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Preview: Frankie Drake Mysteries, “A Sunshine State of Mind”

And, just like that, Frankie Drake Mysteries‘ season finale is here. I’m so used to its Monday night partner, Murdoch Mysteries, being at least 18 instalments that I’m surprised when Episode 10 of Frankie shows up in my Inbox.

Yet here we are, and much has changed during this third season. With showrunner Peter Mitchell at the helm, I feel like the series has finally found its stride, from Lauren Lee Smith keeping her blonde locks to Rebecca Liddiard and Sharron Matthews really getting to expand the characters of Mary and Flo, respectively. Chantel Riley’s Trudy has evolved as well, making the show feel more confident and well-rounded. And, with storylines addressing sexual assault and racism, Frankie Drake Mysteries isn’t afraid to tackle tough subjects.

Here’s what the CBC has revealed about the season finale, “A Sunshine State of Mind,” written by Jennifer Kassabian and Keri Ferencz, and directed by Ruba Nadda:

After Nora and Mildred are swindled by a fake land-selling conman, Frankie and Trudy vow to get their money back.

And here is more information from me after watching a screener of the episode.

Things are getting hot
When we catch up with Frankie and the team, they’re sweltering under a heatwave in Toronto.

Recurring guests reunite
Wendy Crewson and Karen Robinson both appear in Monday’s season finale, which makes sense because Nora and Mildred, as noted above, get swindled.

Mary learns about her father
A quick task introduces Mary to Officer McKinlay (Andrew Gillies), who was her father Matthew’s former partner.

Joe Perry returns
Luke Humphrey reprises his role as Joe Perry. We last saw Joe in the episode called “Whisper Sisters.” This time, Frankie isn’t so happy to see him, as Joe’s visit involves a man named CC Glendale, played by Patrick McKenna.

Catch past seasons of Frankie Drake Mysteries on CBC Gem.

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Comments and queries for the week of November 22

I’ve recently started watching Hudson & Rex. I came across it by accident. I love this show and am happy to hear it was renewed. I’m now watching show after show of Season 1. So tired of all the reality shows, this is refreshing and a great find for me. Please keep it going as long as possible. Storylines, characters and being a Canadian show is fantastic. Thank you for renewing it for Season 2. —Wendy


I loved “The Final Curtain.” A great whodunit with lots of drama plus very funny moments! The aging lothario trying to seduce Margaret was hilarious and then her refusal to accept John’s escapades was a total been-there-done-that moment for me. Great to see Julia getting her hands dirty with murder again. All in all a home run for this series!! —David

We loved this episode! “The Final Curtain” was great fun and kept us guessing until the very end. There was plenty of humour throughout. It was fun watching the Murdoch regulars hamming it up as much as the stage actors. —Mary

It is actually not just one set though it feels like it. We shot the actual theatre stage and auditorium in St. Mary’s but most of the backstage rooms were built in-studio. It is, however, the first episode not have a horse according to people standing around on set. —Joanna Syrokomla

Got a question about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “The Final Curtain”

The last time John Brackenreid was on Murdoch Mysteries, it was in the two-part Season 12 finale. John had been shot, recuperated and announced to his parents that he was going to quit being a copper and pursue a career as an actor.

We catch up with John during Monday’s episode, “The Final Curtain,” written by Simon McNabb and directed by Mina Shum. Here’s what the CBC has revealed as the main storyline:

An actor is killed at a play attended by Murdoch, Ogden, Crabtree, and Brackenreid.

And, as always, here are a few tidbits from me after watching a screener.

The Final Curtain
Not only is this the name of the episode, but it’s also the name of the play John Brackenreid stars in. As the episode begins, we join the main characters at the theatre. Watts makes quite the entrance and Murdoch asks a question I always wonder when I attend the theatre. Watching the performance, and how our favourite characters consume and comment on it, is several minutes of fun. And, I think, more than one gentle poke at some critics along the way.

Margaret gets some attention
And Brackenreid isn’t bloody happy about it.

Guests aplenty
Look for Jim Mezon as Grayson Howard, Sara Garcia (X Company) as Ada Cunningham, Jessica Huras as Joan Dalloway, Aidan Moreno as Barney Finch and Ivan Sherry as Herbert Gould (he portrayed Mayor Hopkins back in 2012).

