Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 6 was the first installment not based on one of L. R. Wright’s novels.

It was one of the more graphic and twisted episodes, and that wasn’t exactly a compliment.

I was initially looking forward to this one based on the promo and the spoilers, but I felt let down after this one.

The only part I truly enjoyed was the series didn’t sweep Cassandra’s abduction under the rug. She was given time to process it accordingly.

The Sociopath Murderer Coming to Gibsons Seemed Intriguing Initially

Shane Sloan seemed like a violent murderer. In the opening scene, he attacked a politician, Murray Zuckerman (stunt performer Douglas Chapman).

That almost seemed like a tired storyline since many politicians have secrets, but Zuckerman pleaded with him because he loved his wife.

It didn’t seem like a random murder as Shane beat him with a tire iron and wrapped a bag around his head. It felt personal.

Most sociopaths kill to kill with no agenda and no remorse.

When a dumb hitchhiker, Daryl Newton, picked up Shane, I worried for his life. However, Shane seemed like a different person.

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His people skills needed some work, and he stole Daryl’s phone, but it almost looked like they were two guys on a road trip, hanging out.

It made you wonder if he did have a borderline personality disorder or if Dr. Lewis was wrong about him.

Shane’s scenes kept us on the edge of our seats, not knowing what he would do next.

Watching Det. Alberg and Dr. Lewis Work Together Reminded Me of Old-School Procedurals

Do you remember when procedural cases needed a psychiatrist to determine if a suspect was incompetent or had sociopathic tendencies?

That’s where I thought this was going. Dr. Lewis came to warn the Gibsons’ police department that Shane Sloan was nearing Gibson out of courtesy, and she was his next target.

She seemed sincere in wanting to help the cops and frightened for her life. She painted an in-depth picture of Shane as an unwanted child with issues that never fit in, so it made sense he committed some crimes.

The Gibsons police department was suspicious that he went from a robbery to a violent murder.

They tried to decipher how he planned his suspects to contemplate his next move before someone else got hurt.

At first, Using Dr. Lewis as bait to text Shane seemed like a good idea. After all, he trusted her, but one of their own got hurt.

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Why Did They Make the Psychiatrist Evil?

Why did they have to make Dr. Lewis evil? Murder in a Small Town had the ideal opportunity to have a psychiatrist and a chief police team up to solve a critical case.

When Dr. Huang analyzed suspects, I thought it would be like an old-school Law and Order: SVU case and it did start that way.

However, it seemed like Dr. Lewis shaped Shane Sloan into a murderer when he was initially a misunderstood teenager who committed one crime.

She was the mastermind manipulator, though she kept her tracks hidden. Isabella found enough dirt on her, and Karl was impressed with her investigative skills.

Dr. Lewis manipulated other patients into discussing issues they had problems with and called them stumbling blocks when they refused.

She even interacted with people under a pseudonym. That’s how Karl and Isabella realized she knew Murray Zuckerman and felt betrayed by him and got Shane Sloan to kill him for her.

It’s heartbreaking when you sympathize with a murderer because Shane was manipulated into thinking he saved her. He was a misunderstood young man who needed help, and she took advantage of that.

Karl and Sid felt for him and were disgusted with her, but Shane was so enchanted with Dr. Lewis that explaining the reason to him was challenging. It’s sad when he’ll be safer in jail away from her.

Cassandra Broke Down as She Processed Her Abduction

This was the best part of the episode. Kristin Kreuk shined as she processed her feelings about her abduction. I’m relieved they didn’t skip this because she needed to understand her feelings were valid.

Cassandra has had difficulty dating a cop from the beginning, and this cemented her feelings. Karl’s job put her in danger, but she didn’t want to be angry with him because he was a caring man, yet she avoided him.

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Cassandra was so jumpy she couldn’t handle anyone touching her or even being in the room while she prepared her statement.

She didn’t think it mattered since Gordan Murphy was dying. It took multiple people, and only Edwina convinced Cassandra that she mattered and that her own choices kept her alive.

We rarely see Edwina counsel others, so it was refreshing to see her in this capacity and learn her backstory of why she transferred to Gibsons.

Cassandra probably does need therapy to process her abduction and her relationship with Karl. Just not Dr. Lewis, who was right about one thing. Even if you’re victimized, it does not make you a victim.

However, she was too good at reading people and knew Cassandra had doubts about Karl.

While it made sense, hopefully, they’ll work through that.

Karl loves Cassandra, and their relationship is the centerpiece of the series. I’d hate for them to be apart for the rest of it.

What did you think of “The Madness Method,” TV Fanatics? Were you upset that Dr. Lewis turned out to be evil?

Are you rooting for Cassandra and Karl to reconcile?

Let us know in the comments.

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The post Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 6 Review: A Sociopath Came to Gibsons, but It Wasn’t Who They Thought appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 6 differs from the previous episodes because it does not follow the source material. Still, based on the weekly promo and spoiler photos, it looks like an exciting case.

It feels like an old-school procedural involving a violent suspect and the suspect’s psychiatrist.

Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 6 Spoilers Tease an Evil Sociopath Comes to Gibsons

It happens in many procedurals. A murderer escapes from prison. But most murderers don’t appear as charming as Shane Sloan when he tries to hitch a ride to Gibsons.

By the driver’s reaction, I wonder if that man was related to one of the victims Shane killed.

He appears to have recognized Shane, but Shane shrugs it off. Of course, that probably put the driver on Shane’s hit list, too.

From the weekly promo, it appears that he’ll murder anyone who gets in his way.

We’re unsure who his true target is in Gibsons. Is he another person that Karl arrested years ago, or does he know someone else there who he wants to torture?

It appears there is another target besides the psychiatrist since her initial thought was to warn the police department.

