murdoch mysteries: season six

Murdoch Mysteries: Season Six, which was recently released on Blu-ray, may well be its most entertaining season yet. The Canadian mystery series, which mixes forensic drama with a Victorian-era Toronto setting, is a fun and quirky steampunk CSI. Based on the Detective Murdoch novels written by Maureen Jennings, Murdoch Mysteries stars Yannick Bisson as Detective William Murdoch, a man with an eye on the future. Using "modern" methods of detection including blood type analysis, finger printing, and even sonar,  Murdoch is always open to new techniques and scientific ideas. In Season Six the strict Roman-Catholic must expand his mind and his morals even further, as his investigations take him to a nudist colony. He faces his ultimate challenge on a more personal front — to reconcile his faith with his desire to marry his soon-to-be divorced lady love, Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy).

Detective Murdoch (Yannock Bisson) and Constable Crabtree (Jonny Harrs) stroll through downtown Toronto

The three-disc set is formatted for widescreen, with an aspect ratio of 1.77:1. The images are sharp, with details like the web and weave of fabric in the cast's period costumes in glorious detail. The sound quality (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo) on the discs is good, and the musical score by Robert Carli is as atmospheric as always. The set has an approximate running time of 572 minutes.

Murdoch Mysteries has always delighted in mixing real-life personages with its fictional crime stories, and Season Six is no exception. Both helping and hindering Murdoch in his investigations — and in one instance, becoming the prime suspect — are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Geraint Wyn Davies, in a return appearance as the author), and a young Winston Churchill. Always on hand to help the brilliant detective are his right-hand man, Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), Toronto coroner Dr. Emily Grace (Georgina Reilly), and Murdoch's (sometime) supportive boss, Inspector Thomas Charles Brackenreid (Thomas Craig). Dr. Ogden's interest in women's rights plays a large part in the series and the story lines, especially in the episode "Lovers in a Murderous Time." Murdoch's and Ogden's love is put to the test when Julia becomes the prime suspect in a brutal murder in the last two episodes of the season, "Crime & Punishment" and "The Murdoch Trap."

As much as the cases in Murdoch Mysteries flirt with history and science, there is abundant humor as well — especially on display (if you'll pardon the pun) during the episode "Murdoch Au Naturel," where the detective must solve a murder at a local nudist colony. Also amusing is "A Study in Sherlock," where a man claiming to be Sherlock Holmes confounds Murdoch and Co., so much that they must call in the fictional character's creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to help sort out the mystery.

The episodes included in the three-disc collection are:

"Murdoch Air"

"Winston’s Lost Night"

"Murdoch on the Corner"

"A Study in Sherlock"

"Murdoch Au Naturel"

Crabtree goes "under cover" in the episode "Murdoch Au Naturel"

"Murdoch and the Cloud of Doom" (Yannick Bisson directs this episode, which centers on a terrorist threat — toxic gas — to Toronto.)

"The Ghost of Queen's Park"

"Murdoch in Ladies Wear"

"Victoria Cross"

"Twisted Sisters"

"Lovers in a Murderous Time"

"Crime & Punishment"

"The Murdoch Trap"

I am happy to report that Murdoch Mysteries is currently in production on its seventh season in Canada, with 18 episodes on order. More and more American audiences should continue to discover this clever and entertaining period procedural.

Originally published on Blogcritics: Blu-ray Review: ‘Murdoch Mysteries – Season Six’

detective murdoch is back on the case, in murdoch mysteries, series 5

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Murdoch Mysteries, Series 5 on Blogcritics

Acorn Media has recently released the fifth season of the Canadian mystery procedural, Murdoch Mysteries, for the first time for U.S. audiences. Murdoch Mysteries is a CSI-style drama with a twist - set in Victorian-era Toronto, it follows follows Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) as he solves crimes and helps initiate "new" crime-solving procedures, like blood analysis and fingerprint analysis.

The series unfortunately hasn't been televised in the U.S., but thankfully mystery lovers in this country can now enjoy the series via the DVDs and Blu-rays released by Acorn. And if one wants to enjoy Murdoch Mysteries from the very beginning, Acorn TV is also currently running a Murdoch Mysteries Marathon, so viewers can check in on Murdoch and his crime-solving companions from the very beginning of the series.

Detective Murdoch is innovative in his techniques, and his constantly questing mind also brings him into contact with some of the leading thinkers and personalities of his day. In Season 5 Murdoch meets inventors Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, and writer Jack London. He encounters such otherworldly ideas as time travel and ancient Egyptian curses as he attempts to solve the various mysteries in this 13-episode season.

