Murdoch Mysteries

[R G Stephenson]

Hello, I have been lurking for some time and thought it was time to get involved.
There is a TV show that may be of interest to you showing on UKTV Drama this week at 9, "Murdoch Mysteries". It's about a detective in Victorian Canada who is beginning to use forensic methods to solve crimes. Sort of a "CSI Toronto, 1890" if you will.
Nice period costumes and detail. Not much steampunk until the last episode, "The Annoying Red Planet"
I hope this is of interest to you.

[JingleJoe]

I've been meaning to watch it for a while but I'm so busy with mad science and bottle collecting I don't watch much TV anymore.

[Hester]

"CSI Toronto, 1890"
Nice period costumes and detail. Not much steampunk until the last episode, "The Annoying Red Planet"
I hope this is of interest to you.

Love it, love it, love it! 
http://www.citytv.com/micro/murdochmysteries/

[And of course I recognize all the location shots, since I actually live in a Victorian house in Toronto]:




Murdoch's lie-detector invention was particularly lovely!

Oddly, there was actually an earlier short-lived TV series, based on the same murder mystery novel series written by Maureen Jennings:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386955/

I like both TV versions.

[Atterton]

I´ve heard about it and it does indeed sound interesting. I´ll have to see if the wonder of the internet can allow me to watch it.

[R G Stephenson]

Hester, I saw the other version as well, I seem to remember Murdochs relationship with Dr Julia Ogden got a little more heated, hardly decent behavior! Nice house BTW.

JingleJoe, Mad science and bottle collecting? Interesting combination!

[Hester]

Hester, I saw the other version as well, I seem to remember Murdochs relationship with Dr Julia Ogden got a little more heated, hardly decent behavior!

Hmmm... I don't have a clear memory of that "steamy" scene.  (It's been awhile since I saw the earlier series).  I do remember Murdoch getting cozy with a doxy, though. 

Nice house BTW.

Thanks.  And coincidentally, that's what the roofer said, with a gleam in his eye, as he handed us his estimate.   

[Mr Addams]

Ok, I am resurrecting an old thread here because I am becoming increasingly convinced that Murdoch Mysteries is a Steampunk television series by stealth.
The series frequently makes use of anachronistic technology in many of his forensic techniques, whilst much of the science referred to in the stories was known during the late 19th Century, it was not to be applied to criminal investigation for another 50 to 80 years.
There are a number of steampunk images used in the series, although some are fairy subtle. For example the brass & Glass lie detector mentioned above, or the character who gets about on an electric wheelchair.

But take a look at the "Night vision goggles" worn by Murdoch in the photograph section of the Murdoch Mysteries Website,  they are very steempunk.

Add to that the stories about the Government experimental airship (Thought at first to be martians who were also mutilating cattle and abducting innocent farmers.) or the American/Prussian arms race to produce a working "Doomsday Automiton", and you have a series with definite steampunk undertones.

 

[Rockula]

Ah, so there is a 'Murdoch' thread. I searched for it the other day before putting a comment in the 'Top Steampunk Motion Pictures' thread (as there's no Steampunk Television thread) but nothing came up.

References to Tesla, H.G. Wells, dirigibles, Conan Doyle, Buffalo Bill, Jack The Ripper, Houdini, werewolves.....

I'm enjoying this a lot.

I've just ordered the original three tele-movies on DVD ('Except the Dying', 'Poor Tom is Cold' and 'Under the Dragon's Tail') that starred Peter 'ReGenesis' Outerbridge and I will be purchasing the Yannick Bisson episodes later.

[Countessa Lenora]

We love the series (both versions) and the steampunk elements.  Our friend Adam tells us there is an episode with a giant robot, but we haven't seen it yet. 

...and of course it is based and filmed in Canada 

[Mr Addams]

Apparently, the first episode of the third series (Starting next week on Alibi.) Was filmed in Bristol, here in the uk.

[Mr Addams]

Did anybody else catch last nights season three finale on Alibi ?
Nicoli Tesla and a Microwave Death Ray, You don't get more steampunk than this. 

[TimeTinker]

We watched it and spent much of the show saying - "can it get any more steampunk?" - to find "Yes it can!"

We enjoyed it immensely.  A good fun romp.

Great series finale.  Wonder what they are going to do with series four?  Are they going to be more steampunk and less Victorian CSI?  Do we now have a recurring villain?  That woman will be back I'll wager.

[Countessa Lenora]

Exciting news for Murdoch Mystery fans - season four will premier in Canada on March 16, 2011! http://www.maureenjennings.com/?p=1167

[Mr. Lawless]

I may be mistaken but Stephen Harper (the Canadian priminister) did a cameo in an episode as a desk sergeant. Has anyone seen that episode yet? I may have my shows crossed though...