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Involving the Suspect’s Psychiatrist Is An Interesting Twist

I don’t remember the last time a psychiatrist was engaged in a procedural case involving a sociopath. It was probably during the older Law & Order: SVU era when Dr. Huang was involved.

That’s why I’m so excited about this case. We need more psychiatrists involved with the suspects and the victims. This will help viewers understand the suspects’ motives and whether they can be reformed.

This case is even more interesting because Dr. Elizabeth Lewis (Paula Patton) considers Shane Sloan pure evil. She knows this because she diagnosed him as a sociopath.

Shane doesn’t care who he hurts, has no remorse for his past crimes, and despises how Dr. Lewis analyzes him. However, like many sociopaths, he appears charming initially, which throws people off.

He has a list of people to hurt, and she’s at the top of his list after receiving a threatening text. She needs Karl’s help before Shane hurts her and other Gibsons residents.

Karl doesn’t often work with other people, but he’ll likely have to if he wants to understand this sociopath’s mindset.

Hopefully, together, Karl and Dr. Lewis can find Shane before he murders someone else. This will be one exhilarating investigation in a race against time.

Having One of Canada’s Best Stuntmen Ensures Fight Scenes

After looking at the weekly promo and the spoiler photos, it’s evident that sociopath Shane Sloan (Keenan Tracey) wants to destroy multiple people in Gibson.

The episode features many Canadian guest stars, including stunt performer Douglas Chapman. He’s done stunts in television series like Smallville and movies like Watchmen.

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One of the spoiler photos shows Chapman tied up and being tortured. We’re unsure which character he’s performing stunts for, but these scenes should be exciting.

If they hired a stunt performer, they must be intense. He could even fill in for Karl since the promo hints that Karl gets shot.

Launching An Investigation With Unexpected Consequences

I love the Gibsons police department and its teamwork, but it seems that someone often gets hurt during their investigations, especially when dealing with the bad guys.

Sid got attacked in Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 2, while Karl got trapped in the fire during Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3.

Both men jump first to save people and examine the consequences later. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m afraid this sociopath has it out for Karl.

Hopefully, the team has prepped the proper backup, and he won’t be badly hurt.

What’s Karl and Cassandra’s Relationship Status?

Murder in a Small Town, Season 1 Episode 5 ended with Cassandra needing space after Karl’s old enemy kidnapped her.

As mentioned, the series often skips essential moments in these two’s relationship. However, since Cassandra looks so distraught in the promo when Karl gets attacked, I suspect their issues haven’t been resolved yet.

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She may fear she won’t get the chance to tell him how much she cares about him if that sociopath succeeds in hurting Karl.

Cassandra probably will understand what Karl felt when she was kidnapped and felt like he almost lost her.

This exciting arc could develop them as characters and deepen their relationship. Cassandra is still adapting to dating a cop and a man who often leaps into danger to save people.

We assume Karl will survive since the series wouldn’t kill off one of the leads.

Over to you, TV Fanatics.

Which one of these Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 6 spoilers interest you the most? Are you excited to see a psychiatrist involved in this case?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Murder in a Small Town airs on FOX on Tuesdays at 8/7c and streams on Hulu the next day.

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The post Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 6 Spoilers: Evil Comes to Gibsons appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Even though Fox airs the series in the United States, the show feels like a Canadian procedural with a twist. It featured prominent Canadian actors and was filmed primarily in Gibsons, which has the same name as the series.

The series typically uses a murder-of-a-week format instead of a lingering case throughout the season. It’s been compared to classics like Murder She Wrote and Columbo.

While the series has been entertaining, Global TV and FOX must address some issues to renew it for a second season.

Adapting the Source Material So Cases Breathe Better

Book-to-screen adaptations, especially mystery procedurals, are often challenging when the series strives to cover an overlying theme and a case-of-the-week. They also need to balance character dynamics and interpersonal relationships.

While some book-to-screen adaptations seem similar, others are only loosely inspired but keep the heart of the source source material.

Even this often upsets diehard fans of the book series.

I’ve grown used to the fans’ uproar with Murder in a Small Town and Will Trent, which also loosely adapts a series of mystery novels.

Murder in a Small Town needs to learn from Will Trent and let certain storylines breathe better. There is no reason to cram an entire novel into one episode when the storyline could be expanded over a few episodes.

Each mystery felt rushed since it was resolved in around 44 minutes. That didn’t leave much time for fleshing out subplots, so there is still a wealth of information to delve into, even from the books they covered.

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If Murder in a Small Town gets a second season, they only have three L .R. Wright novels they haven’t adapted yet — Strangers Among Us, Mother Love, and Acts of Murder.

That makes it more challenging unless they flesh out each book in several episodes or consult with the Wright family to create new storylines.

Involving the Wright Family in Storylines to Ensure Accuracy

Series writer Ian Weir knew the Wright family for years and worked tirelessly to bring the Karl Alberg mysteries, written in the 1980s, to modern times.

Online dating apps and cell phones weren’t a thing back then, but the story remained intact.

It also helped that L. R. Wright’s daughters, Katey and Joanna, were enthusiastic about the series and excited that producer Nick Orchard also knew their mother.

Since it was a family affair, Katey appeared in Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3 as Ruthie, the motel clerk.

Both of them knew their mother’s novels firsthand and would be able to assist in adapting material to honor her memory. They love it so far and think she would have as well.

Keep Karl and Cassandra’s Romance in the Forefront

Karl and Cassandra’s romance is the best part of the series.

Murder in a Small Town took a massive risk with “A Touch of Panic” and having Gordon Murphy kidnap Cassandra. She was so traumatized that it may have ruined her relationship with Karl.

While the couple needed internal drama, that may have been a bit much, they could be happy again if the series time-jumps to another book, and we would miss the two reconciling. That’s just as bad.

We must witness Karl and Cassandra’s little moments to stay invested in their happiness.

