SAXTON B. LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
319 Route 87 Columbia, CT 06237
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Keeping you up-to-date on what's happening at your library. We invite you to join in the conversation!
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
Da Vinci's, not the code, but the Inquest

My husband frequently channel surfs in the wee hours of the morning. He's quick with the remote and goes from station to station sampling a piece of this and a bit of that. He stumbled on DaVinci’s Inquest about two years ago. Every morning I'd hear DaVinci this, DaVinci that. Not one to be up at 2:00AM watching TV, I decided to buy the first season figuring I could watch it commercial free at my leisure. Two episodes in and I was hooked!

 

Nicholas Campbell stars as Dominic DaVinci, an unconventional, likable, Vancouver coroner, who seeks the truth the dead will tell in the cases he investigates Partially based on real life experiences of Larry Campbell, the former chief coroner of Vancouver, British Columbia, there were 7 seasons filmed from 1998-2005. I love the characters and there are quite a few including Dominic's ex-wife and Chief Pathologist, Patricia Da Vinci, Donnelly Rhodes as detective Leo Shannon, and Ian Tracey as detective "Mick" Leary. Shannon is my hands-down favorite!


What I like about the show is the subtle humor, the humanness of the main characters, the camaraderie and loyalty of a working team, and the realistic portrayal of life. The good guy doesn’t always win, the bad guy doesn’t always get caught, the story is not always wrapped up in a 60 minute neat package. The actors are not all beautiful, but you’ll start being attracted to them just the same. After watching the first season, I read that the producers planned to steer away from the personal lives of the characters and concentrate more on the job. I worried that the show would lose its' appeal. Like many good TV shows, the goings on in the personal lives are what makes you come back for more. The producers must have reconsidered because if anything the second season was better than the first.


The show can be gritty, but there are also moments that will touch even the worst cynic’s heart. Who could not help but love big, clumsy Shannon, taking a dancing lesson in episode 4 of the 3rd season, “Do You Wanna Dance?”. Or the last one I watched where Da Vinci takes a piano lesson with his daughter’s teacher.


My only regret is that I’m on vol. 3 of the third season and wonder how long I’ll have to wait for season 4. I’m savoring each episode to prolong the pleasure. Fine acting, good stories and Vancouver as a backdrop. What could be better? If you're a fan of The Wire, CSI, or Criminal Minds give DaVinci's Inquest a try. Official website http://www.davincisinquest.com/index_dvi.php


And if you’re looking for another fine series, McCallum might be worth a look. Produced by the BBC, this series ran from 1995-1998, stars John Hannah as Dr. Ian McCallum, a forensic pathologist for St. Patrick’s Hospital in London. Heavier on the love life of the main characters, and leaving less to the imagination than Da Vinci, I still find much to like in this show. Character development is prime. The producers seem to get London’s seamy side right, and my husband likes them too, a real plus in our house. Hannah has a heavy accent which took time to adjust too, but now I find it delightful. Bought the second season and then waited with great anticipa

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