Bobby Brackenreid (Gage Munroe), son of Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), would have been warned a hundred times not to walk off with strangers had he living in this century. It's why most child abductions are committed by people the children know and trust. Not that it never happens any other way, but the idea of the child of a Police Inspector wandering off with a man promising him adventure, but refusing to allow his friend to come along, hardly seems credible anymore. Possible, but not very likely.
But a hundred years ago? I'll believe that Bobby's desire for adventure and naive trust of people, unspoilt by many warnings, made him go off with a strange man.
The most effective aspect of this episode was the pain written across all the characters' faces when they contemplated the fate of the missing boy, and when they considered the pain of his parents. Margaret Brackenreid (Arwen Humphreys) was beside herself with worry for her boy, and when her husband failed to bring home their son after he promised he would, her anger and grief, as well as his own grief, were terrible to behold. Any couple facing the loss of a child is forever marked by that tragedy.
More so, Julia (Helene Joy) finally showed a reaction to the idea of losing a child. A lovely and subtle hint to the plot line I thought most poorly handled last season. She understood the hardship, and sympathized most appropriately with Margaret. Will she and Murdoch (Yannik Bisson) ever have a child? It is hard to guess, but Julia showed that she felt everything that was right and proper considering the circumstances.
Luckily, of course, Murdoch recovered the boy, and, although there was mention of pederasts, the pair who stole the child did so mistaking him for another boy, the woman's natural son. She only wanted her child back, and so the boy came to no harm.
This season continues to surpass itself in interesting plot lines and historical relevance and accuracy. Are you as delighted with this as I am?
I find that the tone is different this season. I understand that there are new people in charge and it is noticeable. I loved episode 1 because it was so different. I find that there is less humour, less attention to the Ogden/Murdoch romance, and Murdoch seems more subdued. The story lines are rather weak as well. I hope it improves. Thomas Craig was great in the episode where his son was abducted.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that funny! I love that there are new people in charge. I find their is still the right amount of humour, and I was never particularly interested in the Ogden/Murdoch relationship. I'm actually glad that it has taken such a back seat. I also thing the story lines are much stronger than they were last season.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show that what causes one person to watch week after week is just as likely to have another person turn the show off.
What would you have them do to improve? What do you want to see more of?