In the first episode of Murdoch Mysteries’ milestone twentieth season, Detective Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) goes on an adventure in Malta. In what’s basically a beautifully lit travel ad for the Mediterranean island, he reunites with crime writer and suspected murderer Nigella Fletcher (Sally Lindsay). Meanwhile, back in Toronto, Inspector Choi (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) struggles with PTSD in the aftermath of being shot in the previous season’s cliffhanger.

Be careful what you wish for! This entire nineteenth season I’ve wanted Inspector Choi (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) to do more than tag along with Detective Murdoch (Yannick Bisson). And boy, do I get my wish in this noir season finale. Simon McNabb’s tight and intricate script has Choi at odds with his colleagues over a woman who’s looking increasingly suspicious as the episode builds toward its inevitable conclusion – this was never going to end well.

That will teach me not to rely on teasers and promo clips. I was sure Fire in the Sky would be a wonderful mashup of some of my other favourite TV shows: Star Trek, The X-Files, Doctor Who, plus a riff on the cult classic movie that gave this episode its title. And the main story is all that – although it’s not without its problems. Unfortunately, it shares its screen time with not one but two unrelated side stories that only serve to dilute the episode in a way that almost – almost! – made me glad that George Crabtree wasn’t around to witness it.