Murdoch Mysteries (TV Series) Sir. Sir? Sir!!! (2018) User Reviews

So the first thing you have to do is...

[GunnersMate · 5/10 · 26 January 2019]

The Halloween offering of season 12 of Murdoch is a lot of things: It is Halloween-themed (right down to the opening music); it is funny; it is an homage to a number of predecessors including 1950's sci fi movies and the X Files; and it is a departure from every other Murdoch Mysteries episode...ever. It is also NOT a number of things: not a period-piece mystery; not to be taken too seriously; and most of all, not given a proper ending.

If Sir. Sir? Sir!!! is watched on a streaming service after its original air date, odds are that the viewer would have to pay attention to the release date details to even notice that the episode was a special All Hallows' Eve offering. It is more in line with the Christmas episodes of Murdoch which take place largely outside of story arcs and serve primarily in an attempt to entertain the viewer in the spirit of the season instead of advancing character story arcs in any meaningful way or allowing viewer interaction in any real mystery solving puzzle.

Perhaps the strongest motivation to watch is that the actors seems to be having a ridiculous amount of fun on screen. That said, the episode simply ends "wrong." While any number of epilogue moments would have bolstered this well-trodden-tale, a 10 second clip of Crabtree simply talking about how we just enjoyed a reading of his latest manuscript would have made the whole viewer experience feel at least relevant and as time well spent. Bottom line: fun idea with colorful execution, but it only works if you know at the onset what is coming.

Wake up George!

[merrimacga · 6/10 · 5 May 2019]

I agree with others about this episode. It's obvious it's not canon but completely separate and meant to be an homage to several science fiction productions of the past. In that regard, it's a rather fine and clever episode. And I can accept that and would have enjoyed it more if the episode had been complete. But it's not and that's why I gave it a very low rating. The episode literally screams for it to end with George waking up Halloween night having fallen asleep reading something like H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" (1898) or "In the Days of the Comet" (1906) and his nightmare giving him the idea for his next novel, which could have then been followed up on in later episodes. Or they could have kept the episode as is with a cliffhanger ending and had George mention in the next episode or a later one in season 12 about his horrible Halloween nightmare, again having it become his next novel, perhaps in season 13. But they've wasted the opportunity, as it is too late now to take advantage of it. Which is unfortunate, as it is otherwise a good standalone episode, if rather a bit weird for and not quite in keeping with the show.

Where is the ending!

[lrpegasus-15333 · 5/10 · 1 January 2019]

You can't string people along and then just leave them in limbo! At least some explanation, a prank or something. You would expect a better finishing touch from a show of this level. Very disappointed, I felt I had been had; my level of expectation was much higher than that.

Worst episode yet - even though it didn't have to be...

[jmehninger · 1/10 · 31 October 2018]

Terrible. Not the fact that they went Sci-Fi, but the fact that they simply did NOT have a satisfactory conclusion. Personally I take issue with such lazy writing. At least, if it had been a 2-part episode, they could have returned things to normal. Since George Crabtree had had two drinks, prior to being infected, maybe the bug would have died and he could have mobilized all the drunkards of Toronto to save the place. If they absolutely wanted a standalone, they could have just made the whole thing George Crabtree's nightmare on Halloween or something along those lines (for example, you could have given him a severe reaction to a bug bite and the whole nightmare could have been fever induced - be creative, that's what you're being paid for). In any event, if the writers and producers gave even one iota about verisimilitude, they would not have left the episode as they did. You cannot simply return to the storyline as if this episode never happened! It did happen, so in theory, that's the end of Murdoch - and the planet, for that matter - in the Murdoch universe.

Nice theme based episode, however it wasn't tied up with a proper ending

[themoondweller · 9/10 · 8 December 2018]

I believe this is the first episode where the show was taken into a completely different context. They did some special episodes for Christmas but it was still logic and crime based. I enjoyed this particular episode a lot actually. Especially the theme music. BUT, the way it ended did not make sense! It was not the story that went wrong here. The story had no ending so naturally one would expect the next episode to pick up where they left which would mean the end of Murdoch and the whole crew! Of course it was meant to be a one time thing for a change but to leave it at a one time thing, the ending needs to be appropriate! In my humble opinion, the writers should have added "and right after the 'kiss' from Dr Ogden, Crabtree wakes up to find a critter on his face" meaning this all was a nice Halloween dream! So aside from lacking a proper ending, it was actually quite an interesting theme based episode :)

