Ep 17. Election Day

During the airing of Season 8 Episode 17 of the popular Canadian television series, Murdoch Mysteries, viewers were in for a treat with the episode titled Election Day. The drama-filled episode aired on March 16, 2015, and was directed by Gail Harvey and written by Carol Hay and Michelle Ricci.

As its title suggests, the episode revolves around the elections to be held in Toronto in the year 1902. Centered on Detective William Murdoch (played by Yannick Bisson), the story primarily touches on his rivalry with his superior and rival candidate, George Crabtree (played by Jonny Harris). Murdoch and Crabtree are pitted against each other to win the mayoral seat for the city of Toronto. With both candidates giving it their best shot, the competition to win the election heats up.

The episode focuses on how the public plays its role in deciding the outcome of the mayoral elections. A series of events unfold where Murdoch is tasked with looking into various crimes that take place during the election day. The first crime to take place is that of a robbery where a voter is attacked and robbed of his wallet, which contains all his precious voting papers. Murdoch is put on the task of finding the culprit responsible for the theft. The incident triggers a series of events where several people are attacked, robbed and killed on the election day.

As Murdoch starts to investigate each case in detail, what emerges is a fascinating narrative of politics, power, and deceit. Alongside being burdened with the task of bringing the culprits to justice and solving the crimes committed, he is also dealing with his own personal battles.

In a bid to come out victorious in the elections, Crabtree is not shy of using crooked tactics to win the race. On the other hand, Murdoch chooses to campaign as an honest leader, with the goal of changing the minds of the people towards honest political practices.

The episode takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster as Murdoch is faced with various challenges, both personal and professional. The scene where Murdoch's wife, Dr. Julia Ogden (played by Helene Joy), addresses the public whilst supporting his campaign, is a true testament to their solid relationship. Their unwavering support of each other goes a long way towards helping Murdoch deal with the pressure of the election, even as he faces the prospect of losing the race.

The episode is set against a backdrop of a city undergoing rapid modernization, with advances in telecommunication and engineering creating tantalizing opportunities for both politicians and businessmen. With elections playing a crucial role in shaping the fate of the city, the stakes are higher than ever, as corruption and criminal activities take hold even as the people of Toronto exercise their right to vote.

Murdoch Mysteries Season 8 Episode 17 was able to deliver an intriguing narrative that drew its viewers in from start to finish. With its array of well-crafted characters played by a talented crew of actors, the show is an exploration of the struggles of a city coming of age. Election Day proved to be yet another stellar episode of the series, and fans of the show were left eagerly waiting to see what new challenges Detective Murdoch would face next.