Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 7, Episode 6 - Murdochophobia - full transcript

Detective Murdoch investigates the death of Sarah Bosen who apparently threw herself from her hospital room window and breaking her neck in the fall. Sarah was being treated by Julia Ogden for arachnophobia and had been making some progress in overcoming her fears. Murdoch however finds a dead spider in her room. The three remaining members of the treatment group begin to have their doubts about their therapy. Julia's colleague, Dr. Charles Linden, thinks her therapy is a waste of time and as far as he is concerned, Sarah's death proves him correct. He launches a formal complaint to have her research terminated. When her other patients are forced to face their phobias, Murdoch concludes that someone is trying to kill her patients. Meanwhile, Crabtree tries to save his pet spider from Dr. Grace's experiments and Dr. Ogden helps Murdoch overcome his own irrational fear.

I think that's enough for today.

Good, now please get
that thing away from me.

It's nothing but a spider.
I still don't understand

how anyone can be frightened of a spider.

How about a horse?

Who could be frightened of
such a beautiful creature?

Mrs. Kerr, please.

And Mr. Phelps, that's enough.

Sarah, you tolerated much
better today, well done.

Sarah, I'm so proud of you.

You were so brave. I swear
you'll be out of here soon.



I thought my heart was going to burst.

Are you ready to try again tomorrow?

It's important that you continue, Sarah.

- Dr. Ogden, are you sure you should be pushing her?
- It's all right, Pauline,

I can do it.

Good. Then I'll see you all again tomorrow.

Dr. Linden. How can I help you?

So, she was able to tolerate
a few more seconds today.

- Congratulations.
- More than that.

Her pulse was close to normal,

her respiration much slower than yesterday.

So, at this rate, in
another year she'll be cured.

Her arachnophobia gone to the wind.

- There's no need for sarcasm.
- Then let me be plain.



My treatment regimen would
be much more effective.

- I don't agree.
- These people's

mental anguishes are the
result of physical maladies,

likely an infection, possibly the teeth.

Exposing them to their fears
will do nothing to help them.

- Again, I don't agree.
- You are not helping them.

Well, we'll see.

But believe me, we have
the same goal... to relieve

the pain that these poor
people feel as soon as possible.

And my opinion is you are
making their fears much worse.

Good day, Doctor.

Excuse me.

Sarah. Oh, my God.

Her neck's broken.

At least the poor thing didn't suffer.

Who found her?

One of the attendants.

She died hours ago.
Rigor has already begun.

Anything else?

I suspect a broken neck.

Julia, is it possible
she took her own life?

I really don't think so, William.

- Why was she here?
- She's part of a group

I'm treating... people
suffering from phobic terrors.

- I see.
- William, she was

in good spirits. I'd hoped that
one day soon she'd be released.

Her husband.

Mr. Bosen.

What happened?

I don't know.

- Why are the constabulary here?
- They're simply investigating.

You said she was doing well.

More than that, you said
she was going to be able

- to come home soon.
- I thought she was.

- I am so sorry.
- She was my wife.

I'm not sure "sorry" is enough.

Oh. Please, no need to stop.

- What are you doing here?
- I didn't know anyone was here.

- Um... you play beautifully.
- No one was supposed to hear.

We're here to see Sarah Bosen's room.

Which one might that be?

- Third one down there.
- You didn't hear me too?

- Wax in my ears.
- You'll find it locked.

Sarah always locked her door.

We'll find a key.

No note seems to have been left behind.

Looks like she was out
of bed in a hurry, sir.

Hmm. Perhaps she was frightened.

Why not just run out into the hall?

Good question.

The window is still latched.

She must have been mightily terrified, sir.

To plunge to your death from a
window without even opening it.

Indeed.

Each one is terrified of something.

And your course of treatment?

- Systematic desensitization.
- It's been used in cases

of nervous phobias for centuries.

Was she making progress?

They all were.

Mrs. Kerr is able to tolerate a feather

within 2 feet of her face,
which is a great improvement.

And Harry Phelps is not as
nervous around horses anymore.

