What would CSI's Gil Grissom, Horatio Crane, or Stella Bonasera do without their DNA evidence or computer analyses?
Requisition a time machine and consult Detective William Murdoch, of course.
Murdoch is the hero of a series of books about the Victorian-era crimefighter by Maureen Jennings, which were turned into a series of television movies starring Peter Outerbridge (ReGenesis), which have now been turned into a weekly series starring Yannick Bisson (Sue Thomas, F.B. Eye.), premiering this week on Citytv in Canada. In the Toronto of 1895, his unorthodox techniques like the use of fingerprinting and trace evidence are viewed with suspicion, but his results are unquestionable.
I confess to a strange fondness for leading man Bisson, who took over the role when Outerbridge found himself contractually committed to ReGenesis. I can trace it to one of his first roles, in the TV movie Hockey Night, though the fact that his appeal has survived and even tempered the cheesiness of Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy and Sue Thomas F.B. Eye puzzles me. It also makes me predisposed to think fondly of Murdoch Mysteries.
Unfortunately, the first episode isn't a strong start to the series. Murdoch himself fades into the background, overshadowed by a bizarre guest character — the real-life eccentric Nikola Tesla — and a romantic subplot involving his young sidekick, Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris). Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy of Durham County), one of Murdoch's few supporters in the police department, is likewise given little to do but reveal autopsy results.
In the first episode, "Power," Murdoch investigates the electrocution death of a woman who may have been caught in a romantic triangle, or may have been the victim of the War of the Currents, playing out at the Toronto city council of the time. She was apparently murdered when a demonstration of the advantages of direct current (DC) over alternating current (AC) for power distribution was sabotaged.
Tesla, played by Dmitry Chepovetsky (also of ReGenesis), fits in because historically his work led to the new AC system, while inventor-rival Thomas Edison was the proponent for (and inventor of) the then-standard DC. So it's a fun touch to see what's recognized today as the clearly superior system positioned as a potentially crackpot theory.
Article comments
1 - poetryman69
the blog lady takes a lovely picture.
2 - S.C.H.
Many people say that they prefer the Peter Outerbridge version and while I respect that I must personally admit that I simply adore the new Murdoch, but granted not as much as the book series. Bisson I feel plays a slightly more sympathetic and withdrawn Murdoch than his precursors both in text and on screen yet I find myself drawn to the light and often witty Toronto in comparison to the darker Toronto that Outerbridge’s Murdoch resides in. I do agree with Diane Kristine on the fact that this is almost one of the most family friendly crime shows on television and would not suffer from being on at an earlier time.
While the first episode, as mentioned by Ms. Kristine, was slightly disappointing it was still relatively entertaining and was particularly refreshing after the, in my opinion, the less than desirable C.S.I. episodes that have comprised most of my weekly fix of detective work. The few episodes that I have seen in the weeks that followed the premiere were all quite good each touching on a gamut of issues each of which I as a student could understand and get into. The exchanges between the characters are humourous and make me laugh more often than any crime show, which is quite a few. This leads me to hope that even after all the American shows come back after the writers strike that this little breath of Canadian fresh air will survive television’s cruel chopping block.
3 - Gary Williams
Does anyone know if this story has appeared in one of the books? If so, what was the title?
Thanks
4 - Witch
Historical mistake in tonight's episode(Feb. 20). Murdoch mentions Cambridge, (implying Cambridge, Ontario)which was formed in the 1970's from the towns of Preston, Hespeler, and Galt.
5 - lorenne
does anyone know if we can watch this show in the US?and if not,will we ever b able 2?i am really dying 2 c it and dont know how.let me know.
6 - Diane Kristine
It's not yet available in the US - not sure it will be, but there's always hope.
7 - diane o connor
i love murdock doctor ogden is his soulmate his new romance is unrealistic please get rid of enid i wont be able to watch the series otherwise
8 - GINETTE
I just love the Murdoch Mystery show, eager each week to watch it. I agree with Diane I don't like Murdoch falling for Enid I prefer Dr Ogden. And Bisson is so cute as Murdoch.