Murdoch and his crew, CW: Jonny Harris, Yannick Bisson, Thomas Craig, Hélène Joy, and Georgina Reilly.

As the season opens, Murdoch is still conflicted after the love of his life, Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy) has married another man and left Toronto. Murdoch has also left (temporarily), to take up gold prospecting, but after he solves a local murder there he finds that he needs to return to Toronto and once again take up crime-solving with his old friends Constable Crabtree (Jonny Harris), and his superior, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig). Julia's replacement, another female coroner, Dr. Emily Grace (Georgina Reilly), proves a feisty new colleague, as well as a potential love interest for Crabtree. Fans of the Murdoch/Julia romance will be pleased to know that Julia is not completely gone from the detective's life - she does return for six of the season's episodes.

Murdoch Mysteries is based on series of Detective Murdoch novels by Maureen Jennings. The Season 5 Blu-ray includes 13 episodes on three discs:

1 - "Murdoch of the Klondike"
2 - "Back and to the Left"
3 - "Evil Eye of Egypt"
4 - "War on Terror" (historical figure Emma Goldman figures in the plot which centers around a potential anarchist plot).
5 - "Murdoch at the Opera" (Opera star Measha Brueggergosman guest stars in an episode directed by Yannick Bisson).
6 - "Who Killed the Electric Carriage?" (This episode features American inventor and mogul Henry Ford.)
7 & 8 - "Stroll on the Wild Side (Parts 1 & 2)"
9 - "Invention Convention" (Murdoch gets some assistance from his idol, Alexander Graham Bell, played by John Tench).
10 - "Staircase to Heaven" (The episode was co-written by author Maureen Jennings)
11- "Murdoch in Toyland"
12- "Murdoch Night in Canada"
13 - "Twentieth Century Murdoch"

Murdoch contemplates "The Pendrick Bullet" in the episode, "Who Killed the Electric Carriage?"

Murdoch Mysteries looks great on Blu-ray, especially on a large-scale, high-definition television screen. The period details of sets, costumes, and surfaces are all sharp and well-defined, with the screen resolution of 1080p and an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is sharp and clear. Subtitles are available in English, SDH. The Blu-ray also includes a host of extras for fans of the series, including:
- "Season Five Overview" - Features clips from seasons 4 and 5, and cast interviews.
- "Murdoch Travels to the Yukon" - A "making of" featurette for the first episode of the season, "Murdoch of the Klondike".
- "Murdoch at the Opera" - An interview with opera diva Measha Brueggergosman who appears in the fifth episode of the season.
- "Who Killed the Electric Carriage?" - A featurette about the vehicle "The Pendrick Bullet," which races Henry Ford's gasoline-powered car in the sixth episode of the season, "Who Killed the Electric Carriage?"
- "The Costumes" - An interview with costume designer Alex Reda.
- Unedited Sound Bites and Photo Gallery - Cast members answer questions; a gallery of behind-the-scenes photos.

Murdoch discusses a case with Dr. Julia Ogden.

 Season 5 of Murdoch Mysteries ends with a look to the new century as Murdoch and his compatriots have an eye on the future. Luckily, so do the show runners of this entertaining mystery series. Murdoch Mysteries is currently airing its sixth season on Canadian and British television and will soon be in production for its seventh season. It's reassuring to know that we haven't seen the last of Murdoch.

the victorian era's coolest detective is back

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Murdoch Mysteries, Season 4 on Blogcritics.

Acorn Media has come out with another excellent Blu-ray version of the Canadian forensic series set in Toronto, Ontario in the 1890s, Murdoch Mysteries. Based on characters featured in the Detective Murdoch novels written by Maureen Jennings, Yannick Bisson stars as William Murdoch, a police detective ahead of his time, utilizing the latest scientific techniques to help solve crimes.

Murdoch is helped in his investigations by his chief, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), and until recently, coroner Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy). Murdoch and Ogden had been inching close to a full-fledged romance until the good doctor decided to leave Toronto abruptly at the end of last season to move to Buffalo, N.Y.

Originally broadcast on Canadian television in 2011, the Season 4 Blu-rays in this collection feature all 13 episodes on three discs, for a total running time of 624 minutes. Video resolution is 1080p, with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Sound is Dolby Digital 2.0, and English SDH subtitles are available. Extras include additional behind-the-scenes featurettes, including one on star Yannick Bisson's directorial debut, "Buffalo Shuffle."

