55 Degrees North

Given how much crime drama is on TV, I don't know how programs avoid using genre formulae and "cliches" - but this show has a charm of its own. I was pleasantly surprised by it.

The charm is due in large part to Don Gilet, who provides an attractive focal point. Clichés though they are, I like the "chalk and cheese" relationship with the old-timer in uniform; the urbane at-home mentor; and the sexual tension with the lawyer (although I like the flirting with the policewoman better).

Themes of corruption and racism add some edge to the mix.

I've only been through Newcastle a few times - but the night settings not only add to the mood of this show, they also give the city an allure that might not come across so well in daylight.

We've just had the first series here in Australia. I hope it continues.

RATING: 15 out of 10!!!

There are a number of venomous expletives and expressions I could spew which would make the Ecuadorian tree frog seem like a pleasant alternative, but I shall refrain from doing so because of a three-word, God-given right we all (or SHOULD all) enjoy:

FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

That said, can I ask why all the cerebral effort to pick such a fine series to pieces?! Surely such shows are meant to serve as a means to unwind after what had been (most of the time anyway) a long hard slog of a day, which I believe 55DN achieves hands down?!

Don Gilet wears the role of Nicky well, a put-upon man trying to do the best he can with precious little, in a place that by and large either flat-out refuses to accept him or are having a hard time doing so.

So I'm glad to see that he is able to come home to a family which, although unconventional, oozes positivity. After all, it should come as no surprise that not all Black families are as chaotic and "ig'nant" as the Crouches (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0375290/) or cursed with the obligatory "black sheep" such as Paul Trueman in EastEnders (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0088512/) And as for the sweet, sweet, not-at-all out-of-place title sequence (and funky theme tune)... oooh baby, that NEEDS to be a single already!

And that's my two cents worth for the day...

Was 55 Degrees North the precursor for The Night Detective? I'm totally hooked to this show! It has only been on BBC America for two weeks and I would rather watch it than CSI: Miami. Tonight's episode, where Don Gilet's character, Nicky, is asked to strip -- not once, but twice -- I must admit I will tune in every Monday night to see what happens next! I enjoy the fact that the Night Detective seems realistic; there are no story lines that feel forced or out of sync. I like the racial dynamic, especially in the series' opening scene, and as an American, I think a lot more Americans could learn a thing or two about coexisting with those that are "different" than ourselves. But getting off of my soap box, it doesn't hurt that Don Gilet is cute. He's got this boy-next-door feel. I'm really digging this show! Does anyone know how I can go about finding 55 Degrees North on DVD? Is it as easy as going to my local video store and finding it on the shelf?

OK so i read the last post about the series, and while i agree that this program has a lot of clichés in it that doesn't make it a bad program.

Now-a-days too many programs and films give you either an anti hero or a hero who is not clean cut, sometimes its nice to have a hero who does always win in the end.

What i see as the major selling point of the program is the overall story, DS Nicky Cole moves to newcastle after he informs on his senior officer in London on corruption charges, when he arrives (he moved police departments too so now he works in the newcastle police) he find out that his new senior office may have knowen his old one, and he is stuck on the night shift.

Nicky proceeds to solve all the crimes put before him, and get past many of the problems facing him (racisim - although thankfully this is a minor pert in the show, i don't like shows where the colored hero is always either facing large amounts of racist comments and deals with it proving everyone wrong, or where they continually feel the need to prove themselves and ever second line it 'its because i'm black' this show has just about the perfect balance there is tension with some of the newcastle 'locals' but Nicky seems to just take it in his stride, on episode he is very cool with a banana, just watch it and you'll see what i mean) such as tension with other officers and locals and never being given the chance to get moved to the day shift.

As this is only a 6 part story continuity is hard as they are trying to put a lot of story is to a short time, you have all the 'daily' stories, the over all 'big' storyline, the little tangets with the other characters and such like.

all in all i recommend you watch this, you may like it you may not, but at the end of the day its all about what you like isn't it!!

I know this will sound stupid, but I don't understand who Erol is to Nicky. His brother? His father? Why do they live together with Mattie? I missed the beginning of the series and any explanations they might have given.

I am enjoying the broadcasts of this on the BBC America channel, though with British series I am never sure how much delay there has been since the episodes were shown in the U.K.

The actors are quite good and although the episodes are fairly plot driven, there aren't as many clichés as I might have feared.

Don Gilet brings a real subtlety to the role, and I find his interactions with Dervla Kirwan to be some of the more interesting of the show. George Harris provides a sort of moral weight and depth to the series. I hadn't seen either of these actors before and I am quite impressed.