Imelda Craske is getting over
her fear of playing in public.

And Sarah Bosen...

I thought she was progressing.

Julia, I'm sorry to have to ask this,

But is it possible that knowing

that she had to face her fears
again caused her to do this?

- No.
- Are you sure?

Despite objections,
this is a valid therapy.

Objections?

Dr. Charles Linden. He thinks
my methods are misguided.

He's complained to the
administration a number of times.

He's as much as blamed
me for Sarah's death.

I don't need you to do the same.

What have you, Dr. Grace?

The cause of death was indeed
a broken neck. Poor thing.

Given the condition of her hands,

I think she used them to
break through the window.

It would have hurt.

Anything else that was unusual?

Just that she did it at all.

I don't think I've ever
been that scared of anything.

I thought I was scared of water once,

so I worked up the courage
and I marched myself

right in. No one could
have done that for me.

You believe Dr. Ogden is wasting her time?

I have nothing but
admiration for Dr. Ogden.

For such a direct young woman,

that's an unusually evasive answer.

Mr. Kerr.

I need a word.

Pauline and I have talked.
I think it might be best

if I removed her from this institution.

I'm not so sure you're doing her any good.

Well, that is your choice,
Mr. Kerr, but Pauline,

like the other patients,

is slowly gaining control of her phobia.

Frankly, I find this whole
business a little ridiculous.

- What whole business?
- These fears, or phobias,

or whatever you call them.
People supposedly terrified

of things that could
never actually harm them.

Your wife does have a phobia,
but it is possible to treat...

Oh, good Lord, woman,
she's terrified of feathers!

What could a feather possibly do to her?

To you and I, it does seem strange,

but we're not talking about
the rational mind, Mr. Kerr.

Your wife is quite aware that
her feelings are irrational,

but she experiences
intense fear nonetheless.

I visited her again last evening.

And?

Now she refuses to engage
in relations with me.

Far from curing her,

you seem to be making matters worse.

Dr. Ogden, it's normal for a man

to expect a conjugal connection
with his wife, isn't it?

Of course.

Mr. Kerr, please remember that
Pauline is making progress.

One more week. I left her in your care

to make her well, and you're failing.

Let's go.

Let me get this straight, Murdoch.

This young woman, in the prime of life,

intelligent and from a good family,

was so afraid to face a spider

that she may have killed herself?

It's a possibility, sir, but
I am disinclined to believe it.

- And why is that?
- Well, sir,

if Sarah Bosen had planned
to take her own life,

I highly doubt she would
have flung herself headlong

through a closed window.

Something frightened her into action.

Are you telling me that a
spider scared her to death?

- Something may have.
- When I was in Afghanistan,

we had spiders as big as your hand...

ugly, furry things.

One bite from them and you were a goner!

But a Canadian spider?

What's a Canadian spider gonna do to you?

Well, sir, it doesn't really matter
what one could or couldn't do.

These people's fears are irrational.

One is even frightened of feathers.

- Feathers?
- Yes, sir.

A fear of spiders, insects,
even a fear of flies

- is not uncommon.
- Flies?

Flies. I'll give you flies.

Flies are bloody pests, I'll grant you,

but they're hardly dangerous.

There's only one way to
deal with flies, Murdoch.

Show 'em who's boss.

Yes, sir.

What's next?

I'd like to continue the investigation.

Are you sure this requires your attention?

Well, sir, Dr. Ogden seems convinced

that Mrs. Bosen would not
have taken her own life.

- And that's enough?
- Enough for me.

Carry on.

All of my patients are
here of their own accord,

except for Mrs. Kerr. She
was committed by her husband.

The one afraid of the feathers.

Yes, although she seems to
have developed another malady.

What's that?

She now seems unwilling

to enter into sexual
congress with her husband.

Are the 2 issues related?

I'm not sure.

Julia,

has anyone else been in Sarah
Bosen's room since she died?

Not that I'm aware of.

Hmm.

What is it, William?

Could this be the reason Mrs.
Bosen jumped to her death?

