Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Six episodes are not enough. It's that good. The views of the rain shadow country alone make the viewer desire to experience the ruggedness, even overcome the hardships. This Australian drama was filmed in southern Australia, rain shadow country. A rain shadow is an arid region on the lee side of mountains allowing little rain to cross, like Nevada. It creates a setting as tough, as desperate, and as determined as the veterinarian Kate McDonald living in fictional Paringa.
Dr. Kate (widowed 10 years) is played by Rachel Ward. Ward turns from her more recent directing and writing activities to lead the cast with her superb acting portrayal of a woman who has taken charge of her life caught up in extreme harshness located an arid region and a struggling community. Driving into Paringa, is the newest arrival in a long string of attempts to secure an assistant, in the person of Dr. Jill Blake (Victoria Thaine). Her own extraordinary performance adds to the off-again, on-again, personal and professional relationship between the two vets that have a community animal health situation to deal with as well as their own secret lives. It's a powerful combination as intriguing as the interacting lives of the rest of Paringa's citizens.
Move aside, James Herriot, make room, as Rain Shadow has rekindled interest in a country veterinarian's life. Dr. Jill is new, not nearly as tough as Dr. Kate McDonald--YET! And the viewer is as confused about the history and personality exchanges of Paringa as Jill. The community seems to have it's own definitions for integrity and law. For example Larry Riley's (Gary Sweet) unexplained wealth in a struggling location. And, why were so many other newly arriving vet assistants driven off so fast?
This is a contemporary wild country, gritty, survival-of-the-fittest story; not altogether unlike some old tales of the US Wild West. Rain Shadow is gripping drama that, although it ends satisfactorily, it leaves itself open for a reunion and an additional series. Hopefully writers Tony Morphett and Jimmy Thomson will comply. I for one would like to spend another six hours with the lady vets' adventures.
Viewing ladies will like the assertiveness (to the point of big, bad, boldness) of the pair of female Paringa vets. Men will wonder if they would have the fortitude to stick it out, like the courageous young and old men of the Rain Shadow. At what lengths would you go? At what point of endurance would you fold it in? IN REALITY, how much longer can you wait to see this stunning story of those determined to live through the drought, persevere, and conquer the outback?
Each of the 6 episodes of Rain Shadow is equal to a 5-star movie.
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Rain Shadow: Series One (2007)Two women fight for the future of their outback community After a decade of drought, a devastating sheep disease strikes the small Australian farming town of Paringa. Tough-minded veterinarian Kate McDonald (Golden Globe®-nominee Rachel Ward, The Thorn Birds) struggles to save her community with the help of a feisty new assistant (Victoria Thaine, The Caterpillar Wish) -- who is just as determined to unlock the mysteries of Kate’s past. Filmed entirely on location in a natural rain shadow region in the Adelaide Hills, this poignant drama features stunningly stark vistas and exceptional performances. Hostility and hope, determination and despair mix in a combustible series that pits two strong women against the odds and, oftentimes, against each other. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE behind-the-scenes featurette, a Rachel Ward biography, and more.
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