The Absence of Joe
Did David Leon really leave the show??? It won't be the same without him.
shareYes, he did. His replacement is Kenny Doughty, another looker. That lucky, lucky Vera; how does she do it?!?!
shareVera series 5 starts tomorrow in the UK, and it's only through the TV guide that I realised that he was leaving. Was it his choice, or did he get dropped does anyone know?
shareHes not a looker! Didn't like his character much, not a patch on Joe.
shareI agree Abbalish.... it isn't the same without Joe.
I'm really disappointed that David Leon has left. His character Joe was a perfectly crafted foil to Vera.
Does anyone know why he went?
Me too, Joe was the perfect partner for Vera! I'm not sure why he left, I'm sure Google will tell you more!
shareJust came on here to start a "Joe" thread, and like minds....
I'm feeling keenly the loss of Joe. I'm too old to determine if Joe or the new one is a looker, haha.
But dramatically, Joe was so much more than a looker--his relationship with Vera went deep and had meaning to both of them, especially Vera in her isolated life.
We saw the very first scene, ever, of "Vera" in which Vera had Joe distributing her dad's ashes! We saw Joe encouraging her to get medical advice when she had her heart issue. He would come to her place for "a jar" and chew the fat a bit.
She was mostly a boss to him, but his compassion as a warm family man made him more to her--as we saw, his wife was often annoyed at his devotion to her at work and outside of it.
We still have the stunning scenery and setting that is a character unto itself. It's still a good procedural.
But the heart and soul of "Vera" was Vera and Joe--the prickly loner who only let one person...almost...into her life. And that was Joe.
Sorry, but it's not about a sidekick being replaced like a moving part.
Joe and Vera had heart together. There is a big hole in this series for me--it's just not the same. I'm sad.
Joe and Vera had heart together. There is a big hole in this series for me--it's just not the same. I'm sad.
Very much my feeling too.
Having now watched all four episodes of season 5 the new DS, Aiden, hasn't really gelled. His relationship with Vera is pedestrian and frankly that makes him a boring, anodyne character. share
I've just read your lovely post that I agree with 100%. It's not the same without him and I believe your " Joe and Vera had heart together " is a perfect comment on their relationship. I'm sad too.
I looked at him on IMDB & he's been busy it seems. I'm sure he'll be doing more & more acting & writing; he's got a future for sure. Since Vera is only 4 episodes per year, it's not enough activity and salary for a young man.
I believe I read somewhere that he left the show but I'm not sure.
You sum it all up so well--the special relationship that gives the viewer an emotional hook. I am almost to the point at which Joe will disappear and I'll hate that. Vera's idiosyncrasies are interesting, the landscape a wonder, good plots layered as they are with red herrings--but the Vera-Joe connection, understated, universal mentor-student, older and younger complimenting each other, the not so easily categorized relationship that defies the differences in nature and circumstances--I think many of us find the show deeper for it.
"Had heart together" is so apt!
Oh and I love, love her rumpled frumpy old-doll clothes. I half hoped the actress would BE Vera and of course she's not at all. She's a wonderful actress. That's all. Top-rate. Vera is a great character too, such a relief from the bimbo police women types or the hard, sexy detective types. It seems almost because she doesn't have all that vanity or a bedroom plot that she's more interesting, more a presence as we see her in relief. She's an incredibly gifted and devoted detective who has obviously sacrificed much to be where she is. She is not easily pigeon-holed and the relationship with Joe, refreshingly different, underscores her singular character.
I stupidly missed the 1st of the season because I thought it was a repeat and just came in on the 2nd.
Was there any explanation of what happened to "Joe"? Personal excuse? Transfer? Anything? [I'm not talking about the actor - - I mean the character, who yeah I miss.)
Other than Kenny it looks like Vera has a lot of new people around her, though I think the forensic guy was on last season.
Yes Noralee, Aiden (new guy)asks her what happened to former DC & she smiles and cheerfully says "oh he's done well for himself.....got a promotion to DCI & a transfer (to somewhere ?) & then adds, he's happy with a baby on the way - another girl". As she's saying this she's smiling fondly talking about Joe.
Aiden says something like "well, I'll stick with you then".
Another thing you should know from the first episode of season 5, is that Aiden says there's something he has to tell her about himself & that she should know. Vera, mater-of-factly says " you mean your shooting of suspect - oh I know all about that. Nothing for you to be concerned about....it was a good shot and you were investigated and cleared. I know all about it love".
In another episode where he saves someone drowning, she says something like --you saved his life - makes up for the other one". She's trying to comfort him. The former MP female dectective is gone ( I forget her name). The pathologist (young one) was on season 4. In fact, if you remember it showed the young detective & he riding together on his motorcycle.
Thanks - I did catch the clues from the other episodes. I'll still hope to catch a repeat, but I appreciate knowing.
shareSee how we all are different. I never quite took to Joe but I love love his replacement. Kenny Doughty is not only drop dead gorgeous but he has a soft gentle manner about him, lovely voice and did I say he was drop dead gorgeous. Please please let him stay for series 7. Well done casting department!
shareWhich season did he leave? I'm only one season 2
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