Flesh Out Supporting Characters

Besides Karl, most other characters need to be fleshed out more. Murder in a Small Town has done a fantastic job establishing his personality, his motives for moving to a quieter town, and introducing his daughters.

It also started building Cassandra since it established her passion for working with books and the arts.

However, it’s still surface-level compared to Karl’s development, which is disappointing since she’s the show’s co-lead.

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Cassandra does not have much of a support system, except for Phyllis.

The series still hasn’t introduced her mother, which is disappointing since her mom was a huge part of why she returned to Gibsons and a more significant part of the book series.

The rest of the supporting characters need a lot more work. The series has begun fleshing out Sid by introducing his wife and establishing a friendship with Karl.

But what makes Sid tick? Why is he more excited about his job now?

The newbies have been developed the least. The series has tried to make Corporal Yen and Isabella relevant, but there is only so much time in each episode to focus on them.

Most of Andy Kendrick’s arcs seem misplaced, although his blossoming friendship with Corporal Yen has been entertaining. He needs more mentoring, but he’s not a bad cop.

Positive Aspects of Murder in a Small Town

We don’t want to sound negative. Murder in a Small Town has many things going for it.

Not many procedurals feature a lead couple so prominently and so soon. That has allowed the fans to invest in Karl and Cassandra’s future and how they’ll weather these cases and drama together.

Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kruek have a believable connection. While she’s been a leading lady several times, this is his first time leading a series.

However, he’s ruggedly handsome and romantic, paired beautifully with Cassandra’s (Kreuk) fierceness.

Sutherland’s instant connection with costar Aaron Douglas (Sgt. Sid Sokolowski) also worked in their favor, as the men became fast friends on and off-screen.

Douglas discovered Sutherland loved pigs, so he hid little rubber pigs in his jacket as a prank on set.

We need more of these witty moments on-screen to balance with the serious drama.

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While I’d love the cases to be better developed, having a new case each episode allows viewers to drop in and pick up the series whenever they can or whenever their favorite actor guest stars.

Yes, Murder in a Small Town excels in bringing well-known Canadian guest stars.

These have included James Cromwell, Stana Katic, Erica Durance, and Devon Sawa.

What are your thoughts, TV Fanatics? Do you want a second season of Murder in a Small Town?

How would you improve the series? What are your favorite things about it?

We’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop them in the comments.

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The post Here’s How Murder in a Small Town Could Improve With a Second Season appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It seemed like Gordon Murphy was stalking someone from the beginning of Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 5. His intent didn’t become apparent until later in the episode.

He wasn’t there to court Cassandra or help her improve the library. He only wanted to hurt Karl.

This episode explored how much Karl and Cassandra meant to each other, how a criminal exploited their love, and if their relationship could survive a terrible abduction.

Besides the main plot, Karl also dealt with how Cassandra and his daughter interacted with each other. The series also added a subplot in which Andy gets a complaint for flirting with a suspect, which would have worked better in a different week.

When At First The Creep Doesn’t Succeed, He Tries Again

As soon as a strange car started following Holly and her new friend, I suspected there was a stalker in Gibson.

Gordon Murphy wasn’t even that subtle as he scoped out the essential people in Karl Alberg’s life.

Nearly everyone blew off the incident with the girls as an unfortunate one-time creep and thought Karl was an overprotective cop dad, including Holly.

Gordon Murphy became even creepier as he realized Karl’s weak spot was Cassandra as he witnessed the couple sharing a romantic lunch.

Karl’s main problem was that he wanted to become an instant family, and neither his daughter nor girlfriend were comfortable with each other. They needed time to get to know each other, and Gordon Murphy set his plan in motion when things were fragile.

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Holly thought Cassandra blew her off to attend a meeting, yet she was among the last to see Cassandra.

Gordon Murphy assumed he could wow Cassandra with his construction expertise and help with her new project.

I’m unsure what his next step would be if she bought his lies, but she saw right through them, and he wouldn’t let her get away.

Karl’s Search for Cassandra Overwhelms Him

Karl and Cassandra still lived separate lives, but he knew something was wrong when he couldn’t reach her.

It seemed off that he didn’t know about her meeting with Gordon Murphy since it was about the library and arts center expansion.

Although they seemed so close in the beginning, there was still a distance between them, and Karl’s sixth sense kicked in. When he saw Cassandra’s new charm bracelet missing, he knew something was wrong.

During those press conferences, it felt like Karl knew Cassandra was watching and wanted her to know how much he cared.

He was so stoic and didn’t often share his feelings, and this tragedy made him realize how much she meant to him, especially as the clues worsened.

Karl Realizes an Old Suspect Wants Revenge on Him

Cassandra was so well-loved that Sid and the rest of the team didn’t hesitate to try to raise the ransom money.

However, Karl realized the abductor was playing a game and messing with their heads. He recognized the catchphrase, “What’s done is done,” as one he used from when he was a beat cop and needed to learn who he arrested back then that wanted revenge.

Holly saved the day when she reminded her father to look beyond the mug shots and learn details about these men’s lives because they weren’t always hardened criminals.

Sure enough, when Karl arrested Paul Wheeler, he lost his girlfriend, and Wheeler’s life spiraled out of control. He hated that Karl had everything and looked like a hometown hero.

That crushed Karl, and he would have done anything to save Cassandra, including sacrificing himself.

Some of the best scenes were of Sid keeping Karl centered and focused during this investigation.

I had wondered if Karl would have excused himself because of a conflict of interest, but then the case wouldn’t have been as dramatic.

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Cassandra Realizes Many Hard Truths

Cassandra looked as surprised as the rest when Gordan Murphy, aka Paul Wheeler, captured her because of Karl.

That wasn’t on my bingo card, and naturally, he tried to prey on her sympathies, implying that if she got hurt, it was Karl’s fault, not his. He wanted her to believe they were both his victims.

