The Cottage in the Woods

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"The Cottage in the Woods"
Season	17
Episode	1708
Airdate	November 20, 2023
Writer	Caleigh Bacchus
Director	Sharon Lewis
Previous	Cool Million
Next	The Christmas List

"The Cottage in the Woods " is the eighth episode of the seventeenth season of Murdoch Mysteries and the two hundred seventy-first episode of the series (not including the three stand-alone holiday specials). It first aired on November 20, 2023.

Summary

On a ladies' getaway in the woods, Ogden, Hart, Effie, and Louise Cherry encounter a troop of girl adventurers whose leader has been stabbed by a madman.

Back in Toronto, Murdoch and Watts investigate a convict lured to his death by a fake love letter.

Character Revelations

• Detective Watts carries a photograph of Milo Strange with his peacock.

Historical References

• This episode takes place in Toronto – George V is King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936.

Trivia

• The title "Cottage in the Woods" is a well-worn phrase dating back to 16th century fairy tales to modern-day books and films (along with some variation like 'cabin in the woods'), not to mention its use in real estate marketing.
• After learning a killer used a false photo to lure the victim, William and Llewellyn pass by a catfish stand. Daniel Maslany commented that this was also a play on the term "catfish", meaning someone who uses a false identity to lure another person into a supposed relationship, having started with the movie Catfish (2010) and gaining popular usage with Catfish: The TV Show (2012).
• Co-Producer / Writer Caleigh Bacchus commented that William and Llewellyn's case, involving two women who plot to murder each other's target, is a reference to ''Strangers on a Train''.

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

Daniel Maslany as Detective Llewellyn Watts
Shanice Banton as Violet Hart
Clare McConnell as Effie Crabtree
Bea Santos as Louise Cherry

Guest Cast

Alexander Eling as Osidius Jones
Maria Nash as Khristal
Kimberly Huie as Wanda Feiss
Michelle Mohammed as Tyla Todd
Ella Chung as Gemma
Nicki Burke as Paulina
Isolde Ardies as Fern
Justin Michael Carriere as Damien
Peyton Boulley as Bella