By Anne Brodie
It’s 1910 and Murdoch Mysteries takes us on a brief train ride to Calgary, where Det. Murdoch and Inspector Brackenreid are to attend the first ever Calgary Stampede, known then simply as The Stampede. Google states stampede has many shades of meaning and they apply in tonight’s Murdoch in the Saddle. “Key Characteristics Sudden & Uncontrolled: Movement happens quickly and without order. Fear/Excitement: Often driven by panic or high emotion. Directional: A shared, rapid movement in one direction. Risk: Can lead to crushing and injuries due to extreme crowd density.” Bucking broncos, cowboys and guns, testosterone, betting and competing are sure ways to raise the spectre of danger, but Stampede boss Guy Weadick aims to keep things civil – famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley is in attendance. Oakley (Amber Marshall of CBC’s Heartland, transformed in a curly brunette wig) wows the cowpokes with her accuracy, shooting a coin dead centre yards away, and what ho! Brackenreid, who went to Alberta against his will, is delighted to find her; they’re old friends. A cowboy is murdered and Toronto’s finest are on the job; was the prize cash of $1000 the motive? Jealousy, greed? $500 is missing from a guest’s drawer. Was it case of battling brothers? Contestants? Gangsters? Meanwhile back at Toronto headquarters, Detective Llewellyn Watts establishes a romantic relationship. Always something cooking on MM. Jan 5 on CBC at 8 p.m.and CBC Gem now.
My Life Is Murder starring Xena: Warrior Princess’ Lucy Lawless, returns Jan 5 on Acorn TV. Set in Auckland, New Zealand the series features a brilliant female private investigator and her whip smart assistant and provides a glimpse into a culture that is significantly different from ours. With its Māori roots and British influence of its criminals sent there and to Australia in a different century it is uniquely casual. Reflected in the series the population is laid back, sarcastic and open, a refreshing spin on TV’s mystery culture. New Zealanders also benefit from a lot of sunny days, so its great viewing for we the snow bound in winter. Lawless is Alexa Crowe, a determined and instinctive woman, a former cop – a completely spun around Jessica Fletcher in that she’s not especially sweet like Cabot Cove’s pride or careful in what she says – Alexa is direct, confrontational and efficient and usually gets what she’s after, aided by sidekick tech whiz Madison and other allies. S5 opens with an intriguing mystery – Wyatt, a popular influencer sinks into his iced tub during a livestream and dies. His girlfriend, cheerleader Stacyee, blames his agent and she has a solid alibi. The agent blames Staycee. Someone got close enough to pour fentanyl on his ice and Alex wonders if it was a marketing ploy to up Staycee’s market value or revenge for his affair with Mindy, who soon flees the country. Meanwhile Staycee has enemies, and we wonder if she and Wyatt were a real item or if it was manufactured for money. Juicy stuff and catnip for Alexa. Seven episodes to follow. New season preems tonight on Acorn and YouTube.