Due South (1994–1999) User Reviews

Addictive

[spacenerd · 8/10 · 4 July 2006]

I adore Due South and am very happy to be getting the chance to see it again. It needs to be seen again and again. *SPOILERS*

This show has a gorgeous blend of comedy, drama, and comedy. All the characters are funny and witty and a little off but very real and human. The plots can range from a bit formula like to stunning, but it's always the interaction of the characters that'll keep you. Esp. Fraser and Ray(Vecchio). What a team and what a wonderful friendship. They make me happy. The series has such a feel good tone.

The music... people have mentioned the music right? It's fantastic. I think the song choices and the way in which the series was set-up and paced and blended, it made it very special.

Sadly to special for CBS to keep it. I have to admit, I felt the series changed for the worse when it was brought back a third time. Rightfully it was losing focus by the end of season 2, but by season 3 there's a definite tone change. It becomes less magical, more silly. Jokes have an odd and cruel bent to them, making the characters jokes. It descends into farce.

There's a divide on like and it's an issue in Due South fandom. Hardly one to shy viewers away though.

Canada

[tigerscom · 9/10 · 29 April 2021]

The wolf Diefenbaker is the star of the show. He steals all the scenes he is in.

Due South

[jasmineburns · 8/10 · 2 July 2009]

Due South was a really good show especially considering it was a Canadian show and a lot of Canadian shows (even though I am a proud patriotic Canadian I have to admit this, even though it hurts) a lot of Canadian shows suck.

I wish Due South was still on TV it is on in reruns but more episodes / new episodes would be great, it had real good acting writing and production value over all it just looked and feeled like a really good show.

Maybe one of the best Canadian shows ever made here and I hope they bring it back for movies etc.

It should never have ended

[Dante Hicks · 2 December 1999]

In my opinion this is probably the best TV show ever made, which explains why it didn't last that long. Originality is the key even though it sits within the much copied police genre. A mountie, on the trail of his fathers killer, winds up in Chicago where he befriends a streetwise detective and together they solve the crimes, both big and small, of the Windy City. It's the fact that humour and characterisation take first place over gritty realism (Overrated to be honest) that separates it from, well, every other cop show ever made. Benton Fraser is undeniably one of the greatest characters ever to grace the small screen and his relationship with Ray Vecchio is both touching and humourous. I admit that the dramatic episodes, such as 'Victoria's Secret' and the magnificent 'Juliet is Bleeding' overwhelm the other, lighter, episodes but that is simply because they are so brilliantly written. When Ray and Fraser are sat in the hospital at the end of 'Juliet' and Ray speaks out about his childhood romance with the deceased Irene (Incidentally played by 'The Matrix's' Carrie Anne Moss) you can honestly feel his pain and the expression on Frasers face says more than any amount of comforting words could. It's little scenes like that which show up the show as truly great and worthy of more than three seasons. My favourite scene however, is at the end of 'The Deal' when, after Fraser is badly beaten by the local Mafia boss, Ray takes revenge on his age old nemesis by humiliating him in front of his subordinates, even though he knows that that action might cost him his life. The bonds of friendship between the two have always been shown to be tighter than steel, that's why the show was so great.The acting too was always top notch and if life is even remotely fair both Gross and Marciano should have no problem finding other work. I love this show and it always made me feel good inside. Even though it's gone I'll always have a special place in my heart for it's warmth and humour. It will be sorely missed.

I Grew Up On This Show

[bingbingbaobei · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

So I, an American, was sitting in a taxi with a Brit and my husband, an Iranian. We were discussing shows from our childhood that had a profound impact on us. "Due South" came up and it was amazing to see how this show had made it to all corners of the world! This show had incredible diversity between episodes and a wonderful tongue in cheek sense of humour. I haven't found anything to date that compares.

The show that keeps on giving

[rhtabone · 10/10 · 16 May 2004]

Although Due South was cancelled more than 6 years ago, it's legacy lives on DVD, albeit not the best DVD sets ever made.

Now that I have seasons 1 and 2 on DVD, I started watching the episodes all over again. It feels so fresh! It's wonderful to laugh once more at the best jokes, to ponder about some unusual quote delivered by our favourite mountie (OFM), to pay attention and to understand several layers of symbolism in the most "brainy" episodes...

What do we get from Due South? We get several quirky stories, from solving crimes to convincing people to do the right thing. We get wonderful and inspirational music, with some Canadian artists who are now big names, such as Sarah McLachlan and Loreena McKennitt. We get heart-felt monologues of Constable Benton Fraser using some Inuit tale to inspire people to do good. We get several early appearances of now household names, such as Melina Kanakaredes and Jane Krakowsky.

