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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “The Philately Fatality”

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Last week’s special Halloween episode, “Murdoch and the Cursed Cave,” was almost resoundingly embraced by Murdoch Mysteries fans. You, like me, loved the storyline, humour (Higgins tackling the monster and Murdoch’s look of surprise at that killed me) and tone of the episode. It’s already taken a spot in my Top 10 favourite episodes of Murdoch Mysteries.

Now, on to Monday’s new instalment. Here’s what the CBC has revealed about”The Philately Fatality,” written by Mary Pedersen and directed by Sherren Lee.

Murdoch investigates the murder of a stamp collector with homosexual tendencies.

And here are more observations from me after watching the episode.

Watts returns
When I posted pictures for this episode on Facebook, many quickly commented simply “WATTS!!” Indeed, Daniel Maslany returns to Station House No. 4 for this storyline and Mary Pedersen’s script hints as to where he has been. Look for Jesse LaVercombe, Wade Bogert-O’Brien and veteran Quebec actor Charles Lafortune in guest roles; Jeremy Legat pops in to reprise Aldous Germaine.

Same-sex story
Homosexuality has been part of storylines since Season 1 in “‘Til Death Do Us Part,” memorably in Season 8’s “What Lies Buried,” and with Dr. Grace‘s character evolution. On Monday, we open with a house party where music is playing, drinks are consumed and dancing is happening. Sherren Lee does a wonderful job making us feel like we’ve been invited to the soirée. Not invited? Crabtree and Parker, who have been summoned to the home because of “noise complaints.”

Parker is bored
Though a murder has been committed, the former Pinkerton agent doesn’t feel as though his skills are being used to their full potential. Why is Murdoch seemingly holding him back?

Julia is flustered
Dr. Dixon arrives, unannounced, to her home while William is away. I will say no more.

Watts vs. Brackenreid
It’s no secret how Brackenreid feels about homosexuality. So his views on handling the case go up against how Watts wants to tackle it. The result is some great back and forth between actors Daniel Maslany and Thomas Craig thanks to Pedersen’s writing.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

The Brigade: Race to the Hudson paddles into the past on Cottage Life

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I’ve made no bones about my love of Canadian history on this website. From slightly fictionalized stories in Frontier to documentary series like Future History, 1491: The Untold History of the Americas and even The Other Side, I love it all. But would a program retracing the route of The York Factory Express, the 19th-century fur trade route, pique my interest?

Heck yeah.

Airing Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Cottage Life, the eight-part The Brigade: Race to the Hudson, follows 750 miles of the 2,600-mile fur trade route linking waterways from the coast of Oregon, through two states, four Canadian provinces, two mountain ranges and five river systems before ending on the icy shores of Hudson Bay in Manitoba. As an added bonus, the series cast 10 participants and placed $500,000 to split at the finish line. The catch? Working together as a team, just like the traders of the past, is key. And, with 750 miles of the route to cover in 28 days—from Castlegar, B.C., to York Factory—the task proved to be tough.

In last week’s debut, we were introduced to the participants, told no modern-day things like GPS or cell phones were allowed, and headed out. Food and other key supplies were planted along the way and the only way out was to quit or be medically evacuated. And, with military veterans, noodlers and folks used to the outdoors, spirits were high. But, as the miles passed by, bugs descended and dehydration became a concern, reality set in. This was going to be immensely difficult.

In Tuesday’s newest instalment, concerns surrounding Vincent are swirling. Will he be the first to go? Meanwhile, reaching the first cache successfully bolsters everyone’s spirits and gives them some much-need energy via vittles. But some bright yellow helmets hint at the white water coming up and navigational mistakes threaten to derail the team.

And while there is a cache of cash at the end of this journey, this isn’t Survivor or The Bachelor. People aren’t voted off. You have to work together to survive, success and cash in.

The Brigade: Race to the Hudson airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Cottage Life.

Image courtesy of Blue Ant Media.