[Argus Fairbrass]

Aha, I'm so glad this has been mentioned. I caught a few episodes in the summer at my folks place (I don't normally watch T.V) and I thought it was excellent. Seems to have quite a fanbase too, so hopefully won't be uncerimoniously cancelled anytime soon!

[Sean Patrick O-Byrne]

Did anybody else catch last nights season three finale on Alibi ?
Nicoli Tesla and a Microwave Death Ray, You don't get more steampunk than this. 

I know! Totally awesome. Good episode. Love story cliff hanger at the end, too!

[Sean Patrick O-Byrne]

Currently watching an episode dealing with a circus - hilarious.

[Mr Addams]

It would appear that Series Four of the Murdoch Mysteries is Arriving on UK Television on Alibi at 9:00pm on February the 15th.
According to that highly reliable source Wikkipedia, it does not appear on Canadian television until a month later, on March the 16th on CityTV.

[Rockula]

It would appear that Series Four of the Murdoch Mysteries is Arriving on UK Television on Alibi at 9:00pm on February the 15th.
According to that highly reliable source Wikkipedia, it does not appear on Canadian television until a month later, on March the 16th on CityTV.

I believe the folks at Alibi may be partly responsible for the funding of the series which may explain why we're getting an 'advance' viewing.
I'm still miffed that the DVD of series 3 is still not available as a seperate purchase as series 1 and 2 were and that it's only currently available in the series 1-3 boxset.

[Captain Braid]

I'm still miffed that the DVD of series 3 is still not available as a seperate purchase as series 1 and 2 were and that it's only currently available in the series 1-3 boxset.

Yes that is rather annoying, and very un-sportsmanlike.

I'm very glad to see that this forum recognises the quality of this series.
Murdoch has become a well appreciated entertainment in our household.
Brackenreid is an excellent character, as so brilliantly shown in the episode where his son was kidnapped.

Its a shame that the Original Movie length series isn't available over here. But there are so many other "Made for TV movies " which I would like to get hold of ostensibly for my Father to watch.  >ahem<

[Rockula]

I'm still miffed that the DVD of series 3 is still not available as a seperate purchase as series 1 and 2 were and that it's only currently available in the series 1-3 boxset.

Yes that is rather annoying, and very un-sportsmanlike.

I'm very glad to see that this forum recognises the quality of this series.
Murdoch has become a well appreciated entertainment in our household.
Brackenreid is an excellent character, as so brilliantly shown in the episode where his son was kidnapped.

Its a shame that the Original Movie length series isn't available over here. But there are so many other "Made for TV movies " which I would like to get hold of ostensibly for my Father to watch.  >ahem<

The three original movies ARE included in the Seasons 1-3 BOXSET in the U.K.
My problem is that I'd already bought them on Region 1 DVD and I'd also bought Seasons 1 & 2 as seperate releases.
Season 3 HAS now been released on Region 4 (Australia) but if you include the postage it's about £40 and it'd be cheaper for me to rebuy the lot in the boxset for £35 from Amazon.
I may 'bite the bullet' and buy it then I'll pass on the ones I have to a friend.

This is one of my favourite programmes. Quality entertainment.

[Just call me Rob]

I've just finished watching series 1, it's really quite good.
I'm looking out for a copy of series 2 and 3 that won't set me back £35 right now, I'll let you know if I have any luck.

As a fan of Life on Mars I'm struck at the similarities between the two shows, right down to the attitudes and mannerisms of the chief.

[Countessa Lenora]

Today's the big day!

Murdoch Mysteries season 4 premieres in Canada...AND...there is also a new webseries being premiered today...AND...there's a contest!

Go to  http://www.steampunkcanada.ca/  for more information.

[Rockula]

Today's the big day!

Murdoch Mysteries season 4 premieres in Canada...AND...there is also a new webseries being premiered today...AND...there's a contest!

Go to  http://www.steampunkcanada.ca/  for more information.

Premieres? How odd that you should have such a delay in the country of origin. Season 4 has concluded in the U.K. and I'm currently watching it on DVD.

When's Season 5? 

Ps. I'm still waiting for another of my favourite Canadian productions, 'Regenesis', to have it's final two seasons released on DVD. Several actors from that series have popped up in Murdoch.

[Mr Addams]

The Movie elves tell me that Season 5 has been commisioned, and is due to start filming within the next couple of months.
I am not sure how Canadian schedules compare with British, but with 13 Forty minute episodes, (one hour with adverts,) I would expect shooting to take until the end of the year at least.