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Published Mar 14, 2026, 7:08 AM EDT
Lloyd 'Happy Trails' Farley: the man, the myth, the legend. What can be said about this amazing - and humble - man that hasn't been said before? Or, more accurately, what can be said in public? Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Lloyd is a master of puns and a humorist, who has authored one pun book to date - Pun and Grimeish Mint - and is working on a second. His time with Collider has allowed Lloyd's passion for writing to explode, with nearly 1,000 articles to his name that have been published on the site, with his favorite articles being the ones that allow for his sense of humor to shine. Lloyd also holds fast to the belief that all of life's problems can be answered by The Simpsons, Star Wars, and/or The Lion King. You can read more about Lloyd on his website, or follow his Facebook page and join the Llama Llegion. Happy trails!
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Ever since Blair, a British Collie, made his appearance in the short film Rescued by Rover in 1905, dogs have captivated audiences on television and in film. Their names are as familiar as the shows in which they appear, the likes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Cheddar, Scooby-Doo, and, of course, Lassie. But K-9 police dogs are a different breed, a rarity in both mediums, with 1989's K-9 and Turner & Hooch, two films released the same year with similar premises, the only films that immediately come to mind that feature K-9 unit pooches. On television, K-9 police dogs are even rarer, where Hudson & Rex stands largely alone, a fetching police procedural that's been a good boy for 8 seasons.
'Hudson & Rex' Is a Police Procedural That Follows the True Partnership Between Detective and Dog
Canadian police procedural Hudson & Rex is based on the Austrian-Italian series Kommissar Rex, starring John Reardon as Detective Charlie Hudson, who serves in the Major Crimes Division of the St. John's Police Department, and German Shepherd Diesel, for seasons 1-7, as Rex, a "highly trained, law enforcement animal." Tragedy brings the two together, as seen in the Season 3 flashback episode "Origin Story," after Rex's first human partner, Officer Lindsay (Sarah Jurgens), is shot and killed by the kidnapper of a young boy. Charlie comforts Rex, and in doing so discovers the things that make Rex special, notably his exceptional scent detection and high intelligence. Their bond is cemented after Rex knocks down the kidnapper before he can shoot Charlie.
Rex is seen as a police officer who happens to be a dog instead of the other way around. That distinguishment is evident in Season 7's "A Room with a Clue," a favored Rex-centered episode that has Rex witness a murder next door while home alone, and takes action by analyzing clues and setting up traps — a la Home Alone — in order to catch the killer, luring him in by teasing him with the tenderizer used to murder his wife. Rex's skills pair up perfectly with Charlie's intuition and knack for forensic analysis.
It's a true partnership in every sense of the word, as they have a chemistry that serves as the heart of the series. Theirs is an emotional connection that rivals the best human police pairings of television. That warmth extends to the feel of the series as a whole, making it a comfortable affair that allows both characters to shine, without the violence that largely typifies the procedural genre. Filled with action, depth, and humor, Hudson & Rex benefits from a strong supporting cast, and the setting of St. John's, Newfoundland (a character on its own) creating a beloved, near-perfect police procedural.
'Hudson & Rex' Was Hit With Controversy
"Near" perfect? Ah, here's the rub. Partway through filming Season 7 of Hudson & Rex, Reardon was diagnosed with tonsil cancer and underwent treatment. As a result, he only appeared on-screen in the first two episodes, and was written out for the balance, providing voice-over work in the ensuing episodes during recovery. Doctors cleared Reardon to return to the show, but, against his will, "the team chose to go in a different direction," casting Luke Roberts as Mark, Charlie's brother, who took over as the new lead for Season 8. Reardon wasn't the only cast member not to return either, with Diesel replaced as Rex after his death during Season 7.
Shaftesbury Films, the show's production company, cited uncertainty about Reardon's ability and timing to return to work as their rationale behind moving forward without Reardon, adding the decision was made to provide "clarity and support to the cast, crew, and community in St. John's" (per CBC News). The move was not well received by fans, to put it mildly. The backlash was severe, with fans vowing never to watch the show again, flooding the official social media accounts with comments and launching petitions in support of bringing Reardon back. One fan, a Texas real estate broker, became so upset with Reardon's exit that she spent $25,000 on a full-page ad in The Toronto Star, expressing her displeasure and demanding answers.
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According to TV columnist Bill Brioux, per CBC News, the backlash isn't surprising, given the unique nature of the show, saying, "When it's really just two leads — and one's a dog — the guy better be the same guy," further complicated by Reardon's comments about how he was treated. Interestingly, it's that backlash that highlights what makes Hudson & Rex special. The connection between Reardon's Hudson and Diesel's Rex was immediate and meaningful, a fan-friendly, heartwarming friendship that felt personal. By not bringing back Reardon, they not only shattered that comforting dynamic, but an intimate connection between the show and its fans, with one fan saying, "Mr. Reardon was, maybe not a part of the family, but he was in our house for seven seasons."
The impact has been undenial, but Brioux, however, sees a solution: bring Reardon back. "There's probably a scenario where, as a cliffhanger to this season, Rex is pawing away at a door and behind it is John," he says, adding, "That would be smart. This show hasn't had this kind of publicity in years, so it might be an opportunity." Regardless, it doesn't change how Hudson & Rex is still the best police procedural you're not watching. And if Shaftesbury wants to restore faith in their fans, Reardon is right there waiting. Go fetch.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/hudson-rex-reaction-1.7650415
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