Some double length episodes would have been excellent movies in their own right. The Pilot speaks for itself (not included in Season 1, bad Alliance).

"Victoria's Secret" (towards the end of Season 1) is an excellent story of betrayal and lost love. It has two of the most poignant scenes ever on TV (SPOILERS!): 1. Fraser imagines Victoria through a revolving door while snows falls on her, all with McLachlan's Possession playing in the background. 2. After being shot, Fraser recites a poem, over and over again, just as Victoria had done when he had saved her life years back.

"All the Queen's Horses", with Leslie Nielsen, blends a great comedy with a very good action story, including an incredible scene in which OFM and Inspector Thatcher tried to free themselves from ropes using one her hairclips.

There other memorable scenes, such as OFM hypnotizing people to find out what they had seen earlier, scenes from the perspective of OFM's deaf wolf (Diefenbaker) and a 1972 or 71? green Buick Riviera exploding in three different occasions.

In short, bite the bullet, get the DVDs even if there are no extras and the packaging isn't the best and witness what TV should really be like.

PS: Paul Gross (The Mountie) is amazing. He produced Seasons 3 and 4 and also wrote most of the episodes of those seasons. He also played Hamlet in the Canada's Stratford Festival to rave reviews.

Great comedy cop series with a punch!

[jhmoondance · 10/10 · 24 August 2021]

Brilliant hour long fast action paced cop program. It delivers well in acting, directing n editing.

I've just started watching it n I can't believe that I missed it first time around. Its a little gem of a series n keeps viewers gripped for an entertaining 60minutes.

Highly recommend you watch this. It follows on after each episode so missing 1 may be a bit of a bummer.

Brilliant acting too.

The show in Iran

[yousef_m_yegane · 10/10 · 28 September 2012]

Well, we saw that in the dubbed version. I was a elementary school student, but I have never missed the show. I loved the style of the show and I wished it had never ended. When I saw Ray missed dropped from the show, I was very disappointed. I think both Ray and Benny were well coupled in the show and dropping him was a mistake. Then again, I have heard that it was Marciano who demanded more, but I think it worth. The romantic events of the show were cocktails of strong and superficial romances with almost all natural feelings. I liked the dynamics of girls liked hitting on the Fraser. I wished the show revealed that he is a normal person with normal feelings. But wanted to behave with women with respect and show them that they are not tools.

Hands Across Our Northern Border

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 26 June 2015]

What worked for McCloud in the 70s worked as well for Due South in the 90s. The idea of a visiting law enforcement official coming into a strange environment and working with local police. In the process everybody learns something. It was certainly a success for McCloud it also worked for the British series Dempsey&Makepeace with an American cop over in London and a shortlived series called Houston Knights where a cop from Chicago works with the Houston PD.

In Due South a Canadian Mountie Paul Gross is sent on assignment to Chicago and is partnered with David Marciano, Italo-American detective. Let us say that both fit stereotypes perfectly. And the chemistry was perfect.

When Marciano left the show and Gross was partnered with someone else the show definitely lost something. Marciano may have been annoyed at times with Gross's perfect character, a Mountie straight out of Nelson Eddy. But Gross is well read on a seemingly unlimited amount of subjects that actually help on investigations. Marciano learned to respect that.

One joke was strictly for Canadians. Gross has his dog as every Mountie since Sergeant Preston did. He called him Diefenbaker. Very few south of the 49th parallel would get calling a dog after one of Canada's Prime Ministers. But Diefenbaker was a blunderbuss of a character and I'm sure Canadians found that hilarious.

I wish the show was still running, but only with Marciano and Gross.

One of my favourite TV series.

[princess919 · 10/10 · 17 August 2007]

I remember watching this series when I was a kid, my entire family would sit down to watch it together.

These two series were the best, Fraser and Ray worked well together and there were great episodes that had me laughing out loud. I recently bought series 1 and 2 online and was glad to discover that if anything they were now funnier, also now that I am older I am able to appreciate more why women fall for Fraser at the age of 10 I didn't quite recognise how attractive he is and how rare it is to find a guy who opens doors for people. The second series benefited from the addition of Camilla Scott I know some people didn't like her but I thought her character very funny and enjoyed episodes with her in them the most.