Could someone have entered her room,

deposited the spider?

I suppose.

Someone from another part of the asylum?

My ward is locked. The
only people who have access

are the people in my phobia group.

- Mrs. Bosen's room was locked.
- What of your other patients?

Only Mr. Phelps. I locked
his door from the outside.

- Why is that?
- He says he sleepwalks.

The first night they were
all here, Mrs. Bosen found him

standing in her doorway.
Scared her half out of her wits.

He claims he has no remembrance of it.

- Claims?
- You don't trust him?

I could never be sure. A young man

with all these pretty
young women right next door.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was
simply satisfying his curiosity.

Julia, is it possible
Sarah Bosen killed herself?

I can't be sure.

But she wouldn't have done it if
she saw a dead spider. I know that.

Could you say the same about a live one?

Detective Murdoch. What have you?

I found this spider in the victim's room.

Have you determined Mrs.
Bosen's time of death yet?

I believe it was around 3 in the morning.

Hm. Do you think it would
be possible to determine

when this arachnid shuffled
off this mortal coil?

Shakespeare, Detective.

Without experimentation, it
would be impossible to tell. Why?

I need to know if this
spider predeceased Mrs. Bosen.

You can place them with the others.

- I may need some more.
- More?

I scoured the station, Dr. Grace.

It's clean as a whistle.
This is the last of them.

Go to your boarding house.

I'm certain you'll find some in the attic.

Up in the attic? The
attic is full of cobwebs.

Exactly. Oh, and try
the stables after that.

- There'll be heaps there.
- Heaps of spiders?

Yes.

Is this absolutely necessary?

Detective Murdoch needs to
know when this spider died.

I have examined the beast, weighed it,

but I can't determine the
rate of dehydration unless

I measure the same rate with
a specimen of a similar size.

- Well, I don't envy their fate.
- They're just spiders, George.

They're incredibly useful creatures.

And the world is filled
with plenty of them.

They do away with annoying pests.

They're incredible architects.

For the most part, they cohabitate

with humans quite well.
Perhaps not the Brazilian

wandering spider, who
needs little provocation.

Don't fret, George. I'm sure
he's not feeling any pain.

You can understand that,
as a police officer,

I must get to the bottom of
what happened to Sarah Bosen.

Can anyone tell me how she
came to fall to her death?

She was afraid.

We're all afraid. What makes her different?

She was terrified of spiders.

Spiders. They're tiny. Not worth anything.

Perhaps one got into her room.

You know that this entire area is scrubbed

and dusted twice a day. I insist upon it.

It would have been impossible

for a spider to have gotten into
her room, and even if it did...

Oh, yes, of course.

Sarah was getting better.
Isn't that what you said?

That we would all get better?

Be quiet, Harry.

Dr. Linden told me that what
you are doing is a waste of time.

Well, he shouldn't have said that.

Please. Did anyone hear
anything last night?

Yes.

A giant spider terrifying Sarah.

Mrs. Kerr?

Your room is next to Sarah's.
Did you hear anything?

I take a sleeping draught
at night, Detective.

If Sarah did call out, I didn't hear her.

Did anyone speak to Sarah last night,

before you all retired for the evening?

I did.

And how did she seem to you, Miss Craske?

She was crying.

What was she upset about?

She said that she had
lost the love of her life.

And then she didn't say any more.

She just asked me to play for her.

And you did?

- Yes.
- Imelda, that's wonderful.

I thought you were scared
to play in front of people.

Mr. Phelps, stop it.

- You played for her, Imelda.
- Sarah was different.

She was trying so hard.

- She was so kind.
- Detective Murdoch,

you must think us a very peculiar bunch,

all of us frightened of what
you must think is nothing.

I don't think you're peculiar.

In fact, I completely understand.

- I doubt that very much.
- Young man,

I do know what it's like to have fears

that don't yield to reason.

I...

am terrified of butterflies.

William, I'm sure you meant it kindly,

but I don't want my patients to
feel as if they're being patronized.

- I'm not patronizing them.
- Butterflies?

Since I was a child.

