We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Warning: Post contains spoilers
CBC hit series “Murdoch Mysteries” season 14 episode 1 “Murdoch and the Tramp” is a classic Murdochian romp. Ripe with humor, historical characters, and running gags, it’s a fantastic episode.
A carnival hits Toronto for Victoria Day, and while Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Margaret Bracknreid (Arwen Humphreys), and Det. Llewyn Watts (Daniel Maslany) Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), are thrilled about the carnival, Murdoch is not. “I’m so excited for Victoria Day!” exclaims Dr. Ogden. Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) is less than enthused. Murdoch is, by his own admission, not a fan of vaudeville. “You say the same thing about Easter,” Murdoch protests. “Well, the city comes alive at Easter too,” Julia counters.
However, the joyous carnival takes a deadly turn when a dead body plummets onto the main stage and almost hits vaudeville star Obie Stratford (Ali Hassan). Though initially it seems the man jumped to his own death, Toronto coroner Violet Hart (Shanice Banton) discovers evidence of foul play. A young comedian traveling with the vaudeville troupe, Charlie Chaplin (Matthew Finlan) identifies the deceased as fellow performer Kenny McClusky.
Over the course of the investigation, Murdoch and Crabtree meet several historical figures. Breaking up what appears to be a fight, Crabtree encounters a young Buster Keaton (Alexander Elliot). And Chaplin’s understudy is none other than Stanley Laurel (Ryan Tapley).
Constable Henry Higgins (Lachlan Murdoch) reveals that his wife, Ruth Newsome (Siobhan Murphy) is with child. While Higgins is ecstatic, Crabtree initially doesn’t join in the jubilant congratulations. Instead, George admonishes the proud papa-to-be for busting out the celebratory cigars too early. Det. Murdoch consoles Crabtree, reassuring him that there are a lot of other joys in life, many of which can’t be appreciated when saddled with the responsibilities of parenthood. Perhaps George discovers some of these joys during the season.
Arthur Carmichael (James Graham) makes the acquaintance of Miss Hart. Arthur’s father was a Chief Crown Attorney who Violet knew. Arthur was accused of murdering Lucille Palmer and, while Carmichael admitted to having an affair with Palmer, denied murdering her. Although Arthur approaches Violet multiple times under the pretense of courting her, it seems he may have ulterior motives. It seems this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Arthur, and he may be involved in a prominent sub-plot for the season.
Inspector Brackenreid struggles to manage a newfound relationship with his daughter, Nomi Johnston (Shailene Garnett). For many years, Thomas didn’t know of her existence. It’s a point of contention that Brackenreid continually makes excuses to avoid friends when in Nomi’s company. Nomi was born out of wedlock and is Black, neither of which, unfortunately, would have been societally acceptable during the early 1900s. As she rightly points out, the Inspector is uncomfortable because he’s concerned about his own reputation. Brackenreid and Watts share a tender moment. “I was out with my daughter when I saw a fellow inspector,” Brackenreid confides. “She knew that I was avoiding him because…it’s happened before.” Understandingly, Watts replies, “It’s strange isn’t it? The things we’ve been told to pretend don’t exist,” alluding to his secret homosexuality which also would have tragically not been accepted during the time period. Presumably, Brackenreid’s relationship with Nomi will prove to be a season-spanning story arc.
“Murdoch Mysteries” is full of running gags, notably that its characters are responsible for inventions and names. In a moment of sheer brilliance, Jonny Harris delivers one of the best Charlie Chaplin impersonations (nay, Harris becomes Chaplin). While wearing a collection of assorted Murdoch inventions including a bulletproof vest, baggy trousers concealing a wireless communication device, rubber shoes, and a steel-reinforced hat. Crabtree’s comical movements, as if he’s a penguin balancing an anvil on his head, inspires Charlie Chaplin to create his trademark slapstick character, “The Tramp.” Similarly, the final chase scene which is shot in black-and-white finds Murdoch, Watts, Crabtree, and Dr. Ogden unwittingly putting on a vaudeville performance which Buster Keaton and his father George film. During this chase to catch the killer, a house facade falls around a stoic Murdoch, a trope started in the Buster Keaton movie “Steamboat Bill.” In a meta moment, Inspector Brackenreid scoffs at a movie camera: “Moving pictures. When are they going to give up on that? Nobody likes them.” The irony is palpable.
Brimming with the perfect concoction of humor and drama, highlighting the rich relationships between its dynamic characters, and chock-full of clever running gags as well as real-world historical figures, “Murdoch Mysteries” S14E01 “Murdoch and the Tramp” is simply delightful.
Running gags: George Crabtree creates Charlie Chaplin’s trademark character “The Tramp,” Murdoch inspires the falling house facade gag from Buster Keaton’s “Steamboat Bill”
Historical figures: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Stanley Laurel (of Laurel and Hardy acclaim)
This post may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in affiliate programs such as the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, all products are thoroughly tested and reviews are honest and unbiased.