Disc 1

1 - "All Tattered and Torn" Murdoch is still mourning the exit of coroner Dr. Ogden, and still not sure why she left (him.) Her replacement, Dr. Francis (Paul Rhys), is a non-nonsense type who doesn't appreciate Murdoch, or being called to a crime scene. The squad investigates a series of gruesome hatchet murders that have taken place near the home of retired Detective Malcolm Lamb (Victor Garber), Murdoch's predecessor. Murdoch reaches out to Julia in her new home of Buffalo, N.Y. for ... help on the case.

2 - "Kommando" Soldiers from nearby Fort York are being found murdered. Murdoch must determine whether a crazed killer is suffering from a disease the soldiers may have acquired in South Africa or something else entirely. Crabtree mentions he is writing a mystery novel.

3 - "Buffalo Shuffle" Murdoch travels to Buffalo to help Julia investigate a suspicious death at the Children's Hospital where she is now working. Back in Toronto, Brackenreid and Crabtree must deal with a nosy reporter who wants to write about "bumbling Brackenried." Will Murdoch be able to share his real feelings for Julia — or handle the surprising news she has to share with him?

4 - "Downstairs, Upstairs" Rich man Percival Jenkins is found dead, shot through the head, over his breakfast. Murdoch uncovers that there have been an unusual number of maids employed by the family over the years, and that Percival had no fans either upstairs or downstairs in his household. Complicating issues, Julia is in town with her fiancé Dr. Darcy Garland (Johnathan Watton). Murdoch asks for her help in solving the case.

5 - "Monsieur Murdoch" A woman, Sophie, and her husband enlist Murdoch's help in finding her sister Monique, who has disappeared from her hotel. Curiously, Monique appeared to have keys to rooms on the fourth and second floors. Murdoch teams with a French investigator who had also been hired by the girl's father to find the missing girl, and uses photographic evidence to try and solve the crime. Dr. Ogden is back full-time in Toronto as coroner.

Disc 2

6 - "Dead End Street" Murdoch is able to piece together the details of a crime no one even knew had occured, based on the intricate artwork of an autistic woman, and an innovative autopsy performed by Dr. Ogden.

7 - "Confederate Treasure" A body discovered down by the docks has connections to Canada's first Prime Minister. Murdoch must tread lightly investigating a crime that may tie Canada to the American Civil War.

8 - "Dial M for Murdoch" Is a telephone operator (Rachel Wilson) really an "ear witness" to a crime, or is it a case of crying wolf? Further complicating matters is the affection that is growing between the operator, Tess, and Constable Crabtree. As the bodies pile up, her evidence must be taken seriously, and Murdoch helps devise a wire-tap to solve the crimes.

9 - "The Black Hand" A woman from Murdoch's past, Anna Fulford (Lisa Faulkner), may be implicated in a crime. Murdoch discovers that Anna's fiancé (why does every woman Murdoch cares for agree to marry someone else?), may have connections to The Black Hand. Murdoch must be careful – and so must Inspector Brackenreid, whose run for Alderman is being complicated by pressures from political factions.

Disc 3

10 - "Voices" Murdoch is reunited with his long-lost sister, who is an actual a sister at a convent – in fact, she is the Reverend Mother. The siblings aren't exactly experiencing a happy reunion, as two nuns at the convent are under suspicion of murder, and Murdoch is there on business, not a familial visit.

11 - "Blood Lust" The popularity of Bram Stoker’s Dracula convinces Constable Crabtree and soon the rest of the city to believe that a real-life vampire is on the loose in Toronto. Dr. Ogden can't help but relate her feelings for Murdoch to the famous book – their "forbidden" love could be jeopardizing her current engagement, as Count Dracula comes between Jonathan Harker and his fiancée Mina.

12 - "The Kissing Bandit" A Robin Hood-like thief, who robs banks and gives the money to the poor, is Murdoch's latest challenge. Meanwhile plans for Dr. Ogden's wedding are in full swing, much to the chagrin of Detective Murdoch.

13 - "Murdoch in Wonderland" Dressed as the Mad Hatter, Murdoch becomes the prime suspect in a murder that takes place at a Lewis Carroll-themed costume party. But that is the least of his troubles. Dr.Ogden is about to get married — will Murdoch try and stop the wedding?

The look of Murdoch Mysteries continues to impress, with its accurate period settings and costumes a definite highlight. The Victoriana on display in "Downstairs, Upstairs" is especially impressive. The sound quality and ambient noises are crisp and clear, and the series looks especially good on a large high-definition television, as the viewer feels they have stepped back in time with Murdoch.

