Review: Murdoch Mysteries “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!”

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Warning: Major spoilers ahead

“Murdoch Mysteries” episode “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” begins with a strange astronomical event plaguing Toronto. On patrol. Constable Henry Higgins (Lachlan Murdoch) happens upon a phosphorescent green glowing mysterious object. A strange object shoots out into his face, and it cuts to the theme music. further proof that something’s awry in Toronto. Rather than the usual Murdoch theme song, it’s an eerie remix, complete with theremin riffs.
The next, day, Higgins is competent; too competent. Adding to his strange behavior, Henry continuously munches on raw basil leaves. Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) and Det. Watts visit a barn where a local farmer reported a disturbance. “What if there are more than just rocks up there?” Crabtree wonders. “What sort of more?” Watts asks. “Creatures,” George replies ominously. Upon arriving at the barn, Watts and Crabtree discover a round hole in the roof as well as a crater in the ground. “Heaven knows what sort of beats inhabit the cosmos,” the always-imaginative George exclaims.

In the morgue, Dr. Julia Ogden and Miss Violet Hart (Shanice Banton) investigate the nest-like object which Henry discovered in the opening scene. Unfortunately, it seems George’s paranoia is warranted. It’s not just Henry that’s afflicted by the bug-like creatures. Soon, most of Toronto is acting pleasant and chowing down on basil.

Obvervations:

“Murdoch Mysteries” episode “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” ranks as quite possibly the best “Murdoch Mysteries” episode to date, and maybe even the greatest entry in any television series. It’s witty, stylized, and utterly surprising. From the onset, there’s a 50s sci-fi vibe with tons of theremin, and references to classic sci-fi flicks. Most obviously, “Invasion of the Bodysnatchers” provides a strong influence for the overarching plot. Creature design, and the method of human host takeover reveals a “The Hidden” aesthetic, and there’s a “The Stepford Wives” theme of acting alarmingly hospitable.

A truly hilarious “Murdoch Mysteries” episode, there’s a moment poking fun at flat-earthers. “So you’re one of those who believe the world is round?” a farmer asks George. The highlight moment comes in a phone call between George and  Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy). Frightened, Crabtree warns “[William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson)] wasn’t your husband anymore. He was some sort of bug…Detective William Murdoch is no more. Watts is no more. Higgins, Miss Hart, even the Inspector (Thomas Craig), they’re all gone.” Dr. Ogden queries, “The Inspector’s wife?” to which Crabtree answers “Hard to tell, hard to tell with her.”

The character transformations offer even more humor. Det. Watts walks upright, and dons a new plaid suit. Higgins is competent and courteous. Tragically, though Crabtree has wished for seasons that one of his fantastical ideas would come to fruition, when it finally does, it’s at the cost of his self-professed best friend, Murdoch.

Shockingly, “Murdoch Mysteries” season 12 episode 6 “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” ends with George attacked and turned into an alien host as well. It’s a one-off Halloween episode which is not canon. Nevertheless, references to “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” will hopefully pop up, such as Henry eating basil leaves. Throughout the episode, I assumed it would conclude as a chapter from George’s latest novel or a nightmare. Instead, it wraps up with all of Toronto infested as an unstoppable torrent of alien parasites take over unwitting human hosts. Campy, creepy, and delightfully entertaining, “Sir. Sir? Sir!!!” is arguably the greatest episode of any TV show to date.