Murdoch Mysteries
Murdoch Mysteries (2008) is a long-running Canadian crime drama television series set in late 19th and early 20th-century Toronto. The show follows Detective William Murdoch, a brilliant and devoutly Catholic police detective, who employs pioneering forensic techniques and scientific innovations of the era to solve complex and often gruesome murder cases. He is assisted by Dr. Julia Ogden, a progressive coroner and his eventual wife, and his often-skeptical but ultimately supportive colleagues, Inspector Thomas Brackenreid and Constable George Crabtree.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe series includes openly queer characters and addresses themes of homosexuality, often in the context of historical prejudice and societal challenges of the period. While some representation is celebrated by fans, critics note a pattern of queer characters facing hardship or being written out of the show.
Dr. Emily Grace, a main character from Season 5, is revealed as a lesbian and develops a 'passionate romance' with Lillian Moss in Season 8's 'Toronto's Girl Problem.' Her relationship faces resistance, with Inspector Brackenreid telling her to 'Get serious,' contributing to her eventual departure from the station. Later, Detective Llewellyn Watts, introduced in Season 10, is explicitly revealed as gay in Season 13, Episode 6, when he forms a romantic relationship with Jack Walker. Their relationship is implied rather than explicitly shown physically, but Watts faces ongoing prejudice.
Violence
MediumAs a crime drama centered on murder investigations, the series frequently depicts death and violent acts. While violence is mostly implied and generally not graphically gory, the consistent nature of the subject matter and descriptions of brutal deaths can be intense.
The show's premise revolves around solving 'gruesome murders.' For example, in Season 1, Episode 1, 'Power,' a young woman and her unborn child die from electrocution. Post-mortem examinations by Dr. Ogden are common and can involve bloody scenes, such as in Season 2, Episode 5, 'The Green Muse,' where a garroted corpse with severed arteries and veins is examined.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe series features romantic relationships and innuendo, with some mild suggestive content and non-explicit nudity. Mature themes are present, including implied sexual activity and, in one instance, a confirmed reference to child sexual abuse.
Detective Murdoch and Dr. Ogden's long-standing romantic relationship includes passionate kissing and implied intimacy, such as in Season 2, Episode 5, 'The Green Muse,' when they begin their romantic relationship. Non-explicit nudity occurs in episodes like a Season 6 nudist colony setting, where characters are strategically covered, with 'a few butt cracks visible here and there.' Additionally, Season 1, Episode 10, 'Child's Play,' contains a plot point involving a child who is sexually abused and killed by her father.
Substance Use
MediumAlcohol consumption is a recurring element, particularly with Inspector Brackenreid, and drug use is depicted in specific plotlines, reflecting the societal context of the late 19th/early 20th century.
Inspector Brackenreid is frequently portrayed as a 'whisky-loving inspector.' In Season 2, Episode 1, 'Mild, Mild West,' his wife joins the Temperance League and chastises him for his heavy drinking. In Season 4, Episode 2, 'Air 402 Kommando,' the plot involves soldiers suffering from 'severe withdrawal from methamphetamine,' explicitly depicting the effects and presence of illicit drug use within a storyline.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe series, by its nature, involves frequently intense and suspenseful scenes due to its focus on murder and crime. While graphic horror is not a primary genre element, the discovery of dead bodies, violent crime scenes, and dangerous situations can be frightening or disturbing.
The central theme of 'gruesome murders' creates inherently intense scenarios, such as the discovery of a soldier with his head twisted 180 degrees in 'Air 402 Kommando' (Season 4, Episode 2). Murdoch also investigates brutal murders in unsettling settings, including a lunatic asylum in a Season 9 episode, '24 Hours 'Til Doomsday,' which can contribute to a frightening atmosphere.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe show portrays characters who challenge authority, societal norms, and traditional thinking, often in pursuit of progress or truth. This can manifest as intellectual defiance or a questioning of established rules rather than overt, malicious disrespect.
Dr. Emily Grace is depicted as a 'bold, no-nonsense suffragette type who doesn't care for authority,' often challenging Murdoch's rigidity and traditional views. Detective Murdoch himself frequently encounters 'skepticism from his fellow officers and his boss' due to his 'unconventional approach' and 'radical techniques,' demonstrating a consistent defiance of outdated investigative methods and traditional thinking.
Profanity
LowThe use of strong language is infrequent and generally mild, aligning with the historical period and TV-PG rating. Instances of profanity are typically exclamations rather than aggressive or explicit.
Inspector Brackenreid occasionally uses mild exclamations like 'bloody hell' out of frustration, as observed in Season 2, Episode 1, 'Mild, Mild West' and Season 2, Episode 5, 'The Green Muse.' These instances are not pervasive and do not constitute strong or offensive language.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowWhile some episodes introduce seemingly supernatural or occult elements as part of the mystery, these are consistently debunked by Detective Murdoch's scientific reasoning and forensic investigations, providing rational explanations.
In Season 1, Episode 4, 'Elementary, My Dear Murdoch,' a murder is supposedly revealed during a séance, but Murdoch collaborates with Arthur Conan Doyle to find a scientific explanation. The show regularly presents mysteries that initially appear to involve spiritualism or unexplained phenomena, but Murdoch's scientific approach invariably uncovers natural or human causes, consistently demystifying any supernatural suggestions.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowFar from containing anti-Christian themes, the main protagonist, Detective William Murdoch, is a devout Roman Catholic whose faith is explicitly and respectfully portrayed throughout the series. The show also highlights historical prejudice experienced by Catholics in Toronto during the period.
Detective William Murdoch is consistently presented as a 'devout Roman Catholic', frequently making the Sign of the Cross at crime scenes as a visible expression of his faith. The series explicitly addresses the 'discrimination faced by Catholics in 'Protestant' Toronto,' including Murdoch being denied a promotion in the constabulary specifically due to his religious affiliation. His faith is shown as harmonious with his scientific pursuits.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The series is rated TV-PG, and a suitable age recommendation is 13+ due to its consistent focus on murder investigations, including descriptions of violent deaths, some intense and frightening content, mature themes such as sexuality and societal prejudices, and mild instances of substance use and crude humor. While graphic gore is generally avoided, the subject matter and occasional depictions of violence warrant a mature viewership.
Additional Notes
The series often incorporates historical figures and scientific advancements of the late 19th/early 20th century into its plots, offering an educational element. While the show strives for progressive themes regarding gender and sexuality, its portrayal is filtered through the historical context, which includes depicting period-accurate homophobia and sexism. Some fan discussions point to recurring queer characters facing 'tired damaging storylines' or being 'quickly written out', suggesting an ongoing area of concern for some viewers regarding the depth and longevity of LGBTQ representation.
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