High Voltage

"High Voltage"
Season	8
Episode	8
Air date	December 1, 2014
Written by	Carol Hay
Directed by	Cal Coons
Recurring	David Storch as Thomas Edison
Previous	"What Lies Buried"
Next	The Keystone Constables

"High Voltage" is the eighth episode of the eighth season of the Murdoch Mysteries and the one hundred-fourth episode of the series. It first aired December 1, 2014.

Summary

Detective Murdoch and the constables must investigate Thomas Edison Senior and Thomas Edison Junior when a man is found electrocuted in a hotel room.

Detective Murdoch investigates the apparent murder of an inventor who is found sitting in a chair he invented. That chair was meant to provide a mild electrical current as a rejuvenation technique but Dr. Grace is certain that he was in fact electrocuted. He had a young woman with him the night he died but the investigation leads him to inventor Thomas Edison and the main suspect - his son Thomas Edison Jr.

Meanwhile, the mayor tells Inspector Brackenreid to speak to Murdoch about Julia's plans to run in the upcoming election - fully expecting he will exercise his authority as her husband. Murdoch makes it clear to everyone that he has no intention of interfering and will support Julia in her campaign.

Character Revelations

• William is almost more enthusiastic than Julia about her running for office and tells Julia, "Let's not let society constrain us, Julia, no matter what the consequences. We're a modern couple living in a modern world," and adds, "We are husband and wife, we stand together no matter what comes our way."
• For Dr. Grace, Julia is very impressive and has always been an inspiration to her.

Continuity

• The scene of the crime is a room at the Windsor House Hotel for the first time.
• This is the third appearance of Mayor Clarkson, the first was in Murdoch and the Cloud of Doom.
• Julia tells Emily that she is withdrawing from the election, stating "I bring a lot of controversy with me." But when pressed by Emily, she explains, "What I do directly impacts upon William. I have to take that into consideration." Thus, closing the matter.
• This is the second appearance of Mr. Rico, the first was in Murdoch Au Naturel.

Historical References

• This is the second appearance  of Thomas Alva Edison, the first was in The Filmed Adventures of Detective William Murdoch.
• References to various inventions on display at the Medical Exhibition and Emporium in Toronto circa 1902.
• Margaret Haile the first woman to run for legislative office in Canada returns in this episode.

Trivia

• In a beginning scene where William Murdoch and Julia Ogden are having breakfast, Murdoch grabbed a toasted slice of bread (sliced by the hotel cook, no doubt). Manufactured sliced bread was not sold until 1928.

Errors

• The signature of Thomas Alva Edison shown at the beginning of the episode is different than the signature shown to Thomas Edison Sr. later in the episode.

Cast

Main Cast

Yannick Bisson as William Murdoch
Hélène Joy as Julia Ogden
Thomas Craig as Thomas Brackenreid
Jonny Harris as George Crabtree
Georgina Reilly as Emily Grace

Recurring Cast

Tamara Hope as Edna Brooks
Nicole Underhay as Margaret Haile
Percy Hynes White as Simon Brooks
David Storch as Thomas Edison
Gerry Mendicino as Mr. Rico
David Huband as Mayor Clarkson

Guest Cast

Sara Mitich as Lillian Moss
Scott Beaudin as Thomas Edison Jr
Shiva Negar as Anna Rico
Kerry Griffin as Mr. McBride
Daniel Beirne as Mr. Mansfield
Barna Moricz as Frederick Longfellow

Uncredited Cast

Gallery