Da Vinci's Inquest Season 1 Episode 1 Little Sister: Part 1
- October 7, 1998
Da Vinci's Inquest is a Canadian television drama about the personal and work life of a coroner named Dominic Da Vinci. The show follows him along with the other officials in the city of Vancouver, as they investigate a slew of crimes that take place in the city.
The first episode of season 1, Little Sister: Part 1, begins with a young girl named Katie, who is found dead and floating in False Creek. Katie is a homeless drug addict, and her death leads Detective Mick Leary to realize that there are a string of these similar deaths in the city. Dr. Dominic Da Vinci is called to perform an autopsy on Katie's body, and he discovers that she had died from an apparent overdose of crystal meth.
In addition to Katie's death, the episode follows Da Vinci as he goes about his day-to-day work routine at the Coroner's Office. He is known for being a hands-on coroner, and he butts heads with the new Chief Pathologist, Dr. Curtis.
The episode also deals with the theme of family, as Da Vinci's estranged sister, Julie, appears in his life again after 15 years. Julie is a heroin addict and works as a prostitute. She asks for her brother's help, and he vows to help her get clean and to turn her life around.
Furthermore, the episode introduces the character of Angela Kosmo, a lawyer dealing with an interesting case. A man had been arrested for molesting his daughter, but the man claims he didn't actually commit the crime. Angela tries to find out what really happened, but her investigation ends up being personal and devastating.
Amidst all this drama, the city is facing a crisis as a major flood has taken place. It has destroyed homes and displaced thousands of people. The show takes the time to showcase the people who are affected by the flood and how they are trying to deal with it.
Throughout the episode, we see a lot of conflicts – conflicts between Da Vinci and the authorities, between Da Vinci and his sister, between the police and addicts, and between Angela and her client. But at the same time, there is a sense of community as they all band together to deal with the flood and its aftermath.
The first episode of Da Vinci's Inquest does an excellent job of setting the tone for the rest of the show. It establishes Da Vinci as a character who is deeply invested in his work and in his community. The show doesn't shy away from portraying the darker aspects of life, but it never feels exploitative – there is always a sense of empathy for the victims.
Apart from the strong writing, the show is also notable for its setting – Vancouver. The city is an essential part of the show, and it's clear that the creators have a deep affection for it. The city's beautiful, often rainy, and somewhat gloomy scenery perfectly fits the tone of the show.
Overall, Da Vinci's Inquest season 1 episode 1 is an excellent start to what would become an important and impactful show. The episode establishes several story threads that would be explored throughout the series while giving us a glimpse into the lives of the characters. It's an emotionally engaging and thought-provoking hour of television that is well worth watching.