The 1st and 2nd seasons are excellent and if you get the chance to watch or purchase these i would recommend that you do.

rose tinted glasses

[constable-diefenbaker · 6/10 · 22 June 2006]

I'm sorry to say this, but I feel that seasons 3 and 4 were not up to the same quality of the 2 earlier seasons. I'm fortunate in that ITV 3 have spent the last 6 months showing the seasons back to back(and again for good measure). I must admit that while I recall liking Due South back when it originally aired, I seemed to have remembered the show perhaps through rose tinted glasses. Now that I have had the opportunity to watch the show in it's entirety, I can see a marked difference after the loss of the David Marciano. Don't get me wrong, Rennie brought a new dynamic to the show but the very qualities that originally drew me were lost. Season 3's highlight was the popular Mounty on the Bounty but by series 4 the show had morphed into a parody of itself. I'm not suggesting that every episode had to be as dark and intense as Victoria's Secret, but it seemed to get progressively sillier and at times it was almost embarrassing to watch. Already part way through season 3 I'm fed up of hearing the stale "I came to Chicago on the trail....", it was funny a couple of times but virtually every episode?!....Nooooooo! Rennie and Paul Gross worked well off each other and I can't fault him as an actor or his portrayal of the character. It just seems that the scripts suffered, the story lines per se however did not falter as can be seen by the final episodes COTW. It would be nice if they could gather the cast together and do a one-off 10 years later special. Still, I live in hope!

10 years after it finished & it is still my favourite

[paquiadaniel · 10/10 · 11 April 2011]

This show really was my favourite TV Show ever & still is to this day. I purchased the Box Set on line & am about to buy another just to put away. The absolute beauty of this show was the storyline & casts as week after week in it's 4 season run with a 68 episode total made it always had a different story line and the main characters involved & who says never work with animals as the one in this show is so much a part of the cast he really did make the shows appeal even bigger. Shame they took it off the air so soon but let it not be forgotten a lot of now big Canadian Actors on US TV started out with parts in this show. Im my honest opinion the Mountie,The Wolf,The cop & all the others where retired too soon way too soon.

Watch it to believe the good in humankind

[gueser · 12 January 2000]

I have long since packed away the Due South videotapes I own and stashed them in an unobtrusive corner, but that didn't stop me from checking out the IMDb entry and the fans' comments while surfing through here. I want to put in my two cents worth because I loved that show and I hope that one or two other persons who read this will seek it out and come to enjoy it too. Other fans have written great things about the overall quality and the subtle humor of the series - two of the best reasons to watch, so I shall stick to how I feel about the show.

Due South is a courageous show. Week after week, the writers put the comically unflappable Mountie Fraser in center court, fighting crime in his bright red ceremonial uniform. This raised eyebrows and started snickers. It was ridiculed for its ostentatiously feel-good storylines and ignored as "another one of those cop buddy series". But those who overcame their initial cynicism and stayed to watch a full hour of the show discovered a gem. The message of the show was - don't be afraid to show what's in your heart and mind. Due South the series, by being on air and gaining a loyal following, led by example.

Due South promotes old fashioned virtues. Mountie Fraser opens doors and helps old ladies cross streets. He always goes the extra mile for everyone he knows. Detractors claimed that the character was cartoonish. But again, they missed the point. I am reminded of a forwarded e-mail that encouraged the reader to wear bright colored clothes to improve the mood, spike the energy level and increase productivity in general. Another e-mail said to smile frequently so that one will feel better about oneself and be attractive to others at the same time. Due South embodies the spirit of those quaint but universally sound advice. You bring out the best in others by exhibiting the best in yourself. In our modern world of depressing grays and browns, Fraser's scarlet served as a flashing reminder that passion, over any issue, causes us to care about others and may yet redeem us from the selfish, individualistic blackhole that society is sleepwalking towards.

And my favorite reason, Due South is about friendship. Fraser and Ray took bullets for each other. I can recall a few other cop and soldier shows that had the lead characters do the same but more often than not, it's done to grandstand the machismo of the protagonists. Due South says what's really important is to be a hero for your loved ones, the people who actually need that from you. In real life, those who were passionate about the show became good friends, making full use of the (then) infant Internet to clamor for the revival of the show after its first season. I made friends with fantastic people who shared my love for Due South, people who understood and placed a high value on the kind of "through thick and thin" relationship that the show emphasized.

Due South resounds with the hope that we will remember to have love in our hearts and empathy in our actions. It doesn't try to shock or sensationalize. Instead, it requires the viewer to reflect a little after the television set is switched off. It appeals to the brain as much as it does to the heart and the funny bone. It will always be one of the best shows I know.

Beautiful television!

[wdllofzepia · 9/10 · 3 May 2006]

A wonderful piece of TV production. A police series with some comedic touches. Wonderful acting, script, camera work, music, photography. Whenever there is an episode on TV I can never stop watching it. It doesn't contain much if any "in your face" vulgarity or swearing, but still remains not only authentic but realistic in its own way.