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Featured

Comments and queries for the week of November 1

I love Murdoch Mysteries so I am just going to watch and see where the writers take us this season. One thing that I wish they would do is occasionally include a reference to a departed character. Why can’t George mention that he received a letter from Emily Grace and she is still in England carrying on her suffrage work? The same could be done for other characters, including Anna Fulford and Ruby Ogden, among others. I think it’s an indication of how good the writing and acting has been that you would wonder what these characters are doing now. —Mary

Great episode! I consider this the best of Season 13. “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” was also good, but this one is more interesting to me. An exciting plot, a lot of humour and piquant scenes. In this episode, each couple has interesting and funny adventures and it turned out very harmoniously. I really liked the unexpected appearance of a fabulous creature in the finale! After the absence of joint investigations by William and Julia in the previous plots, their disclosure of the secrets of the damned caves again brings us back to Murdoch’s classic scripts. This is very pleasing! Yannick Bisson and Hélène Joy have great talent, natural charm and strong chemistry in a relationship, which makes each episode together amazing! —Lilia

How refreshing to see the return of the investigative tandem of Julia and William. This is what the series is all about, to me anyway. We need more of those. She needs to go back to the morgue. Work more closely with William. Violet Hart served a purpose for a while but she has become bland. There is however an unresolved matter with her. Rebecca was more interesting in her own way. I Liked both Halloween episodes except that this one was more serious, more dark and “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” was funnier, more over the top. Odd foursome with Higgins and Ruth but it worked, he is a clumsy character, she is funny. I did not find the Brackenreid’s story in this episode as interesting or funny, but it is Halloween after all. No trick of treat, but, perhaps it was like that when the tradition started. —Noele

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

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Featured, Frankie Drake Mysteries

Preview: Frankie Drake Mysteries, “Life on the Line”

After a week away because of the federal election, Frankie Drake Mysteries is back with an all-new episode. Thanks to previews, we already know that Sean Cullen drops by, but what else can be gleaned before Monday night?

Here’s what the CBC has released as a synopsis for “Life on the Line,” written by Keri Ferencz and directed by Adriana Maggs.

When a toy store owner is the target of a harassment campaign, the gang goes undercover at a telephone exchange to nab the culprit.

And here is more info after I watched a screener.

Flo is at a crossroads
We’re so used to seeing Flo working on—and making jokes over—cadavers. But, what if she passes all of her medical tests and becomes a doctor? Aside from her studies, Flo and Mary don headsets and do some detective work.

Matt Watts guest stars
Watts, who has starred in The Newsroom, Michael: Every Day and The Writers’ Block, is a major part of the A-storyline as Ernie Penny, the focus of the harrassment. He hires Frankie and the team to uncover the person behind it. Watts is pitch-perfect, a neurotic, twitchy, bundle of nerves who is convinced someone is out to get him. Also, look for Katy Breier, who portrayed Lydia Hall on Murdoch Mysteries, Rodrigo Fenandez-Stoll of Kim’s Convenience, Hannah Cheesman and Alice Snaden in guest gigs.

Bill and Trudy
Romaine Waite figures into Monday’s episode too. She calls him to move their lunch date—work and all—and he gives the telephone a quizzical look as he hangs up. What’s going on with these two?

Frankie Drake Mysteries airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “Murdoch and the Cursed Caves”

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Last year’s Halloween episode, “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” was the most galvanizing Murdoch Mysteries ever. People either loved it or absolutely hated it. Me? I appreciated showrunner Peter Mitchell’s moxie for changing things up and going in a different direction.

So, will Halloween 2019 mark the return of an off-the-wall, outrageous storyline that will attract the ire of some viewers? Here’s what the CBC says about “Murdoch and the Cursed Caves,” written by Noelle Girard and directed by Mars Horodyski:

While camping Murdoch and Ogden discover two men killed by a fabled feathered beast.

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

A new theme for a themed episode
Oh man, do I love it when a show changes things up for a special occasion. All I’ll say is I want to use Robert Carli’s theme for my ringtone even more now. I can tell he had fun recording it; I smiled the entire time I listened to it.

Julia is back
Fans have been wondering where she’s been; some have speculated Hélène Joy’s absence because of her film projects. Beats me why, but she’s back next to Murdoch on Monday and has a special trip planned for she and William. Yes, the aforementioned camping.

Ruth and Higgins, side by side
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Ruth; thankfully that is remedied on Monday too.

Margaret returns too
The episode is jam-packed with familiar faces, as well as new ones in Barbara Gordon, and Matt Cooke who actually played Superintendent Sam Steele in “Murdoch of the Klondike.” Back in the city, the Brackenreids are celebrating a special occasion, but the neighbourhood kids are putting a damper on their evening.

Frightfully fun
I haven’t spoken to the episode’s writer, Noelle Girard, but I get the feeling she and the rest of the writing room called upon several spooky projects for inspiration. A certain animated Great Dane, a shaggy young fellow and a Mystery Machine immediately leapt to mind as I watched.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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