Review of The Doctor Blake Mysteries

After watching the first season, I was on the fence as to whether I would continue with the series. The things that glue me to a series are: story, characters, core relationships, good writing and great performances. The mysteries were all right. The cast seems sound (RIck Donald is a favourite from 800 WORDS and WENTWORTH). But I think where it is failing for me is in the character development and the relationships. My first thought, after a couple of episodes was, "I don't think the writers know how to write female characters." The primary female character, Jean, has no depth (she could have just as easily been cast as an aged housekeeper left from the household of the former Doctor Blake, except for the fact that she seems to be be being held in reserve for a romantic relationship for Blake). Her role in the household switches from episode to episode (surrogate wife, receptionist, bookkeeper) and she has one emotional response to most everything, disapproval. I don't think this is the fault of the actress. I think this is a fault of the writing. Poor Mattie doesn't fare much better. Why is she in the household? She isn't a relative. Is she a boarder? She is definitely a tease for a romance with Danny. But, once again the women are only written as peripheral to the men. With the season finale, we are lead to believe another femal is about to join the household and by the posters of other season, relationships seem to be on the horizon. So, I think I'll slog on, but my rating for this season is a 6 (fair) out of 10. {Period Episodic Mystery}