Annabella Cinderella

Arabella Cinderella is yet another Murdoch-Lite episode offering for season 12 of the long-running series. Murdoch is filling in for the still-gone Brackenreid and he is largely kept out of the mystery solving. Instead of being involved in the primary plot line, he and Julia spend their time fussing about an ill-written book (which brings with it the distinct smell of "potential new episodic plot arc" wafting in its wake). The mytery solving muscle of the tale is the team of young John Brakenreid and Watts with Crabtree providing support. They themselves are actually the most engaging aspect of the story. There are plenty of witnesses to be inteviewed and clues left to the viewer, but again the resolution is too painfully obvious within moments of the episode's start. It's a shame really, as the "who and why" are the things of which classic mysteries are made, but a combination of scenery-munching guest stars, over simplistic writing, and lackadaisical direction take away much of the puzzle that is necessary for a solid episode. Maybe next time.

The plot was ponderous and weird. Just odd overall, with Murdoch and Julia especially behaving very pedantic and unlike themselves. Why not give them their own murder to solve rather than that dull plot about them writing a technical manual? Please Paul Aitken, give up writing and stick to producing - or anything else.

I am confused about the cast of this show. In some episodes, there is no Julia. There are Brackenreid centered episodes and others without him (like this one). Then, I don't know what is going on with Higgings, whose presence seems random. Oh, and the new Doctor, Ms Hart, I don't know what is going on with her either (she does not appear in this episode).

So, in this episode, the focus is on John Brackenreid, George and Watts. I actually enjoyed their three of them together and specially the chance for Watts to lead an investigation. Daniel Maslany is a fine actor- Meanwhile. Murdoch and Julia have a minor subplot that I did not like at all (because both of them seemed terribly self-centered and vane). Luckily, the main story with the 3 men was quite interesting (even when some parts of it were quite predictable) and pleasant to watch.