With reboots being the “in” thing to do in film and television, our neighbors in Canada saw fit to team with their cousins in the U.K. to create a new, younger, 
edgier version of an acclaimed telefilm series from that began in 2004. Murdoch Mysteries: Season One takes us back to Toronto, Canada circa the late 1800s — a time when electricity was just starting to work its way into businesses and homes. Of course, no matter what era you find yourself in, there is one element always on the move: crime. And, in an expanding metropolis like Toronto, crime and murder often walk hand in bloody hand.
Our hero of the story, William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) is an inspector with the 
city’s Fourth Precinct. Younger than many of his fellow detectives, Murdoch is an avid fan of the world of technology, which is expanding around him. Soon, machines may be used to help solve crimes; voices may be transmitted via radio waves. Why, even something along the lines of a “telekineticscope” may be used to broadcast images into a box. Well, balderdash, I say! The world is flat and man will never fly, either! Phooey!
Throughout its thirteen episodes, Murdoch Mysteries: Season One finds 
young Murdoch diving into one whodunit adventure after another, running up against some very famous figures along the way. Assisting him is his superior, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig); Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), the medical expert, and greenhorn constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris).
Sounds like fun, right? Well, I’m sorry to say I didn’t find it as entertaining as I had hoped. As a matter of fact, I think Murdoch Mysteries: Season One is even cheesier than some of its American CSI-style counterparts. The cast doesn’t seem to interject a whole 
lot of life into their characters (which isn‘t that bad when you consider the scripts aren‘t very good, either). The encounters with famous figures and the numerous references to future contraptions are probably supposed to be cute, but they just come off as annoying. But my biggest complaint, by far, with Murdoch Mysteries is with the camerawork and editing. I don‘t know about the rest of you, but if I want to watch something set in a Victorian setting, I don’t want to see “modern” television photography (i.e. using a "shaky camera" and so-called “artistic” camera angles) or modern cutaway techniques. To me, it just makes the filmmakers look like they didn’t know what they were doing.
Article comments
1 - The Teach
Clearly you have not taken the time to sit down and really enjoy the stories so beautifully presented on "Murdoch Mysteries". I have never been a fan of Canadian television until this program and I am so impressed by the cinematography, writing, acting and production values that I will eagerly await the new season. I'm thankful, and not surprised, that you appear to be in the minority in your assessment. Long live Murdoch and his fabulous mysteries!
2 - Luigi Bastardo
Au contraire, I did take the time to sit down and I really wanted to enjoy the series as it looked very promising. Alas, it did not fare well with me.
3 - jane roberts
fantastic tv - good old who done it tand not t.oo much violence.more please
4 - Diana Balkey
Our entire family loves to watch Murdock Mysteries each week,and we cannot wait for the 2010 season to begin. It's a wonderfully historical and Canadian whodunnit. The production is superb; the writing and acting are flawless. We need more tv series as well done as this one is.