Nina Bloom is the most popular burlesque dancer at the infamous Star Room introduced in From Buffalo With Love.
While from a different class than Dr. Grace, Nina Bloom is perhaps even more modern. She's not interested in marriage, she's not "the marrying kind" to George's surprise.
Nina doesn't much care what people think of her because her reputation is not who she is. She doesn't dance at the burlesque to snag a husband. She enjoys it and won't deny herself the things that bring her pleasure, and that includes George. Telling him, "If you think less of me because of it, then so be it." He reassures her, " I don't."
"Then should you want to continue enjoying my company, I will welcome you. If not, I am happy to part now." George doesn't want that. "Then stop questioning the right or wrong of it."
Even after an awkward talk with Murdoch and a scolding from the Inspector, George introduces Nina to Murdoch, Dr. Ogden, Brackenreid and Mrs. B. as his "new sweetheart".
George and Nina's relationship continues to be both challenging and challenged in Season 10. By mid-season, Nina ends the relationship with a 'Dear John' letter delivered to Station House No. 4.
Appearances and Mentions
From Buffalo With Love
- While visiting the Star Room regularly, George catches Nina's eye, prompting her to call him her favorite "Mr. Wednesday." Despite Murdoch and Brackenreid's objections, they fall for each other, and the two end up doing spending the night together in her dressing room. At the end of the episode, after being invited to a dinner by the Murdochs, George decides to bring along his new sweetheart; Nina Bloom.
Great Balls of Fire, Part 1
- George tells Nina, "A brilliant white gown. Blood pouring down and then a big crash. And her body was falling from the ceiling." Nina asks if she "hit anyone?" ''Almost.'' Nina confesses that it "sounds a lot more exciting than my coming out party." George is surprised that she was a debutante. "There is a lot about me you don't know, George Crabtree." He looks forward to finding out more.
- She has a brother, Samuel, who George first mistakes for another beau.
Great Balls of Fire, Part 2
- After Samuel's auto shop burns down, George offers to help him get back on his feet, believing he deserved a second chance. Once the new auto shop opens, Nina tells George that he's inserted himself directly into their family. "I wonder how that will work out for you." George asks what she means, and she says, "Well, he hasn't really been successful at much. I do hope you have deep pockets."
Painted Ladies
- While Murdoch is investigating the murder of a man with lipstick stains on his face, Nina comes under suspicion as she is in possession of the same shade of lipstick. George is sure of her innocence and attempts to convince Murdoch of the same conclusion. Fortunately, she is finally cleared of any suspicion.
- Men have been giving all the burlesque dancers flirtation cards, but Nina is far in the lead. George becomes jealous and requests Nina to throw the cards away, to which she refuses.
Excitable Chap
- When Lydia arrives at The Star Room, she tells Nina and Crabtree that she was attacked by The Lurker. She saved herself by stabbing him in the hand with her hat pin but then he got away. Later, when on stage performing a 'Lurker skit', the real Lurker appears. This time, Nina smashes him over the head with a bottle, to reveal The Lurker's real identity– James Pendrick.
- Nina watches George talking with Louise Cherry – again. In short order, George receives a 'Dear John' note. With little explanation or reason, she ends their relationship.
Hot Wheels of Thunder
- While rollerskating with Lydia Hall on the boardwalk, Nina re-introduces herself to Dr. Ogden who introduces the two women to Miss Rebecca James. The four women create a roller-racing team to compete against The Buffalo Queens.
- Nina sees George Crabtree for the first time since their break-up. At first, he doesn't recognize her to which Lydia quips,"...she does look different with clothes on."
Hell to Pay
- Dr. Ogden visits Nina at The Star Room Theatre for the first time because her husband is in danger. She asks Nina about Lydia and William. Nina saw them together – they were just talking. She heard that Lydia was a witness to something at a private party, “Sometimes we're called to attend them. Some of the girls go. All she would tell me is that she heard something that she never should have heard.” But it must have been something because a couple of days later, two men came here looking for her, but she was gone. Nina never saw her again. Dr. Ogden acknowledges her loss. Nina hopes she finds her husband because he's a good and decent man. Then, she breaks down in tears, “She was my friend. She was so funny.” Julia holds her as she cries; two women grieving.
- When George returns for the first time since their break-up, Nina tells him “I can't help you. I would if I could.” George confesses to just wanting to see her and to apologize, “I never should have let you go.” Nina tells him that he deserves better. “I’m only realizing now that there is no better than you.” But George doesn't know what to do now with the Detective and Dr. Ogden missing... Nina reassures him.
- Their reunion is interrupted by the ruthless Robert Graham who would have thought the constable would be out looking for Murdoch. “Or is it that you'd rather spend time with painted ladies than look for your Detective or his missing wife?” About to strike him, Crabtree is warned that he would be jailed again and be even more useless than he currently is. Graham reminds him that he is at a crossroads in his life, help Graham and he will have an unimpeded rise to the top: the Inspector is gone and his immediate superior is a murderer– things are looking up for Constable George Crabtree. All he has to do is look away. George Crabtree won't be doing that. “…you wish to add another item to your long list of mistakes. Enjoy your time with your whore.” Nina stops George from hitting Graham, telling him “Don't worry, George, nothing he says will bother me” and the way George just stood up to the odious bigwig makes Nina so proud of him.
Up from Ashes
- At the Star Room, Nina is seducing Graham. He tells her, "I may call upon you, Miss Bloom." She responds, "I'll be sure to answer," before walking away with a sly smile on her face. Later, she's seen with Graham again, this time with a knife hidden in her costume.
- She and Graham are walking to his office, where he tells her how great the city would be if he were in charge. She agrees, and they enter the office, only to find Ms. Marsh there, rifling through some files. She pulls a gun, but Graham puts a stop to it, instructing Nina to pick up the files. They leave, but Nina stays behind to put the files back on the desk, along with her glove and a card from the burlesque; an indication she'd been there.
- With Miss Marsh gagged and tied to a chair on the Star Room stage, Nina lures Graham into the dressing room, then pulls the knife to his throat, telling him that he was going to pay for the deaths of Lydia Hall and George. This is when George, very much alive, appears and instructs Nina not to do it. Nina is shocked at his appearance, and Graham uses that to his advantage, grabbing the knife and holding it to her throat. George tries to get him to leave her alone but it doesn't work, as Graham nicks Nina's neck with the tip of the knife. George retreats, and Graham enters the main Star Room, only to be stopped by Detective Murdoch and Penelope Marsh. "There are four of us and only one of you Graham," Murdoch tells him, also adding that he will be charged with murder if Graham were to kill her. Graham releases Nina, who immediately runs into George's arms.
21 Murdoch Street
- Nina shows up at the boy's school where George is undercover. The two talk: George goes on about a student he believes has more potential if he just tried, while Nina relates how she once had a Star Room customer who would pay her no attention. George insists it's not the same thing, but Nina doesn't agree; "sure it is." She tells him that she did everything to gain his attention, even changing her costume, inspired by his profession. George isn't sure he wants to hear this until Nina finally tells him that the customer is actually him.
The Accident (Mentioned by Louise Cherry to George Crabtree)
Brackenreid of the Boudoir
The Talking Dead
- Nina, along with some other girls from The Star Room, has been asked to perform at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. She asks George to come with her, and though hesitant, he later accepts.
Home for the Holidays
Trivia
- Show-runner Peter Mitchell explains, "Nina is the kind of character we always want on the show because she’s very polarizing. Half the fans love her and half the fans hate her, which means we want her!"
