"Due South" Pilot (1994)

Director:

Fred Gerber

Writers:

Paul Haggis (writer)
Jeff King (writer)

TV Series:

"Due South" (1994)

Original Air Date:

23 April 1994 (Season 1, Episode 0)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Comedy | Drama

Plot:

After the murder of his father in the Yukon, Fraser, a RCMP constable, follows the killer's tracks all the way to Chicago where he meets Ray...

Plot Keywords:

Rcmp | Mounted Police Officer | Police Officer | Chicago Illinois | Wolf Hybrid

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Paul Gross	...	Constable Benton Fraser
David Marciano	...	Det. Ray Vecchio
Wendel Meldrum	...	Leann Brighton
Chuck Shamata	...	Capt. Walsh
Joseph Ziegler	...	Insp. Moffatt
Page Fletcher	...	Frank Drake
Ken Pogue	...	Gerard
Kaye Ballard	...	Mrs. Vecchio
Gordon Pinsent	...	Fraser Sr.
James Millington	...	Underhill
Victor Ertmanis	...	Supt. Meers
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Senior Official
Eric Schweig	...	Inuit Hunter
Kimberly Ange	...	RCMP Officer 1
Jennifer Parsons	...	RCMP Officer 2

Runtime:

Canada:100 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Alliance Communications Corporation

Trivia:

Kevin Rushton makes his first appearance in this episode playing the guy in the bar who threatens the boys with a bottle. He went on to play various characters throughout the show's history.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Obvious stunt double when Fraser jumps on the back of the speeding van.

Quotes:

Ray Vecchio: You know we just took out seven guys? One more and you'd qualify for American citizenship.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Royal Canadian Air Farce: (1997-12-31)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Superman's Song

Very tongue in cheek!

I think that some people who criticize this show have missed the point. Yes, the concept of it is totally silly - because Mounties are rarely actually seen in red uniforms, let alone while cavorting around Chicago solving crimes...

BUT, the show is fantastic for playing upon the world (and American!) perceptions of Canadians. It's got it all - the red suited Mountie, the husky-wolf-dog, the overly polite Canadian who's politeness always end up saving the day, and lots of scenes in a cabin in the snowy wilds of Canada (I mean, isn't Canada covered in snow 90% of the year, and don't we all drive dog sleds?).

I am Canadian, but have been living in England for the past 5 years, so my perspective on Canadian television has changed. I now look at it with the eyes of an ex-pat who can see all the terribly amusing little Canadian things in the shows.

As a result - watching this show again in re-runs has made me realize just how good it is. The writing and the acting are brilliant - with Benton (displaced polite Mountie) and Ray (gruff, jaded, hard Chicago cop) are perfect television partners. They play off each other's eccentricities, while making fun of both American and Canadian stereo-types. There is comedy, drama, and even action!

Try not to take this show too seriously - the writers know that a red suited Mountie in Chicago is ridiculous - that's what makes this show so brilliant! The show was filmed in Toronto (which any self-respecting Torontonian would be able to tell you), so if for no other reason, watch the show to see how many times the producers/editors put in a shot of the EL (the famed Chicago Elevated Train), just to try and pretend that they really WERE in Chicago!