Murdoch Mysteries - General Discussion

[blackwing]

22 hours ago, wanderingstar said:

Enjoyed seeing Choi directly involved in the case. Looks like he and Murdoch will make a good team.

Felt bad for Effie, but I did like her team-up with Brackenreid. I'm curious to see how they involve him in cases now that he's chief constable.

I really would like to know what is up with the budget for this show.  While I like the Choi character, I feel like the addition of a more active Inspector to the Station House means that we will see even less of Crabtree and Watts.  Neither of them appeared in this episode.  Nor did Henry or Tucker.  The only other named person working seemed to be Constable McNabb.

[Trey]

I really enjoyed this episode.  It was fun seeing Rebecca Liddiard but I do not think she is going to be Murdoch's love interest.  I think he moved to the rooming house just for the reasons he gave - the house was too lonely and big without Juliet and Susannah and he does like to be around people. But it was an interesting mystery at the rooming house and I did like seeing Murdoch and Choi working together.

Re the other storyline with Effie and Brackenreid, I guess the councilman will get his comeuppance sooner or later but I hope he doesn't do any damage to our crew in the meantime.

I agree, Miss Cherry is so up and down, a friend one day, maybe not quite an enemy the next but not a friend either. I think her job is everything to her and she would never reveal a source.

20 minutes ago, blackwing said:

I really would like to know what is up with the budget for this show.  While I like the Choi character, I feel like the addition of a more active Inspector to the Station House means that we will see even less of Crabtree and Watts.  Neither of them appeared in this episode.  Nor did Henry or Tucker.  The only other named person working seemed to be Constable McNabb.

I don't know if it's a budget constraint that some people don't appear or if it's got to do with the storyline.  No sense pushing a character into a story just to say they are there.

According to  https://murdochmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Season_18_Episodes_and_Guides, we will see Julia in the 300th episode when Murdoch goes to England to visit her.

[Prevailing Wind]

I've been bingeing "Still Standing" and Harris films those things in all seasons. In some, he's all decked out in winter clothing, riding ski mobiles and in others, he's wearing just a t-shirt (well, and pants & shoes LOL) and eating ice cream.  There doesn't seem to be a pattern to when he's doing that show or doing Murdoch.

I do find it charming that sometimes Macy, his dog, makes an appearance. She's a lovely German Shepherd.  I'm assuming then, that his wife isn't far away, either, but we don't get to see her.

I love the show, but I wish he had more time to be Crabtree.

Edited October 18 by Prevailing Wind

[BMGepinniw]

On 10/18/2024 at 6:01 PM, Prevailing Wind said:

I've been bingeing "Still Standing" and Harris films those things in all seasons. In some, he's all decked out in winter clothing, riding ski mobiles and in others, he's wearing just a t-shirt (well, and pants & shoes LOL) and eating ice cream.  There doesn't seem to be a pattern to when he's doing that show or doing Murdoch.

I do find it charming that sometimes Macy, his dog, makes an appearance. She's a lovely German Shepherd.  I'm assuming then, that his wife isn't far away, either, but we don't get to see her.

I love the show, but I wish he had more time to be Crabtree.

I haven't caught up with streaming Still Standing on CBC Gem.  Thanks for the info about Macy, Prevailing Wind.  I will have to keep a lookout for her.  I know Jonny Harris is a dog lover, as almost ever episode I recall shows him making friends with the local canine communities.

I agree about having more Crabtree on MM.  Good news, though!  Constable Crabtree is featured in tonight's show, along with Effie.  Would it be too much to ask that Watts show up as well?  ;-)

[wanderingstar]

18x02 - What the Dickens?!

I LOVE to see George and Effie solving a mystery together ("Honeymoon in Hampshire" is still one of my favorite episodes) The characters at the Bleak House danced on the line between endearingly eccentric and grating. I did enjoy the incorporation of Dickens into the solving of the mystery.

We got Watts, though not nearly enough. I hope we get to see him leading a case soon.

Odd that Thomas Craig was listed in the credits but didn't appear in this episode.

