Due South ended Season Two as an apparently finished series for the second time. After both Season One and Season Two, CBS had decided not to renew the series. But Due South was resurrected once again for a Third (and subsequent Fourth) Season when several groups invested in the project. In the United States, Seasons Three and Four are bundled together in one DVD set.
A New Ray Vecchio for Season Three and Four
In the interim, David Marciano had accepted another role and was therefore unable to continue full-time as Chicago detective Ray Vecchio. The solution was to develop a storyline that Ray Vecchio had gone deep undercover with the mob and another detective was called upon to impersonate him in the meantime. Callum Keith Rennie was selected to play Stanley Raymond Kowalski, the Ray Vecchio impersonator. After a confusing and, at times, hilarious start to their relationship, Fraser accepts the new Ray and begins a working partnership with him.
Fraser’s Father Moves into the Closet
During Season Three, Fraser discovers his father, the deceased Bob Fraser, has taken up residence in his closet at the consulate. The set-up leads to many funny moments as Fraser’s boss, Meg Thatcher, tries to understand what is going on and why Fraser is so interested in his closet. The storyline with Fraser’s frequently appearing father is resolved in the final two episodes of the series when Fraser finally solves his mother’s murder from many years ago.
New Character in Due South
Several new characters were introduced during Seasons Three and Four. Perhaps most interesting was the arrival of Stella, Kowalski’s ex-wife and current district attorney. In a strange twist of events, Stella and Ray Vecchio end up together at the end of the series when David Marciano makes a guest appearance for the series finale.
Season Three and Four Push Limits
While Due South always had an element of pushing the limits of reality, this was increasingly apparent in Seasons Three and Four. A few of the episodes near the end of the series take it too far to almost the point of silliness and, in some ways, this lessens the overall quality of the complete series. The two part finale certainly has some poignant moments, especially involving Fraser’s parents. But other aspects seems rushed and over the top in an effort to wrap up as many storylines and characters as quickly as possible.
Due South on DVD
Due South Seasons Three and Four are sold together in a 26 episode set. Prominent guest stars from the two seasons include Jackie Burroughs, Maury Chaykin, Michelle Wright, and Michael Hogan.
Sallie Schaaf Borrink - Sallie Borrink is a professional writer with extensive experience with business clients, the consumer market, and online destinations.
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