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Warning: Post contains spoilers
“Murdoch Mysteries” season 13 episode 16 “In the Company of Women” finds Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), Effie Newsome, and Louise Cherry embroiled in a murder investigation. The three Toronto ladies arrive at a hair salon where they find the owner dead. Although the principal detective in charge, Det. Graham Irwin (Jeff Clarke) originally supposes its an accident, Cherry, Newsome, and Ogden suspect foul play. As such, the trio launches their own investigation. As the murder transpired out of the purview of Station House No. 4, Det. William Murdoch isn’t able to investigate.
Without a murder case, Station House is able to take on other investigations. When a young boy, Garreth, comes around in search of his lost pig, Det. Llewyn Watts is tasked begrudgingly of seeking out the prized piggy. But Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), charged with throwing a hangi by his wife Margaret, wishes for a plump pig for his own purposes.
Observations:
“Murdoch Mysteries” season 13 episode 16 “In the Company of Women,” offers a refreshingly different dynamic than the norm. While it’s still a whodunit, an incompetent Station House 3 detective causes Julia, Effie, and Louise to assume the role of primary investigators lending a sort of giallo vibe to the entire episode. Hilariously, Dr. Ogden exhibits a strong Murdochian quality ordering her companions with efficiency and even uttering a commendable “What have you?”
There’s a bit of tension between Cherry and Newsome. Louise previously courted Constable George Crabtree, now Effie’s beau. However, Cherry has a fresh fiance. Ultimately, the pair are able to overcome their differences, even showing a few similarities while attempting to solve the case.
The trivial pig hunt provides a comedic sub plot and, like thrusting the trio of Toronto ladies into the detective role, upends the dynamic by relegating Det. Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) to the backseat. Coroner Miss Hart attempts to assert her dominance over her former boss, Dr. Ogden. Now, Hart has it in for both the detective and his wife. Indeed, Violet Hart must be brave or a dunce to challenge Julia and Murdoch, either individually or collectively.
At the end of the episode, after calling off her engagement to Teddy, Miss Cherry brushes it off remarking that every woman deserves to be with a man that appreciates them. Julia, smiling, agrees. It’s yet unclear if she means Murdoch or Dr. Dixon who Dr. Ogden earlier may have had an affair with.
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