Preview: Murdoch Mysteries sets sail

Happy New Year Murdoch Mysteries fans! If you’re like me, much of the break after the last new episode of Season 12, “Secrets and Lies,” has been spent wondering.

How would the huge revelation that Thomas has a daughter affect his relationship with Margaret? By the close of “Secrets and Lies,” she had asked him to leave the house, throwing the future of their marriage up in the air. This week, Episode 10 catches up with our favourite crime fighters in the cheekily-titled “Pirates of the Great Lakes.” Here’s what the CBC has revealed as the official synopsis for it:

As Murdoch helps an Italian detective recover a shipload of stolen antiquities, Brackenreid considers shipping out.

And, as usual, here a few more tidbits after watching a screener of the instalment, written by Dan Trotta and directed by Leslie Hope.

Murdoch unveils another invention
This one, like the robotic vacuum cleaner, is designed for home use. William has found it necessary to build a contraption because Julia is plotting social events at the house.

History recalled
As has become the norm with Murdoch Mysteries, the show references a real-world event as part of its storytelling. In this case, it’s the 1906 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The investigation also calls for Crabtree to go undercover, which is always a good time.

Guest stars aplenty
Paolo Mancini—playing the wonderfully energetic and passionate Italian detective Flavio Pupazzi—Jeremy Raymond, Hugh Thompson and Craig Brown (a familiar face on Murdoch Mysteries as Eddie Crawford) all get some screen time on Monday night.

Thomas and Margaret
I wish I could say that things are looking up for the Inspector and Mrs. Brackenreid, but when we catch up with his on Monday things don’t look good for any type of reunion.

Ruth and Higgins
They’re together and you know what that means. Laughs, especially when Ruth decides she wants to help her dear husband pay the bills.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.