Due South

Season Three

Burning Down the House

Fraser says in regards to Ray Kowalski's reluctance to enter the burning house that the real Ray Vecchio would have. I think the writer (Paul Gross) wanted us to make the comparison by way of introduction to the new Ray. I really don't think that he wanted us to hate the new Ray, however. Of course, Ray Vecchio would have entered the house but the new and, some say, "self-absorbed" Ray Kowalski has to undergo some character development. His character does develop during the course of the episode. A totally self-absorbed Ray Kowalski would have jumped out of that burning car long before it hit the lake they call Michigan. His character develops further during the course of the series. The parallels between the Pilot and BDTH--"the dead Mountie thing" and the decision to wait for the fire department--appeared to me to be an effort to show that we were again looking at the start of a new relationship and not one necessarily starting on the firmest footing--on the contrary.

I think this episode was a great introduction to the new Ray.  Fraser's confusion, then his determination to prove that this is not Ray Vecchio are well-executed and humorous. His conversations with his father are touching and delightful.  Those two actors work perfectly well together (Paul Gross and Gordon Pinsent).  

Odds

This is one of my very favorite episodes.  Again, I didn't like it the first time I saw it but since it bothered me I decided to watch it again.  Fraser seems more complex than usual in this episode.  Fraser's response to Ladyshoes' statement "I thought you never bluff" is disturbing.  "I'm learning," he says.  Others have pointed out that this story has parallels to the Victoria's Secret episode. Fraser is attracted to Ladyshoes but he is wary of her. Ray Kowalski's constant warnings about "falling for" this "shark" are easily deflected by Fraser.  Despite the fact that he is supposed to be bad at bluffing, Fraser is hard to read throughout this episode. He calmly plays along with Ladyshoes' game but he is only pretending. He gives her every opportunity to tell him the truth but when she doesn't, he  plays out the game. Fraser is definitely different in this episode--he even hurts his back when performing one of his usual leaping-out-of-the-window stunts.  There are few scenes in Due South that can be termed erotic, but the back massage scene is one of them.   This is an unusual episode and it is extremely good.

Good scenes include: the robot-like, parallel actions of the federal agents; Thatcher tipsy, playing for "air"; Fraser in Huey's tux.

Good for the Soul

Fraser is portrayed once again as being stubborn in his quest for justice.  This time, however, he stands alone (as in Juliet is Bleeding but better here) and he suffers for his persistence.  I couldn't watch the screen during the confrontation in the alley.  This episode involved me emotionally as few others have.  I love the scene where Fraser is walking down the street by himself after he leaves the station.  He thinks that even his father has deserted him.  When I get a few good screen captures, I will write a longer review of this excellent, wonderful and moving episode.  I might even include a video capture.

Dead Men Don't Throw Rice

I adore this episode.  Although it deals with death, funerals, caskets and funeral homes, it is funny, touching and delightful.  Fran has great scenes.  Her conversations with Fraser and with her German fiancé are wonderful but are outdone by the scenes of her running down the street in her wedding dress and sneakers. I was impressed that the whole station went to the funeral home when they heard about Fraser.  The tension of the situation is well-maintained throughout the episode in many ways.  

Call of the Wild

This is a really good episode.  Many people find the ending of this episode disturbing and seem to forget the rest of the episode when they start complaining.  

I attended the RCW convention in August 1999 and heard Paul Gross say, in response to a question, that he asked the actors what they wanted for their characters for the end of the series.  He specifically stated that he asked David Marciano what he wanted and David responded with, inter alia, running off with Stella to Florida and opening a bowling alley.  Others who attended the 1998 Con have said that David said something different about the ending.  I wasn't there so I don't know what David Marciano said. Whatever.  The ending was bit strange in some ways.  In reference to Fran's situation, Paul Gross said at the Con that he'll "do better next time."  He was so charming and sweet!

The episode provides a full circle back to the Pilot in so many ways.  The story is good.  I was moved to tears by the scene with Fraser's mother and his father's departure with "Holy Tears'" playing in the background.  The two Rays work very well together. The "Northwest Passage" song at the end is so excellently chosen for the end of the series that I get misty just thinking about it.   This is another episode that I will review in depth with screen captures.