The Murders

Reading the numerous pretentious quasi-critics among these reviews is more sad than funny. I like Canadian-style writing, particularly in their crime dramas, but I don't confuse them with the US/Hollywood spawn. Canada isn't the US, regardless of what that might or may not mean to the shallow US market, US-Canada are different societies, actually, as another form of diversity. As British drama varies from its US counterpart, Canada has its own style, and different isn't really a basis for better or worse, actually. Some of the best drama streaming on the internet is Canadian...with less chaff among the wheat than the US TV/movie market. It's often more entertaining with less neurosis than British or US counterparts. "The Murders" is quite good within its boundaries. Vancouver, BC, isn't Toronto, or Los Angeles, or New Orleans, which is not a good or bad thing...it's Vancouver and that works for this crime drama.

Kate Jameson (Jessica Lucas) is a rookie homicide detective following her respected late father's footsteps. Her mother is running for mayor. On her first day, she loses her gun which is used in a murder. Her corrupt partner directs her in a cover up as they track down the killer. She is conflicted morally about setting up the drug addict killer which ends up with the shoot-out deaths of both her partner and the killer. She gets away scot free but she is forever haunted by the ethically compromised start to her career.

Starting with the title, there is a blandness to this show. The Canadian production is somewhat bland. Lucas is a bit light to do a serious cop procedural. It does start with an intriguing first day for her but it's a slow downhill slide from there. There just isn't anything outstanding in this bland police procedural.

I really enjoy Jessica Lucas' acting, so I don't blame her.

As usual, these days, it's the talentless writers that squander the opportunities offered with a new series.

PC, always some misandry, special group pandering, and the unbelievable premise that a detective, responsible through her neglect and incompetence for the death of a fellow cop,* is not* delegated to desk duty for the remainder of his/her career...and terminally shunned by fellow cops.

The Murders was never going to be exceptional but it does have a decent cast and its crime drama credentials "could" have amounted to something.

I say "could" because its cloyingly pretentious, preachy, overstated political correctness rob it of much of its entertainment value.

The result is an often tiresome, tepid affair, that's a marginal watch at best. 5/10 from me.

Canada what is going on? You have made some of my favourite police dramas in the past and then this year you make this and another one with a dog that is just as dull, boring and bland. #Where is the edginess, the drama, the humour, the sexual tension, where is ANYTHING to make either of these shows even remotely watchable. Is this modern tv? too frightened to do anything that even a single person may in some way possibly find offensive? Just plain boring.