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)