2:15 pm - 01/23/2013
After five seasons, 75 episodes, and what reviewers describe as a riveting finale, "Flashpoint" has come to an end. As a result, the police drama's Canadian and American followings (it aired on both CTV and on CBS) must say goodbye, making "Degrassi" the only other scripted Canadian series turning heads south of the border.
So, what made "Flashpoint" so special? Produced for CTV in 2007, CBS signed on as production partner in 2008 during the writer's strike. From there, the show premiered to American and Canadian audiences, and filled the void left by TV shows on hiatus. Unfortunately, "Flashpoint" was dropped by CBS in 2011, but the police drama was then picked back up by ION Television, where it stayed until its conclusion. A cause for celebration, certainly, especially considering "Flashpoint's" Canadian roots.
Despite a distinct lack of buzz (arguably, it's no "Breaking Bad" or "Boardwalk Empire"), "Flashpoint" managed to maintain a fan base large enough to justify a prime time slot, with an early 18-episode order for its fifth and final season. However, unlike "Degrassi," "Flashpoint" didn't deal with controversial social issues, nor did it embrace the type of gut-wrenching subplots you might see on "C.S.I." or "Law and Order."
But perhaps that's what made it stand out. It's easy to look at a show like "Flashpoint" -- a subtly praised, Canadian series that was dropped from a major American network -- and dismiss it as just another venture in national broadcasting. However, the fact that Canada produced a cop show that chose to end (as opposed to being cancelled) and didn't outright channel or copy American shows is a victory. Canada is often pegged as "America junior," but instead of making another version of "C.S.I.," CTV chose to make "Flashpoint," a series revolving around a tight-knit group of police officers that combined action with real, human stories.
( More behind the cut!Collapse )
Source is a month old, but the finale just aired in the US last night.
So, for those 5 ONTDers who watch Flashpoint - what'd you think of the finale??
Why Canadian television wins with cop-drama "Flashpoint"
After five seasons, 75 episodes, and what reviewers describe as a riveting finale, "Flashpoint" has come to an end. As a result, the police drama's Canadian and American followings (it aired on both CTV and on CBS) must say goodbye, making "Degrassi" the only other scripted Canadian series turning heads south of the border.
So, what made "Flashpoint" so special? Produced for CTV in 2007, CBS signed on as production partner in 2008 during the writer's strike. From there, the show premiered to American and Canadian audiences, and filled the void left by TV shows on hiatus. Unfortunately, "Flashpoint" was dropped by CBS in 2011, but the police drama was then picked back up by ION Television, where it stayed until its conclusion. A cause for celebration, certainly, especially considering "Flashpoint's" Canadian roots.
Despite a distinct lack of buzz (arguably, it's no "Breaking Bad" or "Boardwalk Empire"), "Flashpoint" managed to maintain a fan base large enough to justify a prime time slot, with an early 18-episode order for its fifth and final season. However, unlike "Degrassi," "Flashpoint" didn't deal with controversial social issues, nor did it embrace the type of gut-wrenching subplots you might see on "C.S.I." or "Law and Order."
But perhaps that's what made it stand out. It's easy to look at a show like "Flashpoint" -- a subtly praised, Canadian series that was dropped from a major American network -- and dismiss it as just another venture in national broadcasting. However, the fact that Canada produced a cop show that chose to end (as opposed to being cancelled) and didn't outright channel or copy American shows is a victory. Canada is often pegged as "America junior," but instead of making another version of "C.S.I.," CTV chose to make "Flashpoint," a series revolving around a tight-knit group of police officers that combined action with real, human stories.
( More behind the cut!Collapse )
Source is a month old, but the finale just aired in the US last night.
So, for those 5 ONTDers who watch Flashpoint - what'd you think of the finale??
There was a bomb squad investigating a suspicious package not too far from my work about an hour ago, and when I saw live videos of a robot approaching it, all I could think about was Babycakes! I'm clearly miss Team one :(
However, I will be eternally pressed about Donna.
@elisasboy72: Spike finally gets to sit across from Winnie for a lovely dinner. The ravishing @TattiawnaJones at FP dinner. #FPCTV pic.twitter.com/Vnwi4jog
@TattiawnaJones: Spinnie's first date? Come on spinoff :) pic.twitter.com/Y26N1Kh
@elisasboy72 A spinnie spinoff would be so awesome!!!
I so would have wanted to see them actually get together. Oh well.
Nevertheless, adorable!
I feel you on Donna. :( And when she said "Eddie" right before the bomb went off... Is it just me, or did she and Ed have crazy chemistry together?
That's what I'm really enjoying about this show. The bad guys aren't just bad guys doing bad things - they're people. People who make bad choices, but choices you can understand.
Edited at 2013-01-23 11:04 pm (UTC)
I've been marathoning this show for the past few weeks. I'd seen the first couple seasons before, a long time ago, but I wanted to start from the beginning again. I just started season 5, and I'm extremely sad that it's almost over. What am I going to do without Team One??
Oh, and I have to say...Sam is a cutie, and I wanna marry Spike!