Edited October 22 by wanderingstar

[Trey]

14 hours ago, wanderingstar said:

Odd that Thomas Craig was listed in the credits but didn't appear in this episode.

No, that's standard.  Look at all the times Jonny Harris hasn't been in the episode but he's always in the credits. The core four have always been in the credits until this year, since Julia is apparently not coming back. Other members of the cast are only in the credits if they are appearing in that episode.

I really enjoyed the Dickens storyline. Effie and George together make great detectives.  I guess George's plans to take some time to write means he'll be away for a while.

15 hours ago, wanderingstar said:

The characters at the Bleak House danced on the line between endearingly eccentric and grating.

Definitely agree.

The crime itself in the other storyline with Murdoch and Choi was not very well developed but featuring Murdoch's invention made it much more interesting.  Henry, playing the fool, as usual, had some great lemon pie.  And so did Watts. I loved the new captain setting aside a room just for Murdoch's inventions.  That really meant a lot to Murdoch.

[Unathletic Club]

October 21, 2024. The day William Murdoch jumped the shark. 

I felt embarassed  for Claire and Jonny having to take part in that ridiculous storyline. The supporting actors were terrible. I've seen better acting in high school plays. 

 

And suddenly, Murdoch no longer cares about being Inspector. He is living with out his wife and child because that was SOOO important to him but after a week or so he no longer cares. What, pray tell, is keeping him from getting on a boat to London to see his baby?

George has to go away to write his book. Effie sends him cheerfully off without telling us why she can't go with him. 

The first 3 shows of  this season has been very disappointing and I am a long time fan. 

 

[blackwing]

18.03 - What the Dickens?!

I greatly enjoyed this episode.  Loved seeing George and Effie working together.  Loved the mystery parlor game that was set up by the dead guy.  Then it turned into actual murders.  Very Agatha Christie.  I liked the denouement at the end in the library where the doctor gave his version of the solution, then Effie, then George with his "both of you are wrong" solution.

I also liked the B plot because it harkened back to times earlier in the series when Murdoch was always inventing things ahead of their time that we use commonly today and take for granted.  Loved him inventing the tracking device, Choi calling it something and then Murdoch correcting him with something that had the initials GPS.  It was great seeing both Watts and Higgins.

I really liked the room of Murdoch's inventions.  I hope somewhere online there will be a list of everything in that room and what episodes they were featured in.

What I didn't like... Effie saying that George needs to go away somewhere and write his book.  What?!  Really?  Why can't Jonny Harris commit to being on the show.  Surely his "Still Standing" program can be filmed when MM isn't filming?

With Julia, George and Brackenreid not appearing in multiple episodes this season... I hope this isn't foretelling that this is the final season.

On 10/21/2024 at 9:48 PM, wanderingstar said:

I LOVE to see George and Effie solving a mystery together ("Honeymoon in Hampshire" is still one of my favorite episodes) The characters at the Bleak House danced on the line between endearingly eccentric and grating. I did enjoy the incorporation of Dickens into the solving of the mystery.

13 hours ago, Unathletic Club said:

The supporting actors were terrible. I've seen better acting in high school plays. 

I agree that the supporting characters were terrible.  I'm not sure what kind of direction these people are being given, but the portrayals of the doctor (guy with long white hair who presented the first wrong solution at the denouement) and the playwright (Indian(?) actor) were especially bad and way over the top.

This show tends to be generous in casting actors who probably have a hard time booking roles in bit/supporting parts, but I thought these two were especially terrible.  The actor playing the doctor chewed more scenery in an hour than Lachlan Murdoch does in an entire season.  He reminded me of some aging community theater actor who finally got noticed and is going for his Gemini / CSA award.

But I reserve most of my puzzlement for the actor who played the playwright.  I cannot figure out if the lisp or speech impediment or whatever it was was part of the character or if that's really how the actor talks.  Edwin Dwooood, vewy, all the Rs turned into Ws.  It was like Elmer Fudd getting thrown into an Edwardian period piece.