It has action, comedy, romance at times, and is a buddy series at the same time. I can't say it enough, it is a wonderful production that you just have to see for yourself. Don't take it too seriously, but don't worry, it is not silly or anything. Watch it!

The plot is about a Canadian police officer that for personal and police business takes a transfer to Chicago (with his lovely white wolf, yes, wolf). There he meets and becomes friend of a local police officer. The three of them (with less focus on the wolf), have a variety of encounters that you would expect, and some that you wouldn't. Not every episode is full of gun shooting action, but all of them, in their own way, have you glued on your seat waiting to find out how exactly things will proceed. Just Beauuuuutiful!

Terrific writing!

[cymraeg99 · 10/10 · 16 March 2007]

I just wanted to give you an example of how terrific the writing was for this show. (This may not be an exact quote, but it's close enough for you to get the idea).

Frasier and Ray are chasing the bad guy through the streets of Chicago, and the bad guy gets away in a car.

Frasier and Ray, being on foot, decide to hail a cab and pursue him.

They pull the cab over, get in, and Frasier says to the cab driver (wait for it): "Follow that car".

The cab driver takes one look at them and says "Do you have any money?"

Frasier pulls out a $20 bill and hands it to the cab driver, who looks at it and says "I can't take this. It's Canadian!"

Ray says to the cab driver: "So, drive 20% slower".

Mistake in the FAQ

[arliss-arbeau · 10/10 · 24 January 2018]

In the FAQ there was a question on what do the badges on Frasiers uniform mean. The person who answered answered incorrectly regarding the 3 service stars. The person answered that they are good conduct awards. They are not. Each Star indicate 5 years of service. Frasier has 3 so that indicates he has at least 15 years of service. The service stars are only worn by RCMP members holding the ranks of Constable to Corps Sergeant Major. Inspectors and above do not wear service stars or any other badge on the sleeve. As well in the mid 1990s the RCMP switched over to a 9mm pistol, and completely dropped the .38 special. So Frasier should have been issued the S&W 5946 9mm pistol as well as new holster and mag pouch for his duty belt while in red serge.

Due South back on UK TV!

[franblakes · 8/10 · 25 October 2010]

Long overdue a repeat...

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One of the best TV series it back! Now being repeated in the UK on BBC Two, after a long await!!! Just have to count how many cars Ray had replaced - he loved that car! Having been axed once, the BBC saved it. It was axed again and got saved, but nothing could save this series when the axed fell for the third time :-( But it would be nice for a catch up mini-series -- can't remember how the series concluded...

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Enjoy!

My first exposure to Paul Haggis' brilliance

[BasiliskSt · 10/10 · 1 January 2007]

I fondly recall the engaging Pilot episode when it aired as a two-hour television movie, but it was only toward the end of season one that I was hooked for life, with the two-hour episode, "Victoria's Secret." Victoria's Secret is still in my experience the single best television episode of any series. It made Melina Kanakaredes (Victoria) a star. The haunting use of Sarah McLachlan's music (among others) was then a novel intertwining of musical tone and lyrics with the visual story. The technique is now common place, and it is easy to forget how compelling it was upon first exposure. Due South was that innovative show for me. Victoria's Secret was the very definition of spellbinding.

The buddy combination of Fraser and Vechio (Paul Gross and David Marciano) created characters I suddenly cared about deeply. As a series, the episodes were a bit uneven in tone, but the highs of drama and comedy were superb. The moral at the kernel of each episode tended to be both persuasive and inspired. I liked that the show had a positive moral viewpoint. Due South tended to put life into perspective. There are shows you miss when they are gone, even mourn. Due South was one of those for me.

To Paul Haggis and the rest of the Due South cast and crew, "Thank you, kindly."

Brilliant continuation of the series!

[emerald01 · 10/10 · 7 January 2003]

With the replacement of Ray Vecchio with Ray Kowalski, the show's dynamic changes a bit. But that's not a bad thing! The chemistry is different, but it's a whole lot of fun. The story lines are fun and interesting, and the quirkiness is highlighted. Sometimes it gets a little silly, but that's good, too. This show maintained the focus of the series, with Fraser insisting on doing what's right and Ray trying to work with his partner's idiosyncrasies. Two thumbs, and two big toes, way up!

Less is more.

[stella-4 · 2 February 1999]

"Less is more" is the concept that makes this series so compelling and fun to watch. The cast displays rare talent, with Paul Gross portraying a unique leading man, a refreshing change from other carbon-copy cop shows. Gordon Pinsent, as his ghost-of-a-father, is delightful and completely at ease as he appears to Gross to guide, advise and torment. He is, indeed, one of the most underused and underrated actors of our time. This series is a perfect example of what good quality television the United States is missing.

