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"Murdoch Rides Easy" is the fifth episode of the sixteenth season of Murdoch Mysteries and the two hundred forty-fourth episode of the series (not including the three stand-alone holiday specials). It first aired on October 10, 2022.
Summary
Detective Murdoch suspects foul play after a motorbike enthusiast plunges to his death over a cliff during a demo of his superfast machine. He enlists inventors William Harley and Arthur Davidson to assist the investigation by reassembling the damaged motorbike.
Character Revelations
- Susannah Murdoch sees her first dead body.
- George and Effie are on their honeymoon from London, England and Bruges, Belgium.
- Higgins tells the Inspector he isn't paid enough to travel.
- Inspector Brackenreid states that he won't be "seen dead" in Belgium.
- A letter from Harry's mother tells William that Harry he was "almost expelled for sneaking out to see girls".
Continuity
- William received a letter from Harry who says he's doing well at boarding school.
- Once again, Julia Ogden exercises her rebellious nature...
Historical References
- This episode takes place in Toronto 1910 – Edward VII (Albert Edward;1841-1910) is King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas.
- Childhood friends William Harley and Arthur Davidson shared an early fascination with bicycles and worked on prototypes for motorcycles in their spare time, leading to their first motorcycle in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The first production bike, the Harley-Davidson Model No. 1®, was released in 1905. The first Harley-Davidson factory was built in 1906; The company was officially incorporated in 1907. By this time, Arthur’s two brothers, Walter and William Davidson, had joined the initiative.
- In 1911, the first successful V-twin produced by Harley-Davidson, the 7D® helped champion an engine configuration that has been used consistently in years since.
- While the concept of people wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle as a form of protection from head injuries originated in 1914, the research into the use of motorcycle helmets as a form of protection was carried out in 1935 by Australian neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns following the death of T.E Lawrence on the 19th May 1935.
Trivia
- Along with Detective Watts (last seen ep.1602), George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) does not appear in this episode.
- While the term 'easy rider' is a slang for a parasitical hanger-on, the title of this episode is an allusion to someone who is laid back and enjoys the open road, not very career or money-driven, but a true seeker of individual freedom as personified in the 1969 American independent road drama film Easy Rider.
- This episode was filmed in part near Stoney Creek for the cliff scenes.
Cast
Main Cast
Yannick Bisson as Detective William Murdoch
Hélène Joy as Dr. Julia Ogden
Thomas Craig as Inspector Thomas Brackenreid
Recurring Cast
Lachlan Murdoch as Constable Henry Higgins
Shanice Banton as Violet Hart
Guest Cast
Nia Cummins as DeeDee Drummond
Brennan Martin as Ellsworth Drummond
Neil Babcock as William Harley
Matthew Tissi as Arthur Davidson
Blair Kincaid as Coulter
Harrison Browne as Fink
Non-Credited Cast
Kennedy Bre Hall as Susannah Murdoch
Quinn Rae Hall
Gallery
