Dolphin Cove (TV series)
Dolphin Cove is an American drama television series created by Allan Marcil, set in Queensland, Australia that aired on CBS from January 21 to March 11, 1989 for eight episodes.[1]
| Dolphin Cove | |
|---|---|
Title card from original run. | |
| Genre | Drama Underwater |
| Created by | Allan Marcil |
| Written by | Peter Benchley |
| Directed by | Mel Damski Noel Black Brian Henson |
| Starring | Trey Ames Frank Converse Ernie Dingo Karron Graves Virginia Hey Antony Richards Nick Tate |
| Composer | Bill Conti |
| Country of origin | Australia United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Allan Marcil John Masius |
| Producer | Kevin Slattery |
| Production locations | Hollywood Center Studios, Hollywood, California Disney-MGM Studios, Orlando, Florida |
| Camera setup | Panavision |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production companies | Dick Berg/Stonehenge Productions Paramount Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | January 21 – March 11, 1989 |
Synopsis edit
The show centers on widowed researcher Michael Larson (Frank Converse) and his two teenage children: daughter Katie (Karron Graves), and her elder brother David (Trey Ames). The Larsons move to Australia, after Michael is hired by wealthy industrialist Baron Trent to help perfect man-to-dolphin communications. To this end, Michael begins working with two dolphins named Slim and Delbert.[2]
Michael's wife died in an automobile accident roughly a year ago. David does his best to fit in with the Aussie lifestyle, and at his new school, but finds it tricky. Katie, who was in the car with her mother during the fatal crash, was not injured physically but has been an elective mute (capable of speaking but refusing) ever since. Initially, Katie distrusts her new therapist, Alison Mitchell. Although Katie is not comfortable around most people, she promptly hits it off with Slim and Delbert. Moreover, Katie soon discovers that she has a telepathic means of communicating with both dolphins; thus she succeeds where her father and Trent have failed.[2]
Also working for Trent is Didge, an Aboriginal Australian.[3] Didge acts as Michael's assistant, besides being a mentor and (when called for) bodyguard to David and Katie.
Kevin Mitchell, Alison's son, is one of David's classmates and frequently coaches David through life at their school.
The series, filmed on location at Seaworld on Australia's Gold Coast, was co-created by Peter Benchley.
Cast edit
- Frank Converse – Michael Larson
- Trey Ames – David Larson
- Karron Graves – Katie Larson
- Ernie Dingo – Didge
- Virginia Hey – Alison Mitchell
- Antony Richards – Kevin Mitchell
- Nick Tate – Baron Trent
- Penne Hackforth-Jones
- Richard Moir
Episodes edit
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | Mel Damski | Peter Benchley | January 21, 1989 | 17.1[4] | |
| Seeking to start a new life after the death of his wife dolphin researcher Michael Larson moves to Australia with his two children, and is hired by Baron Trent to figure out dolphin communication. His son, David, hates the family's new life, and daughter, Katie, who hasn't spoken since her mother's death, is wary of her new therapist, Allison, but bonds with dolphins Slim and Delbert. | ||||||
| 2 | "Two Shots and a Splash" | Noel Black | John Masius & Ann Reckling | January 28, 1989 | 14.4[5] | |
| Michael is visited by an old college friend, whose environmental protection efforts have grown more radical. | ||||||
| 3 | "Reading, Writing and Telepathy" | Mel Damski | Story by : John Masius & Ann Reckling Teleplay by : Judith Kahan | February 4, 1989 | 15.7[6] | |
| Delbert's mysterious ailment makes Katie anxious at school, and David looks for work. Allison's ex-husband pays a visit for son Kevin's birthday. | ||||||
| 4 | "The Initiation of Lisa Ruddick" | Noel Black | Everett De Roche | February 11, 1989 | 14.1[7] | |
| Slim and Delbert are upset by a reporter, who is planting suspicion about Trent's true interests. | ||||||
| 5 | "The Ship That Sank Twice" | Marcus Cole | Everett De Roche | February 18, 1989 | 14.0[8] | |
| While Michael is away Trent's personal project disturbs Slim and Delbert. Didge's loyalties to his family and his work come into conflict. | ||||||
| 6 | "Fighting Back" | Geoffrey Nottage | Story by : Margaret Kelly Teleplay by : Margaret Kelly & John Masius & Ann Reckling | February 25, 1989 | 13.2[9] | |
| Katie gets an admirer and David faces adversity. Didge's family believes that Trent's estate is on sacred land. | ||||||
| 7 | "Stormy Weather" | Brendan Maher | Carla Kettner | March 4, 1989 | 12.2[10] | |
| The estate is on generator power due to an approaching monsoon, and Didge welcomes two men claiming to be stranded fishermen, but who are actually escaped convicts. | ||||||
| 8 | "The Elders" | Geoffrey Nottage | John Masius & Ann Reckling | March 11, 1989 | 11.0[11] | |
| Michael's in-laws visit and want to take David and Katie back with them to the United States. Didge's grandfather begins a death ritual. Guest star: Teresa Wright received an Emmy nomination for her role as Michael's mother-in-law. | ||||||
References edit
- ^ Albert Moran, Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, AFTRS 1993 p 150
- ^ a b Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present, page 272, Ballantine Books, 1999
- ^ O'Connor, John J., Review/Television; Dolphins, Australia and Family Problems, The New York Times, January 21, 1989
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 25 January 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306147740.
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 1 February 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306144802.
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 8 February 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306179902.
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 15 February 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306163263.
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 22 February 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306175741.
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 1 March 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306152931.
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 8 March 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306184202.
- ^ "Nielsen ratings". USA Today. 15 March 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306172200.
External links edit
- "Dolphin Cove" at IMDb
- NY Times