Klondike

Have just watched the first episode and enjoyed it. When I watch a drama I'm not concerned if the historical accuracy is not perfect I'm more concerned that the actors can act (they can). Some reviewers seem to be upset that a Scotsman and an Australian play the leads complaining that the accents aren't believable, but who can say how someone talked over 100 years ago, language changes FACT. Yes the language they use is modern screen writers write for there target audience (as they always have). Enough of a rant if you want to be entertained and get an impression of the conditions in Dawson City watch, if you want 100% historical accuracy either invent a time machine and travel back to the 1890's or watch a documentary.

I watched it all and didn't mind it,know some of the producers who do a good job productionwise. There are errors, lots of them, like wolves chasing after humans, very rare. Also mounties, or North West Mounted Police were not against native Indians like American cavalry, in fact they were incorporated with the intention of keeping American whiskey traders in Montana.

There was not a lot of killing as portrayed here (stolen from Deadwood), in fact very little as the Mounties kept it clean. The idea of the Indians being hung is a little far fetched also. As with all things like this, the mounties didn't allow any murders, etc. Remember, this is Canada, not California gold rush or Black Hills gold rush where killing and lawbreaking was the norm. Women couldn't get into a beer parlour in 1969 without a male escort. Yeah, beer PARLOUR, not bar.

In truth, Klondike was not even close to Deadwood in crime. Eh? But anyways, a nice 3 episodes, not very true, but what the heck, neither was The Butler.

Klondike is one of those series I picked up because it looks fascinating, with a somewhat unorthodox setting. With gold digging as the historical background, you assume that this is what the series will also be about mostly - aside from all the frauds and the harsh climate. Alas, everything seems to be addressed only once throughout the series, because there isn't time to remind the viewer what's so perilous about the environment, and what's at stake. Instead the show aims to be a classical Western story featuring cold weather.

The gold digging itself is also left completely out of the story. While I wouldn't want to watch a 6 hour series about digging gold, it's striking that a 20 page chapter of "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" is more detailed in the process of extracting gold, than a 6 hour series produced by Discovery. At times it's easy to forget that the show is even taking place in Klondike, and not just any saloon in Santa Fe.

Despite a good crew of actors, the characters are one-dimensional and there is little room for any character development. Although some of the characters undergo transitions, there's no development - they simply go from A to B while not giving the viewer any credible reason for their transition. The same goes for the relationships between the characters. Some characters that take up a lot of screen time are even completely redundant, and a waste of the precious time of a 6 episode mini-series. I can think of at least two subplots, without which the show would have lost virtually nothing, while gaining both time and coherence.

"Klondike" bit off more than it could chew. A mini-series of 6 episodes is not equipped to deal with profound questions on the true value of gold, while also dealing with the position of females, the suppression of Native Americans, the presence/absence of hope and God, and so on.

This series could and should have been a lot better.

I typically love historical epics, and I'm fascinated about stories of the West and gold rushes etc. However, "Klondike" blew it in so many ways, I'm not sure I can enumerate them all.

The camera work, scenery and set design was marvellous, and definitely needs acknowledging. The rest? Well it was great to see Robb Stark again, and he comes out unscathed. The remainder of the characters are cardboard cutouts and I felt no sympathy for them, good or bad. Tim Roth was embarrassing.

The plot was simple enough, but was cut to shreds by jumping around here and there, which makes me think the editor should never work in Hollywood again.

I could go on, but, you get the point, I'm sure. I don't normally write critical reviews, so the fact that I'm doing so means this was missing it all, really wide of the mark. Mediocre - 5/10.

I watched this mini series for entertainment. If that is your purpose - enjoy!! The scenery is spectacular,the photography is beautiful, the acting is solid and the story is ENTERTAINING (somewhat melodramatic)!!! I thought the cast was excellent.

Much of the criticism that comes from the other reviewers seems to stem from the lack of realism. I have always felt that the hallmark of a good television show or movie is the ability to suspend disbelief. There are dramatic elements to this series that stretch the imagination BUT it is a story not a documentary. If you want it to be absolutely realistic don't watch it. I LOVED IT!!!!!