14 hours ago, Unathletic Club said:

And suddenly, Murdoch no longer cares about being Inspector. He is living with out his wife and child because that was SOOO important to him but after a week or so he no longer cares. What, pray tell, is keeping him from getting on a boat to London to see his baby?

George has to go away to write his book. Effie sends him cheerfully off without telling us why she can't go with him. 

Yes, what happened to that?  IIRC, he had just been promoted to Inspector at the end of last season.  Julia got an opportunity in London but she didn't want him to have to give up the position that he had worked so long and hard for.  So he stayed in Toronto.

Only to decide that he didn't want to be Inspector and wanted to be Detective.  He could have gotten a job as a detective in the London police force.  At least they could have said something about why he prefers to remain in Toronto even though he is no longer Inspector.

There was a time some seasons back when George was promoted to Detective or Acting Detective... but now back to constable.  Is George ever going to get a permanent Detective position?  I guess not, if he is always disappearing.

[buckboard]

Inspector was only a temporary position for Murdock and perhaps he felt they wouldn't get it permanently.  I believe he explained it in the first episode of Season 18, although I don't recall exactly what he said.

He doesn't miss Julia and Susannah?  Seriously?  Did you see his face as he watched the movie of Susannah romping around?  That's one sad Murdock.

He could have gotten a job in London?  I'm sure they would have been happy to take on a Canadian with hardly any knowledge of their city who wants to be with his wife, although they have no idea how long she will be in England setting up the hospital.  Three months?  Six months?  A year?

Perhaps you have a job where you can take off several weeks any time you want to.  Murdock is going to visit Julia, but not just now when the station is transitioning from Brackenreid to Choi. 

[Trey]

Season 18 Ep. 04 Gimme Shelter Oct. 28 2024

Quote

Murdoch, Watts and Choi investigate the overdose passing of a bookkeeper living in new workers' housing.

And another crooked councilman is outed. Even though he wasn't the murderer his embezzling from charities will put him away for a while.  And, I trust, he will pay back all the money.

So sad that the bookkeeper died just because she wanted a decent place to live.

Brackenreid was taken aback when he realized he was one of "those people". I don't think he liked the realization.

[Unathletic Club]

"Gimee Shelter"

This was more like the Murdoch I love. Lots of twists and turns. 

I doubt if William would like The Rolling Stones. But I bet Julia would.

 

[andromeda331]

I love George and Effie solving a murder together and this time at Dickens party. That was so much fun. I'm glad George is writing another book. I wondered what happened to his writing career. But why does he have to go away? 

Gimee Shelter Yeah, they want people have shelter just not near them. Sounds about right, then and now. Happy to see Watts. I really like Choi. 

I really don't get why characters are missing from some episodes. If it's the actors contracts, money, other jobs let us know. Its just weird and stinks. I miss seeing the gang together. I hate characters just going off like George to write a story or last season off looking for his father. I still don't know why Julia had to go London. 

I do wonder if this is the last season or if next season will be last. Before World War I starts.

[wanderingstar]

18x04 Gimmie Shelter

Interesting that Brackenreid's NIMBYism almost ended up with him getting swindled. It was nice that Margaret ended up having a change of heart about having the apartment building in their neighborhood.

Mrs. Robinson is the worst kind of zealot: self-righteous and thinks she knows what's best for everyone. Claiming she has God's touch because she committed MURDER is wild.

Continuing to love Inspector Choi and how he works with Murdoch and Watts (more Watts, please!)

While I miss George, I do like seeing Effie involved more in cases, and I continue to enjoy her team-ups with Brackenreid.

[Trey]

No new episode this week.

[Nijntje]

37 minutes ago, Trey said:

No new episode this week.

Yeah, 22 Minutes got moved from Tuesday to Monday this week, and they're doing a one hour special on US election.

[BMGepinniw]

22 minutes ago, Nijntje said:

Yeah, 22 Minutes got moved from Tuesday to Monday this week, and they're doing a one hour special on US election.

