Cardinal wraps up another satisfying season later tonight when its season finale airs on CTV. The show was a revelation in its debut season and the momentum remains strong heading into El Brujo, the sixth and final episode of Season 2. Many of last season’s plot threads extend into the current one and while the main investigation isn’t as creepy as last season’s it’s no less compelling.
The fallout from one of John Cardinal’s (Billy Campbell) old cases still haunts him and now the tendrils of that affair threaten to ensnare his partner, Det. Lise Delorme (Karine Vanasse). With Cardinal, Delorme and Det. Jerry Commanda (Glen Gould) tightening their dragnet around Ray (Bruce Ramsay) and his crew, Cardinal’s personal life once again bleeds into his work as his wife’s battle with bi-polar disorder is shunted to the fore.
Strong performances from the diverse cast particularly Campbell, Vanasse and Gould help to drive the narrative that contains a good mix of intrigue, drama and human frailty. Throw in the beautiful Northern Ontario landscape and the show’s excellent production values and Cardinal undoubtedly qualifies as prestige TV. It’s great to see Canadian crime dramas with this level of quality in all areas of the series. Let’s hope we get to see more Cardinal and other Canadian shows like it in the future.