Nice spoof on the Alien Invasion SF cliche

[aegoss · 7/10 · 18 September 2020]

Not the best episode ever, but a lot of fun anyway, and some good lines. In a similar way to the Star Trek Next Gen Shakespearean and gangster themed episodes, this one gave the cast a chance to act outside their usual characters, and it looks like they enjoyed themselves at least as much as we did. The end, or lack of one, was disappointing though. The version screened here in Australia by Channel 72 lacked the final wrap-up, which an earlier reviewer has revealed. I, too, assumed that this was to be a two-parter, as there was no way the story could be satisfactorily resolved in the time remaining. And even with the missing wrap-up it is a let-down. Part two could have begun with a proper resolution, and before anyone could think too much, bring in a serious and realistic emergency to bury any lingering puzzlement. But Hey Ho, at least I now know about the ending as written. Channel 7/72 has a bit of a track record here, cutting episodes until they make no sense, showing them in the wrong order, replacing good films with bad ones at the last moment. But I should be glad they're showing them at all.

The worst out of a long series of great shows.

[alankinn · 1/10 · 1 November 2018]

Absolutely terrible. As it was getting closer to the end I was starting to think that it had to be a two episode show but it was not to be. As it stands it was just plain stupid and at the very least should have been filmed as a bad dream in Crabtree's very inventive mind. Just awful.......

Laugh out loud!

[skipperkd · 10/10 · 23 January 2019]

My husband and I laughed sooooo much during this episode! Don't expect the normal murder mystery formula. This is unique from the opening music to the cliffhanger ending. Aliens in Toronto! But Sir!! Hats off. These guys pulled it off spectacularly.

Just go with it

[hbailie · 14 January 2019]

People are way too hard on this episode. Consider it non-canon. Just a fun, B-movie Halloween episode. The cast is clearly having fun with it. Come on, Higgins gleefully munching on basil leaves? It's Murdoch-esque, steampunk Invasion of the Body Snatchers/Men in Black.

Not bad once you realise it is meant to be watched around Halloween!

[ynysygwas-625-623284 · 7/10 · 16 January 2020]

Just watched this in January 2020 from my overgrown list of Tivo recordings. After a few minutes I thought 'What's this rubbish?' It begins, like Day of the Triffids, with a meteor shower and turns into The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Then I realised it must be a Halloween special. Treat it as a spoof story and it becomes watchable! Do not, at all, expect a 'normal' episode of Murdoch Mysteries! I thought the actors gave a decent performance as people taken over by aliens. The alien Brackenreid still using the word bugalugs was quite amusing and clever. given the bug type aliens. Like others have said, it should have ended with something like George waking from a nightmare and writing it down for his next horror story. Or perhaps there may be another Halloween special sequel in the pipeline? It's a Bugalugs Life?

This was like a bad Dr. Who

[esmepitel · 1/10 · 31 October 2018]

This was not even funny with these people turning into bugs by ingesting one and then going around zombie like while munching on Basil plants. I cannot imagine anyone submitting such a script and getting it accepted. It also did not have an ending! I , and am a an ardent fan of Murdoch Mysteries and love how real history is woven into the murders. Please no more of this!

Lighten up, people!

[mamianka · 9/10 · 4 November 2018]

We have seen every single episode, all 12 years. Many were binge-watched, since we came to this late. Big fans of whatever comic or literary turn the series takes. We also have seen a lot of sci fi and other escapist things - we have serious lives as original classical musicians. We found this hilarious in its over the top writing! Of COURSE there is going to be an explanation for all this - and of course, it will center around George. And liquor. Funniest lines? "What about Mrs. Brackenreid???". "Hmmm . . . Hard to tell . . " This is not Masterpiece Theater - something else we watch. Lighten up, and enjoy the ride.

Mostly just disappointed in the title

[adamkraemerla · 7/10 · 9 March 2021]

Come on, writers. "Little Cop of Horrors." Jeez.

It was fun. Silly, but fun. It's obvious it's not part of the overall storyline. I'm watching these episodes on Acorn and my first thought was "Halloween episode." Think of it as their version of the Simpsons "Treehouse of Horrors."

