Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries - General Discussion

[radishcake]

Phryne plays host to ghostly soldiers and exotic spiritualists and Aunt Prudence is swept up in the new spiritualist fad and enlists a famed psychic to contact her dead godson.

 

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Buried treasure and pirate legends bubble to the surface in the seaside holiday town of Queenscliff and Phryne finds herself at the pointy end of a Spanish dagger.

 

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When a gang leader is found dead outside a travelling boxing tent, Phryne's investigation leads her into the dangerous but thrilling world of fight rigging and tribal payback.

 

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When Phryne arrives at the exclusive fashion house of Madame Fleuri for a fitting, she unexpectedly finds herself amidst a crime scene, and everyone present is a suspect!

 

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Set amidst the passion and fanaticism of 1929 Australian Rules football. When Phryne is duped into investigating the coach's missing 'lucky cap', she discovers a gruesome murder instead.

 

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When the driver of the ladies' motorcar rally team is found dead in her roadster, Phryne is up in arms struggling to convince Jack that her friend's death was no accident.

 

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Now estranged, Phryne and Jack step around each other to investigate a murder and the disappearance of a valuable manuscript.

 

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Phryne journeys into the twilight world of silent movies. When a lead actor and a director are murdered, Phryne steps in to solve the crime and save the production.

 

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When Phryne arrives at an idyllic vineyard to investigate a suspicious death, hostile townsfolk do everything they can to drive her out of town, and Hugh prepares for a perfect proposal.

 

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There's a new wireless in the Fisher household, but there's a murder on the airwaves. Dot suffers the realisation that she doesn't want to relinquish working for Miss Fisher when she marries.

 

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The gothic world of a halfway house for pregnant & wayward girls sets the scene for the death of a teenager. Phryne & Jack realise the threads of the crime lead closer to home than they suspected.

 

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Phryne, Dot and Dr Mac happily accompany Aunt Prudence to a picturesque chalet to celebrate a white Christmas in July. The party arrives to find one of the residents dead – electrocuted while hanging festive lights. No more suspicious than the usual Miss Fisher investigation, until the body count starts to rapidly rise…

 

[radishcake]

Since the episodes have dropped I've added them all by episode in the topic! Cheers and happy watching!

[radishcake]

When season 1 began I thought eh, Nathan Page is alright. By now, of course, his dulcet baritone makes my heart go pitter pat. What do you think of our fair detective?

[purist]

The ABC  (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) launched its 2015 line-up in Australia yesterday, and the new season of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is one of the stars. Here is an article about the launch, with Miss Fisher given prominence. Excerpts (with spoiler tags for info on plots):

 

MISS Fisher’s Murder Mysteries fans rejoice. You are set to get eight new episodes of your favourite crime drama in 2015 [snip] Better still, ABC TV director Richard Finlayson says there is no reason why Miss Fisher won’t continue for years to come.

 

The third series of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, set in the 1920s and starring Essie Davis as sleuth Phryne Fisher, almost never got commissioned. Late last year the ABC said it ‘still hadn’t made a decision’ on the show’s future — despite it averaging around 1.5 million viewers per episode, according to OzTAM.

 

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, which last aired in late 2013, was said to be the victim of ABC budget cuts and a move by Director of TV Richard Finlayson to attract younger viewers. Angry fans petitioned ABC management, with series three finally commissioned last April.

 

Next year’s series is set to feature the appearance of Phryne’s reprobate father. Phryne’s attraction to Detective Inspector John “Jack” Robinson is also set to go to the next level. Earlier this year co-executive producer Fiona Eagger tantalised fans by hinting that there might be wedding bells.

 

“We’ve got magic in the next one (series),” Eagger told IF magazine in June. “There’s no end to the inspiration. You never know — there might be a wedding!”

 

Murder cases will be set at a magic show, an RAAF base, in the world of women’s tennis and the backstreets of Melbourne’s inner-city Collingwood.

 

Finlayson says Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is now an integral part of future ABC programming.

 

“Miss Fisher is now an international phenomenon,” Finlayson says. “We have just sold the rights to the Miss Fisher scripts to China and it is being remade in Chinese. She is a character that really resonates. People love the stories. It is escapist. It looks fantastic and we are very pleased to have it back on air. Essie Davis’ star has risen considerably during this time and we’re lucky to have her. We hope we can hang on to her because it is a show that there is no reason why it couldn’t continue for many years to come.”

Edited November 13, 2014 by purist

[purist]

He's very different from the character in the books, but I don't mind because Nathan Page is so dreamy. I adore his deadpan responses to some of Phryne's more outrageous behaviour and utterances.

[radishcake]

So season 3! Whee! We can post things we see/hear/want to see about the new season here. We'll be thankful to our Australian friends to shout out any news they hear! We can also chat about the books in here and see what we think might be forthcoming in the new season. Here's a link to Amazon's list of Kerry Greenwood's books. If you don't like to buy from them they still give the ISBN# so you can search them at your favourite local shop!

[Carrie Ann]

So Season 3 will only be eight episodes? I mean, eight is better than none, but I want mooooooooooooore.

[radishcake]

I'm just glad we're getting them! I'm on the last two episodes of season 2 and I can't wait to see new ones.

 

Are you guys interested in doing an actual season 2 watch/rewatch? We could do an episode a week and chat about them. LMK you guys!

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What do you think guys? LMK in the comments!

[JayKay]

I would be so down for a weekly watch. Didn't even realize it was up on Netflix until just now.

[Carrie Ann]

I may have already watched Season 2, twice, in the two weeks since it appeared on Netflix, but would be down for a watch-along thing too.

