Wild Roses (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Wild Roses is a Canadian
television drama series, which debuted January 6, 2009 on CBC Television
. Originally titled Cowgirls, CBC
requested the change to Wild Roses after testing the title. The show was officially cancelled by the CBC on April 22, 2009 after only one season. Reruns of the show are seen during the summer, starting June 19, Friday nights at 9:00 (9:30 in Newfoundland) on most CBC Television Stations.
, Alberta
, and surrounding areas within a one-hour drive such as Bragg Creek
and Bearspaw
.
Common shooting locations around Calgary include Stephen Avenue
, Inglewood, Bankers Hall
Towers and numerous locations in the downtown core. One of the major shots commonly seen in the series is the overlooking Rocky Mountains
and rolling foothills, a signature landscape associated with Calgary.
. "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
" was a hit single and released in February 2005. The song was also featured on Tunstall's album Eye to the Telescope
, and also on American Idol (Season 5)
.
Scenes shown in the opening sequence feature various locations within Calgary and its remarkable skyline. Watermarked in the sequence is the family trees of the McGregors and the Henrys. Locals to the Calgary area will notice landmarks such as the Cash Corner in Inglewood, skyline shot from the northeast corner of Memorial Dr and Deerfoot Tr (freeway intersection), Bankers Hall
, Calgary Stampede
, to name a few.
At the end of the sequence this is visible among a large table, McGregors on the right side dressed in black, and dining in what appears to be a catered event. On the opposite end of the table, the Henrys dressed in white and dining in what appears to be a casual and more wholesome event. This is the epitome
of the series and the basis of which these two families rest their principles upon.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
television drama series, which debuted January 6, 2009 on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
. Originally titled Cowgirls, CBC
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
requested the change to Wild Roses after testing the title. The show was officially cancelled by the CBC on April 22, 2009 after only one season. Reruns of the show are seen during the summer, starting June 19, Friday nights at 9:00 (9:30 in Newfoundland) on most CBC Television Stations.
Plot
The series focuses on the conflict between the McGregors, a family of wealthy oil developers residing on Montrose Ranch, and the Henrys, a widow and her three daughters living in the neighbouring Rivercross Ranch. Prior to the series, Rivercross used to belong to the McGregors, but was given to the Henrys by the now-deceased head of the McGregor family. The current head of the McGregor family, David, resented this decision and wants to take back Rivercross. Shortly before the beginning of the series, David McGregor provided a loan to the Henrys to help them operate their ranch with the promise to repay $10,000 back monthly. As the series begin, the Henrys have defaulted on roughly $60,000 in monthly payments, and David tries to foreclose on the property.The Henry Family
- Maggie (Kim HuffmanKim HuffmanKim Huffman is a Canadian actress born in St. Catharines, Ontario.She trained to be an opera singer, but is mostly known for her television and cinema roles.Hoffman played Donna in the Toronto production of Mamma Mia! from 2004-2005...
) is the widowed mother of three daughters, who sought the financial aid of her neighbour David McGregor in order to support her family. Maggie is a strong woman, ripe with clear values and morals only impeded by her superficial mother (Kate Trotter). - Kate (Michelle HarrisonMichelle HarrisonMichelle Harrison is a British author, whose debut novel, The 13 Treasures won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and has been sold for translation in 16 countries...
), Maggie's oldest daughter, works on the ranch primarily trying to keep Rivercross afloat. - Lucy (Sarah Power), Maggie's second daughter, assists with the ranch, but has taken on other jobs for the security of a regular paycheck.
- Charlotte (Clare StoneClare StoneClare Stone is a Canadian actress. She has appeared in such films and television works as Would Be Kings, The Jane Show, Breach, Mom at Sixteen, Godsend, Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion, Beautiful Girl and Mr...
) is Maggie's youngest daughter, and is adopted into the family.
The McGregor Family
- David McGregor (Gary HudsonGary Hudson (actor)Gary Hudson was born on March 26, 1956, in Newport News, Virginia, and raised in historic Hilton Village where his father was also born. He left Virginia in 1977 after attending Christopher Newport College for two years to pursue his acting career in Los Angeles...
), the CEO and president of McGregor Oil, is a wealthy oil baron who is trying to acquire Rivercross Ranch from the Henrys. He has offered a sizable operating loan to the Henrys but when they could not pay the monthly mortgage, he has intentions to foreclose and take the ranch. He has discovered a vast oil find in the region. - Will McGregor (Steve ByersSteve ByersSteve Byers is a Canadian actor.Byers was born in Scarborough, Ontario. At a young age he had a passion for acting. Graduating with the top award for Excellence in Drama from the Arts program at Unionville High School, Byers continued his study of the acting craft at the University of Western...
), the smart and educated son works with David. - Peter McGregor (Adam MacDonald) is the complete opposite of Will, effectively the black sheep of the family.
- Rebecca McGregor (Amy Ciupak Lalonde) is the conniving daughter who will quite readily seduce David's business partners to help sway the business in favour of the McGregors. She is currently engaged to Trevor Faulkner (Paul Christie).
Other Characters
- Trevor Faulkner (Paul Christie) is a member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and fiance to Rebecca. The relationship between Rebecca and Trevor appears to be one of mutual benefit. In Episode 6, it is discovered that Trevor had a previous homosexual relationship with former university buddy Ethan. Rebecca learns of this and turns a blind eye.
