Murdoch Mysteries

               After finding this television series in a catalog, the first season discs sat on my movie list a long time before they moved far enough up to ship.  Now that I have seen a few of the discs, I have to ask myself: Why did I wait so long?  The first episode I was unsure about because it was stiff, but every episode after that has been wonderful.            

                Set in Victorian era Canada, Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) is an unusual member of the police force.  He looks at things differently and does not go for the easy answer.  In many ways Murdoch lives his life in a very conservative manner, but he is open minded all at the same time.  On top of this, Murdoch is a very sweet and caring man.  I do not see how the women are not falling all over him.  Well, I guess I do.  The scripts are not written that way.  If this were real life…

                There three people Murdoch works with to solve the mysteries.  The first, and in many ways most important, is Doctor Julia Ogden (Helene Joy).  She performs the autopsies and helps Murdoch with any scientific experiments he requests.  Dr. Ogden is always eager to help and discover a new way to find clues.  She is also the love interest of Murdoch.  I do mean interest, because as far as I have seen, Murdoch has not acted on his feelings.  It has not quite been stated why Murdoch is so hesitant, but I believe part of it has to do with the fiancée he lost to illness.

                Next is Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Murdoch’s boss.  He is a brash man, stuck on his personal views of people, and cannot understand Murdoch’s inability to let things go.  Despite this, Brackenreid has respect for Murdoch and, after some talking, lets Murdoch run free with his hunches.

                Then we have Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris).  He is really cute and sweet.  Young and eager, Crabtree can be a bit bumbling.  This does not deter him.  Crabtree keeps trying to help Murdoch with whatever needs to be done and he always means well.  It will be very interesting to see how this character grows. 

                Of course I like the mysteries, but one of the greatest elements I enjoy about this show is the references to things that are well known today.  It is funny to watch the others doubt Murdoch in his use of a lie detector and fingerprints as sources of investigation.  There are also situations we deal with now that are brought up such as homosexuality and sexual child abuse.  As this is a historical show, I am never quite sure how the characters are going to react.  I have been pleasantly surprised by the at times modern views.         

                So far I have not gotten though the first season.  Easily I could pile up the discs on my list and watch them all in a row.  Instead, I am stretching them out so I can experience the show for longer.  The stories are great and the cast has a good chemistry.  Also watching Yannick Bisson as Detective William Murdoch is not exactly a chore.  That I could do for a very long time.