[radishcake]

Ha! Carrie Ann I thought I was the only one! :) I say let's go for it. 

[JayKay]

Yea! I'm rewatching season one in preparation as I type.

[JayKay]

I was pleasantly surprised by how he's quietly about as close a match in wit as Phryne is like to meet. And he's not some condescending force intent on stamping out all of the fun Phryne has helping him along. He's not at all what I expected from the first few episodes.

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He's not at all what I expected from the first few episodes.

Exactly! Me either. I have been very impressed with his character. I love that he obviously loves her mind. It's fun to watch them together. 

[JayKay]

Exactly! Me either. I have been very impressed with his character. I love that he obviously loves her mind. It's fun to watch them together.

Yes, absolutely. It's that playful respect between them that keeps you on your toes during their scenes. You never know which of them will make the other roll their eyes or try not to smile. And their relationship/friendship has progressed so organically that you completely buy their trust in each other. He's reserved but definitely not dull, so he grows on you.

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He's reserved but definitely not dull, so he grows on you.

He has certainly grown on me! I'm a sucker for a voice and whew! He's got a delicious one! 

[radishcake]

OK even if it's only a couple of us let's start. So Monday November 17th and we'll watch two episodes a week. That will be a nice quick walk in the park! 

[emma675]

Yay, I'm in!

[JayKay]

Sounds good! Should there be a notice in the Misc Tv > Everything Else Tv > Previously Rewatch Thread for any potential fans?

[Lawgiver]

Perry Heslop! One of the things I love about MFMM is playing spot the Australian actor! At least two former Muriel's Wedding actor's have shown up in MFMM, the second is Roz Hammond who was in first season's Away with the Fairies. 

 

And may I just be shallow and say thank you for that swimming scene? I had to fan myself! I just love the ust between Jack and Phryne. 

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I'll add it! 

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Ha! Lawgiver I saw that too!! Good old Perry, still up to no good! 

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So scandalous murder! Dot's sister and a handsome spanish dancer. What's not to love? I really loved Phryne's fan dance! 

[Carrie Ann]

This is a really fun episode. Classic MFMM. Phryne flirting her face off with Jack; Dot being judgy but good-hearted; cat-burgling antics; the feather fan dance!

 

Plus we meet Rosie Sanderson. Yay.

 

OK, Rosie is the actual worst. When I watched this the first time, I was ambivalent about her in this episode, and even partway through the next. But eventually, she just takes a turn. I really hope we don't see much or any of her in Season 3. Also, I like how the seeds are planted regarding the corruption in the police department and local government, and even hints toward the sex trafficking angle.

Edited November 18, 2014 by Carrie Ann

[GaT]

I'm watching season 1 & I'm up to episode 10. I'm wondering if they ever do anything more with the story about her sister being murdered. It seems like that was a big thing at the beginning, but it was dropped somewhere along the way & hasn't been mentioned again. Do they go back to it? I also wondered where her doctor friend went to, but she actually showed up this episode. Is she going to show up more?

 

EDITED: Well, the guy in prison just sent her a letter, so I guess they do go back to it.

Edited November 18, 2014 by GaT

[emma675]

GaT, I don't want to spoil you too much, but they go back to it at the end of Season 1.

[emma675]

The fan dance! I adored all of the build up to it with Jack, Dot and Hugh being in the audience at the culmination. And Essie Davis has a fantastic figure, I'm so jealous.

[Carrie Ann]

I forgot to mention that I loved Jack's line at the end when Phryne's baiting him about Rosie's fiance, "You're waving a red rag at me, but I am no longer in that ring." Awwww, Inspector Robinson.

[GaT]

Thanks, it seemed like a strange thing to drop.

[radishcake]

Tell us when you get to the end GaT!!!! We want to know what you think! :D

[GaT]

Tell us when you get to the end GaT!!!! We want to know what you think! :D

Uh oh, sounds exciting! I'll be back :-)

[JayKay]

I ought to finally have time to crack open season 2 tonight and join in the rewatch. I'm excited!

[radishcake]

Yay! 

[JayKay]

Haha, this episode was a great re-introduction to the show and characters. And Phryne finally met Jack's (ex) wife. I love Phryne's reaction to all of it: Becoming involved in Jack's personal life, his discomfort at such, and still trying to do right by everyone.

And omg, the fan dance. So cheeky. I'm not English, but a more accurate term does not exist. Phryne is the best. This is the first mystery show to suck me in, but can we have a protagonist like her for every decade?

I liked the relationship between Dot and her sister, it just seemed genuine. You can imagine them growing up side-by-side. And Phryne wanting the re-establish the connection between the two because she knows how it feels to lose it tugged at the heartstrings just enough.

Between the cat burglary and all of the dancing, this is one of the most fun episodes yet. Plus some solid character building. Wonderful season opener.

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can we have a protagonist like her for every decade?

with equivalent costume design? Yes please! 

[magdalene]

After watching the episode where Jack goes undercover at the radio station and where he plays the piano at the end and he and Phryne sing together I am now totally convinced he is her match.

[JayKay]

Whoa, wait, so if I understand correctly, the psychic was legit? I didn't expect that at all. But I like that there's a little mysticism in the heightened world these characters inhabit. The series one finale had just a bit of that spookiness, too.

Aw, poor Dot.

Phryne's palm reading of Jack was wonderful characterization and dialogue. As was his reply. That relationship always hits just the right note.

[Actionmage]

I just saw this a couple of hours ago on my PBS station!

 

For now, I will just say it was fun and had real stakes for Phryne, so extra good. Aunt Prudence, whom I have come to like, was given a chance to shine and she brought it.