I would like to see a new Murdoch tonight; however, I've seen a couple of episodes of 22 Minutes this season, and I admit they are even better and more entertaining than I remember.  Everybody take a shot when they take a shot at ..... can I say it? Well take your pick of whichever politician you want lambasted.  <<evil grin>>

[blackwing]

This episode and the NIMBYism of several characters was interesting.  It really highlights the change that occurred in big cities around this time period.  I saw a picture of Chicago around this time period in the area now known as River North and it was mostly all single family homes.

The apartment building in this episode seemed to be talked of in what in today's terms would be called "low income" or "affordable" housing.  They called it a building where the working man could afford to live.  By nature, the cost to rent or own an apartment versus a house would be less.  But at least in my area, when there is talk about "affordable housing", that often denotes subsidized housing.  Developers set aside a certain number of units or houses which are the same general size as others, but they charge less for them.

I didn't get that sense from either the building of the murdered woman or the supposed proposed building that Brackenreid was trying to prevent.  I just thought it was an apartment building.  Brackenreid didn't like the idea of poor people moving into his community.

I found it interesting that Margaret was the one that was all for change and the addition of the apartment building.  Hasn't she been shown to be fairly close minded in the past?  I know in a recent episode she was all caught up in that healing guru cult, but I've always thought of her as a stick in the mud.

 

What was up with Choi being shown regularly taking plants from Watts' desk?  At least I think it was Watts' desk.  Did he just happen to like them?  Did I miss any kind of closure about it?  Watts never said anything, did he?

I didn't like this new artist friend of Watts.  Her look and voice reminded me too much of Miss Cherry (I actually thought it was the same actress initially) or that psycho twin stalker of George's.  Is she going to be a recurring character?  Seemed like she was interested in developing a relationship with Watts, unaware that he is gay.

On 11/1/2024 at 2:06 PM, andromeda331 said:

I really don't get why characters are missing from some episodes. If it's the actors contracts, money, other jobs let us know. Its just weird and stinks. I miss seeing the gang together. I hate characters just going off like George to write a story or last season off looking for his father. I still don't know why Julia had to go London. 

I find it particularly annoying.  I get that Jonny Harris has his other show.  Not exactly sure why Helene Joy is missing.  I've read that either Helene has a play she is doing in London or somewhere, or that she just is taking a break because she just had a baby.  She used to be an executive producer.  Now she is no longer a producer and her name is completely gone from the credits.  Yet Jonny Harris' name is still in the credits even though he hardly appears. 

What I don't understand is why the supporting characters are missing.  It used to be that pretty much every episode would have all the supporting characters.  Now it seems we only get one or two of them at a time.  Margaret, Watts, Higgins, Miss Hart... it seems we never get them all at one time anymore.  This episode we got Margaret and Effie but then it seems to have meant that Higgins and Miss Hart were absent.  Is it budget?

Also, it's been ages since we have seen Ruth.  She used to pop up every now and then, but I think it's been several seasons since she last appeared.  I think she's a hoot in small quantities.  Would love to see how Higgins and she are doing with their young child.

[Absolom]

For many US shows this year the number of episodes for many actors was cut so they'd get 16 to 20 episodes out of a 24 episode run for example. Yes, it's a cost issue. I don't know for sure about Murdoch, but it seems reasonable.

[Trey]

Ruth is supposed to be in tonight's episode.

[Trey]

Season 18 Ep. 05 A Starlet is Born Nov. 11 2024

Quote

Murdoch suspects an overzealous fan after a man dies in an explosion meant for fledgling starlet, Ruth Higgins-Newsome.

It was good to see Ruthie again but that was enough to last for quite a while. She  was very good in the part of Agnes.

I'm glad she and Henry still love each other so much.  Theirs was one of my favourite romances on the show.

Still, the show feels empty with so many regulars gone and familiar background characters no longer showing up - for example, at the stationhouse we don't see the desk sergeant any more and what used to be recurring constables not around. But I guess after so many years, on tv and in real life, things and people are bound to change.

