This was one of the most emotional episodes of Murdoch, and well-acted by the finest player in the cast, Thomas Craig. His portrayal of Brackenreid is far and above the best in the series, and here, we get to see the spotlight shine on him for nearly the entire running time. Well earned.
The writers took the gem of a good story, and I think overdid it a bit on the political correctness. It seems entertainment writers often push progressive causes by either involving main characters in the cause, telling a story about an abused class, or making a member of a minority group an unlikely hero. And never, ever is a member of a protected class the villain (exception: Ragtime episode!)
Anyway, it was PC enough that Brackenreid had an interracial relationship and child by the union. But the writers also strongly implied that the daughter was gay. It is hinted at by a man early in the show who said he and the daughter were both "outsiders", and he most definitely was not holding a torch for her. Later, we see the daughter in a living arrangement with the Russian-speaking friend, who wrote a letter for her, and attempted to scare off the mother and Brackenreid. The implication I saw was that the two of them were in a committed relationship. And no, there isn't anything wrong with that. It just seems awfully unlikely for this combination of progressive / tolerant PC issues to line up and coincide. A lesbian daughter by a black mother? Trifecta of protected groups - race, sex, orientation! They could have made her an activist in socialism and atheism and run the full house, adding religion and politics.
As much as I'm critical of the PC stuff, what I do like is that it was never stated. It is left to the audience to decide whether to see the relationship or not. That's how everything like that should be handled.
Best parts of the episode? The intense convo between Brack and Murdoch at the end. Finally, some real meat to the writing! And second really great thing? NO DOCTOR OGDEN AT ALL! I honestly get so tired of her saccharine bromides, and inappropriate giggles and laughter. She's like a 12 year old girl playing dress up as a Victorian coroner.
Let's hope we see more heavy episodes like this in the future!
The writers took the gem of a good story, and I think overdid it a bit on the political correctness. It seems entertainment writers often push progressive causes by either involving main characters in the cause, telling a story about an abused class, or making a member of a minority group an unlikely hero. And never, ever is a member of a protected class the villain (exception: Ragtime episode!)
Anyway, it was PC enough that Brackenreid had an interracial relationship and child by the union. But the writers also strongly implied that the daughter was gay. It is hinted at by a man early in the show who said he and the daughter were both "outsiders", and he most definitely was not holding a torch for her. Later, we see the daughter in a living arrangement with the Russian-speaking friend, who wrote a letter for her, and attempted to scare off the mother and Brackenreid. The implication I saw was that the two of them were in a committed relationship. And no, there isn't anything wrong with that. It just seems awfully unlikely for this combination of progressive / tolerant PC issues to line up and coincide. A lesbian daughter by a black mother? Trifecta of protected groups - race, sex, orientation! They could have made her an activist in socialism and atheism and run the full house, adding religion and politics.
As much as I'm critical of the PC stuff, what I do like is that it was never stated. It is left to the audience to decide whether to see the relationship or not. That's how everything like that should be handled.
Best parts of the episode? The intense convo between Brack and Murdoch at the end. Finally, some real meat to the writing! And second really great thing? NO DOCTOR OGDEN AT ALL! I honestly get so tired of her saccharine bromides, and inappropriate giggles and laughter. She's like a 12 year old girl playing dress up as a Victorian coroner.
Let's hope we see more heavy episodes like this in the future!