Review of CBC's new show, PURE!: Canada's into hockey, NOT HOKEY!!!
By Dale Friesen (Mennonite researcher)
When I first heard of the potential and premise for this new show back in 2016, no doubt I was greatly intrigued. Who wouldn't be if they were in my situation. Coming from such an unusual situation, myself, (and ironically with the Mennonites being from a "subdued" history), I had worked my way into mainstream entertainment and media ventures, thus I have seen so much of what the "real" world is about.
Now I wasn't expecting a high budget masterpiece of a show, but somehow I felt that "Canada's MAIN media broadcaster, THE CBC, could somehow "executive produce" something more realistic.
I love stories, especially fictional where the abstract can have it's free reign to carry a person's imagination to any height or direction. And so who's ever fault it is for (especially) the really unlikely aspect of a drugged out and on probation cop (detective), solving this mystery in the way he has been so far is inexcusable writing or directing (or as mentioned, even from the CBC, itself).
Now as much as people may want to "roll their eyes" at the premise of a show like this (a Mennonite mob), well imagine this cop, (who "entangles" himself with a "prostitute" - I won't give away spoilers, here), also "flukely" finds a "Bible" at his crime scene of the wrecked car, "bumps" into his old buddy from high school ... meets up with the daughter of his old high school flame (who's also involved - because of his son, no less), and then in totally hilarious fashion, "drunkenly" falls into a lake in search of a clue, from the little boat he's in - that just so happens to be near by??????
What else can possibly get crazier, yet, in the remaining four episodes? I always try to be overly optimistic in all circumstances, etc., throughout life, but in all honesty, should I be laughing or crying as to what I've seen so far?
But not to be too hard on CBC, here, yet to sort of counter all of this with the "American" drama put out a few years ago called the "AMERICANS" (Russian spies who fake being Americans), this CBC show can't be all that bad. In my own opinion, "The Americans" had such a good premise as well, but also failed with it's hokey antics,too, and they had a much larger budget. Now "The Americans" show is still running and I've managed to keep my interest up with the premise of that show, so maybe I'll still manage to stay with PURE too, as it may get better ... hopefully.
... Anyway, if the lake can stay frozen long enough, I can go play some hockey, now.
PS. Some great scenic shots of the country side, though!
*** UPDATE***
OK, ... well here is an update to my review since I last posted. CONGRATULATIONS!!! to the show PURE! The last four episodes were absolutely fantastic and I've since become a huge fan and can't wait for the NEW season 2 to start (possibly late spring or mid 2019).
The cliff hanger at the end of ep 6 was so unexpected as well! Not sure where it will now take this show for it's new season, but I'm sure it will not disappoint!
Also, the returning actors are really excited to be a part of this new season as well. That speak volumes for a show, especially when it's a show of unusual characteristics!
Thanks!
By Dale Friesen (Mennonite researcher)
When I first heard of the potential and premise for this new show back in 2016, no doubt I was greatly intrigued. Who wouldn't be if they were in my situation. Coming from such an unusual situation, myself, (and ironically with the Mennonites being from a "subdued" history), I had worked my way into mainstream entertainment and media ventures, thus I have seen so much of what the "real" world is about.
Now I wasn't expecting a high budget masterpiece of a show, but somehow I felt that "Canada's MAIN media broadcaster, THE CBC, could somehow "executive produce" something more realistic.
I love stories, especially fictional where the abstract can have it's free reign to carry a person's imagination to any height or direction. And so who's ever fault it is for (especially) the really unlikely aspect of a drugged out and on probation cop (detective), solving this mystery in the way he has been so far is inexcusable writing or directing (or as mentioned, even from the CBC, itself).
Now as much as people may want to "roll their eyes" at the premise of a show like this (a Mennonite mob), well imagine this cop, (who "entangles" himself with a "prostitute" - I won't give away spoilers, here), also "flukely" finds a "Bible" at his crime scene of the wrecked car, "bumps" into his old buddy from high school ... meets up with the daughter of his old high school flame (who's also involved - because of his son, no less), and then in totally hilarious fashion, "drunkenly" falls into a lake in search of a clue, from the little boat he's in - that just so happens to be near by??????
What else can possibly get crazier, yet, in the remaining four episodes? I always try to be overly optimistic in all circumstances, etc., throughout life, but in all honesty, should I be laughing or crying as to what I've seen so far?
But not to be too hard on CBC, here, yet to sort of counter all of this with the "American" drama put out a few years ago called the "AMERICANS" (Russian spies who fake being Americans), this CBC show can't be all that bad. In my own opinion, "The Americans" had such a good premise as well, but also failed with it's hokey antics,too, and they had a much larger budget. Now "The Americans" show is still running and I've managed to keep my interest up with the premise of that show, so maybe I'll still manage to stay with PURE too, as it may get better ... hopefully.
... Anyway, if the lake can stay frozen long enough, I can go play some hockey, now.
PS. Some great scenic shots of the country side, though!
*** UPDATE***
OK, ... well here is an update to my review since I last posted. CONGRATULATIONS!!! to the show PURE! The last four episodes were absolutely fantastic and I've since become a huge fan and can't wait for the NEW season 2 to start (possibly late spring or mid 2019).
The cliff hanger at the end of ep 6 was so unexpected as well! Not sure where it will now take this show for it's new season, but I'm sure it will not disappoint!
Also, the returning actors are really excited to be a part of this new season as well. That speak volumes for a show, especially when it's a show of unusual characteristics!
Thanks!