Canadian Drama is alive - Slings and Arrows

It is certainly refreshing to realize that purely original Canadian TV content is not only about coming-of-age teenagers attending an unoriginally named high school and facing issues most of us haven't even faced at the age of 30. It is not simply about the misadventures of a bunch of gas station owners and friends in a Canadian western town. It isn't just about showing the misfortunes of a Muslim community in a mythically close-minded prairie society. Canadian television drama has the potential of being much more than just that, and every once in a while, a remarkably achieved show comes and goes unnoticed. This is usually not to be expected from CTV, CBC or Global. As is the case with Slings and Arrows, quality Canadian dramas hang in there, away from mainstream over-the-air Canadian television.
Produced by Astral Media for The Movie Network and Showcase, Slings and Arrows is a brilliantly written and performed television drama that takes a witty look at the backstage of a theatre festival. Oliver Wells is a reputable artistic director, who reached the peak of his career seven years before the story begins with a magnificent production of Hamlet. Ellen and Geoffrey played, at the time, Ophelia and Hamlet, and have taken different roads after Geoffrey's nervous breakdown on stage. Following very tragic events, Ellen and Geoffrey are reunited seven years later. The wittiness of the tone, the quality of the scrips, and the brilliant constant Canadian remarks make Slings and Arrows one of my favorite 5 Canadian dramas ever made. This is television for Canadians, by Canadians AND (the most important) about Canadians. Apart from Trailer Park Boys, this is less than usual.
The Movie Network has aired the final episode of this dark comedy last Summer. Although the DVD's are out, they are hard to find, at least here in Montreal. They are available online, if you wish to show your support to Canadian drama. However, for a sneak peak, I suggest you do a youtube search and find the kind member who has graciously violated Slings and Arrows' copyright so that you can all see how good this show actually is. It also plays on Showcase, every now and then.
Have fun and enjoy Canadian drama.