Do The Right Thing Part 1 – Season 17 opens with Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) and Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy) still missing after an unexpected abduction. Effie Newsome (Clare McConnell) assures Inspector George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) that Murdoch and Julia will be found safe but he isn’t so sure. He questions if it was a good decision to accept the inspector position when Constable Henry Higgins (Lachlan Murdoch) announces the arrest of an Anarchist (Francis Melling). A short time later, Crabtree learns the name of the female instigator, Mathilda Crisp who attended the last rally and where she is staying from the Anarchist. At the property, Higgins, Crabtree, and Detective Llewellyn Watts (Daniel Maslany) come up empty-handed when Constable Tucker (Kenzie Delo) points them to a body. Crabtree identifies the murder weapon, as the “weaponized capacitor,” belonging to Murdoch. Watts questions if Murdoch is the killer. Crabtree says if so, the murder was justified.

Rochester, New York – Atticus Jones (Juan Chioran) waits for Murdoch and Julia to emerge from a large wooden crate. When they demand answers, an armed Atticus reminds them of their dire situation.

Toronto, Canada – Higgins informs Crabtree that the property owner is Lionel Bentley, the man found deceased inside the home. He says Bentley was Mathilda’s legal guardian.

Rochester, New York – Atticus threatens Susannah Murdoch if Murdoch and Julia refuse to save a woman from the gallows.

Toronto – Higgins blatantly expresses his dislike of Tucker who disregards him. They meet Constable Paul (Paul Irving) at the scene of a dead body.

St. Lawrence Seaway – Margaret Brackenreid (Arwen Humphreys) and Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) are sailing to visit an aunt. Captain Roberts (Paul Popowich) greets them on the deck. A female passenger tries to entice Thomas to have a drink with her. He declines the offer and urges Margaret to ignore it.

Toronto – Llewellyn tells Violet Hart (Shanice Banton) that the body was discovered in a park near Jarvis Street. Arthur Carmichael’s solicitor, William Harwell (Sean Ban Beaton) demands Violet to address a particular matter. Llewellyn threatens to press charges against him if he does not leave. William insists she deal with the matter before leaving.

Rochester Prison – Murdoch and Julia meet Hilda Fanshaw (Sorcha Cusack) in her cozy cell. Hilda tells them that she will be executed in three days for the murder of her husband, Frederick Fanshaw. Refusing to admit or deny the murder charge, she insists they find someone else to take the blame. Julia refuses to be involved in the scheme. Hilda reminds her that Savannah’s fate depends on her cooperation.

Toronto – Julie LePage (Stacy Smith) identifies a watch belonging to her husband, Arnauld LePage, owner of LePage Fabrications. She suggests Arnauld’s former partner, Russell Wilson is the killer.

Rochester Prison – Murdoch suggests reporting Atticus and Hilda to the police. Julia insists they wait until Hilda is free. Later, they tell a Rochester Cop (Kenton Blythe) that Hilda may be innocent of Frederick’s death. The cop says the police responded to the Fanshaw residence on multiple domestic dispute calls. He claims to have found the poison utilized to kill Frederick in her room, not possession. She claims they were hired by Hilda to investigate her conviction.

Toronto – Melvin Banks (Laurie Murdoch) orders Crabtree and Llewellyn to find valuable businessman, Arnauld’s killers. Llewellyn informs Crabtree that Russell Wilson left for Paris, France two months ago. At the crime scene in the park, Violet suggests LaPage was killed somewhere else because his clothes were covered in engine oil. Higgins questions if one of LaPage’s employees is responsible. When he offers help with her legal problems, she immediately declines.

St. Lawrence Seaway – Fiona invites Thomas to join her in a game of cards. He declines the offer when Charlie Griffith (Larry Day) accuses Trevor (Kyle Mac) of cheating. Penny (Tricia Black) immediately comes to his defense. Drawing his gun, Charlie orders him to move away from the table. Thomas confiscates the gun and orders Captain Roberts to confine Charlie to his cabin. Fiona expresses her gratitude for Thomas’s presence as Margaret stares at her intently.

Rochester Prison – Murdoch warns Hilda that the evidence is compelling. She suggests Rachel Wiggins murdered Frederick after he broke off their affair. Murdoch asks if she believes Rachel staged the murder to make her look guilty. She says possibly.

Toronto – Llewellyn tells Crabtree that Arnauld was probably murdered at LaPage Fabrication. Crabtree questions if his death was an accident. Llewellyn says if that were the case, it would not have been necessary to relocate the body.

