Detective William Murdoch has been solving cases for the Toronto Constabulary for eight years now but the latest season of Murdoch Mysteries has by far been the most thrilling. Canada’s #1 mystery show went on a break last month with a climactic cliffhanger but not before entertaining audience around the world with its wonderful combination of old school science fiction and police procedural
Detective William Murdoch has been solving cases for the Toronto Constabulary for eight years now but the latest season of Murdoch Mysteries has by far been the most thrilling. Canada’s #1 mystery show went on a break last month with a climactic cliffhanger but not before entertaining audience around the world with its wonderful combination of old school science fiction and police procedural.
Murdoch Who?
Murdoch Mysteries is based on characters from the Maureen Jennings’ novel series and takes place in Toronto, Ontario at the turn on the 20th century. Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) cracks mysteries for Station No. 4 using logic and detective skills as his tools. He is assisted in his crime-solving adventures by Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) and two beautiful coroners Doctor Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy) and Dr. Emily Grace (Georgina Reilly). You could call him a ‘Sherlock Holmes of sorts’ but more on that later.
‘More Than Meets The Eye’ Mysteries
The eighth season begins with Murdoch’s superior Inspector Brackenreid on a break, after he took a beating from assailants at the end of the previous season. The story moves forward as Murdoch and friends apprehend the villains, solve cases involving the great Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and foil an assassination attempt on an American President. Murdoch finally gets to marry his sweetheart but not before his bride and he save a woman from the noose! On his return from the break, Murdoch arrests two of his own for a cold case. The search for the Holy Grail may seem farfetched but it is nonetheless interesting, as is the murder of an actor outside the theatre, Murdoch’s meeting with his mentor, Crabtree solving his first case as a detective and Special Agent Terrence Meyers’ return in the penultimate episode. The arrival of Inspector Brackenreid’s nephew makes things complicated for Crabtree but then, there is a lot in store for fans who will be shocked by the time they have seen the season finale!
Solving Crime, Murdoch Style
What makes Murdoch Mysteries different from the other shows on TV is its setting in the early part of the last century; life was simple, and so were crimes. Not many people in this part of the world have read the adventures of Detective William Murdoch; however, from the show, one can judge that he is a man of science, who is intrigued by uncommon happenings and is passionate about whatever he does. In an era when there were no gadgets for detecting blood types, distinguishing fibers, searching underwater etc., Murdoch always found a way.
His association with former coroner Dr. Julia Ogden also got him into trouble but the eighth Season was the end of it as the two reconciled after what seemed like a really long time.
Impeccable Casting, Perfect Backstories!
Murdoch Mysteries may not feature big names but the performances are at par with any TV show airing at the moment. Yannick Bisson is outstanding as the honest detective whose only aim is to rid the city of evil; Jonny Harris as Constable Crabtree provides comic relief while aspiring to be a novelist; Thomas Craig as Inspector Brackenreid may be hard on his constables but he always gets the job done; the extremely attractive Hélène Joy as Doctor Julia Ogden is the center of Murdoch’s universe but she is one beauty with brains, something she has proved time and again. Georgina Reilly also proves her mettle as Doctor Emily Grace who shares an on-and-off relationship with Constable Crabtree, who is likely to have an important role in the upcoming season, as the season finale featured him in a big way!
Historical heavyweights make an appearance
The recipe behind the success of Murdoch Mysteries is simple; the characters are so well written that you feel as if they are part of your lives. That’s why it seems so real when inventor Thomas Edison, future Prime Minister of Great Britain Sir Winston Churchill, creator of Sherlock Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Suffragette activist Agnes Macphail, American President Theodore Roosevelt, legendary lawman Bat Masterson and the great Sherlock Holmes (yes, you are read that right) make an appearance in the mystery series. Season 8 ended on a high and the next one promises to be even better.
Omair Alavi can be contacted at omair78@gmail.com