I certainly hope that isn't the
reaction you give your patients.

I'm sorry. It's just... William Murdoch,

the possessor of the
most logical mind I know,

being frightened of butterflies?

They make me uneasy, is all.

Have you ever watched them?

They're completely unpredictable.

First they fly left, then they fly right,

then straight at you. They defy logic.

- Dragonflies do the same.
- Dragonflies are different.

- Why?
- I don't know. They just are.

Dr. Ogden.

A word, please?

Of course.

- Dr. Clark.
- I need to inform you

that Dr. Linden has
launched a formal complaint

against your program.

He wishes it terminated.

Well, he should have come to me.

He feels your therapy is
putting your patients at risk.

Well, shouldn't I be the judge of that?

Ultimately, the practices of the doctors

working in this institution
are my responsibility.

Dr. Linden suggested an
alternate treatment regimen.

Pulling the patients' teeth.

I have documentation.

My patients are making positive strides.

Yet one of them killed themselves.

We don't know that.

Detective Murdoch of the Toronto
Constabulary is investigating the matter.

Well, then the outcome could be

troubling no matter how it turns out.

Either your therapy or one of your patients

may be responsible for
the poor woman's death.

Well, if that is the case, I shall resign.

Now, now, Dr. Ogden,

you are well regarded here.

I am just advising caution.

Dr. Linden.

I am sorry to inform you that
I live to fight another day.

Dr. Ogden, I hold no grudge against you.

It is just that I consider
your methods a waste of time.

Well, that is where we differ.

I hear they found a dead
spider in Sarah Bosen's room.

What of it?

Well, if that is what caused
her death, it would suggest

your desensitization therapy
may not be up to snuff.

I thought you said you
had scoured the station.

- Well, I was just getting him for you.
- Of course you were, George.

Excellent. He's the perfect size.

Webster.

Why is that policeman still here?

I didn't think killing oneself
would be cause for so much attention.

We don't know what happened.
He's simply investigating.

- Investigating us?
- They're just asking questions.

- What's wrong?
- I don't want to be a part of this.

Sarah's dead and it's your fault.

- You scared her to death.
- Pauline!

They found a dead spider in Sarah's
room, but she wouldn't have been

- afraid of a dead spider.
- How would you know?

I had exposed her to dead spiders before.

She didn't like them,

but she wasn't particularly
alarmed by them.

Harry, I would never
put any of you at risk.

We are at risk.

There might be a killer in here.

- Harry.
- What about him?

He hated Sarah.

He told me that he was
happy that she was gone.

You forgot one name:

Dr. Linden. He wants me out.

Enough that he would
kill one of your patients?

Is there something else, Julia?

I don't know it means
anything, but Imelda Craske said

that Harry Phelps disliked Sarah.

Do you suspect him?

I don't think so.

I find it hard to believe
he's capable of murder.

Maybe it was my fault. Perhaps

- I pushed Sarah too hard.
- Julia.

She knew what she was in for.
Maybe it was too much for her.

You said that she agreed to the treatment

and that she was improving.

Yes.

Well, then it's not your fault.

Please don't say anything
to upset him, William.

I'll be careful.

Mr. Phelps?

He should be here.

That came from outside.

You did this! You did this!

- The horses! How could you?
- What?

The horses! How could
you? You say I'm not ready

and yet you unleash those monsters on me!

- Don't hurt him!
- I did no such thing, Harry.

You did this! We're not ready
for what you want to do with us.

You should just leave us
alone. You caused this.

You caused what happened to Sarah!

William, I...

Yes, I know Julia. You were with me.

- Are the horses usually stabled?
- Yes.

- And who tends to the stables?
- I don't know.

So, anyone could have had access?

Yes.

Julia. First the spider, now the horses.

I believe someone is trying to
scare your patients to death.

- That's Webster.
- What are you talking about?

He's a spider that I get on well with.

Of course he is.

Higgins, you have to distract her.

How, George?

I don't know, Henry. Do have
even a whit of imagination?

Dr. Grace? A moment?

What is it, Constable Higgins?