Kristin Kreuk hinted that Karl’s past would affect Cassandra and Karl’s relationship, but back then, I suspected she meant his daughters, not a former suspect. This was more dramatic.

Since Cassandra cared for her mom, she also realized Paul Wheeler had terminal cancer and attempted to use that to her advantage, pleading with him not to waste his last days committing another crime.

He only cared about taking something from Karl, as if Karl had hurt him, and she was the best way to do that.

Cassandra was strong and intelligent and figured out a way to outsmart her attacker and get word to Karl so he would know where she was. While she needed the Gibson police’s help, she was a fighter and a survivor.

Cassandra had never seen Karl’s darker side because he usually ended fights without engaging in them.

This time, Karl would have beaten Paul Miller bloody before arresting him if Sid hadn’t intervened. Seeing him so angry might have frightened Cassandra even if he defended her honor.

While she said everything was all right, Cassandra wouldn’t let Karl visit her at the hospital, and she fell apart as soon as she was alone.

Did Paul Miller’s plan work, and did kidnapping Cassandra tear Karl and Cassandra apart?

Was Andy’s Storyline Needed in This Episode?

Did we need an arc about Genevieve filing a complaint against Andy for flirting in this installment? It just didn’t fit with the rest.

We could still have him pull her over initially, so his police car scared Paul Wheeler away from the girls.

But the rest of the arc just seemed to point out that Andy used his charm too often, and Genevieve took advantage of that, thinking she would call in a complaint.

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Corporal Yen saw right through her act and wouldn’t let her pull the race card or try to bond with her about batting eyelashes to avoid tickets.

While I love the blossoming friendship Corporal Yen and Andy have formed, this arc seemed like it would have fit better in another episode.

What was your favorite part of Murder in a Small Town, this time, TV Fanatics? Were you excited to see the mystery revolve around Karl and Cassandra?

Did you also think that Andy’s arc didn’t fit with the rest?

Let us know in the comments below.

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However, both will be front and center in Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 5. Spoilers indicate that Cassandra gets kidnapped by a crazed admirer, and it’s up to Gibson’s police department to save the day.

This will be the episode that truly puts their relationship to the test.

So far, the spoiler photos and the promo look thrilling. These teasers are based on that and the synopsis of the book it was adapted from, “A Touch of Panic.”

We can’t wait to see what Kristin Kreuk does with this material and see Cassandra’s emotional performance.

Spoilers Tease That Karl and Cassandra Seem Blissfully Happy

During Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 4, Karl shared that he and Cassandra had dated for six months and were officially a couple.

Since the series has jumped in order from the book series, we often get time jumps and miss out on seeing them experience pivotal romantic moments.

They seem so blissfully happy and in love, and so naturally, Karl felt secure when another man talked to Cassandra at work.

He trusted in their relationship and knew she would never hurt him.

Devon Sawa Guest Stars As a Psychopath Wanting Love

Karl is right to trust Cassandra, but he should have been more wary of Gordon Murphy.

Portrayed by Devon Sawa (Chucky), Gordon Murphy is a shrewd businessman who is unlucky in love.

He encounters Cassandra at the library; knowing her, she is polite without showing romantic interest.

Gordon Murphy is the kind of man who doesn’t take no for an answer. From the synopsis and spoiler photos, he’s fixed up his house for his new wife.

Apparently, he’s optimistic that it is Cassandra. The promo hints that he stalks her and kidnaps her, trying to woo her.

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If he thought she would make a dutiful wife, he picked the wrong woman, and I can’t wait until he experiences her wrath as she tries to escape.

While she may need Karl’s help, Cassandra is fierce and strong and will try to claw her way out of there.

Learning Cassandra Was Abducted

We have an extra treat for you this weekend. FOX gave us a sneak peek of when Karl realizes Cassandra has been kidnapped.

We don’t want to spoil too much, but he knows nothing is wrong when he can’t find her at a festival.

He grows more concerned when a vendor mentions seeing Cassandra with another man.

Check out the sneak peek below and remember to watch on Tuesday night:

Cassandra’s Kidnapping Will Challenge Karl

Karl has been alone for so long that now that he’s fallen in love, losing Cassandra could destroy him, primarily if he blames himself for not suspecting Gordon Murphy of being dangerous.

Getting phone calls that Cassandra’s life is in danger will push Karl over the edge. He became a cop to protect people, so it would destroy him if he didn’t protect her.

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Karl has always followed the law to the point that it sometimes drove Cassandra crazy. However, the promo shows him attacking someone, likely Gordon Murphy, for answers.

Watching his team help him will be entertaining. We know they’ll have his back, and Sid will keep Karl from making things worse for himself.

The fear of losing Cassandra will put his professional and personal lives at odds. As a man in love, Karl would do anything to save her, but will it be legal?

The promo hints at ransom money, but from watching many police procedurals, often the suspect does that to toy with the loved ones.

Considering Karl is the chief of police, that puts him in a tight spot. I wonder if Sid will lead this investigation because of a conflict of interest or if Karl will do it anyway.

Karl also has to walk a fine line since he has custody of his teenage daughter and is trying to prove to her that she’s just as important as his career.

This kind of case could help or hurt their progress if she sees how much her dad cares for people.

Will Cassandra’s Kidnapping Introduce Us to Her Family?

In Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 1, Cassandra mentioned moving home to care for her mother.

While the series hasn’t introduced her mother yet, this would be the perfect time.

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Technically, no spoilers indicate she appears, but her mom would worry if Cassandra didn’t return home to care for her.

Besides, if Cassandra and Karl have dated for over six months, he would want to promptly inform her mother of Cassandra’s abduction to see if she had any additional theories and check in on her.

The series has done a fantastic job incorporating Karl’s family drama, and hopefully, they will involve Cassandra’s just as well.

