Let's be real for a second. We live in an era where everything is "in the cloud," but for fans of Detective William Murdoch, that's just not good enough. You know the feeling. You’re halfway through a binge of the latest Toronto Constabulary exploits and suddenly your internet blinks, or worse, the streaming service decides to pull the license. That's why the Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD remains such a hot commodity for the "Murdochians" out there.
It’s about ownership. It’s about having that physical box on your shelf next to the other sixteen volumes, seeing the spine art line up perfectly. Season 17 was a massive undertaking, spanning 24 episodes of turn-of-the-century forensic brilliance and social commentary. If you haven't snagged the disc set yet, you're missing out on the most stable way to watch William, Julia, Crabtree, and Brackenreid navigate the burgeoning 20th century.
What You’re Actually Getting in the Box
When you pick up the Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD, you aren't just getting the episodes that aired on CBC or Acorn TV. You’re getting the permanence of the 1900s. This season kicked off with a bang—literally—as we dealt with the aftermath of the Season 16 finale. We saw the return of some familiar faces and the introduction of new foils that kept the station house on its toes.
The DVD set typically spans several discs, usually six if they follow the standard formatting for the 24-episode order. One thing that makes the physical release better than digital is the bit rate. Honestly, streaming often compresses the audio and video to save bandwidth. On a physical DVD, while it is standard definition (unless you opt for the Blu-ray version, which is harder to find in some regions), the stability of the image is often more consistent than a stuttering 4K stream on a bad Wi-Fi day.
You get the subtitles. You get the chapter breaks. You get the comfort of knowing that even if the world ends, as long as you have a generator and a DVD player, you can still watch "Bottom of the Barrel" or "The Great Wall of China."
Why This Season Felt Different
Season 17 wasn't just "more of the same." The writers leaned hard into the changing social landscape of Toronto. We saw more of the burgeoning film industry, the shift in labor rights, and the ever-evolving (and sometimes strained) relationship between Murdoch and Dr. Julia Ogden as they balance parenthood with their professional lives.
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The Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD captures these nuances perfectly. Having the physical copy allows you to re-watch those subtle moments where Yannick Bisson uses just a flicker of an eye to show Murdoch’s internal gears turning. It’s those details that get lost when you’re scrolling on a phone or watching on a tablet.
The Technical Specs and Where to Find It
Most people look for this set on Amazon, but don't sleep on retailers like Acorn TV's official shop or even local specialty media stores. The North American release (Region 1) is handled by RLJ Entertainment/Acorn Media. If you're importing it from the UK or Australia, keep an eye on those region codes. Nothing is more frustrating than waiting two weeks for a package only to realize your player can't read a Region 2 disc.
- Format: DVD (NTSC for North America)
- Running Time: Roughly 1,056 minutes (that's a lot of Murdoch)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
- Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1
Is it in 4K? No. DVDs aren't 4K. But the color grading for Season 17 is particularly rich, and the DVD transfer handles the dark, moody alleyways of Victorian Toronto surprisingly well. The blacks are deep, and the brass of Murdoch's gadgets actually pops.
The "Special Features" Debate
We have to talk about the extras. Or sometimes, the lack thereof. In recent years, physical media releases have become a bit leaner. Gone are the days of three-hour "making of" documentaries for every season. However, the Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD usually includes a few behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Sometimes they’ll throw in a "Behind the Scenes" look at the production design, which is always fascinating because the crew has to work so hard to hide modern-day Toronto. You might see a short clip on the costumes or a brief interview with Jonny Harris (Crabtree) being his usual hilarious self. If you're a die-hard fan, these snippets are gold. They offer a glimpse into the camaraderie of a cast that has been working together for nearly two decades. That's rare in television. Practically unheard of.
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Dealing With the Price Point
The price fluctuates. You might see it for $45 one week and $59 the next. My advice? If you see it under $40, buy it immediately. The supply of physical media is shrinking every year as retailers like Best Buy phase out their disc aisles. This makes the Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD a bit of a collector's item the moment it hits the shelves.
Is Streaming Killing the DVD?
Kinda, but not for the reasons you think.
Streaming is about convenience. DVD is about curation. When you own the Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD, you are the curator of your own library. You don't have to worry about "content purges" or licensing disputes between CBC and international streamers. There have been instances where certain episodes of long-running shows are edited or removed due to changing sensitivities or music licensing issues. The DVD is the "Director's Cut" of history—it stays as it was when it was first pressed.
Also, let's talk about the "Murdoch" aesthetic. There is something inherently satisfying about watching a show set in the era of early inventions and tangible machinery on a tangible format. It fits. It feels right.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Purchase
If you've just bought the Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD, don't just shove it in the player and zone out. Check the audio settings. If you have a decent soundbar or a surround sound system, make sure the DVD is outputting in 5.1. The sound design in Season 17—the clatter of horse hooves on cobblestone, the hiss of steam, the ambient noise of a busy market—is incredibly immersive.
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- Check for Disc Errors: Inspect the silver side of the discs for scratches or "disc rot" (though rare in new sets).
- Organize Chronologically: If you have the previous 16 seasons, make sure you have the shelf space. This season adds about an inch and a half of spine width.
- Binge Responsibly: With 24 episodes, it's tempting to watch them all in a weekend. Don't. Savor them. The pacing of Season 17 is deliberate, and the subplots involving the supporting cast deserve your full attention.
Common Misconceptions About This Release
Some folks think that because it's Season 17, the show is "tired." They couldn't be more wrong. The introduction of new forensic techniques—some real, some "Murdochian" fiction—keeps the procedural element fresh. People also think the DVD won't look good on a 4K TV. Modern 4K players and TVs have incredible upscaling technology. They take that 480p signal and "guess" the missing pixels to make it look much sharper than it would have on an old tube TV from the 90s.
Another weird myth is that there won't be a Season 18 because Season 17 felt like a "wrap." Without spoiling anything, let's just say the demand remains high, and the Murdoch world is still expanding. Having the DVD allows you to study the finale for clues about where the show is headed next.
Final Thoughts for the Dedicated Collector
The Murdoch Mysteries Season 17 DVD isn't just a plastic box with some discs inside. It’s a piece of television history. It represents one of the longest-running, most successful Canadian exports in history. It’s a testament to the character of William Murdoch—a man of science, faith, and relentless curiosity.
If you're on the fence, just think about the last time you wanted to watch a specific episode of a show and found out it was "currently unavailable" on your favorite app. That doesn't happen with a DVD. You own it. Forever.
What To Do Next
- Check Availability: Head over to Amazon or the Acorn TV store to see if the Region 1 set is currently in stock, as these often go on backorder during the holidays.
- Verify Your Hardware: Ensure your DVD or Blu-ray player is firmware-updated to handle newer disc menus, which can sometimes be finicky on older machines.
- Join the Community: Hop onto the Murdoch Mysteries fan forums or Facebook groups. There are thousands of fans discussing the tiny details found in Season 17 that you might have missed on your first viewing.
- Plan a Marathon: Once your set arrives, clear a weekend. Start with the Season 16 finale to refresh your memory on the cliffhangers, then dive straight into the Season 17 premiere to see how the writers resolved those massive stakes.
The hunt for justice in 1900s Toronto continues, and there's no better way to witness it than with the reliability of a physical disc spinning in your player.