Hockey is a religion in Quebec, and this TV phenomenon captured the hearts of the Quebecois people as much as a real playoffs round. 'Lance et compte' episodes would be vehemently discussed amongst people, as much as a finale of 'Lost' is today.
Written by sports journalist Réjean Tremblay, 'Lance et compte' explored the more obscure backstage of the glamorous hockey scene - the injuries, the backstabbing, the affairs, the minor leagues. The show's team, the fictional National de Québec, was inspired by the Nordiques de Québec. It is believed Réjean Tremblay based his story lines on events that he witnessed during his career as a sports journalist: disputes between teammates, locker room mutinies against coaches, late partying and affairs.
The success of this show was mostly due to the flaws and humanity found in the characters. Rising rookie star Pierre Lambert became a popular icon in Quebec City, his sister Suzie Lambert charmed viewers with her temper and her wit, tough coach Jacques Mercier was the one we loved to hate and ambitious sports journalist Linda Hébert was a feminist icon. The TV show launched the careers for most of these actors.
'Lance et compte' captivated a whole generation and has spawned quite a few sequels. However, none of them managed to capture the same grit as the original. 'Lance et compte' was written during a time when hockey was still about the game, when hockey players weren't being traded to a different team every year, and when rivalries still meant something. The plot line remained simple and focused on the brilliant interactions between the actors, staying away from the complex conspiracies played out in its less successful sequels.
And the icing on the cake remains the powerful, chilling finale which has us holding our breaths until the very end. I still have goosebumps thinking about it.
Written by sports journalist Réjean Tremblay, 'Lance et compte' explored the more obscure backstage of the glamorous hockey scene - the injuries, the backstabbing, the affairs, the minor leagues. The show's team, the fictional National de Québec, was inspired by the Nordiques de Québec. It is believed Réjean Tremblay based his story lines on events that he witnessed during his career as a sports journalist: disputes between teammates, locker room mutinies against coaches, late partying and affairs.
The success of this show was mostly due to the flaws and humanity found in the characters. Rising rookie star Pierre Lambert became a popular icon in Quebec City, his sister Suzie Lambert charmed viewers with her temper and her wit, tough coach Jacques Mercier was the one we loved to hate and ambitious sports journalist Linda Hébert was a feminist icon. The TV show launched the careers for most of these actors.
'Lance et compte' captivated a whole generation and has spawned quite a few sequels. However, none of them managed to capture the same grit as the original. 'Lance et compte' was written during a time when hockey was still about the game, when hockey players weren't being traded to a different team every year, and when rivalries still meant something. The plot line remained simple and focused on the brilliant interactions between the actors, staying away from the complex conspiracies played out in its less successful sequels.
And the icing on the cake remains the powerful, chilling finale which has us holding our breaths until the very end. I still have goosebumps thinking about it.