I've secured 2 tickets
to the music hall tonight.

I was curious as to whether
you'd like to attend.

- With... you? Me?
- George said it would be all right.

He gave me permission to ask you.

Did he now?

Well, in that case, I would be

delighted to attend
the music hall with you.

- And afterwards we could...
- Whoa, hold on now!

Oh, George. I didn't see you there.

- Whatever are you doing?
- I'm not doing anything.

Put the specimen down, George.

This is a murder investigation.

- I'll get you another one.
- No, George. He's perfect.

If you didn't let the
horses loose, who did?

We don't know.

My father's coming to get me.
I'm not staying here anymore.

Harry, that is your choice,

but we believe that the horses
were let go deliberately.

Of course they were.

It's just a part of your treatment.

Did you see any other
patients near the stables?

- No.
- Anyone else? Anyone from the hospital staff?

- Dr. Linden perhaps?
- No.

And it wouldn't be him. He was kind to me.

It could have been Pauline.

Pauline?

Please, Harry, why do you think
that it could have been Pauline?

She had it in for me.

Why do you say that?

I saw them... she and Sarah.

Together. They were unnatural.

I looked into Sarah's room and I saw them.

They were... kissing!

- Harry!
- It's true. But I told on them.

Who did you tell?

Mr. Kerr and Mr. Bosen, that's who.

I wrote them letters. They deserved
to know what those women were.

You shouldn't have done that.

What they were doing was ungodly and evil.

Mr. Phelps, whether or not you
choose to remain in Dr. Ogden's care,

I must insist that you stay in the city.

- I didn't do anything.
- Isn't it true that you disliked Sarah?

I didn't like what she was
doing with Pauline Kerr,

that's all. I certainly didn't hurt her.

Well, then, you have
nothing to worry about.

I visited Sarah the day she died.

When I left around 4 o'clock,
she was in very good spirits.

Others in her group seem to
think she was quite upset.

Not around me.

There have been suggestions

that your wife and Mrs. Kerr
were involved in an unnatural

liaison.

I believe Mr. Phelps wrote
you a letter detailing this?

He did... but he didn't need to.

You were aware of this?

Detective, if I can be frank,

both Sarah and I knew

what kind of people we were.

I cared for her deeply, but ours
was a marriage of convenience.

I had no desire to spend time in jail.

It allowed us both to follow our hearts.

I see.

I loved Sarah in my way, Detective Murdoch.

Our marriage also served
both of us very well.

I certainly had no reason to hurt her

or to change my situation.

Both Harry and Imelda said

that Sarah was very distressed that night.

It wasn't about her phobia, though, was it?

No, it wasn't.

Harry claims to have witnessed
the two of you in an intimate act.

- I see.
- I understand from your husband

that you're no longer enjoying relations.

That is correct.

But we will be again.

Pauline, do you find yourself
inclined to attraction

- to the same...
- That's over.

And it was a terrible mistake.

That is not who I want to be.

Is that why you quarrelled?

She accused me of being a coward.

I'm not.

She preyed on me.

So, you intend to return to your husband?

I intend to get better.

I intend to be normal.

I have no intention of
living my life as a sapphist.

I'd still be looking at Sarah
Bosen's husband, Murdoch.

If I found out that the missus
was in a Boston marriage...

Sir, the man has admitted
to being a homosexual.

If he's telling the truth.

I doubt he would lie to a police officer.

Perhaps he'd rather admit to being
a mandrake than a murderer. Hodge?

I want her released to my care.

I don't think that that's wise.

Were you aware of this
incident with Sarah Bosen?

- I was just recently informed.
- You say you're a doctor of the mind,

but you can't cure my wife
of her fear of feathers,

and under your care
she's become a sapphist!

- Mr. Kerr...
- She is coming home with me

and she's going to obey her
husband as any proper woman should.

Mr. Kerr, I cannot permit
you to abuse your wife...

Pauline!

Pauline.

It's ok, it's ok.

It's all right.

It's all right.

She's sedated. I'm not sure
when you can talk to her.

