"Due South" marathon

[Tom]

4.04 Odds (1998-11-11)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Rob Forsyth (Writer)
Director: Steve DiMarco
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Stephanie Romanov (Denny Scarpa), Andrew Tarbet (Agent Exley), Paul Miller (Agent White), Jack Nicholsen (Joey), Terry Harford (Alex Farah), Michael Millar (Andy), Sheldon Davis (Carson), Kay Valley (Civilian Aid), Jean Daigle (Doorman), David Boyce (Tommy)

This one was more fun than the last few episodes. Also a familiar face guest-stars: Stephanie Romanov (Lilah from "Angel")

Rating: [mr]4[/mr]

[Tom]

4.05 The Ladies Man (1998-10-21)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), John Krizanc (Writer)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dixie Seatle (Beth Botrelle), Bill MacDonald (Sam Franklin), Nancy Palk (Carolyn Sherman), Art Hindle (Robert Bedford), Oliver Becker (Carmen Miranda), Robert Kennedy (Bartender), Jenny Parsons (Jocelyn Kerr), Kathryn Kirkpatrick (Prisoner #2), Michaela Mathieu (Diane Bowen), Angela Maiorano (Trustee #1)

A good episode. A rather serious one. Ray has to deal with the past after he has to help a woman who he falsely put behind bars for murder when he was a rookie.

Rating: [mr]4[/mr]

[Tom]

4.06 Mojo Rising (1998-10-28)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Frank Siracusa (Writer)
Director: Bruce Pittman
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Salome Bey (Momma Lolla), Von Coulter (Gerome Laferette), Maurice Dean Wint (Henry Goodfello), Maury Chaykin (Jasper Gutman), Timm Zemanek (Aaron Gobrah), Dan McDonald (Damian Kowalksi), Robyn Stevan (Mert), Kyrin Hall (Lisa Laferette), J.J. Evans (Eduardo), Alexandra Johnson (Marie Laferette)

Some really good moments. But I didn't enjoy the case they were on. I do not like "Voodoo" cases in general.

Rating: [mr]3[/mr]

[Tom]

4.07 Mountie Sings the Blues (1998-11-18)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Gail Collins (Writer), David Cole (Writer)
Director: Larry McLean
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), Michael Hogan (George), Ronnie Hawkins (Muddy Johnson), Shawn Doyle (Dwight Jones), David Keeley (Earl Jeffers), Dan Lett (Carver Dunn), Michelle Wright (Tracy Jenkins), Lynne Deragon (Desk Sergeant), Susan Hamann (MacAfferty), Jamie Williams (Mick), Brad Borbridge (Smith), Justine Campbell (Arlene), Reagan Pasternak (Waitress)

Now that was a fun episode. Also the Turnball courting Francesca is nice.
Even though Gordon Pinsent is in the opening credits, I don't remember seeing him once in this season so far. Though I remember him appearing a lot at the end of this series. So the best episodes should be coming up soon.

Rating: [mr]4[/mr]

[Tom]

4.08 Good for the Soul (1998-12-16)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Peter Mohan (Writer)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), Anne Marie Loder (Stella Kowalski), Charles Dennis (Marcel), Donald Carrier), Marc Brandon Daniel), Alan Scarfe (Wilson Warfield), Jack Jessop (Frank), Pedro Salvin (Café Owner), Claudio Mascuilli (Eddie), Kenny Robinson (Johnny), Greg Anthony Stokes (Reggie), Nadia Litz (Girl)

Ghost Dad is back
I always enjoyed this episode. Episodes where Fraser stands up for his principles against all odds are usually enjoyable.

Rating: [mr]4[/mr]

[Tom]

4.09 Dead Men Don't Throw Rice (1998-11-04)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), David Cole (Writer)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), Barbara Eve Harris (Agent Handler), James Kidnie), John Hemphill), Frank Crudele), Al Waxman (Van Zandt), Lynne Deragon (Desk Sargeant), Michael Simpson (Digger), Mark Wilson (Agent Young), John Boylan (Arthur Vole), Maureen Holloway (Shawnee Aston), Patrick Gallagher (Earle)

A little bit silly. But it has its fun moments with Francesca.

Rating: [mr]3[/mr]

[Tom]

4.10 Say Amen (1999-03-04)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), John Krizanc (Writer)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), Richard Chevolleau (Davie Abelard), Elisabeth Rosen), Nola Augustson), David Fox (Rev. Albert Barrow), Jeff Pustil (Doctor), Katherine Trowell (Technician), Marvin Kaye (Sandy Waters), Robert Thomas (Addie Harlan)

An average episode. Nothing special. Not a very original storyline.

Rating: [mr]3[/mr]

[Tom]

4.11 Hunting Season (1999-03-11)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Julie Lacey (Writer)
Director: Francis Damberger
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), Matt Heney), Vince Bruni), Jessica Steen (Maggie), Tim Koetting (Tommy Ellis), Mario Romano (Man), Dorothy Gordon (Rosy), Cliff Saunders (Eddie), Jed Dixon (Jake)

I always liked this episode. Even though it is has a cliché of any long-running series: [spoiler]The appearance of a lost relative[/spoiler]

Rating: [mr]4[/mr]

[Tom]

4.12 Call of the Wild - Part 1 (1999-03-14)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Gross (Writer), R.B. Carney (Writer)
Director: Steve DiMarco
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Bo Svenson (Holloway Muldoon), Jonathan Potts (Agent Lachlan), Phil Jarrett (Agent Maddox), Jan Rubeš (Mort), Leslie Nielsen (Buck Frobisher), Garry Robbins (Big Toe Blake), Wendy MacDonald (Hotel Manager), Robert Smith (Tough #1), Tony Munch (Jerry Smith)

First part of the series finale with some nice returning cast. For one thing we have Leslie Nielsen as Buck Frobisher again. This time he is used more in his well-known kind of dead-pan delivery of funny lines while crazy stuff is going around him.
And then of course we have the original Ray coming back. It's nice to see both Rays meeting each other. New Ray is confronted with the notion that he has to give up his new life again, which bothers him.

Rating: [mr]5[/mr]

[Tom]

4.13 Call of the Wild - Part 2 (1999-03-14)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Gross (Writer), R.B. Carney (Writer)
Director: Steve DiMarco
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), Anne Marie Loder (Stella Kowalski), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Bo Svenson (Holloway Muldoon), Kenneth Welsh (Cyrus Bolt), Leslie Nielsen (Buck Frobisher), Martha Burns (Caroline Fraser), Peter Ferri (Delmar Huggins), Tony Munch (Jerry Smith), Chaz Thorne (Tony), Isolde Oneill (Tina)

Not as good as the first part. But nice that the series got the chance for a conclusion instead of just having it end. Although the fate of the characters may be unsatisfying for first time viewers I think, viewed as a resolution between the two Rays and Fraser it worked okay.
[spoiler]I always thought of having old Ray get together with Stella (the new Ray's ex-wife) is just a way to show that old Ray first took away new Ray's new life, but then switched and took his old life instead.[/spoiler]

Rating: [mr]4[/mr]

[Tom]

With this I have finally finished this marathon. Now it is your turn, Pete

[DSig]

This is sad making .. i am just 1 years and 5 months late <sigh>.  'Due South' is one of my favorite series.  Watched entire series 3-4 times.

Dsig

[Tom]

You can still join and post your thoughts on the episodes

Pete hasn't yet finished this marathon anyway

[addicted2dvd]

 

[Dragonfire]

 
Neither have I...I don't know why either because I was enjoying the show.  I need to get back to it.