| Fans of the American series Law & Order and CSI will find much to like in the Canadian procedural Da Vinci's Inquest, starring the terrifically understated character actor Nicholas Campbell. But the series is more polished and nuanced than its American cousins, with much less explicit explication--which means a more enjoyable, and challenge, viewing experience. And what mystery fan doesn't love a challenge? Season Three of Da Vinci's Inquest finds our hero, Vancouver coroner Dominic Da Vinci, embroiled in solving random, gruesome crimes, as well as navigating office politics and trying to salvage his personal life. The writing of the series is superb, blending all the elements above into a rich, layered hour of television. No detail is too small to escape Da Vinci's attention--the unexplained death of a "perfectly healthy" man in an elevator (and what floor button he pushed before collapsing); the time of day a young boy happened to be on his bike on a certain street corner--except perhaps in his own spotty love life. The series takes great advantage of the location shooting in Vancouver, showing that city's beauty, and sometimes ragged underbelly, with equal relish. (An American viewer is also struck by how few gunshot deaths Canadian police investigate--there are virtually none.) Extras include some behind the scenes clips, which show the detailed sets and location shots, handled just differently enough from standard Hollywood fare to be captivating to even the most diehard TV fans. Campbell, as ever, is a gem as the world-weary but devoted detective, whose terse, dry sense of humor is sometimes lost on even those closest to him, though never on the viewer. Watch how he deftly anchors a pivotal scene by simply wryly tossing off "Ah, great." Campbell, and Da Vinci: Ah, great. --A.T. Hurley Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
