User Reviews

This was one of the most emotional episodes of Murdoch, and well-acted by the finest player in the cast, Thomas Craig. His portrayal of Brackenreid is far and above the best in the series, and here, we get to see the spotlight shine on him for nearly the entire running time. Well earned.

The writers took the gem of a good story, and I think overdid it a bit on the political correctness. It seems entertainment writers often push progressive causes by either involving main characters in the cause, telling a story about an abused class, or making a member of a minority group an unlikely hero. And never, ever is a member of a protected class the villain (exception: Ragtime episode!)

Anyway, it was PC enough that Brackenreid had an interracial relationship and child by the union. But the writers also strongly implied that the daughter was gay. It is hinted at by a man early in the show who said he and the daughter were both "outsiders", and he most definitely was not holding a torch for her. Later, we see the daughter in a living arrangement with the Russian-speaking friend, who wrote a letter for her, and attempted to scare off the mother and Brackenreid. The implication I saw was that the two of them were in a committed relationship. And no, there isn't anything wrong with that. It just seems awfully unlikely for this combination of progressive / tolerant PC issues to line up and coincide. A lesbian daughter by a black mother? Trifecta of protected groups - race, sex, orientation! They could have made her an activist in socialism and atheism and run the full house, adding religion and politics.

As much as I'm critical of the PC stuff, what I do like is that it was never stated. It is left to the audience to decide whether to see the relationship or not. That's how everything like that should be handled.

Best parts of the episode? The intense convo between Brack and Murdoch at the end. Finally, some real meat to the writing! And second really great thing? NO DOCTOR OGDEN AT ALL! I honestly get so tired of her saccharine bromides, and inappropriate giggles and laughter. She's like a 12 year old girl playing dress up as a Victorian coroner.

Let's hope we see more heavy episodes like this in the future!

I have to laugh at other reviewers who think it was explicitly implied that Nomi was gay. I mean I suppose it could always turn out to be so in future episodes. But right now, what Nomi's friend means when he says they are both alike as outsiders is that he is gay and Nomi is black, therefore they both are different from what is accepted by societal conventions.

Margaret isn't angry about Brackenreid having a past, a daughter with another woman. She's angry about Tom dropping everything and rushing off to another city to see this woman he knew 20 years ago, without explaining anything to her. I mean, how would he feel if Margaret took off with no explanation to another city for some unknown reason? Not to mention not explaining anything to his colleagues who are also his friends. I agree with Murdoch that it was none of their business, but they were worried he was in some kind of danger. Since Brackenreid and Murdoch are friends, it would have been nice if at least he called him and said it was a personal matter from his past and nothing for anyone to worry about.

As for Brackenreid having a black daughter, I can't help but think in the early episodes of the series. He was not exactly friendly about black people. I don't want to say racist, but unfiltered not exactly kind. But always fair. But now we find out he had a black girlfriend. They did change his attitude later on as he become more friendly with black characters, such as Alderman Hubbard. Miss James, and Violet Hart among others. I do like the idea of him having a black daughter, however, and hope for a bigger part for her on the show.

I wish that John and Nomi had more interaction. They barely acknowledge each other.

This is a very extremely Brackenreid-centric episode. They've had character-centric episodes before, but this was very extreme as it was pretty much all Brackenried and very little of the other characters on the show. No other story. Whereas, in other centric episodes it wasn't like that.

There's no murder mystery. Just a missing person, Nomi. She is found safe and sound. The culprit who wouldn't leave her alone and tried to assault is dealt with by Brackenreid, but no jail or anything, just an agreement. This begins Brakenreid's mid-life crisis arc which I found not that great. 7/10.

Lined up all the social justice for this episode! And all the dyed haired adults living in basements cheered at this episode!!! Woke episodes are boring and forced. Now granted tv shows coming out of "Toronto" are some of the wokest. But can we stick to inventions, turn of the century, with a minor on some social issues?