Murdoch Mysteries, Season One

You all know how much I love Acorn Media and the wonderful working relationship I have with has allowed me to review many great movies. Well they have done it again, sending me Murdoch Mysteries, Season One to review.

Murdoch Mysteries debuted from Acorn Media on June 16, 2009 and although I had not heard of the series I have talked with others who have. Set in 1890’s Toronto it combines the detective mystery of Sherlock Holmes (in fact  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle shows up occasionally), with the cutting edge technology that is years ahead of its time.

Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson, Sue Thomas F.B.Eye) uses modern technology and forensics to solve his cases. Think of him as CSI’s Grissom’s grandfather. Murdoch has a quiet sort of air about him. He’s a thinker and it shows. Anytime he sees a new invention or process he wants to know as much as possible about it. He is of course not without his own personal demons, he believes his father murdered his mother and his fiancée died. Yannick Bisson does a wonderful job playing Murdoch but I am a little prejudice as I am a huge Sue Thomas F.B.Eye fan which means that of course they took it off the air.

Joining Detective Murdoch is Dr. Julia Ogden (Gemini-winner Helene Joy, Durham County) a pathologist who like Murdoch is a little before her time and has a soft spot for the detective. Dr. Ogden is both bold and soft-spoken at the same time. There are moments when you see how much she cares for Murdoch but then in the next instant she’s all business and reign her feelings in. Helene Joy is fabulous as Dr. Ogden. I was not familiar with her work but found her very likeable.

Constable George Crabtree (Johnny Harris, Hatching, Matching, & Dispatching) is young and eager to learn. He idolizes Murdoch and wants very much to live up to Murdoch’s standards. He is almost comical in his naiveness and brings a breath of comic relief at all the right moments. Johnny Harris is very much like his character young and that is always refreshing.

Lastly is Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig, Where the Heart Is) Who is Murdoch’s boss. the Inspector puts up with Murdoch half of the time and is in awe of him the other half. He also tolerates Dr. Ogden. while he never voices his opinion of her it very apparent that he has that “man” mentality that women belong at home. Thomas Craig is wonderful in his role as well. He is sort of larger than life.

Overall I was thrilled to have gotten to experience this series and will now have to get the other seasons so I can find out if Murdoch and Dr. Ogden get together and more.

Rita’s Rating: