MURDOCH MYSTERIES COLLECTION: SEASONS 1-4

The cases were interesting, but Murdoch's personality is non-existent. His expertise in cracking cases is way ahead of it's time and seems to be the only thing that catches his interest. He consults with the female morgue doctor on every case and she provides forensic information that assists and stimulates his investigative thinking. The viewer can clearly see she is interested in him, but he just doesn't get it. She is strange because she has a macabre delight in her work as an autopsy doctor. I bought season 1-4, and I am only at the end of first season. The series will have to improve greatly for me to invest in further seasons.

I'm glad I took a chance on MURDOCH MYSTERIES COLLECTION: SEASONS 1-4 BLURAY set. It was offered as a Gold Box deal a while back and I kept seeing it advertised in Acorn Media's catalog, so I was curious and bit. For some reason I thought that this was a series that takes place in the UK -- I've been watching other British mysteries (Poirot, Marple, Rosemary & Thyme, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates) -- and I wanted a show to bridge the gap until the final Poirot series comes out and so I chose MURDOCH MYSTERIES.The show actually takes place in Toronto, Canada, during the Victorian era (1890s), and even though I was a little disappointed at first I got into the series fairly quickly and now I'm hooked!Since it takes place in the late 1890s there are no computers or any of the modern conveniences that crime fighters use nowadays and so it's up to detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) to come up with very clever ideas and devices to help solve the crimes (they foreshadow real items that do come into play today). Whereas another show I enjoy SHERLOCK brings those characters into modern times this one is the opposite. Although it isn't necessarily a unique idea to set these characters at the turn of the last century it places them far enough back in history that most investigative techniques and gadgets are in their infantile stages, if thought of at all, and so this allows Murdoch -- who reminds me of a Victorian era "MacGyver" -- create all sorts of unique and interesting devices.The four main characters Detective Murdoch (Bisson), the crotchety Inspector-boss Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), bumbling but clever in his own right Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), and modern free-thinking pathologist Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), make a great combination and the actors have fantastic rapport with each other. As the series goes on another character gets added, Constable Henry Higgins (Lachlan Murdoch), and he provides support to the "Crabtree" character.There is romantic tension between Murdoch and Ogden, but it isn't sappy, and lots of conflict develops between them as the series goes on and you're constantly wondering and rooting for them to end up with each other.In the meantime, Murdoch and company encounters famous/infamous people from the past including Nikola Tesla, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Buffalo Bill Cody, Anni Oakley, and H.G. Wells among others, some popup from time to time throughout all four seasons, and that's another interesting plot device. Also, the characters are always working, whether day or night, and you'd think that would stretch credulity, but I don't mind it at all.The costumes and scenery are fantastic and I like how they do this bird's eye view shot of what looks like a still photo of Toronto at that time and superimpose people walking about, so you get the sense of what the area looked like back then and how these characters live and work and in what context .I've never read the books or seen the other versions of "Murdoch," so I don't know how well this show stands up to the original.*** SPECIAL FEATURES ***SEASON 1:--- Interviews Featurette: (17:26-minutes-- play all or individual)Interviews with cast members and author of the books Maureen Jennings--- Bio Of The CharactersText background on each of the characters--- Behind-The-Scenes PhotosPhotos with captionsSEASON 2--- Behind-the-Scenes Featurette (05:13-minutes)Cast including Bison, Harris, Craig, Joy, and Executive Producer Cal Coons talk about the show. I think some of the cast intros are the same from Season 1 but the behind-the-scenes come from the current season--- Photo GallerySEASON 3--- Alternate Ending (01:14-minutes)Different ending to episode 13 "The Tesla Effect"--- About Murdoch Mysteries Featurette (04:12-minutes)Cast discusses Season 3--- Make-Up Featurette (03:12-minutes)Actress Ashley Leggat who portrays a character called "Ivy" and makeup artist Deb Drennan discuss how the makeup was applied to this character who portrays a circus side show freak in the episode called "Blood and Circuses"--- Costume Design Featurette (01:41)Costume designer Alexander Reda talks about the set and costume designs of the showSEASON 4--- Yannick Bisson Directs Featurette (05:48-minutes)Bisson directs the 3rd episode in season 4, but it's the first episode shot, and talks about it with other cast members. This has more interesting behind-the-scenes clips--- Prime Minister Visits Featurette (02:24-minutes)The real Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper has a cameo part playing a cop, admitting that this show is his and his daughter's favorite show--- Making Of Season 4 Featurette (06:18-minutes)Cast discusses Season 4 and there's an interview with actor Paul Rhys who portrays "Dr. Francis" for a couple of episodes--- Alternate Ending (02:28-minutes)This was an alternate ending filmed for the last show of this Season, "Murdoch In Wonderland." I think the ending they used is better but it definitely shows that the storylines are very fluid on Murdoch and anything can happenAnyway, if you like mysteries then check out MURDOCH MYSTERIES COLLECTION SEASONS 1-4 BLURAY.