A bottle episode
A traditional bottle episode of television refers to the fact the storyline takes place on just one set. It’s traditionally done to keep production costs down. I have no idea if that’s why Monday’s episode stays in the theatre, but it’s a nice (and literal) change of scenery.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Comments and queries for the week of November 15

We are reminded from time to time that Murdoch Mysteries is, first and foremost, a procedural, solving crimes, it’s just that we were given these two wonderful characters, thanks to the chemistry between the actors, who added an element of fun and romance and we have been expecting it ever since in every episode (it does happen in other shows!). Although Murdoch and his colleagues are very good at solving murders, the tandem William and Julia makes it so much more fascinating instead. Let’s face it procedurals, however clever, are still dull. The showrunners/writers understood that. I hope they have not lost their way. I too relish earlier episodes compared to what we are seeing now. I still think Watts, however quirky at first, is now an uninteresting character who is given far too much attention. That actor should find another gig! Henry fills that role much better especially with Ruth! —Noele

I liked the episode “Toronto the Bad,” and watched it with interest. Dynamic development of the plot with an unexpected ending, excellent acting. We first saw the work of Henry as a taxi driver. It is very touching to see him tired for the well-being of his beloved wife. Lots of fun, enjoyable scenes that I really love in Murdoch Mysteries. This is the mysterious disappearance of a pelican figurine from the house of Murdoch, who was nevertheless stolen by a bad neighbour. The surprise and fun was the route in the house of Julia and William due to a breakdown of the vacuum cleaner. And of course, William’s game of billiards and his expression in the finals! I wonder if Julia, whom she tells William about, will get a raise? I hope that she will not receive it and will return to investigations again. Many fans of the show agree that Julia and William do it very well. Looking forward to the next episodes! —Lilia

Must writers screw up Murdoch Mysteries constantly, or maybe, it’s time to hire new ones? Yes to adding comedy, but stick to solving murders. Yes to Julia and William working together, not writers creating personal problems again. Crabtree’s new relationship is good, until the writers destroy it . Watts is a Sherlock Holmes type crime solver, until the writer’s agenda takes over. The new Parker detective is a good addition, but will he around long? Sorry to be grumpy, but Murdoch Mysteries is a Canadian TV treasure, to hopefully carry on for ever, eh? —Nolan

I’d love to hear a response from producers about the Watts situation considering so many are pointing out the inconsistency in this storyline. Considering the popularity of the show you’re seeing that people do pay attention to this kind of thing. —Pierce

OK here’s one. Watts, like many young men and women of the period (and even today), tried for years to suppress his natural tendencies to fit in with the norms and morals of the society he lived in. As such he even overcompensated in his attempts to find a woman he could live with and perhaps marry. But then given an alternative (a chance at a relationship with a man) he decided to be true to himself. Victorian literature (and history) is full of examples of this kind of character. I would be so bold that even today there are many who are suppressing their natural desires to try and fit in. —Peter Mitchell

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Preview: Sable Island’s other inhabitants celebrated in Seals of Sable

Sable Island is a truly unique place. Situated off the coast of Nova Scotia, the small spit of land is home to feral horses that have grabbed headlines around the world. Not gathering as much attention? The grey seals that frequent the island too. That all changes on Friday night.

Airing at 9 p.m. under The Nature of Things banner, “Seals of Sable,” follows filmmakers Teresa MacInnes and Kent Nason of Sea to Sea Productions Inc., as they track the largest breeding colony of grey seals in the world. Every winter, tens of thousands of female seals arrive to give birth, and the duo is there with scientists and experts for it. Led by biologist Nell den Heyer, from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the group seeks answers to the many questions they have about grey seals. The only time the cigar-shaped animals come to shore is to rest, moult and give birth, so the three weeks they spend on Sable will be invaluable.

Cameras capture the moment of birth—labour can be a days-long affair—through the bonding and feeding of pups (each pup’s hungry call is unique). Along the way, scientists continue to mark and track individual seals, tracing populations and survival rates. Does a female seal’s personality give her pup and better-than-average chance at survival? It would seem so. The grey seal has seen a boom in its numbers in the last few decades despite commercial fishing; what are they eating? A little of that will hopefully be answered by attaching video cameras to seals named Emma, Kate and Fiona.

Through amazing camera work and the down-to-earth, accessible language The Nature of Things is known for, “Seals of Sable” is a fascinating peek into the lives of that island’s other residents.

“Seals of Sable” airs as part of The Nature of Things, Friday at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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