Murdoch and Julia question Jonathan Edwards (Russell Yuen) about Frederick’s murder. Jonathan denies being on duty the night Frederick was killed. Atticus interrupts with his own perspective of what happened. Jonathan claims to have found Frederick deceased after returning from a church service. After confirming Hilda’s story about Rachel’s termination, Jonathan says Frederick got what he deserved because he repeatedly attacked her.

Toronto – Crabtree and Llewellyn investigate a flayed body hanging from ropes. Violet suggests the suspect utilized a sandblaster to remove the victim’s skin. They believe the murder is linked to Arnauld’s murder.

St. Lawrence Seaway – Captain Roberts finds Griffith dead in his cabin. Thomas orders the ship on lockdown because the killer is still onboard.

Rochester Prison – Hilda urges Murdoch to peg Frederick’s murder on Rachel. He refuses because she may be innocent. She assures him that it matters who goes down for the murder before reminding him of the 48-hour deadline.

Toronto – Llewellyn tells Crabtree that the flayed man has been identified as Wendell Dunston. Louise Cherry (Bea Santos) gives them a note that someone slid underneath her office door. The note reads, “What you are witnesses is retribution. The deaths of Robert Foster and Ned McGuire have been avenged.” She says Foster was killed by LaPage’s fabrication machine and McGuire a sandblaster at Dunston’s Factory. She adds that Dunston and LaPage declined to pay compensation. Crabtree suggests a family member is responsible for Arnauld and Dunston’s murders. Louise insists on a thank you from Crabtree.

St. Lawrence Seaway – The passengers complain about the delay in reaching their destinations. Thomas asks Margaret to help with the murder investigation. She vows to uncover their secrets.

While going over Fenshaw’s case files, Julia and Murdoch discover the poison utilized to kill Frederick was never pinpointed but may be found in cleaning products. Frederick was cremated, ruling out the possibility of an exhumation. He says Jonathan claimed Frederick repeatedly attacked Rachel which could be the motive.

Toronto – Crabtree and Llewellyn rule out Foster and McGuire’s families were involved in Dunston and Arnauld’s murders. The killer takes out another man associated with McGuire and Foster’s deaths. A note – “Three dead, the next to go – the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker” – is attached to the victim’s jacket. Later, Melvin demands Crabtree solve the murders when Llewellyn shows them a list of industrial fatalities linked to the baker, butcher, and candlestick maker. Melvin orders them put under police protection.

Murdoch and Julia place a bottle of cyanide on a table in Rachel Wiggins’ flat where they find her deceased.

St. Lawrence Seaway – Margaret questions the passengers. Penny and Caroline (Meher Pavri) point the finger at Trevor.

Toronto – Louise tells Crabtree and Llewellyn that her goal is to improve the conditions inside of factors. She claims to know the baker and butcher.

Rochester Prison – Murdoch and Julia inform Hilda of Rachel’s death. Hilda says it will make their job easier. Murdoch assures her that Rachel did not kill Frederick. She assures them that they will not harm Rachel but it will help Susannah. Later, Julia returns to Rachel’s flat to write a suicide note.

St. Lawrence Seaway – Margaret suggests Caroline and Penny killed Griffith. When Thomas questions if Thomas is the killer, she says no because he is the Captain.

A Rochester Cop tells Murdoch and Julia that the judge will probably overturn Hilda’s murder conviction. He attributes her freedom to them. Later, Hilda toasts Julia and Murdoch. Atticus refuses to release Savannah into their care. Murdoch accuses Hilda of murdering Rachel. She warns them against coming after her.

St. Lawrence Seaway – Thomas finds Margaret unconscious in someone else’s cabin as the episode ends.

 

Murdoch Mysteries Review

The show lacks any real investigative work. There is no action to break up the monotony. The constant switching between scenes gets a bit tiresome.

Nothing about the series sets it apart from other crime mysteries. The episode is about 45 minutes but it feels much longer. On a good note, the investigations are not too in-depth, mostly to the point.

The cinematography is good. It’s difficult to judge the acting when the actors are doing nothing but talking. It gets a bit repetitive and boring at times.

The weaponized capacitor feels out of place for 1895. Some characters are also not true to the era.

The episode deserves a 6 out of 10. Get more Murdoch Mysteries recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV show releases, scams, sports events, and more.