Ep 4. The Canadian Patient

In Murdoch Mysteries season 11 episode 4, titled "The Canadian Patient," Detective William Murdoch and his colleagues investigate the murder of a patient in a psychiatric ward. The episode kicks off with the hospital staff discovering the patient, Henry Fitzpatrick, dead in his room. His body had been smashed through the window, sending glass shards everywhere. Murdoch and Dr. Julia Ogden examine the body and determine that the victim was killed by blunt force trauma.

As Murdoch and his team investigate the murder, they begin to piece together evidence that suggests Fitzpatrick may have been involved in espionage. They find a codebook hidden in his room, and later discover that he had been listening in on conversations in the hospital's telegraph room. Their suspicions are further heightened when they learn that Fitzpatrick had been working as a codebreaker during the war before being committed to the hospital due to mental instability.

The trail of clues leads Murdoch to a man named John Kennon, a fellow veteran who had served with Fitzpatrick in the war. Kennon, it turns out, is also an ex-patient of the hospital and had been recently readmitted for PTSD. Murdoch begins to piece together a timeline of events that suggests Kennon may have been involved in Fitzpatrick's murder.

Further investigation reveals that Kennon was working to uncover a plot by German spies to steal Canadian military secrets. Fitzpatrick had gotten wind of the plot and was working to stop it, enlisting Kennon's help. The two had managed to obtain a list of the spies' targets, but before they could act on it, Fitzpatrick was killed.

As the investigation progresses, Murdoch begins to feel more conflicted about the case. While he wants to bring justice to Fitzpatrick, he also sympathizes with Kennon's struggles with PTSD and the war. The episode highlights the psychological toll that war can have on veterans, and the difficulties they face in integrating back into society.

Overall, "The Canadian Patient" is a compelling murder mystery with a historical twist. The episode delves into issues of espionage, mental health, and the lasting effects of war, while still managing to keep the audience engaged with its twists and turns. As always, the chemistry between Murdoch and Ogden is a highlight, and the two work together to unravel the case with their trademark wit and intelligence.