Murdoch Mysteries is more than just a Victorian-era CSI. Its characters are interesting, human, and sometimes quite humorous. The cases are clever, with just the right amount of science, history, and sometimes a bit of fantasy thrown in to make for an entertaining and intriguing show. Happily there is another season, currently airing in Canada, and a sixth season already planned, so there will be more Murdoch on the way.

csi, victorian style

Article first published as DVD Review: Murdoch Mysteries, Series 3 on Blogcritics.

The description of Murdoch Mysteries, Season 3 sounded intriguing—a crime procedural set in the Victorian era—but I had no idea how much fun it would actually be. Its eccentric hero, detective William Murdoch, utilizes "modern" criminal investigation techniques such as fingerprints and blood work to solve crimes. Based on novels written by Maureen Jennings, the Canadian television series has nice period detail, utilizing the streets of Ontario, as well as accurate set decor and costumes. The series also has a great theme song, composed by Robert Carli.


Murdoch, played by Yannick Bisson, is part of a criminal investigative team led by his boss, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), and aided by young and ambitious Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris). The characters all have a nice camaraderie. After watching Season 3, I'd like to check out seasons one and two of the series and see how Murdoch and his "unconventional" techniques were adopted by the police force. The show has already filmed a fourth season, which is currently airing in Canada.

Murdoch Mysteries has a lot of the same features as similar forensic programs like CSI and NCIS. It also has the cop-loves-coroner background plot, a la Bones, as Murdoch also works closely with potential love interest Doctor Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy). Their romance proceeds at a distinctly Victorian rate, as Murdoch is on the proper side, but there are sparks.

Differentiating Murdoch Mysteries from other forensic shows is the weaving in of true-life historical figures. Murdoch meets scientists and authors of the day, including H.G. Wells (Peter Mikhail) and Nikola Tesla (Dmitry Chepovetsky). Murdoch also tangles with a local wealthy businessman, James Pendrick (Peter Stebbings), across a series of episodes and forms a more-than-protective interest in his beautiful wife Sally (Kate Greenhouse).

"The Murdoch Identity" starts off the season and is an appropriate introduction to the hero and the show. Murdoch has lost his memory and has to figure out who he is and if he can get back home again—wherever that is.

In the second episode, "The Great Wall," a constable is found dead, and the trail leads to police corruption and violence in Toronto's Chinatown. Murdoch is back in business and once again working closely with his team to solve the case.

"Victor, Victorian" features the murder of an initiate at a local Masonic temple. Among Murdoch's discoveries: both Inspector Brackenreid and Constable Crabtree are Masons and there are more secrets than just secret societies for him to sort out.

We really get an insight into Inspector Brackenried and his family when his son is kidnapped in "Rich Boy, Poor Boy."

Murdoch must dabble in psychiatry in order to sort out the murderer's motivations in a Lizzy Borden-esque crime in "Me, Myself and Murdoch."

In "This One Goes To Eleven," Murdoch tangles with Moriarty-like James Pendrick and must figure out how Pendrick's Rembrandt painting was stolen from an elevator car.

The police station is invaded by circus performers in all shapes and sizes in "Blood And Circuses" and Murdoch must determine why a tiger devoured his trainer.

Pendrick is back and the talk is of eugenics in the episode "Future Imperfect." Murdoch finds himself on the opposite side of the philosophical fence not only with Pendrick, but with author H.G Wells, who seems to be very interested in Julia.



Murdoch must unravel the story behind the discovery of three bodies—a man, woman, and baby—in "Love And Human Remains."

"The Curse Of Beaton Manor" has all the right elements for a Victorian ghost story—a spooky house, a stormy night, a dead body, and Murdoch on the case.

As Julia is examining the body of a man hanged for the murder of local judge, the "corpse" gets up and runs out of the building in "Hangman."

Murdoch is pulled into the world of Victorian pornography when investigating the murder of a young woman in "In The Altogether." What he didn't expect to find were photographs of none other than Sally Pendrick, wife of his nemesis James Pendrick.

Nikola Tesla helps Murdoch unravel a seemingly impossible locked-room crime in "The Tesla Effect." The Pendricks are front and center once again and Murdoch must sort out his feelings for Sally and Julia.

The DVD includes four discs with all 12 episodes from the third season, as well as a bonus alternate ending to the season's final episode, "The Tesla Effect." Other extras include some short behind-the-scenes features, focusing on wardrobe and the realistic make-up used on various crime scene victims.

Whether you're catching up with the series, or being introduced to it for the first time, Murdoch Mysteries, Season 3 is sure to entertain and become a fixture in anyone's DVD collection. The period settings and intricate mysteries will make viewers want to revisit Murdoch's 1890s Toronto again and again.

Related articles

• DVD Review: Murdoch Mysteries, Series 3 (blogcritics.org)