Not too pricey, to get several seasons

It's an absolutely marvelous show as everyone has said. So we will skip that. This review is about the packaging and products.Packaging is nice. Disks are solid in the cases. No worries about damage. The picture quality is great, looks sharp and crisp on my 4K TV (this is a 1080p box set).My only issue is the sound (reason for the missing star). It's plain 2 channel stereo at an exceptionally low bitrate of just 256Kbps. While my home theater does a nice job turning it into surround sound, the fact that it's not at least 5.1 is irritating.Having said that, it in NO way should prevent you from buying this! The show is so good, it outweighs the one flaw. I also got the seasons 5-8 box set, it too is in stereo.

I discovered Murdoch Mysteries on Ovation TV (under the name "The Artful Detective"), where I doubt it will get much promotion and it will be very difficult for the U.S. audience to discover in the "high numbers wasteland" of cable TV. This series is a terrific mix of slightly-steampunk Victorian costume drama, MacGyver-tech police procedural, X-Files-meets-Scooby-Doo unmasking of the supernatural, and clever mysteries and secret histories sprinkled with quirky comic moments and all the struggles of true love. Murdoch Mysteries has the addictive quality of genre TV even as it defies or transcends all categories. It crosses the intelligence of British TV with the pacing and eye candy of American TV, and produces a miraculous hybrid.Murdoch Mysteries is set in Toronto, which for most U.S. viewers will be the equivalent of another planet, but this isn't "alienating" at all - the time period is familiar enough that the location could be Any City in the Victorian Era. Better yet, this series is Mom-safe: the humor doesn't go near the toilet (though it often finds its way into the morgue) and the modernizing values are cloaked in old-fashioned courtesy. In fact, I bought this series for my Mom for Christmas, and I know she's going to love it. Yet there's plenty for younger demographics to enjoy, from clockpunk gadgets to shipping favorite couples. (Though I must admit that the show occasionally teeters into rather awkward fan service on the shipping front - I'd rather see the passionate kiss than Constable Crabtree musing on when those crazy kids will get together.) Also, there is enough "angst" and outright depressing turns of events to enthrall the moodiest of Millennials. What more can the sick-of-reality-TV jaded American TV watcher ask?Murdoch Mysteries is now in its 7th season in Canada, where the show is a big hit and the quality remains high. I just hope it will somehow be discovered by American viewers soon so the syndication money will pour in, and this wonderful show will continue for years to come.

Excellent value for the price. My only quibble with the set is that the episode "Confederate Treasure" in Season 4 does not include Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's scene as it was originally filmed. Instead, it is included along with an interview in the extras on the disc. I would like to have seen the complete episode.52 episodes are included in this collection in four blu-ray cases, each with 3 discs. There are minimal extras, including a few alternate or extended scenes. I hope a Season 5-8 collection follows soon. There is plenty of drama and suspense, and good doses of humour and understated romance. Gruesomeness is kept to a minimum considering the nature of many of the stories.I would consider this suitable for most family viewing for ages 10 and up, considering that most children are exposed to far more violence than is depicted in these stories.

Excellent series Excellent delivery

this is the best T.V. series ever.To see how things where done by the police to catch murderers in the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century and specially in this country because the story occures in Toronto, is unbelievebly well done.you can compare the methods in those days compared to the methods used today.So well done and the stories so well done.I highly recommand this set. And at that price, it is a great bargain.

Purchased as Christmas Gift for Mother In Law 2014 and she Still Loves It!!!!She Loves this show, Loves it on the Blu-Ray, and is hoping to have rest of series come in multi collection set(s) too (hint, hint),it's nice knowing that it is a successful Canadian made series!! Came in perfect condition.FYI: is typically over $220 for set, got on sale for $126.83 ~Enjoy~

Wonderful, family-friendly series! Actors have depth and warmth. Interesting to think back in time to what Toronto could have been like pre 1900.Makes you realize how far things have come and what challenges police and detectives had to try to solve murders back then. A wonderful period crime/drama! Purchased at a sale price that was well worth it!