Archive for the 'TV Reviews' Category
I have been recently watching a new TV series from Canada called Murdoch Mysteries staring Yannick Bisson who plays the main character Detective William Murdoch. The series is based upon the books by Maureen Jennings who has received critical acclaim for her mystery novels.
The series is set in 1895 Toronto Canada (not only set there but filmed there as well) that follows a Detective William Murdoch as he solves cases using the newly discovered science of forensics. He is assisted in his cases by his eager apprentice Constable George Crabbree, along with Doctor Julia Ogden, and his superior Inspector Brackenried.
William Murdoch, was born in Nova Scotia (one of three provinces that make up the Maritime provinces) which is located along the East Coast of Canada and raised as a staunch Roman Catholic. You find out through the series that he attended a school run by the Jesuits Order, that his father is a drunkard. He also believes that a blow by his father contributed to the death of his mother. He also is grieving the death of his fiancée ALiza Miller who die with TB over a year before the start of the TV. Murdoch is a self-taught scientist that reads and learns constantly and is not afraid of crossing social barriers in pursuit of a criminal. For all his intelligence and exposure to the ugly side of life there is an air of gentleness and innocence about him.
Constable George Crabbree (played by Johnny Harris) who doesn’t Murdoch’s knowledge in the sciences but more than makes up for it in his eagerness to learn and on one occasion has surprised his mentor in figuring out the entrance to a secret room. George is not so innocent as his mentor and kind of keeps an eye out for anyone making trouble for him. He also quietly teases Murdoch about his attraction as well as encourages him to woo the intelligent and lovely Doctor Julia Ogden.
Doctor Julia Ogden works as Toronto police force’s pathologist and is very bold and forward thinking woman that at times can be very blunt and straightforward. She tries to distances herself from her high social background but sometimes reverts back to on occasion. She returns Murdoch’s affection but at times you get the feeling that she is slumming and not serious about him. That he was a safe diversion from her class.
Inspector Brackenried is Murdoch’s boss and is at times frustrated by and proud of Murdoch. He doesn’t understand the new science Murdoch employees but after years of working with Murdoch he trusts him and will back him if he needs it. He might not be able to follow Murdoch’s methods but he has no trouble in the political arena which Murdoch sorely lacks. Brackenried is quick to judgment and first impressions but when proven wrong he is willing to change. While Murdoch doesn’t use force, Brackenried isn’t afraid to do so and has on occasion done so. Murdoch doesn’t care for this but understands that sometimes it is necessary.
There are only 13 episodes in the first season but has been renewed for a second. There are also three movies based upon the books but they are played by a different actor.
Personally, I like the series and it takes on many of the issues in that time like discrimination of religion in Glass Ceiling were Murdoch was turned down for promotion because he is Roman Catholic. In another while solving a man’s death on his wedding day, Murdoch uncovers the fact that the dead bridegroom was a homosexual. This caused Murdoch some internal struggled because his religion believes that homosexual is a sin while his scientific side knows that it is found in natured.
If you like Sherlock Holmes and CSI (in all its many forms) you will like this series.
This weeks episode was good, not one of the best but still good and I would recommend watching it. The best part was the growing romance between Jack and Ianto. To this end I captured the kiss that Ianto initiated with Jack:
Just saw the first episode of the new season of Torchwood, and all I have to say is wow! James character was 2/4 Spike without a soul, 1/4 Spike with a soul, a touch of James Bond, a dash of Captain Kirk stir and will you get Captain John Hart. A charming, seductive, and Big Bad to quote Spike who is a murder, thief, and Time Cop.
As to the on air chemistry between John’s and James’s characters … will it certainly lived up to everything I heard about. From the moment they saw each other the air sizzled with tension. They walked towards each other from different ends of the bar, reminisce of an old west standoff until they stood face to face. You didn’t know if they would start hitting each or kiss each other senseless and then bang! They kiss and not just any kiss. The type of kiss where you swear the two were check to see if the other still had their tonsils. And then they parted to look each other in the eye and then they start fighting. When the Torchwood team showed up Jack and Jack started to argue about who was the wife during the 5 year time loop they were stuck in.
I’m not going to say anything more about the plot of the story but one thing I was please to note that Ianto didn’t like Hart nor was he pleased at the interest that he took in his Captain.Now the interesting there is an interesting development hinting at John Harkness’s background and that Marster’s character might make other appearances in Torchwood.All in all it is a must see episode.