Wild Wild North could be another moniker for this genre bending Canadian television show. Inspector Murdoch does lack the actor bluster of Artemis Gordon, but Yannick Bisson might fit into Robert Conrad’s tight pants. Elementary, my dear Murdoch.
In 1895 Toronto, Detective William Murdoch (Yannik Bisson) solves crimes. This might not be abnormal but his methods of detection are out of the ordinary. He uses crime scene investigation and techniques that we’re used to seeing like fingerprinting.
He’s joined in his investigations by coroner Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy), constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), and they’re lorded over by the blustery Inspector Brackenried (Thomas Craig), who is head of the stationhouse.
The Murdoch Mysteries are based on a series of books by Maureen Jennings, which were made into a three feature length television movies in 2004. The show owes much to “steampunk” shows like Wild Wild West that shows inventions and ideas that we’d not imagine in the time period in which the show takes place. Detective Murdoch also owes a debt to Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation for his deductive skills and it’s no surprise that the titular author makes two appearances in season one.
Doyle is played with bravado by genre vet Geraint Wyn Davies (Forever Knight) and Stephen McHattie makes an appearance as Murdoch’s father. Several historical characters dance through the proceedings. Even thought the show is set in the 1890s if you look closely you’ll see some of the unintentional anomalies, such as a doorplate that looks far too modern for the time. Some of the costumes look much too much like costumes too.
However, those are nitpicks that amused me to point out. The show relies on the acting and I found Yannik Bisson well cast as well as Thomas Craig. Sometimes there’s not much to do for our supporting characters and the insertions of Ogden and Crabtree sometimes feel forced.
I did enjoy the show, but some of the mysteries don’t seem very mysterious and the resolution pops up rather quickly in the last minutes of the show, but my favorite episode was bolstered by the appearance and performance of Doyle and brought me back around to the show.
Disc 1:
Episode 1: Power: While demonstrating the dangers of newfangled alternating current to the public, Miss Toronto Electric & Light dies spectacularly onstage. A tragic accident or murder? Detective William Murdoch enlists the help of the eccentric scientist Nikola Tesla to find out. Episode 2: The Glass Ceiling: A trunk delivered to Inspector Brackenreid contains a lawyer’s naked corpse and a taunting note. When a second trunk turns up—complete with another body and note—Murdoch races to find the killer before his boss becomes the next victim. Episode 3: The Knockdown: After celebrating a big win, boxer Amos Robinson goes down for the count, courtesy of a gunshot to the chest. A witness finds Robinson’s wife, Fannie, standing over the body and holding a pistol, but Murdoch aims to prove her innocence. Episode 4: Elementary, My Dear Murdoch: Murdoch accompanies his hero—the famed writer Arthur Conan Doyle—to a séance, where the medium guides him to the body of a skeptical psychic investigator. Did the clues indeed come from the spirit world? Or did the medium have a motive for murder? Disc 2:
Episode 5: Till Death Do Us Part: When Wendell Merrick dies from a blow to the head immediately before his wedding, the case looks like a simple robbery gone wrong. But questions about the groom’s gallivanting ways lead Murdoch into Toronto’s homosexual subculture. Episode 6: Let Loose the Dogs: A murder brings Murdoch face to face with his troubled past, as the detective’s estranged father turns up drunk near the crime scene. Losing his usual objectivity, Murdoch seems dead set on proving his father’s guilt. Episode 7: Body Double: When a corpse crashes through a theatre’s ceiling and lands onstage in the midst of Macbeth, Murdoch and Brackenreid delve into the backstage intrigues of the city’s leading Shakespearean acting troupe.
Disc 3:
Episode 8: Still Waters: Boys playing on the lakeshore discover the bruised, beaten body of Richard Hartley—scion of a wealthy family and the newest addition to the exclusive King’s Club rowing team. Investigating the case, Murdoch finds dark secrets beneath a gleaming world of privilege. Episode 9: Belly Speaker: Ostensibly researching a new detective novel, Arthur Conan Doyle returns to Toronto and meddles in a case involving a mad ventriloquist who seems to have murdered his father. Murdoch begins to suspect that the author has a hidden agenda. Episode 10: Child’s Play: Who could have murdered Howard Rookwood? Everyone admired the well-known philanthropist, killed in the horse paddock of his glue factory. When suspicions fall on boys employed at the factory, Murdoch uncovers another side to the victim’s character.
Disc 4:
Episode 11: Bad Medicine: After a mysterious hooded figure kills a prominent psychiatric researcher, Murdoch investigates the doctor’s former patients. The case grows more complex when a psychic warns Murdoch that the grim reaper will claim more victims—including the detective himself. Episode 12: The Rebel and the Prince: The murder of a girl connected to the Irish Brotherhood leads police to suspect a plot against visiting Prince Alfred. Constable Crabtree joins the prince’s retinue and finds His Highness more than a handful to guard. Episode 13: The Annoying Red Planet: When a reclusive woodworker and amateur astronomer is found hanging high in a tree, mounting evidence points to one conclusion: he was murdered by Martians. Constable Crabtree becomes convinced of an imminent alien invasion, but Murdoch searches for more earthly answers.
Murdoch Mysteries is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.
Disc one features a commentary on the first episode with executive producer/showrunner Cal Coons, Yannick Bisson, Jonny Harris, and production designer Sandra Kybartas.
Disc four has interviews with Bisson (4 minutes), Joy (5 minutes), Craig (2 minutes), Harris (4 minutes), and author Maureen Jennings (2 minutes). There are also a behind-the-scenes photo gallery, character biographies, cast filmographies, and a list of the Detective Murdoch novels.
The Murdoch Mysteries is a fun show. I know I enjoyed it. The mysteries are not sometimes hard to figure out but the cast gives it the old college try. I was most impressed with Bisson and a wonderful guest turn by Wyn Davies as Doyle.
If you want to nitpick the production design occasionally lets an item from the wrong time period slip through (I’d imagine their budget doesn’t allow a complete immersion). It’s a jolly good time though if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief.
Murdoch Mysteries: Season One is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK . Visit the DVD database for more information.
Your Talkback on this Story