 

[wanderingstar]

Fun to see Ruth again. I'd missed her the past few seasons. She and Henry are sweet together. 

Murdoch referring to Ruth is "an onerous charge" was hilarious.

Missed Watts and Effie in this one.

[BMGepinniw]

3 hours ago, Trey said:

Season 18 Ep. 05 A Starlet is Born Nov. 11 2024

It was good to see Ruthie again but that was enough to last for quite a while. She  was very good in the part of Agnes.

I'm glad she and Henry still love each other so much.  Theirs was one of my favourite romances on the show.

Still, the show feels empty with so many regulars gone and familiar background characters no longer showing up - for example, at the stationhouse we don't see the desk sergeant any more and what used to be recurring constables not around. But I guess after so many years, on tv and in real life, things and people are bound to change.

 

I agree, Ruthie is like a very rich dessert.  In small doses only, please.  I feel the same way about Miss Cherry.  

I'm glad she and Henry are so blissfully in love, but witnessing Jordan's antics, I wonder how many nannies/housekeepers they've gone through!  

Several of us (as already identified by Blackwing and Trey) are unhappy with the void left by the absence of many regular and supporting castmembers.  I guess I'll take what I can get for now, but I hope we don't get a big blitz of cast for Christmas, and then they depart again after the "party".  The actors who have requested to be away are quite fortunate that they can do this, without the "Black Hand" sending their characters to Miss Hart.  ;-)  And likewise, MM is also lucky that they can still have Watts, Brackenreid, and Ruthie, etc., available to them for the sporadicity required.  Or perhaps the show being "filmed" on a Google Pixel, and the crew interposes whichever actor they require here and there?  😜

[blackwing]

I loved "A Starlet is Born".  How funny that the same day I complained about the absence of Ruth, she shows up in the new episode that night!  I really had no idea she was slated to appear.  They never mention her anymore.

The fact that I think their child was a baby the last time we saw him and now he appears to be about 4 really indicates how long it's been since we have seen Ruth.

Was this the first time we've seen the outside of their enormous mansion?  We know that she is one of the Mimico Newsomes and that the family is very wealthy, but I don't think we ever saw their house before, have we?  I would have thought that after being married for some years, Henry would have adjusted to the fact that his wife is wealthy.  The "a man should provide for his wife" seemed especially ridiculous considering we saw their house some minutes later.  Or was that part of the joke?

So now Ruth is an actress.  She approaches her career in much the same way she goes through life... rolling over everyone and getting what she wants while being so ignorantly clueless about how she comes across.  Classic Ruth.

Ruth even got Miss Cherry to cave in to her.  I can't stand Miss Cherry, so good for Ruth.  I'd much rather we see one of the other supporting characters instead of her.  What's up with John Brackenreid?

Loved seeing Higgins increased role in this episode.  Too bad he's often used as comic relief.  He proved himself to be a good and devoted husband.  He saved Ruth, even if Murdoch had diverted the tracks anyways.

[andromeda331]

I loved Ruth being a starlet. She was exactly how I expected her to be. Henry being jealous was a little annoying especially when he tried to fake a break in. Of course Murdoch was going to figure it out Henry. Ruth and Henry rescuing each other was great. Of course Murdoch helped with the tracks not that the know that or figured it out.

Louise has been such a pain lately I'm happy with Ruth repeatedly rejecting her script. I did wish someone would have pointed out her movie/book and now script were all written with her being the star. If Julia was around she probably would have since she did when Louise's movie was being made.

I still like Choi but I miss seeing the rest of the gang. 

[Trey]

Season 18 Ep. 06 The Murdoch Link  Nov. 18 2024

Quote

Murdoch investigates after a rare skull is stolen and an interested buyer is murdered.

I wasn't feeling all that well on Monday so didn't follow the story as well as I should have. I was really put off by the thought of a rare ancient skull (plus another one) being found near Toronto - I know we Canadians like to have a connection to everything but that was a bit much. And I like Ted Atherton but his character annoys.