The clock is ticking so they can get to her on time.

This weekly promo was one of the most exciting ones of the season since it revolved mainly around Karl and Cassandra.

Check out the FOX promo below for scenes from Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 5.

What are you looking forward to seeing in next Tuesday’s Murder in a Small Town? Are you excited to see Cassandra leading the story?

How do you think Karl will handle her kidnapping?

We would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them in the comments.

Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 5 airs Tuesday, October 22 at 8/7c on FOX.

Watch Murder in a Small Town Online

The post Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 5 Spoilers: Cassandra Gets Kidnapped appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Erica Durance and Kristin Kruek portrayed childhood friends in Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 4.

Durance played Emma O’Brea, whose husband went missing, and she was the last one to realize how badly he wanted to disappear.

This case had more twists and turns than any other and kept us on the edge of our seats.

Karl also experienced family drama when his younger daughter, Holly, moved in with him.

A Disturbing Marriage Full of Secrets

As soon as I saw that promo of Emma O’Brea standing over her husband with a gun, I knew he had an affair,

There aren’t many things that make women lose it enough to shoot their husbands.

However, the O’Brea’s marriage was more messed up than anyone imagined. It was very telling that Cassandra only considered Charlie her friend’s husband and never warmed up to him since she liked almost everyone.

It also seemed important that Emma cared more about maintaining a perfect image, mainly because her mother expected perfection.

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Emma wouldn’t talk about or accept anything unpleasant, including problems in her marriage. She insisted she had the perfect marriage.

Murder in a Small Town Pulled A Gone Girl

While I suspected there would be a “Gone Girl” twist, Murder in a Small Town took it even further.

Charlie hated being in a loveless marriage and working for his in-laws. He wanted to live with his own life, so he faked his death and disappeared with his girlfriend.

It appeared to be a robbery, but Karl and his team knew better. There were no signs of forced entry or blood trails, except in an unused office.

Charlie’s actual office had no remnants of Emma. It looked like he lived an entirely different life, which made Karl suspect that Charlie fled.

Charlie was dumb, though. He should have known the cops would have searched his office the minute he disappeared, and returning was risky.

Killing his brother-in-law upped the ante from embezzlement to murder. Emma had a harder time hiding from that, especially when her beloved brother only wanted to protect her.

The O’Breas marriage was so messed up. In some ways, Charlie was right. If Emma had let him get a divorce, some of this could have been prevented.

But Emma suffered from childhood trauma and believed that appearances were everything, so she behaved like a Stepford wife. Hopefully, she’ll be able to heal from that.

Durance gave an emotional performance as Emma’s life fell apart. She seemed like a wife who could no longer pretend and live in a glass house.

Cassandra Was Finally More Than a Sidekick

In the last few episodes, Cassandra seemed like she was merely Karl’s girlfriend and sidekick. Cassandra and Karl’s relationship is an important part of the show, but she is her own person, too.

In this installment, she had her storyline again. Cassandra cared about improving the arts, so her leading a fundraiser for the Arts Center made perfect sense.

Seeing her surrounded by friends who supported a cause like that was terrific. Watching Cassandra (Kristin Kreuk) and Emma (Erica Durance) portray old friends was perfect, though they weren’t as tight as the preview made it seem.

Cassandra wanted to help her childhood friend, but she also knew Emma lived in a glass house, and they needed to break it down to solve this crime efficiently.

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Seeing Cassandra use her investigative skills and be a supportive friend was an excellent use of Kreuk’s talents. Hopefully, the series continues to utilize her well.

Corporal Yen Proves Herself

Corporal Yen kept striving to prove herself and tried to look at the entire crime scene as Karl had taught them.

She excelled at her observations, including noticing how cold and impersonal Charlie’s office was and that the blood spatter was only in one room.

The only problem was Emma overheard her, which made her spiral and angered Emma’s brother, Blake.

However, Karl and Sid defended Corporal Yen, and Karl even allowed her to interview the suspects as the case finished.

It was his way of saying he trusted her.

Karl Learns How to Deal With a Teenage Daughter

Karl learned a lot about dealing with his teenage daughter, Holly. He only saw his daughters sporadically, so having her live with him was a huge adjustment for them.

Holly felt like she was a troublemaker, and nobody wanted her since she was expelled from school for smoking pot and shipped off to live with her dad.

Karl didn’t know how to deal with her. He was thrilled to have her home, but it happened during a hectic case, making Holly feel ignored and unwanted.

You had to love Sid. He has five daughters, so he encouraged Karl to learn why Holly acted out and listen to her.

Karl had gotten used to living alone and had become even more of a workaholic. It’s easy to see why these habits cost him his marriage, as they alienated his daughter, too.

He finally realized that and assured Holly he would never run away from her. He was excited for her to be there.

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You had to appreciate that he struck a deal with her, agreeing to let the pot go this time if she forgave him. Holly wrapped her dad around her finger, at least for now, while he felt guilty.

Hopefully, Holly and Cassandra will get along as they’re both important to Karl.

What did you think of this Murder in a Small Town episode, TV Fanatics? Did you enjoy all the twists?

Are you excited to watch Karl balance his career and parenting a teenager? Wasn’t it nice to see more of Cassandra?

We would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them in the comments.

The post Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 4 Does Gone Girl One Better appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Erica Durance guest stars as one of Cassandra’s (Kristin Kreuk) childhood friends as they work on a fundraiser on Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 4.

Durance guest-stars as Emma O’Brea, whose husband has disappeared, and the spoilers hint that the case becomes complicated. Cassandra feels torn between her old friend as secrets arise and helping Karl solve this case.

This will be another massive week to bring in another fanbase since Erica Durance‘s storyline has also been in several promos.

She and Kristin haven’t acted together in around 15 years.