All right.

Miss Craske,

do you have something
you would like to say?

Dr. Linden. I saw him in
the ward earlier today.

There had better be a good reason for this.

These are yours, yes?

- There is stable dirt on them.
- What of it? I ride the horses

- from time to time.
- Of course you do.

I also... found this...

in your office.

Dr. Linden, did you deposit feathers

in Pauline Kerr's room in order to
frighten her into leaving the hospital?

- Preposterous.
- Did you also go into the stables

and release the horses in
order to terrify Harry Phelps?

Detective...

you have an overactive imagination.

The feather was found in your office.

Imelda Craske confirms seeing you

in the vicinity of Pauline Kerr's room.

And you believe the words
of an inmate of an asylum?

It won't be that difficult to confirm.

All I need is a sample of your fingermarks.

What have you, George?

Sir. Dr. Linden is a very poor housekeeper.

I found more than one of these.

It's a common dock spider, the same species

as that found in Mrs. Sarah Bosen's room.

There were plenty more in his office.

Hm. Horse manure on your shoes,

feathers in your office,

and spiders in your rafters.

Perhaps it's time for the truth, Doctor.

I wanted to Dr. Ogden to know
that she was on the wrong track,

that her treatment didn't work.

You wanted Harry and
Mrs. Kerr to break down?

- Yes.
- So you killed her?

You killed an innocent woman

in order to advance your
professional standing.

You placed a live spider in her room.

I did not.

She was already dead when I
put the spider in her room.

Dr. Linden, was the spider alive, or dead?

Dead.

I wouldn't handle a live
one. I hate the damn things.

- My methodology was simple.
- Every hour on the hour,

I killed a spider of same size and weight

as the one found in Sarah's bedroom.

Using the scales from the university

I determined that the first
spider weighed 2 grams.

The live spiders of the same
dimension weighed 5 grams.

Ingenious, Dr. Grace.

By determining the rate of
dehydration, you were able

to establish when the spider
from Mrs. Bosen's room died.

You mean shuffled off this mortal coil.

- Exactly.
- Webster! You killed him?

- George, I didn't.
- Webster?

I'd prefer not to pursue it!
George, I didn't use the gas on him.

He must have died of natural causes.

Dr. Grace, how long ago did the
spider from Mrs. Bosen's room die?

Anywhere between 20 and 30 hours.

The spider predeceased her.

So, Dr. Linden placed a dead spider

inside of Mrs. Bosen's room after she died.

It would seem so.

Well, then if he's telling the truth,

neither Dr. Linden or the spider
are responsible for her death.

The victim's husband had no
motive and an iron-clad alibi.

He was at the Yeoman Club all night.

Oh, that one. I see.

I also believe he truly cared for his wife.

Harry Phelps didn't like
Mrs. Kerr or Mrs. Bosen.

He thought that they were sinners.

Perhaps he tried to convert Mrs. Bosen.

He was a peeping tom.

Dr. Ogden kept him locked in his room.

What about the cuckolded husband, Kerr?

Could he have paid a midnight visit?

- Honour besmirched and all that?
- Certainly possible.

- Imelda the fiddler?
- No motive.

In fact, quite the opposite.
Sarah was helping her

with her shyness. She
was reliant on the victim.

- Doesn't make her innocent.
- No. No, it doesn't.

Dr. Ogden.

I wanted to inform you

that Dr. Linden has been
relieved of his position.

Well, the damage has been done, sir.

Mr. Kerr is coming for
his wife this evening,

Mr. Phelps is gone, and Mrs. Bosen is dead.

She can see us, you know.

Mrs. Craske.

Your patient notes said she never
performed in front of people,

yet here we are and she's playing.

Perhaps you are doing
more good than you imagine.

Dr. Clark, can you use your influence
to see that Mrs. Kerr remains in my care?

- She was committed voluntarily.
- By her husband.

My authority doesn't supersede his.

Even if we know he's going to take her home

and force himself upon her?

She is his wife.

He can do as he wishes.

- Imelda Craske?
- I don't think so, William.

