Fellow Clacker Jason made mention a few weeks ago of a show I’d never heard of before called Durham County. The reason I’d never heard of it before was because it’s a Canadian-produced show that, until this month, hadn’t been on U.S. television before (it started airing season one on September 7, on ION). In any case, I was definitely intrigued by Jason’s description of it being “uncomfortable to watch,” so I grabbed season one and dug in.
After finishing season one, I will say conclusively that Durham County is pure brilliance all around.
First of all, the short-season formula is something to be respected. Like in other non-U.S. countries, Durham County‘s seasons span only six episodes, each an hour long. Those six hours are packed full of filler-less meat. There’s no sitting through nonsense episodes 2-5 to get to plot-moving episode six. The season trucks along and keeps you roped in every step of the way, the only downside being the season is over before you know it, and you want more.
I’ll break the plot down for you quickly; don’t worry, I won’t give any spoilers away.
Mike Sweeney (Hugh Dillon), a homicide detective from Toronto, moves his family back to his home town of Durham County, with his wife Audrey (Hélène Joy) and two daughters Sadie (Laurence Leboeuf) and Maddie (Cicely Austin). After he moves in, he realizes an acquaintance from his past, Ray Prager (Justin Louis), lives across the street — an acquaintance he’d really, really rather not have anything to do with. Audrey is recovering from breast cancer, Sadie is a high school student who doesn’t take shit from anyone and likes to stage murder scenes with a dollhouse and clay, in hopes she can help her detective dad. Maddie is the youngest daughter who claims to have the spirit of the last occupant of their new house in her bedroom — the smell of all the blood from his suicide still lingers there.
In the first scenes we’re witness to two murders … and so is someone else, though that would be telling. The rest of the first season follows Mike Sweeney’s hunt for the killer, dealing with his suspicions and haunted past, and how families deal with the fallout. What’s refreshing, though, is how the rest of the family is brought into the plot and does nothing to take us away from it — everything is connected in some way, so we’re not left with side plots to plod through while getting to the real story.
Actually, the thing about Durham County‘s plot is that there really isn’t a mystery to spoil. It’s all right there, and we, the viewer, are omniscient. There’s nothing to really figure out other than how we think it will end. Even so, I won’t detail you with more plot than I already have. While there’s violence in the pilot, it’s not a constant theme throughout the show, so don’t let that set you off.
Some people have compared the show to Twin Peaks, though I can’t attest to that, since I’ve only seen bits and pieces of that show. From what I do know of Twin Peaks, though, the only thing of DC that reminds me of it is the intro theme, which at first looks really bizarre but then starts to make complete sense as you watch the first season unravel:
Yeah, I’m sure you’re wondering what the hell that Anime-headed person is doing at the beginning. Like I said, you’ll get it after watching the season.
I dig everything about this show. The scenery sets the tone perfectly, with the ominous high-tension-wired towers lurking in the backdrop and the dark tones that fit into the appropriate scenes perfectly. The acting is simply top notch as well, the standouts being Hugh Dillon and Justin Louis, though I’m completely satisfied with everyone’s performances. The story as I described it may seem unexceptional, but everything behind and around it keeps you glued to the set.
This show needs to make its way to more televisions in the U.S., because it’s really that good. Kudos to ION for picking it up, but, frankly, who knows about ION? Hell, I barely knew it existed. The thing is, Durham County is a cable show due to its display of violence, language and mild nudity, and there it should stay. Sadly, for many U.S. viewers, the only chance you’ll see this show is by hunting through your cable guide to find this mysterious channel known as “ION” or by grabbing the DVDs (or … by other means), though the DVDs may only be available in Canada.
I’m one episode into season two and I’m once again intrigued by a completely new plot and new supporting roles, including one sci fi fans will recognize: Michelle Forbes. So far, I’ll tell Jason that if he thought season one was uncomfortable, season two is already trumping that.
Have you watched Durham County yet? If so, what did you think? If not, will you be picking it up?
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Sep 25, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
Yes watch both seasons (Canadian here). The second season is very very different from the first, Justin Louis is not back, I thought that would create disconfort but the actor who remplace him, Romano Orzari, is so good that it doesnt matter after all. Michelle Forbes is so awesone, you’ll see!
Over all, what can be said about both of those 2 series is how good the quality of the shows is, good production, good actors, good post-production.
dont know if its official yet but there is a thrid series on its way taking place a couple of years later…