In addition to this exciting reunion and intriguing case, several spoiler photos hint that Cassandra and Karl’s relationship speeds up and that she meets his daughter.

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Smallville Actresses Reunite as Childhood Friends

It’s the Smallville reunion we’ve been waiting for since the official trailer for Murder in a Small Town was released.

Cassandra (Kristin Kreuk) reunites with her old friend Emma O’Brea (Erica Durance) at an arts center fundraiser.

It starts with a beautiful reunion, but Emma later discovers that her husband, Charlie, has disappeared.

She turns to Cassandra for comfort and assistance, and Cassandra introduces her to Karl and his team.

Did a Scorned Wife Commit Murder?

A crime took place at the O’Shea’s residence, but it’s unclear if he was abducted or murdered initially.

If anyone can solve it, it’s Karl and his team since he’s well-versed at finding clues others often miss.

Emma O’Brea insists to Det. Alberg that everyone loves her husband Charlie (Toby Levins). If you’ve watched enough police procedurals, that’s a red flag.

Almost everyone has an enemy, and it usually starts at home. The more Karl talks to Emma, the more disturbing secrets are revealed.

Since Charlie is so well-loved, I wonder if he had an affair, especially since Emma has uncovered secrets about her husband.

There are very few things that have a wife holding a gun to her husband, emotionally asking why she wasn’t enough for him.

The only other thing would be if she learned that Charlie had another life that didn’t include her, and he wanted out.

That undoubtedly pushed Emma over the edge.

However, did she kill him and report him missing? That’s an overdone trope in police procedurals.

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Charlie and his fling could have disappeared, and Emma could have found them before the cops did.

It sounds like there were many secrets in this disturbing marriage.

I can’t wait to learn if it will be a common trope or something exciting like from Gone Girl. Those missing-person cases are twisty.

Cassandra’s Torn Between An Old Friend and Karl

The promo teases that Karl eventually suspects Emma did something to her husband, Charlie.

That puts Cassandra in a tight spot between her childhood friend and her cop boyfriend. She’s more likely to know what her friend is capable of, but will she want to betray her?

Since the episode synopsis teases Cassandra and shares some vital clues with Karl, she must find something compelling about Emma and Charlie’s marriage.

Hopefully, we’ll see Cassandra in an investigative mode and as a sympathetic friend. Seeing her as only Karl’s girlfriend has gotten tedious since we barely saw her at the library since the season premiere.

This promises to be thought-provoking since it will affect Cassandra’s relationship with Emma and her blossoming romance with Karl.

How Will The O’Shea’s Marriage Affect Cassandra and Karl?

At the end of Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3, Cassandra finally admitted how much she cared about Karl when he almost died in a burning fire.

However, will seeing everything blow up in one of her oldest friend’s marriages set them back?

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She still seemed wary of commitment after being single for so long, and it’s challenging to become serious later in life while balancing careers, children, and relationship fears.

I’m excited that the two will focus on real-life issues, not just having a case come between them.

It looks like Cassandra takes a leap of faith and trusts Karl with information from the spoiler photos and the synopsis.

Meeting Dad’s New Girlfriend

The spoiler photos tease Karl’s teenage daughter, Holly (Dakota Guppy), who visits again. She’s come a long way from the teenager barely speaking to him in the series premiere, but teenage girls’ moods fluctuate.

Even though she’s relaxed around Karl, how will Holly react to meeting Cassandra?

Initially, Karl mentioned his daughters wanted him to place that dating ad, but in theory, that’s different from meeting someone who’s not your mom.

The photo shows Holly smiling, so hopefully, Cassandra put her at ease.

I’ve asked for more family scenes to learn about Karl and his daughters, so I’m anxious to see how they mesh in scenes.

What interests you the most about these Spoilers, TV Fanatics? Are you excited to see Kristin Kreuk and Erica Durance in scenes again?

Will you tune in for more Karl and Cassandra romance and some family time mixed in?

We would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them with us below.

Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 4 airs Tuesday, October 15 at 8/7c on FOX.

The post Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 4 Spoilers: Erica Durance & Kristin Kreuk Reunite as Childhood Friends appeared first on TV Fanatic.

While some people love the cozy mystery vibe, others would prefer the series focus on developing stronger murder arcs.

Let’s discuss if combining both can be successful or if this is a recipe for disaster.

Kristin Kreuk and Rossif Sutherland Teased Karl and Cassandra’s Relationship as the Main Draw

Kristin Kreuk and Rossif Sutherland teased that the murders are only part of the show. The scenic coastal town pulls audiences in, and many are shocked by how many murders piled up along the coastline.

The series is also about love, community, and this small town. It examines the heartbeats behind the murders as the two fall in love and see how these cases and their personal lives affect their relationship.

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Their relationship is complex. He’s recently divorced with two teenage daughters. Cassandra is fiercely independent and used to being single.

Neither was hopeful for romance when they signed up for a dating app. She did it to appease her friends; he wanted to please his daughters.

They were pleasantly surprised that the conversation flowed so well and connected instantly. However, it almost seemed like Karl and Cassandra got together too quickly.

One minute, they met for a drink, and the next, they fell into bed together. While we love sexy couples, slow-burn couples with emotional build-up often work better.

It felt like once Karl and Cassandra fell for each other, now they have all sorts of obstacles to overcome, beginning with being in love later in life.

It’s not easy trusting someone after you’ve been burned, and Casandra was afraid, especially when she and Karl argued about George’s case in Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 1.

Neither had clear expectations yet.

Watching their relationship evolve has been one of the most exciting parts of the series. Cassandra has learned the challenges of dating a cop, and Karl appreciates dating a fierce, opinionated woman like her.

Do the Lead Actors Have Chemistry Together?

Kristin Kreuk probably has more experience opposite lead actors and is well-versed in playing the girl next door. As mentioned, Cassandra often feels like a grown-up version of Lana Lang.

