Craig McLachlan plays protagonist Dr Lucien Blake, and he’s mostly great in a role that only occasionally tests his range. While he’s more than able to meet those challenges, rare as they might be, there’s an occasional missed note. One comic sequence in the pilot episode comes off as McLachlan playing to the back row (might be the theatre background) but he mostly gets it right. He’s charming and watchable, and on a show like this, that’s the most important thing. Nadine Garner plays the female lead, and unfortunately she’s not given much more to do than look on in concern, but she’s good at that.
As with all Australian television, some of
the acting in the minor roles is pretty diabolical, but the period setting
looks good and most of the production and technical aspect are more than above
average for a production of this scale. The biggest concern lies in the
writing. There’s just nothing whatsoever about this show that makes me want to
watch another episode –Dr Blake’s back-story isn’t nearly interesting enough,
there’s no level of intrigue and the central mystery of the pilot is
spectacularly dull. If you don’t pick the murderer way before Dr Blake does,
this might be the first procedural you’ve ever watched. There’s no thematic
depth, no consistent sense of humour, no sense of an original voice and no real
reason to come back.
I say all of this without forgetting that
this is not a show aiming for the heights of Rake or Redfern Now – just
look at the night it airs. The Dr Blake
Mysteries is admittedly perfect for a Friday night on the ABC - where
people all over Australia can slowly fall asleep to it. It aims for average and
hits it squarely on the nose.
I was very disappointed too, I was hoping for so much more.
ReplyDeleteSimple plot, dull acting and the tightness of the shots was claustrophobic. But you know what annoyed me most? I couldn't figure out the relationships. Why was Dr Blake living with a housekeeper, a young district nurse and a policeman? Seemed a bit crowded.
Sorry, couldn't disagree more ... I love it. As good as Murdoch Mysteries. [But, then, you might not like that show either :-)]. And with Blake, you can play "spot the Ballarat location" while you watch!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the pilot, having discovered Dr Blake Mysteries rather later than most. This good, solid Aussie TV which really nails most production value. It's period authenticity (1958) is spot on, and with the ease and subtlety of most of the acting we could almost be drawing some parallels with Life on Mars and other quality UK projects. The plot lines, however, are good rather than great; and Dr Blake can finger the villain on sometimes pretty 'iffy' circumstantial evidence - but then he is painted as a risk-taker. Perfect? No. Dr Blake Mysteries is, however, good - at least - and even very good in it's convincing look and feel.
ReplyDeleteIn some respects Dr Blake Mysteries is a very strong show. The production values, period authenticity, and much of the acting is first rate. For me, that is enough reason to rate it 'solid Aussie TV'. So good are some of the production values that I wouldn't have been surprised to see Channel 4 (UK) or BBC names among the credits. It's on my list every week - and it's a short list, at that.
ReplyDeleteAbsoultely loved Dr Blake. It has become the must-watch show for my wife and one of our sons. Exellent production, we love the muted colors.Some good over-arching themes such as Blacke's lost wife & child and devlopment of character relationships such as between Blake & Police Super. Some nice banter and repartee. McLachlan's intelligent & self destructive Blake is a refreshing change in an Australian drama.
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