Review: Murdoch Mysteries ‘Shock Value’

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Warning: post contains spoilers

“Murdoch Mysteries” season 14 episode 4 “Shock Value” finds a young man being electrocuted and crying out for help. Some hours later, Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) of the Toronto constabulary, Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), and Toronto City Coroner Miss Violet Hart (Shanice Banton) discover the man’s corpse in a park. Performing an autopsy in the morgue, Miss Hart reveals that the cause of death was a massive heart seizure. Coupled with the burn marks on his head, Det. Murdoch speculates that the cause of death was electrocution. “Would you agree, Miss Hart?” Murdoch queries. “Thank you for asking,” Violet replies. “Yes, I would.” The previous animosity between Miss Hart and Murdoch has been replaced with a newfound respect and cordiality.

Brackenreid and Murdoch discover that the deceased is Byron Shelby, a university student studying psychology. Murdoch interrogates a few of his friends leading back to a pair of researchers at the university’s department of natural studies, Dr. Arthur Kingston and Dr. Laura Kingston, nicknamed Mr. and Mrs. Fraknenstein by the student body. The Kingstons and their research assistant Roberta seek to analyze the factors that motivate people’s behavior. Shelby’s ties to a local street hustler Skate suggest possible foul play. And Skate refers Murdoch and Brackenreid to Plato who fixes up equipment at the university. The murder case turns out to be a solid whodunit with a smattering of suspects, each as suspicious as the next.

Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) continues to assert that Dorothy Ernst (Sarah Swire) is actually Amelia, a rabid fan that kidnapped George earlier. While Dorothy admits that Amelia is her sister, she adamantly denies any knowledge of Amelia’s actions Complicating matters, George’s girlfriend, Effie Newsome (Clare McConnell) has employed Dorothy as her new secretary. A distraught Dorothy seeks out Constable Crabtree on the street claiming to have witnessed the abduction of a baby. While Crabtree finds an empty pram, the baby is nowhere to be found. Moreover, no reports of a kidnapping have been reported. As such, George doubts Dorothy’s story. Eventually, Crabtree locates the tot which happens to be a babydoll. Dr. Julia Ogden (former Toronto coroner, a surgeon, and practicing psychiatrist) (Hélène Joy) analyzes Dorothy. Ernst expresses concern about Crabtree’s fanciful imagination, citing his comic books as well as his assertion that Dorothy is actually Amelia. Dorothy has become a fascinating character with an endgame that seems to be coming into focus. Dr. Ogden reports that Dorothy appears perfectly sane, although I’m not inclined to agree with Julia.

The Murdoch’s neighbor, Goldie Huckabee (Jonelle Gunderson), continues to pester Julia, first popping into Station House No. 4 to wait for Dr. Ogden and invite her for lunch. Later, Goldie drops by the Murdoch homestead unannounced. Julia requests that Goldie arrange a visit rather than simply appear out of thin air. Between Dorothy, Goldie, as well as the eccentricities of Det. Murdoch, Inspector Brackenreid, and Crabtree, it seems everyone’s gone bonkers. I like the ambiguity with Goldie’s character. It’s as of yet unclear what her motivations are.

There’s a running gag about fruit throughout “Shock Value.” Inspector Brackenreid buys an apple from a street vendor, and a bewildered Murdoch wonders aloud “Fruit, sir? You don’t normally-” Brackenreid retorts, “Yes I do, but very rarely. Where does every daft idea come from? Margaret. She says they’re good for me. It’s a nuisance.” Taking a bite out of the apple, Thomas shrugs “That’ll do,” before dropkicking the apple across the street. However, Murdoch has his own fruit-eating quirks. Rather than simply biting into an apple or a banana, the good detective insists on slicing up his fruit into equal portions, an endeavor that Julia laughs at.

Detective Llewyn Watts (Daniel Maslany) continues a secret romance with Jack Walker (Jesse LaVercombe). Watts notices Walker spending time with another man and becomes suspicious. While Llewyn spoils a surprise, it’s not quite what he was expecting. It’s endearing to see Watts enjoying a romance which I hope lasts.

“Murdoch Mysteries season 14 has been marked by a range of different genres, from comedy and drama to suspense. S14E04 “Shock Value” is a classic whodunit that blends in a lot of story arc by advancing the Dorothy Ernst story arc, Goldie Huckabee saga, and Watts-Walker romance.