Tag Archives: Murdoch Mysteries

Comments and queries for the week of January 17

Episode 200 of Murdoch Mysteries was great, with an entertaining story and acting. Depiction of the historical figures was clever. It was fun to see George’s imagination appreciated by no less a genius than Albert Einstein. Sally Pendrick was a terrific choice for the arch villain. The Murdoch regulars were at their best. —Mary


“So Liam takes on the house as a project and keeps renovating for her and doing acts of service for her and kindness.”

So Coroner‘s Liam is Jenny’s Eldon? :-) (Murphy Brown reference)

Seriously, I often wonder, Why on earth would one character find another character attractive? There’s nothing there for someone to find them attractive. Perhaps, it’s the fact that the writers only need a simply drawn foil for the main character.

But on this show, I can see why the two of them got together and the actors and writers do a really great job at making the relationship real. These kind of small scenes they create keeps me tuning in each week. —John


Oh hellooooo I’ve seen that lead actor in a couple of other Canadian series and he is a cutie!!! Looking forward to Transplant. Didn’t know John Hannah was gonna be in it too … interesting. —Sarah

Got a question about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Link: Yannick Bisson says 200th episode of ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ ‘snuck up on all of us’

From Katie Scott of Global News:

Link: Yannick Bisson says 200th episode of ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ ‘snuck up on all of us’
“The loyal fan base is the reason the show is as popular as it is, and this passion for the show, the stories, the characters is what helps drive all us to ensure that it is the best that it can be and continue to improve as the series goes on.” Continue reading.

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Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “Parker in the Rye”

A new year is here and with it the remaining new episodes for Season 13 of Murdoch Mysteries. When we last left them, William and Julia were on the outs after he learned she was behind the assisted death of a severely wounded young woman.

So, will the pair make up on Monday night? Here’s what the CBC has released as an official episode synopsis for “Parker in the Rye,” written by Dan Trotta and directed by Mars Horodyski.

Murdoch sends Parker undercover to investigate the brutal slaying of a whisky baron and his family.

And here are more tidbits of information from me after watching a screener.

Julia and William talk
It’s brief, it’s off the top of the episode and it shows things are definitely NOT all right between the pair.

Parker and Crabtree work the streets
I love this pairing. I do miss Higgins and Crabtree working the beat together, but seeing the city through Parker’s eyes has refreshed the series for me somewhat. And it’s always nice to have an American around to make queries about how we do things in Canada.

Julia shines
She may not know what’s going on with her relationship with William, but Julia knows how to talk, listen and offer reassurance. She uses all three when speaking with Jacob Quincannon, played by Sean Dolan. Their scene together is wonderfully tender and emotional.

Gord Rand returns to Murdoch Mysteries
Last seen in 2014’s “Blast of Silence” as Travis Macquire, Gord Rand is back, this time playing a very bad man named Leon Bronson.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “The Final Curtain”

The last time John Brackenreid was on Murdoch Mysteries, it was in the two-part Season 12 finale. John had been shot, recuperated and announced to his parents that he was going to quit being a copper and pursue a career as an actor.

We catch up with John during Monday’s episode, “The Final Curtain,” written by Simon McNabb and directed by Mina Shum. Here’s what the CBC has revealed as the main storyline:

An actor is killed at a play attended by Murdoch, Ogden, Crabtree, and Brackenreid.

And, as always, here are a few tidbits from me after watching a screener.

The Final Curtain
Not only is this the name of the episode, but it’s also the name of the play John Brackenreid stars in. As the episode begins, we join the main characters at the theatre. Watts makes quite the entrance and Murdoch asks a question I always wonder when I attend the theatre. Watching the performance, and how our favourite characters consume and comment on it, is several minutes of fun. And, I think, more than one gentle poke at some critics along the way.

Margaret gets some attention
And Brackenreid isn’t bloody happy about it.

Guests aplenty
Look for Jim Mezon as Grayson Howard, Sara Garcia (X Company) as Ada Cunningham, Jessica Huras as Joan Dalloway, Aidan Moreno as Barney Finch and Ivan Sherry as Herbert Gould (he portrayed Mayor Hopkins back in 2012).

A bottle episode
A traditional bottle episode of television refers to the fact the storyline takes place on just one set. It’s traditionally done to keep production costs down. I have no idea if that’s why Monday’s episode stays in the theatre, but it’s a nice (and literal) change of scenery.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Comments and queries for the week of November 15

We are reminded from time to time that Murdoch Mysteries is, first and foremost, a procedural, solving crimes, it’s just that we were given these two wonderful characters, thanks to the chemistry between the actors, who added an element of fun and romance and we have been expecting it ever since in every episode (it does happen in other shows!). Although Murdoch and his colleagues are very good at solving murders, the tandem William and Julia makes it so much more fascinating instead. Let’s face it procedurals, however clever, are still dull. The showrunners/writers understood that. I hope they have not lost their way. I too relish earlier episodes compared to what we are seeing now. I still think Watts, however quirky at first, is now an uninteresting character who is given far too much attention. That actor should find another gig! Henry fills that role much better especially with Ruth! —Noele

I liked the episode “Toronto the Bad,” and watched it with interest. Dynamic development of the plot with an unexpected ending, excellent acting. We first saw the work of Henry as a taxi driver. It is very touching to see him tired for the well-being of his beloved wife. Lots of fun, enjoyable scenes that I really love in Murdoch Mysteries. This is the mysterious disappearance of a pelican figurine from the house of Murdoch, who was nevertheless stolen by a bad neighbour. The surprise and fun was the route in the house of Julia and William due to a breakdown of the vacuum cleaner. And of course, William’s game of billiards and his expression in the finals! I wonder if Julia, whom she tells William about, will get a raise? I hope that she will not receive it and will return to investigations again. Many fans of the show agree that Julia and William do it very well. Looking forward to the next episodes! —Lilia

Must writers screw up Murdoch Mysteries constantly, or maybe, it’s time to hire new ones? Yes to adding comedy, but stick to solving murders. Yes to Julia and William working together, not writers creating personal problems again. Crabtree’s new relationship is good, until the writers destroy it . Watts is a Sherlock Holmes type crime solver, until the writer’s agenda takes over. The new Parker detective is a good addition, but will he around long? Sorry to be grumpy, but Murdoch Mysteries is a Canadian TV treasure, to hopefully carry on for ever, eh? —Nolan

I’d love to hear a response from producers about the Watts situation considering so many are pointing out the inconsistency in this storyline. Considering the popularity of the show you’re seeing that people do pay attention to this kind of thing. —Pierce

OK here’s one. Watts, like many young men and women of the period (and even today), tried for years to suppress his natural tendencies to fit in with the norms and morals of the society he lived in. As such he even overcompensated in his attempts to find a woman he could live with and perhaps marry. But then given an alternative (a chance at a relationship with a man) he decided to be true to himself. Victorian literature (and history) is full of examples of this kind of character. I would be so bold that even today there are many who are suppressing their natural desires to try and fit in. —Peter Mitchell

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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