- Murdoch Mysteries
By far the CBC’s crowning achievement in an era of sound bits, tweets, and texts Murdoch Mysteries is a show with an impossibly dull premise that no one thought would work that has now been on the air for nine seasons and has been greenlighted for a tenth. Set in Toronto at the dawn of the 20th century during the age of invention Murdoch Mysteries is a one hour drama series that explores the intriguing world of Detective William Murdoch and his use of newfangled forensic techniques to solve the city’s most gruesome murders. His team of motley crew crime solvers include the delightful psychiatrist and coroner Dr. Julia Ogden, the lovable and bumbling Constable George Crabtree, Murdoch’s skeptical yet supportive boss Inspector Brackenreid; Coroner Dr. Emily Grace; and Morgue Assistant Rebecca James. Come for the intrigue, stay for the characters.
- Republic of Doyle
A perennial favourite Republic of Doyle wrapped its sixth and final season in December of 2014 breaking hearts everywhere. All Canadian to its core the show is set in the sleepy port city of St. John’s, Newfoundland where everything is about to change. An influx of oil has flooded the city’s coffers, but it’s also brought corruption to the surface. You know what they say, “Where there’s cash, There’s trash.” A lone beacon of justice in this troubled town is Private Eye Jake Doyle. Aided by his dad and partner at the Doyle P.I. Firm they take on all cases from the tall to the small, with the odd homicide thrown in just to keep things interesting. Known for its humour as much as its ridiculousness Republic of Doyle is a wild ride that keeps you coming back for more.
- X Company
A relatively new addition to the CBC Family X Company is a Canadian Hungarian spy thriller set during World War II that follows five young recruits as they train to become secret agents at a Top Secret Canadian training facility near Lake Ontario and are then sent out into the field. The show is more CBC Miniseries than episodic drama and having received an overwhelmingly positive reception it has been renewed for a third season. The episodes, characters, and situations are based off real events and the suspense and excitement keep you on the edge of your seat and frequently amazed. If you liked last year’s blockbuster The Imitation Game you’ll love X Company.
- Strange Empire
An Old Fashioned Western with a twist. Strange Empire is set in Alberta in the late 1800’s and follows the events that unfold after a fateful meeting in 1869 along the Alberta Montana Border leads to tragedy and sets off a struggle for survival and a search for justice. The heroes are women, the place is Janestown, and scene is far from docile. With most of the men gone those that remain behind must battle for control as they struggle to survive, find their independence, and build a community in which they and their families can thrive. More intrigue and gun fire than you can shack a stick at the struggle of Janestown sees the clash between a power hungry father and his son, the deep rootedness of prejudice and racism in the West, and the feeble buildings of something like a family.
- Banished
Set in Sydney, Australia in 1787 during the time when Australia was a penal colony of the British Empire Banished follows the lives of Britain’s unwanted orphans, petty thieves, prostitutes, and highwaymen as they embark on new lives in a strange land. The series follows convicts Elizabeth and Tommy who break the rules by entering into a relationship. When their relationship is revealed conflict sparks and sets into motion a series of events that puts everyone’s friendships and ideals into question at a time when survival depends on looking out for those you love. Love, betrayal, and punishment in a historical spectacle about a time in history the world would rather we soon forgot.
Of course you can’t write an article about the CBC without talking about the classics. So if you haven’t already you need to sit down and watch at least once: the Rick Mercer Report, The Tudors, Dragon’s Den, 22 Minutes, and Heartland. The Honourable Mention for this week goes out to Jekyll and Hyde and the award for Best Up and Coming Show goes to Young Drunk Punk.
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