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"The Future is Unwritten" is the eighteenth episode of the thirteenth season of the Murdoch Mysteries and the two hundred fourth episode of the series (not including the three stand-alone holiday specials). The season finale aired March 2, 2020.

Summary

After a shocking death, Murdoch is convinced someone close to Station House No. 4 is involved.

Station House No. 4 has one of their own down because of a choice he had made and Inspector Brackenreid is not having an easy time of it: One of his detectives is going after the Toronto Chief Coroner for the murder; Based on the results of the second autopsy by Dr. Ogden, Murdoch formally charges Violet Hart with the murder of Robert Parker. But when the Crown Office releases Miss Hart because the Crown will not proceed in the prosecution of a city official with circumstantial (but no less damning) evidence, the finest policeman that Brackenreid will ever work with hands in his resignation, while his other detective claims to have caught the actual thieves of the MacAuley paintings but not the real ones. Then later, storming into his office, Detective Watts informs him that Jack Walker has been arrested by Station House One for indecency — and insists on being charged as well! Bloody hell, Watts!

Concurrently, the Inspector discovers that the Station House has a constable missing – George Crabtree, what's happened to you, bugalugs?

Character Revelations

  • Defence Attorney Effie Newsome is Violet Hart's lawyer and reminds Murdoch that she is just doing her job.
  • Murdoch hands in his letter of resignation to the Inspector because he will not put Julia at risk.
  • Jack Walker falls under suspicion (again) by Detective Edwards.
  • Inspector Thomas Brackenreid is the last to know about Llewellyn Watts' sexual persuasion. Margaret gently scolds, "Oh, Thomas, it was as clear as the nose on your face. Honestly, sometimes you are so dense."

Continuity

  • A solemn mood settles over Station House No. 4 after Robert Parker's funeral as the team tries to regroup as "Mr. Parker's death will not go unavenged." But before his body is sent to his family in Pittsburg, Dr. Ogden, who still has standing, will perform her own autopsy.
  • Miss Violet Hart is charged formally for murder.
  • The search for George Crabtree gets underway after Effie mentions that she has not heard from him in three days.
  • Still an oenophile (ep.1102),  Watts offers a fine bottle of wine to Det. Edwards and the Inspector separately, which receives two very different reactions.
  • Murdoch and Miss Hart find each have incriminating knowledge on the other.
  • Julia returns to William's arms and confronts her infatuation with Andrew Dixon.
  • Margaret reminds Thomas that she married him for the man that he is – a man who will do the right thing, encouraging him to "then fix it".

Historical References

  • This episode takes place in Toronto 1907 – 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.
  • "Thank god I am free at last" is from a Negro spiritual and gospel song (collected by John Wesley Work, Jr. and included in his book New Jubilee Songs and Folk Songs of the American Negro, 1907), quoted by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his famous 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.

Trivia

  • About the title of this episode, MM showrunner Peter Mitchell explains, "...'The Future is Unwritten’ comes from a documentary about Joe Strummer. Because Joe was such a positive life force, I always think of it as meaning the world in front of you has limitless possibilities."
  • The second time the coroner has killed a person in the City Morgue, the first time was in Snakes and Ladders.
  • Recast actress Joan Gregson first appeared as Rebecca Hastings in Love and Human Remains.
  • Cameo appearance of entrepreneur and innovator Danny Soberano, president of INK Entertainment Canada's leading lifestyle and entertainment company.

Notable Quotes

Ogden to Murdoch: "I brought Miss Hart into the fold, I have no stomach for witnessing her downfall."
Lincoln to Violet Hart: "Free at last are you?"

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
Daniel Maslany as Detective Llewellyn Watts
Shanice Banton as Violet Hart
Arwen Humphreys as Margaret Brackenreid
Clare McConnell as Effie Newsome
Sebastian Pigott as Dr. Dixon
Jesse LaVercombe as Jack Walker
Ryan Hollyman as Lincoln
Ben Sanders as Detective Edwards
Sarah Swire as Amelia
Alex Hatz as Percival Emerson
Nick Biskupek as Gibson
Caitlin Driscoll as Stella Davenport
Joel Rinzler as Hotel Bar Owner
Ken Hall as Derek Ferdinand
Maddy Foley as Piano Player
Caitlin Driscoll as Stella Davenport
Nick Biskupek as Gibson
Ken Hall as Derek Ferdinand

Guest Cast

Connor Lucas-Loan as Jeffrey
Jonathan Malen as Philipe MacAuley
Joan Gregson as Woman on Coach
Danny Soberano as Husband
Anna Valela as Wife
Elizabeth Drake as herself

Non-Credited Cast

Nathan Hoppe as Constable McNabb

Gallery


Murdoch Mysteries Season 13
Troublemakers Bad PenniesForever YoungProdigal Father
Murdoch and the Cursed Caves The Philately Fatality Toronto the BadThe Final CurtainThe Killing Dose
Parker in the RyeStaring Blindly into the FutureFox HuntKill Thy NeighbourRigid Silence
The Trial of Terrence MeyersIn the Company of WomenThings Left BehindThe Future is Unwritten


Season 1Season 2Season 3Season 4Season 5Season 6Season 7Season 8Season 9Season 10Season 11Season 12Season 13Season 14Season 15

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