"Ride Forever" ...as a tribute to the TV Series "Due South"

"Due South" is one of my all time favourite TV series.

This award-winning 1994 Canadian TV show began with a 'fish out of water' premise as Constable Benton Fraser of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police begins his new assignment at the Canadian Consulate in Chicago, Illinois, on the trail of the killer of his father (also a mountie). It's pretty safe to say that Fraser is not exactly accustomed to city life. In fact, his previous post was in a very remote part of the Northwest Territories. Coming with Fraser to the United States is Diefenbaker, a deaf, lip-reading wolf, Diefenbaker. He saved Fraser's life in the past by dragging him out of the frigid waters of Prince Rupert Sound.

Fraser is the epitome of the stereotypical Mountie – loyal, kind, dependable, truthful and dogged. Many times during the series Fraser’s idealism is tested against Chicago’s corruption and criminal world. He always displays intense courage (bordering on stupidity at times) and almost child-like faith in good and justice. His idealism doesn’t mean he’s an idiot, many times Fraser can tell more about people’s true feelings than the rest of our characters. When it comes to love however, he is unable to express his true feelings without a lot of help, and when he does, it’s with the wrong girl!!

Fraser’s best friend and partner is Ray Vecchio (played by David Marciano), a street-wise, obnoxious and outspoken Chicago PD detective who likes to play that he’s tougher than he is. He’s a stark contrast to Fraser and the two compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Many times the humor or story line plays off Canadian and American stereotypes, the relationship between the two countries and the names of the characters, which are taken from Canadian culture and politics.

Due South is essentially a cop show, but breaks the mold with intense characterization, deadpan comedy, Fraser’s almost super-human abilities and long running character arches. Fraser’s ability to track suspects is part of the seemingly super-human skills he has (in one episode he tracks the bad guy by smelling a rat’s breath). He also has the tendency to pick up things off the ground and lick them (much to the disgust of Vecchio). There’s also elements of fantasy as Fraser is often visited by the ghost of his father – Bob Fraser (played by Gordon Pinsent), who first visits Fraser at Christmas. As a ghost Sgt. Bob Fraser can apparently eat french fries (which he says taste like nothing), give sage (or irrelevant) advice, and appear or disappear at will!

The relationship between Fraser and Vecchio is what makes this series work. Fraser and Vecchio have an almost brotherly affection for each other that leads both of them to willingly put themselves in danger to help the other. This relationship is never entirely perfect, leading to squabbling (mostly over Fraser’s do-gooder attitude that leads the pair into trouble) and comedy hi-jinx.

One of my favorite elements is the music in the show. Paul Gross who plays Benton Fraser sings within the series twice (one story involves a group of mounties on a train breaking into song!!). Music is a big part of the show and there are two Due South soundtracks that were produced.

This track “Ride Forever” is one of those songs that just stayed with me, from the very first time I heard it. Love it so much, it's now the ringtone for my mobile!! :O)