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Warning: Post contains spoilers
“Murdoch Mysteries” season 15 episode 4 “Blood on the Tracks” is an unconventional Murdochian romp. Titular Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) of the Toronto Constabulary takes a backseat in the investigation. Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy), Effie Newsome (Clare McConnell), Violet Hart (Shanice Banton), Louise Cherry (Bea Santos), and Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) return by train from a volleyball tournament. The team, comprised of Ogden, Newsome, Hart, and Cherry lost the match. However, that’s the least of their problems.
During the return journey, the train derails. Effie is badly injured in the crash, as is Brackenreid. Despite the Inspector’s protestations, it’s clear that he’s seriously hurt. Ogden and Hart utilize their medical knowledge, tending to the injured passengers. Initially, Violet balks, explaining that she’s a coroner not a doctor. But Julia reassures her, “You’ve stitched a corpse. Same principles except these ones move.”
What appears to be an accident quickly leads the Inspector to suspect foul play. Brackenreid believes that the train’s brakes were intentionally sabotaged. This theory looks more plausible when it’s revealed that a prisoner was being transferred in the cargo area. And after his police escort is discovered murdered, it seems an apparent escape attempt.
“Blood on the Tracks” exudes an Agatha Christie vibe. Perhaps the comparison is unavoidable. Like Murder on the Orient Express, “Murdoch Mysteries” finds a mysterious death aboard a train where at least one passenger is the culprit. Additionally, it’s a twisty investigation where the murderer isn’t unmasked until the final moments.
Back in Toronto, Det. Murdoch visits Station House No. 4 on a Sunday to work on a futuristic invention: a drone outfitted with an aerial surveillance camera. Much to Murdoch’s surprise, Constable Henry Higgins (Lachlan Murdoch) has brought his baby daughter, Jordan, to the Station House. His wife, Ruth Newsome, recently discovered the American holiday of Mother’s Day and, as such, has taken full advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a day off. However, when there’s a newsstand robbery requiring Henry’s presence, Murdoch gets to babysit. What ensures is Murdoch at its silliest with baby Jordan getting up to antics galore. At one point, William locks Jordan in the cells only to have baby Higgins escape and return the favor. Upon his return, Higgins questions Murdoch, “You put my baby daughter in jail? What did she do?”
Det. Llewellyn Watts (Daniel Maslany) galavants about the streets of Toronto with his secret boyfriend, Jack Walker (Jesse Lavercombe). It’s refreshing to see Watts and Walker back together, even if Jack is married and the two can’t truly express their love in public.
After a slew of serious episodes in “Everything is Broken” parts 1 and 2, followed by “The Things We do for Love” parts 1 and 2, it’s a pleasant change of pace to enjoy a campy episode like “Blood on the Tracks.” Likewise, it’s fun witnessing Julia back out in the field. Previously, as the Toronto City coroner, Dr. Ogden regularly assisted Murdoch during criminal investigations. Seeing Julia, Violet, and Thomas as the principal investigators is great role reversal.
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