Ep 3. The Artful Detective: The Filmed Adventures of Detective William Murdoch

In Murdoch Mysteries season 7 episode 3, titled "The Artful Detective: The Filmed Adventures of Detective William Murdoch," viewers are transported to an alternate universe where Murdoch is a celebrated detective with his own television show. The episode opens with a hilarious montage of scenes from the show-within-a-show, which features all of the classic Murdoch Mysteries elements – Murdoch using forensic science to solve crimes, interacting with his fellow detectives and love interest Dr. Julia Ogden, and dealing with shady characters who threaten to undermine his investigations.

As the episode progresses, we see a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show, including disagreements between the writers and producers over the direction of the show, on-set romances, and tension between the actors who play Murdoch and his sidekick Constable Crabtree. Meanwhile, back in the real world, Murdoch's colleagues are dealing with a case involving a wealthy art collector who has been murdered, and all of the evidence points to his son as the culprit.

While the TV show is certainly entertaining, things take a dramatic turn when a real-life crime is committed on the set. One of the actors is found dead, and it seems that someone on the production team may be responsible. As Murdoch and the detectives investigate, they realize that the murder has something to do with the show's plot – specifically, a storyline about a missing diamond that was stolen from a wealthy collector. With tensions high and suspects aplenty, it's up to Murdoch to use his detective skills to solve the crime and bring the killer to justice.

Overall, "The Artful Detective" is a fun and clever episode that showcases the range of Murdoch Mysteries. From the alternate universe of the TV show to the real-life murder mystery, there's never a dull moment. Fans of the series will appreciate the nods to classic episodes and characters, while newcomers will find plenty to enjoy in the episode's fast-paced, witty script and engaging performances. Whether you're a diehard fan or just looking for a fun mystery to solve, "The Artful Detective" is not to be missed.