She’s bubbly and popular, with an innate skepticism about her. Karl is a brooding workaholic, and those tendencies probably cost him his marriage.

Yet, Karl is a hopeless romantic and utterly blunt about his fascination with Cassandra, but not in a creepy way.

Sutherland and Kreuk created an awkward first date and, ideally, a thoughtful connection between two people who were initially wary of falling in love.

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Their chemistry sizzled as they shared their first kiss, like the two had known each other for years.

While I think a slow burn would have worked better for them since the first season is only eight episodes, I understand why the series ramped up their relationship.

Is the Weekly Case Format Working, or Would a Longer Arc Be Better?

Many procedurals use a case-of-the-week format but also include an overlying season arc.

Murder in a Small Town has based each episode on one of L. R. Wright’s nine-book series about Karl Alberg. They are scheduled to cover six books this season, leaving only three books of material for additional seasons.

While I appreciate faithful book-to-screen adaptations, using the heart of the novels and only some material may have worked better.

The cases are interesting since they often involve long-time feuds or family drama. Generally, these are not hardened psychopaths but people committing desperate or passionate crimes.

However, some cases, especially the premiere, would have been better if they had lasted more than one episode.

“The Suspect” was one of the most exciting cases and needed more time to breathe, even if it was only a full two-hour episode instead of 90 minutes.

It felt like there were some loose ends with George Wilcox that viewers wanted cleared up.

However, Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3 switched gears and focused more on the mystery, mainly because of having a big-name guest star like Stana Katic, who gave a chilling performance.

In many ways, that worked, except it took too long to get to the murder, and there were hardly any scenes of Karl discussing this case with Cassandra.

They must find a happy medium between a Hallmark cozy mystery and a fast-paced procedural.

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The Guest-Stars Pull the Audience In

So far, the guest stars are one of the critical aspects pulling the audience in.

The series has featured many big-name actors, including James Cromwell, Stana Katic, and Erica Durance, who will appear in Episode Four.

Having two Smallville actors reunite could be the biggest draw for the series.

Having these actors appear as the victims or the suspects entices viewers to tune in for at least one week, and hopefully, they will return to watch more of the series.

Why are you watching Murder in a Small Town? Do you ship Karl and Cassandra? Do you prefer the case-centric weeks or only tune in when your favorite actor guest stars?

We want to hear your thoughts, so please share them in the comments below.

Murder in a Small Town airs on Fox on Tuesdays at 8/7c.

The post Are You Watching Murder In a Small Town for Karl & Cassandra’s Relationship or The Procedural Element? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3 focused more on the case than Karl and Cassandra’s romance, partly because of having such a big-name actor.

Only pieces of their romantic relationship were shown this time, but the series dropped hints into Karl and Sid’s lives instead.

Which Sibling is More Psychotic?

I’m unsure who would win if the Strachan siblings had a contest to determine who was more psychotic. Zoe (Stana Katic) would probably win, but Benjamin (Ben Cotton) came close.

Murder in a Small Town has overdone these dueling sibling scenes in which one of them owes thugs money these past few episodes. It’s only interesting for so long.

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Benjamin hadn’t seen Zoe in years but needed money, or these thugs would hurt his family. While most siblings wouldn’t be thrilled by a surprise visit, she looked horrified that he showed up unexpectedly.

Zoe acted like Benjamin had betrayed her, implying that the Strachans had many family secrets.

After all, who calls the cops on their own brother?

Things became more complicated when the thugs confronted Zoe at the hardware store. Soon after, Benjamin showed up dead.

While I loved seeing Stana Katic, the family drama moved too slowly. This episode needed to get to the murder sooner to feel the effects.

While Zoe acts like the grieving sister, she’s well-versed in wrapping men around her finger. She attempted to trap Karl in her web and distract him from solving the case or realizing that Benjamin had a child.

This murder differed from the others since multiple people harmed Benjamin. While the thugs were involved, someone else finished the job to shut Benjamin up.

Zoe Strachan’s Killer Tendencies Could Harm a Child

Just as Karl’s team realized Benjamin’s young son was missing, Zoe found him hiding in a cupboard. While Zoe tried to sound like a loving aunt, Hunter Strachan saw through her act.

That made things dangerous for the child since all she wanted was the evidence his dad stole from her years ago.

It felt like Zoe was playing cat-and-mouse with an innocent child. He did not know about cassette tapes and probably didn’t even know what they were.

Learning Zoe’s tendencies made everyone concerned for Hunter, significantly when his maternal grandparents reported him missing.

Since she was a child, Zoe held grudges. Corporal Yen found the coveted cassette tape, with her confessing to killing an old neighbor who betrayed her.

This motivated her since her brother likely held onto this to blackmail her.

Since Zoe thought her nephew betrayed her, he was in danger of a similar fate. Zoe liked playing with fire since it destroyed the evidence.

The cinematography felt like a superhero series as Karl jumped into action to save Hunter. Zoe looked like a psychopath as she smiled at the mass destruction.

She almost killed multiple people, but Karl and Sid weren’t going to let that happen.

The In-Depth Case Revealed Insight About Karl and Sid’s Lives

This case finally revealed insight into Karl and Sid’s personal lives and friendship.

Karl Alberg reminds me of Will Trent because he notices little things that become vital to the case.

For example, he noticed that Ben Strachan wore a homemade friendship bracelet, meaning he probably had a child they needed to find before Zoe did.

This case touched Karl and Sid because both men had homemade gifts from their daughters around the office and knew that fathers keep those close to them.

Working with Karl made Sid more enthusiastic about his job. He no longer minded working long hours, but his wife missed him.

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I loved that we met Sid’s wife, Elsie (Jill Morrison). Hairdressers have the best Intelligence, and she was warm and friendly. Hopefully, she will reappear, and she and Sid can double-date with Karl and Cassandra.

