Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes Season 1 Episode 2 The Photographer's Chair

The show Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes tells the stories of real-life cases that may have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. In season 1 episode 2, titled "The Photographer's Chair," viewers are taken back to Victorian-era Edinburgh, Scotland, where a killer known as the "West Port Murderer" is on the loose.

The episode opens with a young man named Christiana Edmunds being accused of poisoning a family with sweets laced with strychnine. While Edmunds insists on her innocence, she is eventually convicted and sent to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. The story then shifts to the fictional character of Dr. Joseph Bell, a surgeon and professor at the University of Edinburgh, who is known for his keen powers of observation and deduction - traits that would go on to inspire Conan Doyle's creation of Sherlock Holmes.

Dr. Bell is asked to consult on the case of the West Port Murderer, who has killed several women and left their bodies in the same area. Dr. Bell quickly becomes interested in a photograph taken of one of the victims, which shows her sitting in a chair that is not hers. Dr. Bell believes that the chair could hold a clue to the killer's identity.

The investigation takes Dr. Bell to a photography studio, where he meets the owner, Mr. Hornby. Dr. Bell examines the chair in the photograph and notices a distinctive pattern on the fabric. Mr. Hornby reveals that he had recently re-upholstered the chair and that the fabric was a one-of-a-kind design that he had imported from Italy. Dr. Bell concludes that the killer must have visited the photography studio and sat in the chair, before taking it with him.

Dr. Bell's investigation takes him to various locations around Edinburgh, including a churchyard where the killer may have left some of his victims' belongings. Along the way, he encounters a wide range of characters, including a drunkard who may have witnessed the killer's activities, and a group of young men who are suspected of involvement in the crimes.

As Dr. Bell continues to investigate, he begins to unravel a complex web of deceit and betrayal. He uncovers a network of criminals who have been involved in the killings, as well as a young woman who may have unwittingly played a part in the crimes.

The episode culminates in a thrilling climax, as Dr. Bell confronts the killer and brings him to justice. Along the way, viewers are treated to a gripping portrayal of life in Victorian-era Edinburgh, complete with period-accurate costumes, settings, and props.

Overall, "The Photographer's Chair" is a well-crafted and engaging episode of Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes. It showcases the talents of Dr. Joseph Bell as a real-life detective, and explores the complex social and cultural issues of the time. Fans of true crime, history, and detective fiction will all find something to enjoy in this fascinating episode.