Cardinal

Told over six 45 minute episodes, this was a very good 'tec drama from Canadian TV. Set in the wintry setting of Algonquin, we meet whispering, silver-bearded, middle-aged Detective John Cardinal. A dogged, committed, old-school detective, he's pursuing here a killer or killers who abduct, torture and kill youngsters. There's a strong sub-plot involving a young female detective Lisa Delorme ostensibly brought in to assist Cardinal's investigation but who in reality is investigating him for suspected corruption in relation to a police bust that went wrong and cost an officer his life. Both these main characters, as it happens, have relationship problems at home, Cardinal's wife has bi-polar disorder and Delorme and her husband are struggling to have a family.

It was hard not to see the influence of Nordic Noir predecessors like "The Killing" and "The Bridge" here, with the mix and match male / female cop pairing, the bleak, snowy geographic settings, as ever filmed with numerous, on-high drone shots and the brutal activities of the killers towards their hostages not to mention the by now obligatory lo-fi contemporary music used as the theme tune.

Derivative it may have been but that didn't detract from a gripping story told well. I think I prefer my mini-series played out like this over a shorter running time as it brought more dynamism and pace to proceedings. Sure it was tough at times to watch the excruciating treatment meted out to the victims and spare a thought in particular for the young lad whose whole role was to be trussed up naked and be intermittently tortured, I hope his next part is as the male lead in a rom-com or something.

The acting of the two leads was very good as was the chemistry between them. Their interplay is mutantly reflected and contrasted in the bizarre relationship which subsists between the two young male / female murderers they track, both these parts chillingly well played too. Tension reigned throughout with some surprising twists along the way and a suitably dramatic climax to finish things off. As you'd imagine, there wasn't much humour in all this bleakness but at the end there's one laugh-out-loud moment which will strike a chord to anyone who's ever been sent for a long stand on their first day at work.

I for one would be pleased to see this new detective pairing return for future investigations. Recommended.

Following closely the story arcs from the BBC hit HINTERLAND, although with more dollops of sadism, this could be the best Canadian show ever produced in terms of script, direction, casting, and production. The problem is that this specific type of series is so depressing (not really a police procedural at all!) that the day eventually comes when even the most loyal viewer has to choose between jumping to the next episode ... or seeking psychiatric help.

Billy Campbell (John Cardinal) is the Demián Bichir of Canadian TV drama. He looks at the camera and says his lines and you believe every word he says, but more than that, you would give anything to know what he's thinking.

I've seen 3 episodes so far. Actually the Algonquins were in this area, which was disputed in a different review. They were and remain very much in the North Bay region, which is where the fictional Algonquin Bay is based on. The role of Lise Delorm played by Karine Vanasse is spot on in my opinion. The Giles Blunt books depict Lise as French Canadian and again to dispute an earlier review, many of the northern Ontario towns are french or half-french - Mattawa near North Bay for instance. So it is not really a stretch as suggested. I've read all the John Cardinal books and I think the casting is excellent. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the series before submitting a review, but the landscape captured in the series evokes the mood of the book very well.

The characters and situations seem real and interesting.

Cardinal is a guy with a lot of issues and secrets, there are 50 degrees of grey to this guy.

The show feels Canadian, from the snow covered streets to the remote tree lined roads.

I really enjoyed the first episode and wonder if the show will continue to build interest for me. The politics of the police department feel uncontrived and realistic too.

Cardinal's new partner is initially uncertain of Cardinal and he of she. It seems like they might develop a good or trusting relationship but there are many things going against this outcome. It will be interesting to see the relationship develop as the characters are both smart and strongly independent.

A potentially very interesting show that is truly Canadian.