Review: Murdoch Mysteries ‘Free Falling’

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Warning: Post contains major spoilers

After a tour de force in “Shadows are Falling,” CBC’s hit show continues with another gripping series entry “Murdoch Mysteries” episode “Free Falling.” “Murdoch Mysteries” season 11 episode 17, “Shadows are Falling,” concluded with Det. William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) walking out on his wife Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy), revealing that he believes Julia’s miscarriage to be a punishment from God for her earlier abortion. Season 11 episode 18, “Free Falling,” opens with Murdoch drinking in a bar, a rather rare moment for the typically reserved detective.
While imbibing in spirits, Murdoch meets a man whose wife has been missing for a year. As such, Murdoch offers to help find the man’s wife. Meanwhile, back at Station House No. 4, George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), and Det. Watts (Daniel Maslany) lament the tragedy which befell the Murdochs. Notably, Watts seems particularly aware of the emotional strain which likely plagues the Murdochs. Despite his perpetual social awkwardness, Watts remains a brilliant detective with a keen understanding of humanity. “One hopes this won’t put too much of a strain on their relationship,” Watts comments.

With Murdoch taking time off work helping locate a missing woman, Watts and John Brackenreid (Charles Vandervaart) investigate a brutal murder. Crabtree’s relationship with Nina Bloom (Erin Agostino) takes an unforeseen turn when Nina is offered a job at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. She plans to go, and tells George she’d like him to join her. But George has mixed feelings. “If I don’t go, I lose Nina. If I do go, I lose everything else that’s dear to me,” Crabtree tells Det. Watts. Therefore, in response to Nina’s proposal to accompany her to Paris, George offers a counterproposal: marriage.

Observations:

As with “Shadows are Falling,” “Free Falling” provides some of the series’ darkest moments. In a heartbreaking scene, Julia wakes up in bed and reaches to Murdoch’s side, only to grasp a handful of empty sheets.

Moreover, “Free Falling” feels like a major turning point in the series. Julia comments “I’m no longer sure I want him [Murdoch] to come back. I had a life before William Murdoch. I can have one again.” Before “Shadows are Falling,” it would seem like a ruse. Presumably, this is the final conflict for Julia and William. Though in the last moments of the show, Ogden is on the verge of leaving, Murdoch convinces her otherwise, adding that rather than tearing up her train ticket, they should purchase another.

Yet, the future for George and Nina is in jeopardy. Nina initially turned down George’s proposal. Later, she reveals that it was because of the couple’s differences. While Crabtree wants a wife and family, Bloom is carefree. It seems this is the end for George and Nina.

The two cases, both the grisly murder investigation and search for the missing wife, culminate in unique endings. In an uncharacteristic move, both of these storylines are subplots, with the main focus of the episode as character conflicts: Murdoch and Julia, George and Nina, then a budding narrative with Violet Hart (Shanice Banton) colluding with Horace McWorthy (Sean Bell) to take control of the morgue.

Overall, this is easily the best “Murdoch Mysteries” episode to date, tying up a few running plot threads while advancing a few crucial narratives.