Customer Reviews

Da Vinci's Inquest - Season 2

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Applause to whomever finally decided to get off the stick and release subsequent seasons of this phenomenal TV series, based on the exploits of Vancouver's legendary coroner-turned-mayor Larry Campbell. Nicholas Campbell's Da Vinci ranks with James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano as one of the greatest sustained performances in television. Charismatic, principled, cranky, witty and deeply flawed in so many interesting ways, Campbell is surrounded by a deep and appealing ensemble cast of characters(Ian Tracey, Venus Terzo, Alex Diakun, Kim Hawthorne, Sarah Strange, Sulekha Mathew, Gwyneth Walsh and especially Donnelly Rhodes as the equally crusty Leo), all buoyed along on writer-producer Chris Haddock's fast-paced interwoven storylines. A textbook example of how to create an ongoing storyarc along a spine of individually satisfying episodes. The series loses its way a bit in later seasons, and builds a long meandering plotline that never satisfactorily resolves itself, but it's still a completely addictive ride along the way because the acting, directing and character writing are of such a high level. In this season, look for a particularly chilling guest shot by Matt Frewer ("Max Headroom") as a weirdly self-confident serial killer.

The second season of Da Vinci's Inquest is as good the first season was, and it still has everything one can wish for :
Strong characters supported by excellent actors, fascinating stories, competent direction.
What is amazing is the overall coherence of the sum of those parts : this show clearly has its own personnality, this is not the average crime drama but an unique work of art.

I'm an American, fortunate to be able to receive CBC. When I see Chris Haddock's name on anything, I know it will be quality. The minute I saw the second season of "DaVinci's Inquest" was available, I bought it. I've no idea how it is possible, but this series just gets better every season. The mixture of humor, pathos, mystery and drama is perfection. The only flaw I've seen in either season is the attempt to make DaVinci's mother seem more Italian than she is. I can't tell whether the problem lies with the actress or the director, but when she uses an Italian phrase, it comes off as clumsy and amateurish. This character doesn't spend more than 15" on the screen in all the episodes together, and that's a good thing.
Season 2's episode of "Sister's Light" will break your heart and is flawless, as are most of the episodes. In the first season, the writing had Leo (Donnelly Rhodes) as an irritating grump, but by the second season, they figured out what to do with him and his gruff humor, sadness of a husband with a wife losing her mind - fit the character beautifully.You know when he comes on the screen he will either make you laugh or break your heart.
Wish I knew how to reach the team that put this series together and ask them why they don't just put the entire set on sale? I didn't find this series until just before it was shot down by CBC, so was at the mercy of the commercials/reruns until the first two seasons came available on DVD.

I'd like to comment on CBC and their treatment of this team, as evidenced by what they are currently doing to "Intelligence", but that's another show and a separate issue. When Canadians find something as perfect as "DaVinci" and "Intelligence", they have systematically sabotaged them for what I call milk-toast shows that I wouldn't turn the TV on for. If any of you want to catch DaVinci reruns, they are currently in the first season on ABC, Monday mornings, at about 12:04 a.m. CBC stopped the reruns years ago but ABC is putting it through a second set of re-runs.
Set your VCR and watch the magic happen.

Come on, Mr. Haddock - get ALL your shows on DVD. It would be a crime to bury them in rerun land, chopped up and butchered. You wrote a series that matches or tops most everything American. Make your programs available for your fans to view and enjoy over the years.
Just because CBC didn't know what they had, doesn't mean the people don't appreciate your shows, the actors and the amazing writing.

I am so excited that the second season of the most exceptional and wonderful televised series is now available for pre-ordering. I have ordered mine, have you.? I have begged Program Partners and anyone else I could contact to please put ALL of the seasons out on DVD. This is a start.

The description says the language for this DVD is French, but it is most definitely in English. Amazon has been notified and we hope the error will be corrected shortly.

Da Vinci's Inquest Season 2 was just as good if not better than season 1. I love this show!! The DVD set was awsome! For the person who commented on the DVD being in French, it is formated in English. However, you can go in and select it to be tranlated/subtitled in French at the beginning of the set up. There was only one of the shows that had a French subtile running (like you would see for closed caption for the hearing impaired) and I could not figure out how to get it off. To me it was worth it once you get into the show who cares about a subtile on one show? The quality of the DVD's for season 1&2 was fabulous. Can't wait for Season 3 to release!

This series would be much better if the writers would not have taken thier personal scewed political agenda as the normal and excepted by everyone.

I got hooked on this show just by watching the re=runs on ABC at 130 am Mondays... I ordered the first three seasons, since those are the only seasons that so far are available on DVD. the first season was fine.... it had Closed Captioned... since I def need this since I am a bit hard of hearing.. However, the second and third seasons are NOT.closed captioned, even though Amazon is advertising it that it does have CC. Im so frustrated. Tried to watch season 2 but its really not enjoyable, since I really cant understand what is being said. I called amazon to complain about this and they told me to return and I will get a full refund and would not have to pay for return postage. Im so disappointed. Im not interested in returning. what I want are seasons 2 and 3 in closed captioned. but doesnt look like Im going to get my wish. So back to amazon they are going.

This is a different kind of cop show, taking place in Vancouver. Very interesting and likable characters.

With the further development of subplots, Da Vinci's Inquest's second season is aging like a fine wine. Led by Actors Nicholas Campbell and Donnelly Rhodes, this fast pace gritty narrative set in Vancouver B.C. continues to impress its faithful following.
As stated in my review of Season I, all the characters are delightfully flawed and all contribute to a riveting and believable fast paced Police drama. As in the first season the plots are not predictable, you never really know what's coming up next. In many ways it's much better than the standard " who done it" scenario. The interplay dialogue between characters is both biting and caustic. This language scenario adds to the realism of this incredible Police drama.
Look for the last two episodes to chill the back of your spine. Matt Fewer plays a chilling and unstable serial killer that makes Norman Bates look like Theodore Cleaver. As in all of Da Vinci's seasons they are limited to 13 episodes. Unlike the set normal TV Series in the USA which is normally 22 episodes, you will only see the limited 13 shows. So you'll have to savor each episode in the short season.
This fast paced series is absolutely the best of its genre. 7 Stars! No Problem!!