"The Ministry of Virtue" is the sixth episode of fourteenth season of the Murdoch Mysteries and the two hundred tenth episode of the series (not including the three stand-alone holiday specials). It first aired February 8, 2021.
Summary
Murdoch investigates the death of a harlot who was promised in a marriage transaction and troubled romance permeates – from the prime suspect of the murder to the team at Station House No. 4.
After the suicide of disreputable woman, Murdoch suspects murder and nefarious dealings involving arranged marriages. In the shadow of the Virtue Ministry, two controversial courtships continue.
Meanwhile, Violet Hart finds Arthur Carmichael's public displays of affection unnerving, while Watts is unnerved by public reaction to his liaison with Jack.
Character Revelations
- Jack Walker makes a hard choice and parts ways with Watts...
Continuity
- The Truthizer returns...
- Miss Hart's relationship with Arthur Carmichael progresses...
Historical References
- This episode takes place in Toronto 1908 – 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.
- Inventor Melitta Bentz (1873 - 1950), who invented the Coffee Filter; Trial and error prevailed in a German woman’s kitchen until she got the system she wanted, then she put her name on it.
- Canadian charities, like The Salvation Army, sponsored a program for women convicted of various offences in England who were offered the chance to start new lives in Canada as servants, wives and mothers.
Trivia
- George Crabtree does not appear in this episode.
- This is the fourth episode to mention 'coffee' with a nod to Melitta filters.
- This episode was inspired by an article published in The Globe and Mail (1906) about “Salvation Girls” discovered by Executive producer Simon McNabb. According to new MM writer Christina Ray, "...we felt the concept of mail order brides was a juicy one to explore as a Murdoch storyline" and she adds, "All I can say is we’re not done with Watts and Jack. Stay tuned for future twists and turns!"
- The second time a "suitor" hides under a sheet in the City Morgue, the first was Jerome Bradley.
- A theme which was first introduced in Season 1 (ep.105) returns in this episode.
- COVID-19 has affected MM creative choices, thus the ‘no kissing’ rule is observed this season.
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
James Graham as Arthur Carmichael
Jesse LaVercombe as Jack Walker
Guest Cast
Fiona Mongillo as Constance Weatherly
Frank Cox O'Connell as Axel Crawford
Zarrin Darnell-Martin as Kate Barker
Mikaela Davies as Flannery Oats
Amy Keating as Sadie Lange
Matt lfano as Edwin Ebersol
Aviva Armour-Ostroff as Bartender
Chris Farquhar as Marcus Hinkie
Byron Abalos as Hotel Poster
Eva Link as Clara Cartwright
Gallery
| Murdoch Mysteries Season 14 |
|---|
| Murdoch and the Tramp • Rough and Tumble • Code M for Murdoch • Shock Value • Murder Checks In • The Ministry of Virtue • Murdoch Escape Room • The Dominion of New South Mimico • The .38 Murdoch Special • Everything is Broken Part 1 • Everything is Broken Part 2
|