- Then Pauline Kerr.
- She was the one

who broke off the relationship.
Perhaps she was worried

Sarah Bosen would want to continue it.

So Pauline killed her?

She's a sapphist, not a psychotic.

It's curious what people are afraid of.

I'm not afraid, Julia.

They just make me uneasy.

When did this start?

Julia, please, I'm not
one of your patients.

Humour me.

I don't know, I suppose
around the age of 8.

Julia, where did you get this?

It was a gift from Pauline. Her
husband's company makes them.

- May I use your telephone?
- Of course.

Hello.

Police Stationhouse n?4, please.

Constable Crabtree. Julia,
I think it's possible

the killer may have come
from outside of the asylum.

Mrs. Kerr's room is
directly behind this vent

- So this is the access point.
- Possibly.

George, could you please remove this grate?

Sir, right away.

Right this way, Doctor.

What is it Constable Crabtree?

Detective Murdoch wants
Constable to show you something.

- Here, sir.
- All set, George?

- Yes indeed.
- Close your eyes, Doctor.

Now you can open them.

Diabolical.

I'm glad you've seen the light.

She is your wife.

Thank you for acknowledging that.

I'm sure you did your best.
Isn't this my wife's room?

After the feathers, she was
terrified to re-enter her room.

I decided to put her here.

Ah, Mr. Kerr.

- Where's my wife?
- I'd like to show you something.

- What's this about?
- This will only take a moment.

Mr. Kerr, you are a glassmaker,

- isn't that right?
- Yes.

Well, then you're familiar
with the properties of prisms.

- I am.
- Now, George.

Can you imagine what it would be like

for someone who's deathly
frightened of these creatures?

Oh, but then you already
know all about it, don't you?

You think I did this?

You were here visiting your wife
the night that Sarah Bosen died.

She was asleep in her room,

sedated, as she often is at night.

You removed the grate between the 2 rooms.

You placed a prism inside...
one made by your company.

You then placed the spider in front of it.

You knew that would be
enough to scare her to death.

But I didn't touch her. I didn't push her.

Not directly,

but you caused her death,

as surely as if you had pushed
her out the window yourself.

- You can't prove anything!
- So you don't deny it?

You killed her.

You killed Sarah?!

- How could you?! I love her!
- I'm your husband.

- You're supposed to love me!
- I don't, and I never did!

- Pauline, please.
- I despise you.

I didn't push her.

She jumped on her own accord.

It was her own weak mind that killed her.

Mr. Kerr.

Come with me.

Has anyone told you you're off your nut?

Emily.

It's just an insect, George.

Actually, if you must
know, he's an arachnid.

And I'd grown quite fond of
watching his quiet industry.

Throw it out.

Yes, I suppose you're right.

Oh, my goodness.

He's alive! Emily, look!

- He's alive!
- Crabtree.

Take these down to the evidence room.

There's more to your fear of
butterflies than you let on.

- No, there is not.
- William,

phobias are often the
fear of a specific thing...

heights, horses, enclosed spaces...

but sometimes they're
markers for another fear.

- Julia, I just don't like butterflies.
- Why?

As I told you, they're erratic.

And that is an irritant,

but perhaps they represent
a different fear...

an unpleasant or terrifying memory.

What?

You know they are harmless, don't you?

Yes.

Then what troubles you about them?

Please don't open the cage.

I won't.

William, I was thinking.

About what happened when you were 8...

when you started to feel uneasy about them.

Your mother died then, didn't she?

Yes.

Could the two be related?

My mother's death and butterflies?

Think.

I saw her.

I... I found her dead body.

I moved to her.

Turned her over.

She was surrounded by butterflies.

They won't harm you.

They're just representative
of a terrible memory.

They're harmless creatures, William.

You see?

There's no need to be afraid.

Next Monday on Murdoch Mysteries...

Looks like I bet on the wrong rider.

What exactly did they die of?

Guest starring Sean Cullen.

I do better with my
best rider than without.

Murdoch Mysteries,

next Monday at 8:00 on CBC.