Will always be a favourite of mine.

[jhsteel · 9/10 · 13 February 2009]

Due South will always have special place in my heart - I have all the episodes on video and it is great to return to them. Fraser is a wonderful character who inspires me to continue to have faith in human nature. He is believable, even though some of his exploits are a bit supernatural or superhuman sometimes. The quirkiness of the plots and some of the characters I always put down to the Canadian influence and this distinguishes this show - its uniqueness is its main appeal, as well as its optimism. Others have mentioned the music - this show introduced me to Sarah McLachlan who is wonderful, and other music from Canada that I would never have heard. The use of tracks that were slow and moving while car chases were going on works - who would have thought of that? Finally, I must put in a word for the values that Fraser espouses - he is a very honourable man, a great role model in many ways. The final season was different, but I still enjoyed it. The quirkiness remained and although some of it was fanciful, it still worked for me. Such a shame that it was cancelled so many times!

I missed the original ray,

[princess919 · 10/10 · 17 August 2007]

The last two series of due south were for the most part filmed without the original Ray (David Marciano), instead we had a ridiculous and unbelievable story about Stanley kowalski (callum Keith Rennie)replacing him while he was undercover. This was made worse by the new "Ray" being in contact with his, (Stanley's) ex wife, and often blowing his cover to random strangers (season 1 episode 2 eclipse).

Having said all this I did find some of the episodes quite good "mountie on the bounty" was funny and enjoyable as was "dr longball".

But I did miss the original Ray and somehow Fraser seemed more normal around the the quirky Stanley kowalski.

only 5 out of 10 for this.

Should of ended earlier

[niallb_arseface · 10/10 · 8 November 2008]

Due South is one of those shows I can watch all the time, all day, it wasn't just some cop dramedy, it had a lot of character and vivacious plots. The script is always hilarious but still showed a serious side in every episode. Set in the mean streets of Chicago, there was always crime about, and two of the most unlikely people team up to make one of the best shows during the nineties. Fraser a Canadian Mountie, transfered to Chicago after a murder case involving his father, and Ray a typical loud mouthed cop. It was expertly written by the great Paul Haggis, who has created epic films such as "Crash", and the new James Bond movies. The characters where great, Benton Fraser, a do-gooding Mountie who always wants to help even when not wanted, finds out what happened by licking a piece of dirt and of course, always unwittingly very amusing. Raymond Vecchio, never wants to be in the situation he is in, but still makes you laugh, and is driven to help Fraser, and of course Diefenbaker, Frasers deaf wolf. The story lines where always different and whether it was a funny or serious episode, you where always compelled to watch it, and see how it all unfolded, i think that was the key to their success, the explanations where always incredibly interesting to view. Although like most I assume, I wasn't keen when the original Ray left, and was replaced by "Kowalski", it kind of went downhill for me, he wasn't as fun to watch as Ray was, wasn't as engaging and just not particularly funny. Anyway if you haven't seen it, do!

Flash back

[thekarmicnomad · 8/10 · 22 July 2022]

I am increasingly being drawn back to shows I watched as a kid, sometimes the results are very disappointing, but not here.

This is your typical "unlikely pair solves some crimes" sort of affair. It is a bit silly and a little repetitive; but such good fun.

The show gets an awful lot of mileage out of the "polite Canadian" bit, but I never got tired of it.

There are some strange aspects of this show that date it - like how each episode basically has a music video where an entire rock track or power ballad blasts out over a car chase of a love scene.

The characters are great and although it does dip into the emotional pool now and then it is generally light and good natured fun.

You can also play some fun drinking games.

* Benton smashes through a window - drink.

* Ray does an illegal U-turn - drink.

* Francesca shows her underwear - drink.

* Benton's dad changes outfit - drink

* Ray uses all his bullets - drink

* Diefenbaker sneaks a snack - drink

The picture is in the old format, the effects are all real (pre-cgi) some of the plots aren't particularly clever - but even thirty years later (I know, right?) this is still a great watch.

Canadian fun

[safenoe · 8/10 · 26 March 2024]

I watched the first few episodes from season one of Due South, which had a nice, feel-good feel to it, being a Canadian production and all. Anyway, Paul Gross was born to play Constable Benton Fraser, and David Marciano as Detective Ray Vecchio. Maybe it's my memory, but I thought it was Paul Giamatti that played Detective Vecchio, but imdb corrected me. Also the match-up between Canada and "downtown Chicago" was ripe for storylines. If Due South is ever rebooted, I'd love a pair-up of a detective from Canada and one from Florida. It's hard to believe Due South debuted 30 years ago init right.