Home for the Holidays

Murdoch and Julia travel to Victoria, British Columbia to visit Murdoch's brother, RCMP officer Jasper Linney, and get caught up in a murder tied to an archaeologist who has uncovered an ancient Indigenous settlement. The case pulls the pair out of Toronto and into coastal landscapes, where questions about the past and present of Songhees and Haida communities surface alongside clues. Back in Toronto, the Brackenreids are tempted by what looks like a foolproof investment, while Crabtree and Higgins plan a ski-chalet holiday that turns out to involve more risk than romance. The episode mixes the procedural pace of the series with family moments and seasonal atmosphere, keeping the focus on investigation and relationships without revealing the resolution.

This two-hour Christmas special aired on CBC on December 18, 2017, with a repeat on December 25, 2017. It was directed by Gary Harvey and written by series creators Simon McNabb and Peter Mitchell, presented as the third stand-alone holiday feature in the Murdoch Mysteries lineup.

Critics and fans tended to welcome the episode for its seasonal setting and familiar character dynamics, reflected in a solid fan rating. The special brings together mystery elements and holiday warmth, with recurring characters getting serviceable subplot time. Themes include family loyalty, the ethics of archaeological discovery, and colonial history intersecting with detective work.

The episode drew attention for its on-screen engagement with Indigenous cultures and historical questions, which is less common in holiday TV fare. Scenes filmed in British Columbia and the inclusion of Songhees and Haida contexts gave the special a different regional texture than Toronto-based episodes, and it became a talking point among viewers who follow the series' handling of historical material.

The special did not attract major awards recognition, and there are no widely reported big-prize wins associated with this particular installment. It remains primarily appreciated by the series' audience as a seasonal Murdoch entry rather than an awards contender.