A quirky outing for Murdoch Mysteries, a mix of superficial exploration of the Jewish culture and vaudeville. Our comedy relief comes from two fronts this episode with John Brackenreid and Llewelyn Watts each having the comedy spotlight in intersecting story arcs. It would be easy to take offense at the elementary lessons in Judaism, but the heart of this episode has all the strengths of the better Murdoch Mysteries (models, lists, pursuing the wrong suspect before figuring it all out, etc.) and the gentle comedy beween the characters that keeps fans tuning in week after week. An episode to sit back and enjoy.
3 Reviews
Oy Vey, Mishpocha!
lkriv12 February 2023
While I dislike the "corrupt Jewish businessman" trope, Watts' embracing his newly discovered Judaism brought happiness and joy to my heart that surprised even me. My heart sang when he ahowed up at Shabbos dinner. I think it was the happiness on his face that was so meaningful. I had always gotten a Jewish vibe from Watts, mainly because his mannerism remind be of Robert Klein. Baruch HaShem!
The particulars of Jewish traditions, especially amongst the first generation out of Europe, was very well done. Unfortunately , the story of the husband abandoning his Old World wife was not uncommon. A shande.
The particulars of Jewish traditions, especially amongst the first generation out of Europe, was very well done. Unfortunately , the story of the husband abandoning his Old World wife was not uncommon. A shande.
Are there any Jewish people in this production?
mmvrxktnr5 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
While it's entertaining enough of an episode, the accents are awful, and the plot hangs on a misconception that the show treats as fact: that all Jewish women shave their heads. In reality, yes, many orthodox Jewish women wear wigs, but extremely few orthodox sects also encourage women to shave their heads.
I found it interesting that this episode doesn't shy away from referencing Al Jolson's blackface career, as when other historical figures known for their racist acts or beliefs (HP Lovecraft, for example) show up in the series, that aspect of their identities isn't referenced at all. The reveal of scheming developers using antisemitism (on display in the episode's opening scene) to swing realty prospects in their favor is another interesting/odd choice, one that I'm choosing not to read in to for the sake of my own peace of mind.
I like Watt's character, and his journey of self-discovery was enjoyable to watch, but as far as I've seen it's literally never mentioned again in the series.
Overall, this is a strange one; it seems to go out of its way to otherize Jewish people, which is a strange choice for a show set in Toronto, currently home to the majority of Canada's Jewish population.
I found it interesting that this episode doesn't shy away from referencing Al Jolson's blackface career, as when other historical figures known for their racist acts or beliefs (HP Lovecraft, for example) show up in the series, that aspect of their identities isn't referenced at all. The reveal of scheming developers using antisemitism (on display in the episode's opening scene) to swing realty prospects in their favor is another interesting/odd choice, one that I'm choosing not to read in to for the sake of my own peace of mind.
I like Watt's character, and his journey of self-discovery was enjoyable to watch, but as far as I've seen it's literally never mentioned again in the series.
Overall, this is a strange one; it seems to go out of its way to otherize Jewish people, which is a strange choice for a show set in Toronto, currently home to the majority of Canada's Jewish population.
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