Too much of a departure from a great series

[wellsfw · 1/10 · 30 October 2018]

I have been a Murdoch fan for years. One of the best things about this show is that it is historical fiction and mystery at its best, with some historical figures written into the plot. I know that this is the week of Halloween but this science fiction in the style of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is too much. I was disappointed that there wasn't a haunting historical mystery instead. Please writers, give the fans like me what you usually give and what we want to have!! Some of us love historical mysteries!!

I am a Murdoch fan but...

[wearerayner · 2/10 · 26 February 2019]

This should have been a two parter in order to make ANY sense, I thought it was with the pathetic ending. Mainly I wondered how this drivel got the go ahead. I am all for a light hearted episode but persuading the actors to be in it must have taken some doing.

I still love Murdoch and am choosing to assume all involved were drunk throughout. Not up to the series usual quality, will not be watching any repeats of this one. Even the title is embarrassing and meaningless. Write this down to experience then forget it as I am trying to do.

Loved it!

[questagirl54-583-330799 · 10/10 · 29 January 2019]

I see a lot of bad reviews on this, but to me, it was fun to watch this take on "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." I've loved the entire series enough to start watching it from the beginning again.

Great fun!!!

[mcsnygg · 20 May 2019]

I thought this most unusual episode was a gas. So, much fun. I'm only disappointed that there wasn't a Part 2. I'd love to know how the writers would get the cast out of this dilemma.

Georges New Book

[mlmontgomery-45510 · 6/10 · 9 December 2023]

This would have been better if they had ended it with this tale being George Crabtrees telling of new idea for his new book. As it fades in and we join George, Murdoch and the Inspector having been listening to George's tale,. Murdoch replies "I don't know George, it's really not my cup of tea". The inspector smiles and laughs "I could really go for a drink about now. That is if it doesn't kill me." "Very funny," exclaims George, " I thought it rather a good idea" "Not to worry bugalugs tomorrow is a new day." Says the inspector.

Murdoch chimes in "It's a fine story George, but for now maybe we should get back to work" End of episode.

What. What? What!!!

[findme777 · 3/10 · 11 April 2019]

Why?!? Why was this episode created? Are they running out of material? This was the dumbest episode I've seen.

Chill

[hutchingsbj · 8/10 · 17 January 2019]

Ok the episode was not the usual but it was a tongue in cheek nod to sci fi. It was fun to see the different characters being 'possessed'. My only suggestion - it may have been better to make it a dream sequence with Crabtree typing, falling asleep and then waking up at the end.

Seemed familiar...

[klatteross-15130 · 6/10 · 20 February 2024]

The plot of this episode seemed very familiar.

Oh,yea, now I remember: It Came from Outer Space '1953 Invasion of the Body Snatchers '1956 The Day Mars Invaded Earth '1962 The Thing '1982 X-Files episdoe "Ice" '1993 The Faculty '1998 probably many more I can't think of right now and now. Murdoch Mysteries episode "Sir. Sir? Sir!!!" '2019 I have to admit that I enjoyed All-of-the-Above But the first six had the advantage of offering a resolution to the problem.

I wonder why Constable Crabtree was not affected.

I couldn't decide whether to award this episode a Ten or a One so I gave it a Six.

Only fun for the actors -- not for us

[stars-19 · 1/10 · 26 January 2019]

Spoiler alert. This review will reveal a lot about the episode.

Without any warning or otherwise indicator, this episode veers off into halloweenish fantasy land.

No continuity with the series, no substance, just a b-movie two bit alien horror story.

I've watched every episode of this program, and say...

stay away from this one.

Just have fun!

[rogeriogodinho · 9/10 · 3 February 2019]

We laughed the whole episode. Also, although a bit surprised in the end, we realized that there was a clear message. So, when you watch, think about that. Now, if you don't like it, maybe it's just not your cup of tea. ;)

Quite bizarre

[cory-09668 · 7/10 · 10 February 2021]

It definitely caught me off guard when I had been expecting a usual episode, at least semi-grounded in real life events and all that, but I have to admit I ended up laughing uncontrollably at multiple parts. I also enjoy a good "everybody loses" ending such as this one too. (Not sure why some people have said it doesn't have an ending...)

Miserable

[kloki-925-904768 · 1/10 · 1 November 2018]

Worthest episode I ever seen. This is not a Murdoch. This is a miserable parody produced by The Asylum.