The team doesn’t often socialize outside of work in many procedurals, but they’ve already established that Sid helped Karl rebuild his deck.

These two make an entertaining buddy-cop duo. Sid is the loyal family man who would jump through a burning building for someone he loved. Karl is the brooding chief of police who sees things differently.

Yet, they have each other’s backs.

An Interloper Interfered With Karl and Cassandra’s Relationship

While Karl and Cassandra needed drama and couldn’t be cute and sexy constantly, they didn’t need an interloper this soon.

Roger Galbraith (Lucas Bryant) was cocky and annoying, and he wasted no time insinuating that Cassandra liked to love them and leave them.

He wanted to size up the competition since he told Karl that Cassandra would return to Los Angeles with him.

Naturally, small-town gossip exploded, and everyone, including Karl, assumed Cassandra and Roger were back together. However, Roger liked embellishing stories.

Karl didn’t realize those were rumors until he found a worried Cassandra waiting for him at home. It was disappointing we had to wait until the end of the episode for her to reveal how much he meant to her and to watch them kiss passionately.

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What were your thoughts about this episode, TV Fanatics? Were you excited to see it revolving around the case? Did you miss the romance?

We enjoy hearing your thoughts, so please share them in the comments below.

Watch Murder in a Small Town Online

The post Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3 Review: A Chill Rain appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Stana Katic guest stars in Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3 as Zoe Strachan, a femme fatale.

From what we’ve seen, Katic will impress viewers with her layered performance. Within minutes, she goes from fearing for her life to being a lead suspect.

Murder in a Small Town features a different case weekly with different guest stars, but this is one of the biggest advertised ones, featuring Stana Katic, who has been in multiple promos.

Most of the new photos and the promo feature Zoe (Stana Katic), so most of the spoilers and speculation will be case-centered, though I have a few theories about Karl and Cassandra, too.

A Different Family Means More Family Drama and Secrets

Murder in a Small Town excels at family drama, and Episode 3 is no exception.

Benjamin Strachan (Ben Cotton) visits his sister Zoe when he’s in financial trouble, and the promo and spoiler photos tease she doesn’t look receptive to seeing him.

This almost seems like a repeat of Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 2 when Sam Sabiston needed money fast and killed his cocaine buddy, Bobby.

This time, Benjamin needs money and thinks people will hurt him or his family. From the spoiler photos, it appears the siblings have a lot of history and dirt on each other.

I suspect it’s not the normal type of sibling rivalry, either. These two may have some real secrets with which to blackmail each other.

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It looks like Zoe feared for her life, so that makes us wonder if both Strachan siblings had behavioral issues, or did they trigger each other?

This becomes even more apparent when Karl finds a dead body along the coastline. While Zoe can act like the grieving sister, is it just an act?

How many people wanted Benjamin dead? The promo showed a flashback of the murder scene, and it’s brutal. Someone wanted to ensure he stayed dead.

The suspects start adding up, but the evidence still points to one fiery redhead, and she’s determined to deter Det. Alberg as long as possible.

Could There Be a Psychopath and Arsonist in the Family

The spoiler photos and the promo teased Zoe Strachan as someone who knows how to stay in control. She’ll likely use her female charm on Karl to distract him away from the case and any part she had in her brother’s death.

Karl will need to use his entire team to uncover Zoe’s secrets to learn her killer tendencies if he’s to learn who killed Benjamin and all of the Strachan family secrets.

The stakes become higher when the team discovers that Benjamin has a young son and is terrified of Zoe getting near him.

Zoe really sounds like a cunning psychopath, the type who knows how to play the angles, being sweet one minute and threatening the next. From the weekly promo, I can tell Katic will have viewers on the edge of their seats.

Karl and Sid have children, so this case will likely affect them greatly when the child goes missing.

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The promo shows Zoe finding a young boy and starting a fire. Is she a serial arsonist who also murdered her brother?

In this one, we’re about to see Karl put on his superhero cape and save some people as the action and the stakes are heightened.

Lots of Big Name Guest Stars Appear

This is a big case-centric episode with lots of guest stars.

While Stana Katic is the most exciting, many other stars join her in Tuesday’s episode.

Ben Cotton (The Night Agent) plays Zoe’s (Stana Katic) estranged brother Benjamin. They had good sibling vibes as they argued with each other.

Jill Morrison ( Package Deal) appears as Elsie Sokolowski, Sid’s wife. It’ll be refreshing to learn more about Sergeant Sid and his family.

Lucas Bryant (The Night Agent) portrays Roger Galbraith, mentioned in a previous episode as Cassandra’s prom date.

Does Carl Have Competition for Cassandra?

There weren’t any specific spoilers for Karl and Cassandra for this episode, but the cast list featured Lucas Bryant as Roger Galbraith, Cassandra’s old friend and high school prom date.

This suggests that there is either a love triangle or Roger causes problems for the couple. Cassandra shared that Roger was an actor, so he is likely confident and will have no problems going toe-to-toe with Karl.

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Hopefully, the series isn’t starting a love triangle this soon, and Roger is a one-time interloper.

Things often get blown out of proportion with small-town gossip, so hopefully, Karl only assumes Roger and Cassandra are dating, and we don’t have to endure a full-blown love triangle.

I’d rather see Karl and Cassandra explore their issues and learn more about their families.

What are you looking forward to seeing from these Spoilers, TV Fanatics?

Are you excited to see Stana Katic appear? Are you excited for a case-heavy episode? What do you think is next for Karl and Cassandra?

We would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them below.

Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3 airs Tuesday, October 8 at 9/8c on Fox.

The post Murder in a Small Town Season 1 Episode 3 Spoilers: Stana Katic Guest Stars appeared first on TV Fanatic.