What I really did like was Higgigns stepping up to Tucker and forcing him to confess to the inspector.  I really do like when Higgins isn't playing the buffoon. I suspect the inspector fired Tucker so he can go undercover in the gang but that is totally speculation on my part.

[andromeda331]

15 hours ago, Trey said:

Season 18 Ep. 06 The Murdoch Link  Nov. 18 2024

I wasn't feeling all that well on Monday so didn't follow the story as well as I should have. I was really put off by the thought of a rare ancient skull (plus another one) being found near Toronto - I know we Canadians like to have a connection to everything but that was a bit much. And I like Ted Atherton but his character annoys.

What I really did like was Higgigns stepping up to Tucker and forcing him to confess to the inspector.  I really do like when Higgins isn't playing the buffoon. I suspect the inspector fired Tucker so he can go undercover in the gang but that is totally speculation on my part.

I liked that part too. I'm glad Tucker listened to Higgins. I'm surprised Murdoch wasn't suspicious about the rare skull from the beginning. He's usually pretty quick on that stuff.

[BMGepinniw]

16 hours ago, Trey said:

Season 18 Ep. 06 The Murdoch Link  Nov. 18 2024

I wasn't feeling all that well on Monday so didn't follow the story as well as I should have. I was really put off by the thought of a rare ancient skull (plus another one) being found near Toronto - I know we Canadians like to have a connection to everything but that was a bit much. And I like Ted Atherton but his character annoys.

What I really did like was Higgigns stepping up to Tucker and forcing him to confess to the inspector.  I really do like when Higgins isn't playing the buffoon. I suspect the inspector fired Tucker so he can go undercover in the gang but that is totally speculation on my part.

I agree that Higgins is more palatable when not playing the fool.  But I am worried that Tucker will seek retribution for his firing.  It would be great if he was going undercover, but I don't think he's smart enough to pull it off, considering his indiscreet meetings with the mob boss.  OTOH, I  didn't think Miss Harte could redeem herself either.  I'd love to be proven wrong.

Edited Thursday at 08:03 AM by BMGepinniw

[blackwing]

8 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

I liked that part too. I'm glad Tucker listened to Higgins. I'm surprised Murdoch wasn't suspicious about the rare skull from the beginning. He's usually pretty quick on that stuff.

I liked the adaptation of the Piltdown Man hoax, with an ape mandible attached to a human skull and even down to Murdoch saying that the new species could be named after the finder (which is in fact what happened with the Piltdown Man, it was called eoanthropus dawsoni).

Murdoch is a man of science so of course he would be really excited about this discovery.  However, I too was surprised he wouldn't even take a moment to question it.

Why must we have so much Miss Cherry thrust upon us?  I would gladly lose Miss Cherry if it meant we could get more Watts.  I missed Watts in this episode although I did like the appearance of a competent Higgins.

I had been wondering what became of the Tucker storyline.  I'm glad that Higgins forced him to talk to the Inspector.  The Inspector immediately fired him, then Tucker went to the mob boss to ask for a job and was denied.  So now he has no job and is not wanted by the mob boss.  Nothing good is going to come out of this.

I don't think Choi will use Tucker as an informant or undercover... it's too late for that, the mob boss knows he got fired.  Tucker should have come forward when Brackenreid was still Inspector, I think Brackenreid would have used him as an undercover agent.

[cardigirl]

So, I've been enjoying this season of Murdoch much more than last season, but I'm still missing a lot of the regular characters. The old days had everyone on hand to be involved in the stories.

One question: At the end of the latest episode, Murdoch looks at a ticket(?) or telegram with White Star on it. Is he sailing to London, or are Julia and the baby (can't think of her name) coming to visit him in Toronto?

Spoiler

Seems there might be a Titanic reference or storyline this season.

 

[Trey]

I didn't notice the ticket but I do know Murdoch is going to London to visit his family.  That is the extent of my knowledge.  Julia is supposed to be in the 300th episode so I guess that is when he'll go but I don't know what episode number of this season it will be.

Susannah is their daughter's name.