Murdoch Mysteries opens inside a shadowy house as chanting men slowly descend the stairs. They wear heavy hoods and carry candles. A blindfolded man (Kevin Dennis) slowly kneels before the group. This is an initiation ceremony. As he swallows a mouthful of wine, the young man collapses. He’s been poisoned. As the others drop to their knees around him, two pull back their hoods revealing Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) and Constable Crabtree (Jonny Harris). They need to call Detective Murdoch (Yannick Bisson)…
Later, Inspector Brackenreid leads Detective Murdoch to the crime scene. As they crouch over the body, it seems there’s some contemptuousness inside the Freemason’s Brotherhood. Apparently, Constable Crabtree is a more advanced Mason than Inspector Brackenreid, and it is the source of some resentment between the tw0 men.
Meanwhile, the brothers identify the deceased as Victor Bernard. As the team questions the various men inside the lodge, potential motives become immediately apparent. It seems Leonard Winters (Sergio di Zio) recruited Bernard in hope he would audit the group’s ledgers. Apparently, the lodge’s treasurer might be skimming funds…
Related: Check out previous installments of our Murdoch Mysteries Rewatch, here.
However, the men of the lodge are taken aback with the arrival of Dr. Ogden (Helene Joy). How dare a woman want to enter the lodge! When the Doctor finally gains entry, one of the men looks her over, “Cheeky little thing, isn’t she?”. Murdoch smiles, “That she is”. Hearing his comment, Julia angrily rolls her eyes as she passes.
While they continue their search for leads, Murdoch and George visit Bernard’s apartment. However, the trip only provides them with more questions.
Later, the men report to the morgue. As Dr. Ogden pulls back the sheet covering Bernard’s body, the men look around stunned. Victor Bernard was a woman…
Returning to Victor’s place of residence, Crabtree and Murdoch discover a potentially important piece of evidence is missing. Murdoch quickly remembers they passed a man on the stairs. Did they just let their killer escape?
Giving chase, they follow the mysterious figure into a gymnasium. Inside, they discover a women’s basketball team just finishing practice. Upon questioning them, they learn Victor played on their team. They knew him as Grace, but claim to know nothing of her other life.
Later, Team Murdoch discuss the details of the case. They’ll need someone to go undercover. George responds quickly, “Oh no, I’m not wearing a dress. Not again, anyway”. However, they fall silent as Julia enters. Dr. Ogden loves playing basketball.
While Murdoch and George study various poison samples, Julia enjoys an exhilarating game of basketball. The other women love the unwed, lady doctor who lives alone. As a result, they ask Julia to join them for a girl’s night.
Later, Higgins (Lachlan Murdoch) arrives bringing a message from Dr. Ogden. She requests they meet her at a near-by hotel. Entering the banquet room, Murdoch and Crabtree look around until someone asks them for a light. Turning around, their chins hit the floor. Dr. Ogden smirks back at them, dressed as a man. George stammers, “You look like a man! A very pretty man.”. Julia smiles in return, “It’s delightful not wearing a corset”.
It seems the women’s basketball team has a club of their own. Julia describes how they “seek experiences which are exclusive to men”. However, a hush falls over them as their suspect enters, shifting their focus back to the investigation.
The team shuttles the group of women to the station house for questioning. It seems like an open and shut case for Inspector Brackenreid, who insists one of these women must be the killer. However, Julia reminds him the case isn’t so simple. Of course the group is shrouded in secrecy, the mere act of participating in this club could spell social ridicule for the women involved. Their participation in the group doesn’t mean they are murderers. The discussion escalates, and Julia is infuriated when Murdoch gives her no support.
Working their way through the suspects, they discover even more details. It seems Grace found her life as a man exhilarating. While many of the other women were devoted to their families, Grace wanted a career. As such, she interviewed for a position as an accountant. She got the job, but upon discovering the firm only employed men, she assumed a new identity. However, it seems she was also being followed at the time of her death. Could the mysterious man be her killer?
Later questioning also yields the murder weapon. Apparently, Grace was allergic to peanuts. Upon further examination, Dr. Ogden finds crushed peanut residue inside the glass.
Meanwhile, Murdoch and Crabtree return to the lodge. While they once again question the brothers, the sight of blood dripping from the ceiling stops them. Going upstairs, they discover a man dead inside a secret room. Looking further at him, they discover he was Grace’s stalker.
Later, Murdoch and Crabtree discover a picture of Grace and Mrs. Winters (Angela Vint) enjoying a day of fun. Suddenly, Detective Murdoch gets an idea.
With the aid of Constable Crabtree, Murdoch stages a trap. Luckily, Mr. Winter quickly cracks under the pressure. Victor and Mr. Winter were best friends; however, he had no idea of Victor’s true identity. Upon discovering his wife’s developing relationship with his friend, he assumed the two were lovers. In a fit of jealousy, he poisoned Bernard’s wine with peanuts.
As the episode comes to a close, Murdoch visits Julia. He’s stumped and is seeking clarification as to why she was angry with him. She wanted his support. Murdoch however, is unblinking in his response. The argument with the Inspector was Julia’s battle to fight. “I’m not going to rescue you Julia, because by all accounts, you don’t need it”. She smiles, “Your logic is infuriating”.
Murdoch Mysteries will return to CBC and Ovation later this year. Stay tuned for more details.
A Few Notes:
- This episode is an absolutely stellar one for Julia. While her ardent feminism has been developing for the last season, Julia shows herself fully in favor of equality. This episode is vitally important in the development Julia undergoes throughout the following seasons.
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