the audience applauded

That was an excellent one.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The acting in this movie is really good.

I watched most of this series when it was first aired. Such were my fond memories of the gentle, positive, humorous script coupled with the first- class professionalism of an outstanding group of actors, that I recently bought the entire work on DVD. So here's the problem: I've just watched the last episode and it's over! I am bereft!! I'm sure that all the crew have moved onwards and upwards, as they so richly deserve. But I want more! Oh well. C'est la vie. Anyway my message to you, dear reader is, don't believe all the cynical negatives you will see in certain of these reviews. This series was/is an example of the best TV drama in the World from the best broadcaster at the pinnacle of its powers. And for those who are unsure about the summary given above, it's Latin (well sort of)and says; 'Don't let the b**t*rds grind you down'.

I wanted to like this,honestly I really did.It borrows heavily from the format of the 1970s cop show "The Chinese Detective" in which a detective of Chinese origin is posted to a station and has to deal with racism as well as the usual rigours of police work.However in the 70s Political Correctness didn"t exist so TCD had a bit of "edge"to it.In 55 Degrees North DC Nicky Cole {Don Gilet} has been transferred to Newcastle.Its a scrubbed up Newcastle where hardly anyone speaks with a Geordie accent-or at least a convincing one-and in the episode I saw Cole doesn"t seem to experience any racism at all.So what you are left with is a very low octane cop show where the one cance of making it different has been wasted,and the result is a sort of Soap Opera crossed with a Travelogue for Newcastle.At least it wasn"t peppered with four letter words though.

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?

I'll go along with the cliché comment. Life is full of clichés isn't it? That's why they become clichés I suppose. To some extent we expect them, even anticipate them. The protagonist in this case is black, struggles with broken relationships and family trauma, is threatened and subjugated in the workplace, yet comes through triumphant. If we are prepared to suspend our disbelief we can nevertheless get satisfaction out of watching him do all these things. I agree, we know in advance that he will eventually liaise on a different level with the police solicitor, and that's part of our enjoyment; the dramatize irony built into the script allows us to know something that the protagonists don't. In the end we will be pleased that we were proved correct. Sit back and let it wash over you! Incidentally, I agree too with the Tyne Bridge observation, and have you noticed how lately every drama set in London has a night shot of HSBC Bank and the Isle of Dogs?