Republic of Doyle - The Tell-Tale Safe, S01E08

As you are probably aware, I've been discussing the appeal of procedural dramas a fair amount over the course of this television season. Bones, The Mentalist, and Castle all started off with an over-arching plot line that make us want to watch every episode not only for the character development, but on the off chance that that episode might reveal something new about an unsolved case.

Republic of Doyle is not at all of the same structure.

So far, every case has lasted one episode, and everything has been resolved by the end. This is hardly different from the previously mentioned 3, save for one or two cases that lasted longer. But RofD is not setting out to have those continuing cases, instead it has set out to create an on-going story firmly rooted in the characters.

Regardless of your feelings about the girl Jake (Allan Hawco) should end up with, whether it be his wife, the constable, or one of the many other women he meets, there is a certain amount of the show's appeal tied up in his continual search for a woman. But it is not in the will-they/won't-they sense. It is more about wanting to watch Jake struggle, and perhaps eventually grow up, with his chasing after women a vehicle for his character development.

Meanwhile, Rose (Lynda Boyd) and Malachy (Sean McGinley) are also a reason to keep watching. Not because of any tension between them, but because they make such a great couple. Sure, there's been a little bit of difficulty now that we find out Rose is married and her husband is a criminal who's a real jerk, but the anger there was based in the strength of their love for one another. And now they are even stronger as a couple.

And if those things aren't enough to keep you watching, the family dynamic between Jake and Malachy, and even Tinny (Marthe Bernard) is pure entertainment. Add to that Jake's ability to take a hit - which is important considering how often he's in a fist fight, and his talent at racing, since he's in a chase scene at least every other episode, and you have a show destined for success. Particularly when you are talking about a Canadian show which can get away with a lower standard than in most other countries.