"Da Vinci's Inquest" (1998) TV series 1998-2005

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Creator:

Chris Haddock

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

7 October 1998 (Canada)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Drama

Tagline:

He has a way with people, especially when they're dead.

Plot:

A Vancouver cop turned coroner searches for truth and justice with the help of his friends.

Plot Keywords:

Coroner | Police | Detective | Forensic | Criminal Investigation

Awards:

34 wins & 56 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 13	1:35 AM	ABC	Not So Pretty Now	#7.1
Mon. July 20	2:05 AM	ABC	Wash the Blood Out of the Ring	#7.2

Cast

Nicholas Campbell	...	Dominic Da Vinci (91 episodes, 1998-2005)
Donnelly Rhodes	...	Det. Leo Shannon (90 episodes, 1998-2005)
Venus Terzo	...	Det. Angela Kosmo (90 episodes, 1998-2005)
Ian Tracey	...	Det. Mick Leary (90 episodes, 1998-2005)
Sarah Strange	...	Helen (81 episodes, 1998-2005)
Alex Diakun	...	Chick Savoy (80 episodes, 1998-2005)
Sarah-Jane Redmond	...	Sgt. Sheila Kurtz / ... (72 episodes, 1998-2005)
Gerard Plunkett	...	Chief Coroner Bob Kelly / ... (71 episodes, 1998-2005)
Suleka Mathew	...	Dr. Sunita 'Sunny' Ramen (66 episodes, 1998-2003)
Gwynyth Walsh	...	Dr. Patricia Da Vinci (52 episodes, 1998-2002)
Kimberly Hawthorne	...	Det. Rose Williams (42 episodes, 2000-2005)

Also Known As:

"Coroner Da Vinci" (Canada: French title) (dubbed version)

Runtime:

44 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Hungary:16

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Trivia:

Before the show premiered in 1998 there was an ongoing mystery concerning the disappearance of dozens of Vancouver area prostitutes which did not stop until the arrest of a Port Coquitlam. B.C. pig farmer - Robert "Willy" Pickton - for multiple murder of some of these prostitutes. The three part opening episode was based on this mystery.

Quotes:

Dominic Da Vinci: I'll tell ya that, for free.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Da Vinci's City Hall" (2005)

Exceptional...

I had heard about this series through friends who worked on set, but actually watched my first couple episodes in Honduras (go figure). I actually live and work in the downtown east side of Vancouver, where most of the series takes place. The imagery, and story lines, are quite true to the neighborhood. Most of the TV series coming out of Vancouver, use the backdrop and call it something else, often side stepping a lot of the uniqueness of the city in an effort to mask the location. DVI actually embrace Vancouver's look as well as problems, which makes thing leagues more genuine.

I LOVE the feel of the show, it's built on longterm story, and the evolution of characters over seasons instead of just episodes. The drama isn't overly heated, it's kept in range enough so to get into an almost documentary feel. Which actually has a better impact as it is taken for reality, more than say... Third Watch, or other "shaky-cam cop shows" that can get over the top dramatic, reminding you that these are actors, on a big budget set.

Canadian TV has always been pretty solid on drama and story, as there isn't always a budget big enough to blow up buildings, cars, or anything else for that matter. They are heavily supported by Canadian viewers. I will watch things sometimes just because they are Canadian, and am often quite surprised. And by Canadian, I mean real Canadian, not American companies, heading north in the interest in saving money.

All in all great show, great stories, great characters, in a great city. And Even though most of the focus is on the more seedy of areas of Vancouver, if you've ever lived there, you'll know there a certain charm to that area. Bottom line, take some time, and enjoy your first episode, It will go from there I'm sure.