it is a little off the realistic track when it comes to police violence, corruption, etc. But it does cover a lot of the boring mundane tasks that police often have to put up with, such as cold burgs, etc. Or perhaps I just miss it because it is Australian??

I found this online earlier this week and have only worked my way thru a few episodes so far. But I'm really enjoying it. I'm not sure what time period it's supposed to be set in. I understand that it ran from 1994-2006. But the vehicles seem a little older than that and it seems like women have a tough go of it there which kind of makes me wonder if it's supposed to be set a decade or two earlier in time.

The fact that it was until recently the highest rating TV series in Australia (only brought down lately by 'Seachange' after a strong fight that lasted a couple of years) should speak volumes about the quality. Based in the small town of Mt. Thomas the Heelers must constantly solve crimes and keep the peace whilst at the same time deal with each other in their small, cooped up police station. The regular addition of new cast members has also helped keep the series fresh as well as add the interesting relationshiops that develop.

The big problem however that appears to be fast catching up with the series is that despite the constant cast changes keeping the storys fresh it has also wittled down the original cast which has kept the old flavour alive. Now with the departing of Maggie (Lisa McCune) only Tom 'Boss' Croydon, PJ, and Chris at the pub are left. I have a bad feeling as to what will happen if any of the last 3 leave.

Rumours are already abounding that John Wood (Croydon) intends to retire within the next year or so. If Martin Sacks (PJ) leaves as well I think the series will have lost too much that any new cast could make up for. Characters may come and go but Croydon has always run the place his way and PJ is, well, PJ, which has kept the old feeling alive. And Chris has always been the old reliable woman at the pub for a chat. Whilst McCune's leaving may have proved that the series could survive even without it's biggest star I think anymore losses in the original cast may give the series it's deathblow.

I've been binging on cop shows from all over the world and found this show after watching all of Water Rats, City Homicide, Rush, etc. This has the most episodes and I watch a season at time, enjoying the events in Mount Thomas, learning about Australia and growing fond of all the characters- except Jo.

She is the most annoying, entitled, spoiled, smug, judgemental arrogant brat and has no respect for anyone. She has to argue, defy orders, whine when she can't get her way and is reluctant to take responsibility for her own stupidity and thinks she knows everything-and she is manipulative and the moost selfish cop I've ever seen who was not a villian. I am only in Season Nine and I expect her to get even more obnoxious.