I misteri di Murdoch

There are so few shows that I thoroughly enjoy. Murchoch Mysteries is one of 4 particular shows that I watch regularly - and tape so that I do not miss them.

There are three main reasons that I like MM.

First, it is such a pleasure to watch something that does not have swearing, sex scenes, and gratuitous violence. Even though there are the odd (bordering on) romantic interludes the story line remains true to the theme of the title and they do not over-shadow the stories.

Second, I quite like viewing shows that depict times gone by and it is interesting to see how detectives'/police duties were (supposedly) undertaken in that time.

Third, the acting and story telling - as noted in a previous post - equals that of Midsummer Murders, Poirot (another favourite of mine), Judge John Deed (again, another favourite).

I like each character who has a distinct role and adds to the show as well as the enjoyment of watching the show. I do hope that there are quite a few new series planned.

Having neither read the books nor seen the original television movies, I come to the series with unbiased (if ignorant) eyes. My wife and I, who lived briefly in Toronto, are both charmed by Murdoch and his slightly daft colleagues. "Charmed" is the word, for we find the actors, scripts, clothing, details and the City of Toronto itself charming. The bigotry faced by a Catholic detective in the city of the Family Compact rings very true as does Murdoch's gentle piety, a refreshing change in today's detective shows. It is a bit mystery, a bit soap opera, a bit character study and a lot of fun. We, at least, have been captivated by William Murdoch as portrayed by Yannick Bisson, a character who is a genuinely honest, gentle and quiet man of strength facing ethical, moral, professional and legal challenges in each episode. George Crabtree and the Inspector become more interesting as time goes on. The corruption of Toronto and Ontario politics hides behind several episodes while the turn of the 20th century fascination with science and "the coming thing", as Brisco County Junior would say, gives some lightness to the whole thing. In the final analysis it is the interplay of characters, centred on the troubled but charming Murdoch himself, that elevates the Murdoch Mysteries to the level of Midsomer, Taggert or Poirot. A fine series and not only for Canadians.

Series 1 - 11 were absolutely wonderful. William was inventing. Crabtree was hilariously naming stuff! Julia was moving with the times, as you would expect of a worldly woman. Everything was working, staying within the boundaries of the time they were living in. Series 12 comes along and things changed quite dramatically. William wasn't inventing very much. There started to be more attention to the main characters personal lives than murder or mystery. Now on series 13 and it just seems to be worsening. William hasn't invented anything, and, dare I say it? Yes, woke! Why are we suddenly putting today's social values in an early 1900s setting? I just don't get it at all. They'll all be using mobile phones and the internet next.

Murdoch was a superb blend of concept, plot, wardrobe and character. I enjoyed the first thirteen seasons. The cast is strong throughout and the stories interesting and believable in the context of the show. Some of the historical figures inserted into the story have added flavour. The relationship between Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) and Ogden (Helene Joy) works remarkably well with both of them contributing to cases and providing a spine from which to hang various plots.

Last season (14) the writers began to run out of steam and this year many of the episodes are poor and pander too deeply to modern-day sensibilities. Sad to say, it is time to be put out to pasture.

I caught 'The Murdoch Mysteries' by accident while drifting around the satellite channels and was instantly hooked. A well performed, touching and interesting show caught my eye. The characters are involving, are worth caring about and have a strong sense of purpose. Each one brings something to the mix and adds their own skills to the events of each episode. Each episode has a strong mystery to be solved, sometimes offering an intriguing moral dilemma to both Murdoch and the viewer. It is also very reassuring to not have modern day morality thrust into the past as happens so frequently with other shows (yes 'Dr Quinn Medicine Woman', I mean you), dealing with the nineteenth century. Instead we are allowed to explore the world as they see it, enjoying the discoveries and trying to find a way forward into a new century. Well done to all concerned and long may it continue.