Review: Murdoch Mysteries “Sins of the Father”

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Warning: Major spoilers below

“Murdoch Mysteries” season 12 episode 14 “Sins of the Father” opens with Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) standing in an open field as if waiting for someone, then leaving introspectively. Flash forward to a murder scene where a man is found when there’s an intentional fire set at a rooming house. Upon investigating the body alongside Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), Murdoch uncovers a cigarette case. Inside, there’s a picture of a man with a young boy, and Murdoch recognizes that he’s the child in the photograph. He logically deduces that the deceased is his father.
When a pair of Harry Murdoch’s friends appear, the investigation into Harry’s death leads Toronto’s Station House No. 4 to a past kidnapping case. It turns out Harry was complicit in the kidnapping of an infant who died while in the care of the abductors.

Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy) continues her stint as a surgeon. In a bold move, Dr. Ogedn refuses to operate on a patient, Miss Darling, who requests a breast reduction. “I’m sorry Miss Darling, but I have to counsel you against undergoing this procedure,” Dr. Ogden reveals. “Why? It’s safe, isn’t it?” Miss Darling protests. “For the most part, yes. But there’s always a risk with surgery. And the size of your chest is not something that needs to be fixed. There’s no need to take on any risk for merely cosmetic purposes. However, Dr. Ogedn’s superior, Dr. Forbes (James McGowan) insists upon performing the surgery on the grounds that this is a willing patient with ample funds. Now in the 20th century, it’s clear that there’s much to change overall, especially medicine.

Observations: 

Along with “Six of the Best,” “Sins of the Father” ranks among the more emotional, and personal, episodes for Det. Murdoch. From the onset, William is quick to condemn his father as a criminal. “Detective, one thing I thought peculiar, why would your father still be wearing his overcoat sitting at home for a drink?” Dismissively, Murdoch replies “When you’re intent on drinking I suppose you don’t pay much mind to removing your overcoat.”

Later, while investigating his father’s involvement in a kidnapping, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) consoles “There’s no proof that your father had anything to do with it.” William, despite lack of evidence, assumes a connection: “He was here, and he knew the man who was after the money. There’s no use in pretending otherwise. My father was involved in that kidnapping.”

Murdoch admits that he doesn’t feel particularly moved by his father’s death as the two weren’t close. While Murdoch usually gives suspects the benefit of the doubt, he doesn’t allow the same courtesy to his late father.

There’s a brooding overtone present. It’s evident in several quiet shots with no dialogue, including the opening scene with Murdoch pensively waiting in a field for his father. Likewise, the grey, overcast skies lend a moody atmosphere to a contemplative episode.

It’s among the few times Det. Murdoch lets a case cloud his normally objective investigative techniques. As it turns out, Harry Murdoch was innocent and telegrammed Murdoch with the intent to confess to the kidnapping. Ultimately, Murdoch proves his father’s innocence. Emotional, cinematic, and memorable, “Murdoch Mysteries” “Sins of the Father” is a masterpiece series entry.