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"Hell to Pay" is the eighteenth episode of the tenth season of the Murdoch Mysteries and the landmark one hundred fiftieth of the series. It first aired on March 20, 2017.

Summary

When a burlesque dancer asks Murdoch for help, the Station House No. 4 team find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy and unforeseen danger.

In the highly dramatic, fast-paced season finale, William Murdoch is on the run. While Murdoch didn't kill anyone, it is what the evidence says – framed for murder and caught in a conspiracy – he doesn't think anyone in the Constabulary can help him with a target on his back. But he’s not the only one in danger, an adversary from Thomas Brackenreid's past returns and things get deadly serious. Everyone is drawn into the conspiracy and all their lives are in peril.

One week earlier, Murdoch is searching for Edward Dobbs who has been missing for three days. A union man in Colorado was tarred and feathered not long ago, so Mrs. Dobbs fears the worse for her husband who had called for a strike against Robert Graham’s company which is rebuilding Toronto with the support of powerful construction bigwigs and corrupt politicians like the newly elected Franklin Williams. Meanwhile, Lydia Hall is working a private gentleman's party when she overhears Councilman Williams and Mr. Graham talking about a building on Melinda Street, becoming rich and 'taking care' of a man named Dobbs. Fearing for her life, she asks Murdoch for help. The Inspector warns his Detective if he wants to go after Councilor Williams and Robert Graham, Murdoch is going to need more than the words of a dance-hall girl and a socialist's wife. After two men come looking for Lydia at The Star Room, she meets with Murdoch at the Windsor House Hotel still wanting to leave town, but Murdoch promises to protect her if she stays and helps him. She confesses to witnessing Dobbs' murder. In an instant, the Detective's home is invaded and the two are attacked. When consciousness returns to Murdoch, he finds himself in his own bed with Lydia’s lifeless body and the Constabulary banging on the (wrong) door, lead by Councilor Williams. Murdoch escapes and is on the run.

Re-instated as Chief Constable and in charge of the manhunt for Murdoch, Jeffrey Davis is out for blood. He interrogates Dr. Ogden who knows little since she was out of town, threatens Crabtree and Brackenreid, and eventually sees to it that Station House No. 4 is done.

Character Revelations

Continuity

Historical References

  • This episode takes place in Toronto 1904 – the Edwardian Era (1901-1910) is the time when King Edward VII rules the British Empire.
  • Great Fire of 1904 (see ep.1002)
  • Beginning in 1904, the Board of Control was directly elected by the city's electorate. The Board of Control of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was a part of its municipal government until it was abolished in 1969.

Trivia

  • Filmed at The Mount Community Centre, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • A classic film noir inspired plot about one man against a corrupt system out to get him, unfortunately the man happens to be Detective Murdoch. "That's the truth of it, isn't it? They'd rather see him dead than alive," Julia asks George and the Inspector.
  • Features guest stars in pivotal roles: Sanctuary's Robin Dunne and John Wildman, who Mitchell first met when they were both working on The Campbells. Dunne and Wildman play bigwigs who have nefarious plans for Toronto’s future.
  • In ten seasons, Constable Higgins is the only character who hasn't been jailed (so far).
  • The good news before this season finale aired Murdoch Mysteries will return for Season 11. The bad news after the season finale, not sure everyone in the cast will be back...
  • From Peter Mitchell's interview in the aftermath: "I don’t think we can end a season like that and have everything be tickety-boo. The show, in essence, has five cliffhangers: three constables, one Julia and a Brackenreid. And we don’t see any of them past the three-quarter mark of the show. And, why is Watts offering to be so helpful at the very end of the episode? Is he a good guy? I don’t know. Why didn’t he help Murdoch earlier? Why is he showing up now?"

Cast

Main Cast

Yannick Bisson as Detective William Murdoch
Hélène Joy as Dr. Julia Ogden
Thomas Craig as Inspector Thomas Brackenreid
Jonny Harris as Constable George Crabtree

Recurring Cast

Lachlan Murdoch as Constable Henry Higgins
Kristian Bruun as Constable Jackson
Daniel Maslany as Detective Llewellyn Watts
Richard Clarkin as Chief Constable Davis
Arwen Humphreys as Margaret Brackenreid (mentioned)
Katy Breier as Lydia Hall
Erin Agostino as Nina Bloom
Bea Santos as Louise Cherry

Guest Cast

Robin Dunne as Franklin Williams
John Wildman as Robert Graham
Sara Farb as Emily Dobbs
Calvin Desautels as Edward Dobbs
Chris White as Officer
Brett Reason as Constable
Terrance Balazo as Vendor

Gallery


Murdoch Mysteries Season 10
Great Balls of Fire, Part 1Great Balls of Fire, Part 2A Study in PinkConcocting A KillerJagged Little PillBend It Like BrackenreidPainted LadiesWeekend at Murdoch'sExcitable ChapThe Devil InsideA Murdog MysteryThe MissingMr. Murdoch's NeighbourhoodFrom Murdoch to EternityHades Hath No FuryMaster LovecraftHot Wheels of ThunderHell to Pay
Season 1Season 2Season 3Season 4Season 5Season 6Season 7Season 8Season 9Season 10Season 11Season 12Season 13Season 14Season 15
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