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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
Product Description
Complete third season of the multi-award-winning crime drama
"Gripping" --The Seattle Times
As the crusading and charismatic coroner for the city of Vancouver, Dominic Da Vinci has a mandate to determine "the manner and cause of death" in any suspicious accident or crime. To carry it out, he relies on experience and gut instinctas well as the cops, forensic specialists, and medical experts with whom he works. Together, these investigators probe back alleys and suburban bedrooms to cast light on the shadowy means and motives for murder.
Though Da Vincis Inquest has drawn comparisons to CSI and Law & Order, no other series blends tough, no-nonsense detective work and sophisticated forensic science with such style. Season 3 finds Da Vinci snubbed for promotion, bedeviled by a new bean-counting boss, and haunted by demons from his past.
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