- Dillon Parker (Dylan NealDylan NealDylan J. Neal is a Canadian actor who has appeared in a large number of television shows and in feature films. He is best known for role as Dylan Shaw on The Bold and The Beautiful from 1994 to 1997 and his supporting role as Pacey Witter's older brother, Doug on the American television drama...
) is a geologistGeologistA geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
who has begun dating Maggie. When she finds out that Dillon is David's geologist, Maggie is hesitant but continues the relationship, only to discover that he later disappears. (Episodes 1-6)
Production
The show is primarily shot at The Window Studio as well as on location in CalgaryCalgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, and surrounding areas within a one-hour drive such as Bragg Creek
Bragg Creek, Alberta
Bragg Creek is a hamlet in southern Alberta under the jurisdiction of Rocky View County in Division No. 6. It is also recognized as a designated place by Statistics Canada....
and Bearspaw
Bearspaw, Alberta
Bearspaw is a rural community in southern Alberta, Canada within Rocky View County consisting mostly of country residential acreages.Bearspaw is located northwest of the City of Calgary and east of the Town of Cochrane, on Highway 1A...
.
- McGregor Oil, The Henry Home and Crossbar Ranch (interior) scenes are filmed at The Window Studio in Calgary. The McGregor Ranch is shot at a home located in the rural community of BearspawBearspaw, AlbertaBearspaw is a rural community in southern Alberta, Canada within Rocky View County consisting mostly of country residential acreages.Bearspaw is located northwest of the City of Calgary and east of the Town of Cochrane, on Highway 1A...
, northwest of Calgary. - The Broken Shoulder restaurant is located in Bragg CreekBragg Creek, AlbertaBragg Creek is a hamlet in southern Alberta under the jurisdiction of Rocky View County in Division No. 6. It is also recognized as a designated place by Statistics Canada....
.
Common shooting locations around Calgary include Stephen Avenue
Stephen Avenue
Stephen Avenue is a major pedestrian mall in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The mall is actually the portion of 8 Avenue SW between 4 Street SW and 1 Street SE. It is open to vehicles only from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m....
, Inglewood, Bankers Hall
Bankers Hall
Bankers Hall is a building complex located in downtown Calgary, Alberta, which includes twin 52-storey office towers , designed by the architectural firm Cohos Evamy in postmodern architectural style....
Towers and numerous locations in the downtown core. One of the major shots commonly seen in the series is the overlooking Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
and rolling foothills, a signature landscape associated with Calgary.
Opening Credits Theme
The opening theme song is Scottish singer, KT TunstallKT Tunstall
Kate Victoria "KT" Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist from St Andrews, Scotland. She broke into the public eye with a 2004 live solo performance of her song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland...
. "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and is featured on her debut album, Eye to the Telescope. It was released on 21 February 2005 as the lead single from the album, charting at #28 in the UK Singles Chart...
" was a hit single and released in February 2005. The song was also featured on Tunstall's album Eye to the Telescope
Eye to the Telescope
Reviews for Eye to the Telescope were positive. Mark A. Price of PopMatters gave the album a score of 7 out of 10, noting that it manages to sound "both new and familiar", mixing influences from artists like Melissa Etheridge and Fiona Apple while adding some originality of her own...
, and also on American Idol (Season 5)
American Idol (Season 5)
The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006 and concluded on May 24, 2006. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell returned to judge, and Ryan Seacrest returned to host. It is the most successful season to date ratings-wise and also with 18 contestants getting record deals -...
.
Scenes shown in the opening sequence feature various locations within Calgary and its remarkable skyline. Watermarked in the sequence is the family trees of the McGregors and the Henrys. Locals to the Calgary area will notice landmarks such as the Cash Corner in Inglewood, skyline shot from the northeast corner of Memorial Dr and Deerfoot Tr (freeway intersection), Bankers Hall
Bankers Hall
Bankers Hall is a building complex located in downtown Calgary, Alberta, which includes twin 52-storey office towers , designed by the architectural firm Cohos Evamy in postmodern architectural style....
, Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
, to name a few.
Symbolism
The sequence is key to show the two-way spectrum of Good and Evil between the two families.- Henrys represent the "Good", white, wholesome, do-gooder
- McGregors represent the "Bad", black, greed, opportunistic
At the end of the sequence this is visible among a large table, McGregors on the right side dressed in black, and dining in what appears to be a catered event. On the opposite end of the table, the Henrys dressed in white and dining in what appears to be a casual and more wholesome event. This is the epitome
Epitome
An epitome is a summary or miniature form; an instance that represents a larger reality, also used as a synonym for embodiment....
of the series and the basis of which these two families rest their principles upon.
Episodes
| Episode Number | Title | | Original airdate | | Production code |
|---|
Ratings
| Episode | Aired | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | January 6, 2009 | 627,000 |
| Episode 2 | January 13, 2009 | 453,000 |
| Episode 3 | January 20, 2009 | 467,000 |
| Episode 4 | January 27, 2009 | 550,000 |
| Episode 5 | February 3, 2009 | N/A |
| Episode 6 | February 10, 2009 | 404,000 |
| Episode 7 | February 17, 2009 | 420,000 |
| Episode 8 | February 24, 2009 | 516,000 |
| Episode 9 | March 3, 2009 | 432,000 |
| Episode 10 | March 10, 2009 | N/A |
| Episode 11 | March 17, 2009 | 456,000 |
| Episode 12 | March 24, 2009 | 414,000 |
| Episode 13 | March 31, 2009 | 413,000 |