Hi !
I just spent the last couple of weeks binge watching The Murdock Mysteries. Now that I'm caught up (11 seasons), I'm not quite sure what to do with myself...LOL.
If you don't know this show, it's a Canadian crime show based on the books by Maureen
Jennings. It's about a turn-of-the-century (late 1800s, early 1900s) detective in Toronto. William Murdock is a straight-laced, fact-oriented, devout Catholic who believes in and uses science to solve crime. He rarely drinks, doesn't swear, and doesn't lie. In fact, he ALWAYS does the right thing, even if means implicating the woman he loves in a crime. However, he's not judgmental or boring. In fact, while he's usually even-keeled, he can get angry and he can kick
butt.
He's considered an unusual detective because of his use of science in solving crime. He often invents gadgets to help him in his investigations. So far, some of the things he's invented are night vision goggles, a sonar machine, and Silly Putty.
What makes the show fun are the gadgets and new ideas in science (a lot happened in technology and society then). One of my favorites is when Constable Crabtree notes how fast the microwave laser could cook a potato. Murdock thinks this idea is impractical because a microwave machine would be too big, to which Crabtree states maybe in the future people will have potato cooking rooms.
Along with the gadgets and advances in technology, Murdock also meets lots of interesting people, such as Nikola Tesla, Mark Twain, Alexander Graham Bell, and Arthur Conan Doyle, and Crabtree meets L.M. Montgomery (author of Anne of Green Gables).
Of course, there is a couple (you know I love couples in mysteries). While Murdock comes off very pious and
traditional, he loves a woman who is ahead of her time. Dr. Julia Ogden is the coroner through much of the show, eventually becoming a psychiatrist, then back to being a coroner. Julia often pushes the limits of society (i.e. advocating birth control and women's voting rights). Murdock, who normally likes to stick with social norms, supports her. Their coming together was first a meeting of the minds and a fascination in solving mysteries. My only complaint is how long
it takes to get them together, and how quickly things seem to fall apart the first few times they get on the right track. There's isn't a whole lot of romance per se, but I do love how Murdock lights up when Julia enters the room. Yannick Bisson, who plays Murdock is very skilled at showing Murdock's emotions subtlety through his facial expressions. It's also a kick to see how excited he gets around new technology. He's like an 8 year old on Christmas
morning.
As you can tell by this long email, I'm a bit hooked (obsessed??).
If you haven't seen The Murdock Mysteries, I recommend it. It's on Hulu and Acorn, unless you're in Canada, which for some reason isn't able to stream it. I think Ovation has it, but there it's called
The Artful Detective. Netflix used to have it, but I think it's done. Your library may have it on DVD.
