Chief Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig, Where the Heart Is) is romantically gallant as he portrays his formal side while protecting international opera diva Madame Rosa Hamilton (Measha Brueggergosman, Canadian opera soprano) during her performances. The detective and inspector are supervised by recently promoted Chief Constable Giles (Nigel Bennett, Splintered) who makes it clear that he'll be keeping a close eye on police matters.
Leaving Toronto under suspicion of releasing a prisoner and suspension from police duties, the "call of the wild" invites Murdoch to pan for gold in the Yukon. With his heart broken over the recent marriage of his true love and pondering his future, Murdoch hurls his police badge into the streaming waters, but it is retrieved and returned to him by a young author named Jack London. Young George Crabtree finds his moment of fame when an Egyptian exhibit comes to Toronto, and his mystery novels are flying off the shelves. Women's issues are of a priority while Murdoch infiltrates a group led by anarchist Emma Goldman, and Dr. Ogden gets jailed for teaching contraception to modern women. Murdoch experiences the electric carriage and watches a race with Henry Ford. Talking dolls are left as clues at murder scenes, and Alexander Graham Bell assists in a murder investigation of another inventor. One of the Wellington hockey players is murdered, and the Constabulatory competes in baseball. There is a mysterious high stakes card game that leads to an esoteric experience, while an old love interest surfaces, the 20th century new year approaches, and Murdoch takes a trip in time to reveal his future.
You'll see the talents of great stars like Lisa Faulkner (Murder in Suburbia), Aaron Ashmore (Smallville), Matthew Bennett (Battlestar Galactica), Peter Keleghan (The Red Green Show), and opera star Measha Brueggergusman. Special features include an Overview with highlights on episodes featuring the Yukon, the opera, and the electric carriage. Also costumes are featured with soundbites and photo gallery. This series would be a consideration to apply history to young students, at the parent's discretion, of course.
Murdoch Mysteries: Season Five is the continuation of an amazing series with talented actors, great writing, and the wonderful interlacing of historical facts and famous people that make the past brilliantly exciting. I thoroughly enjoy this series and am looking forward to adding all future seasons to my collection -- and, am hanging by a thread awaiting Murdoch Mysteries' next release.
