Da Vinci's Inquest

The second season of DaVinci's will be starting soon (probably in October), and I would suggest to anyone who is not familiar with the show to give it a try. The acting, for starters, is first-class. The show definitely draws its grittiness from American series like Homicide.. etc. but these guys also put a human & humorous face to the characters that make them convincing beyond anything on television today. The writing is first class, often drawing its inspiration from recent criminal cases in Canada. There is nothing contrived about this program. Yes, it is gritty, but not overly so. I would simply call it, exceedingly realistic. I cannot recommend this program highly enough. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that Canada can now produce "made in Canada" series and draw from all the good production tricks of the U.S. industry, but also put a truly Canadian face back onto the television.

I am so happy to start seeing "The Da Vinci Inquest" here in the United States. WGN has started broadcasting episodes (sometimes three or four a day). I couldn't be happier. This series is so fresh and new compared to what else is out there. If you get a chance, please watch a couple of episodes.

I get so tired of the US made TV shows, like "Law & Order" or the various, tired "CSI" shows. You can usually solve the mystery a quarter into the program. "DVI" shows compelling, lovable characters digging up clues and evidence. You easily like them and are rooting for their success.

Filmed in Vancouver, BC (one of the most beautiful cities in this continent) the program is very noire-like. It doesn't necessarily glorify the city. Junkies look pretty lousy on this show and how the police treat them is a lot different than what you see in US shows (even like in Cops).

I recommend to all of my fellow US viewers, to give this show a try. You will love it.

DA VINCI'S INQUEST may well be the very best 1-hour television drama ever. If it isn't, there are no more than a handful - from whatever country or era - that can even come close.

It's new to American television (at least as far as I know), and I've only seen a dozen or so episodes, but their promos don't lie: one episode and I was hooked. The writing, the acting; you almost forget that what you're watching is, well, written and acted! 'Verisimilitude' is one of those words one doesn't come across much these days, but it's appropriate to describe this show. The characters are complex, their interactions so 'real life,' that watching them almost gives a feeling of eavesdropping.

Also, as in real life, there is not always a resolution. Some episodes end with matters left hanging and loose ends untied. Life doesn't always supply us with all the why's and wherefore's; neither does DA VINCI'S. This is a show that does not treat the viewer like an idiot. Perhaps a lot of Canadian TV is like that, but it's a novelty down here.

Nicholas Campbell, as Vancouver coroner Dominic Da Vinci, is the on-screen engine that powers this show. The acting of all of the series' regulars - Ian Tracey, Donnelly Rhodes, Sue Mathew, Sarah Strange and others - is of a uniformly high order, but each is even better when playing a scene with Campbell, whose presence, style and energy make everything just crackle with authenticity (oh, hell, I don't know; does authenticity crackle? If it doesn't, it should). If you've been a regular viewer of U.S. shows such as "X-Files" and the "Stargate's" - which were/are produced in Canada - you'll see a number of familiar faces.

Be warned: this show could spoil you for all American television drama. My viewing companion and I watched an episode of "Law & Order" - which we enjoy - immediately after viewing a DA VINCI; big mistake. Anything else is going to suffer by comparison. But here's some good news: if you jump in now, you've got seven seasons worth of episodes to see. That should tide you over for a while, and you'll want to catch each one.

This is by far, one of the best dramas on television. It has excellent writing, terrific stories and intriguing characters. I have been watching this show since it was first aired on CBC and it keeps getting better. It has won many awards in Canada and is well deserved. If you get a chance, you will not be wasting your time viewing this program and particular if you live in the US or England. You have to watch a few shows to get into the story and characters - if you do you will be well rewarded. My only regret is that it is only on for a very short season. Just finished the 2004 - 2005 season and can't wait to continue on with the story late next fall.

I had heard about this series through friends who worked on set, but actually watched my first couple episodes in Honduras (go figure). I actually live and work in the downtown east side of Vancouver, where most of the series takes place. The imagery, and story lines, are quite true to the neighborhood. Most of the TV series coming out of Vancouver, use the backdrop and call it something else, often side stepping a lot of the uniqueness of the city in an effort to mask the location. DVI actually embrace Vancouver's look as well as problems, which makes thing leagues more genuine.

I LOVE the feel of the show, it's built on longterm story, and the evolution of characters over seasons instead of just episodes. The drama isn't overly heated, it's kept in range enough so to get into an almost documentary feel. Which actually has a better impact as it is taken for reality, more than say... Third Watch, or other "shaky-cam cop shows" that can get over the top dramatic, reminding you that these are actors, on a big budget set.

Canadian TV has always been pretty solid on drama and story, as there isn't always a budget big enough to blow up buildings, cars, or anything else for that matter. They are heavily supported by Canadian viewers. I will watch things sometimes just because they are Canadian, and am often quite surprised. And by Canadian, I mean real Canadian, not American companies, heading north in the interest in saving money.

All in all great show, great stories, great characters, in a great city. And Even though most of the focus is on the more seedy of areas of Vancouver, if you've ever lived there, you'll know there a certain charm to that area. Bottom line, take some time, and enjoy your first episode, It will go from there I'm sure.