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Murder by Decree

 Murder by Decree
type
TVTItem
 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree
 Murder by Decree
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MurderByDecree
 Murder by Decree
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A 1979 mystery film directed by Bob Clark, starring Christopher Plummer as Sherlock Holmes and James Mason as Dr. Watson. This is the one where Sherlock Holmes hunts down Victorian London's most notorious killer Jack the Ripper, again.note  He'd previously hunted him before in the 1965 film A Study in Terror. The plot of the movie is clearly influenced by Steven Knight's 1976 book Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution, which has influenced scores of works based of Jack the Ripper, most notably From Hell by Alan Moore.London is in a state of panic. While Whitehall worries about radicals and anarchists threatening the social and political order, a mysterious serial killer stalks the slums of Whitechapel going after prostitutes. Scotland Yard is baffled, so naturally they call in Sherlock Holmes... except, they don't. The new police commissioner, Sir Charles Warren (Anthony Quayle), is adamant that Holmes not be let anywhere near the case, much to the frustration of Inspector Lestrade (Frank Finlay). Realizing something is seriously wrong, Holmes and Watson take up the case regardless and uncover a conspiracy that may rock the Empire to its very core.Also in the cast are Donald Sutherland as Robert Lees, Sir John Gielgud as the Prime Minister, David Hemmings as Inspector Foxborough, Susan Clark as Mary Kelly, and Geneviève Bujold as Annie Crook.
 Murder by Decree
fetched
2023-06-27T10:29:26Z
 Murder by Decree
parsed
2023-06-27T10:29:26Z
 Murder by Decree
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Dropped link to CallBack: Not a Feature - ITEM
 Murder by Decree
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DBTropes
 Murder by Decree / int_113480b7
type
Canon Foreigner
 Murder by Decree / int_113480b7
comment
Canon Foreigner: There was no Inspector Foxborough in Doyle's writings, nor in the real Ripper case.
 Murder by Decree / int_113480b7
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_113480b7
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1.0
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Murder by Decree / int_113480b7
 Murder by Decree / int_15b2cab3
type
Tempting Fate
 Murder by Decree / int_15b2cab3
comment
Tempting Fate: A prostitute tries to prove her worth to Dr. Watson by showing she is still in possession of all her teeth. Suddenly, she breaks a tooth.
 Murder by Decree / int_15b2cab3
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_15b2cab3
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_15b2cab3
 Murder by Decree / int_17501df2
type
Cool Old Guy
 Murder by Decree / int_17501df2
comment
Cool Old Guy: Dr. Watson gets lured into a trap by a prostitute and her thief beau. Watson defeats the thief.
 Murder by Decree / int_17501df2
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_17501df2
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Murder by Decree / int_17501df2
 Murder by Decree / int_1f6983f7
type
Ambiguous Situation
 Murder by Decree / int_1f6983f7
comment
Ambiguous Situation: How much involvement the Prime Minister and the Royal Family have in the Ripper murders. The Prime Minister is adamant that Queen Victoria was not involved in any way, and Holmes doesn't want to believe she was involved. As for the Government, Holmes doesn't know how directly they were involved - only that their Catholic prejudices egged Dr. Spivey on.
 Murder by Decree / int_1f6983f7
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 Murder by Decree / int_1f6983f7
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Murder by Decree / int_1f6983f7
 Murder by Decree / int_2bf993ad
type
Secret Relationship
 Murder by Decree / int_2bf993ad
comment
Secret Relationship: Catholic Housemaid Annie Crook becomes the attention of a handsome guest at her employer's house. He seduces and marries her and she bears him a daughter. Of course, since the man turns out to be the Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward (or "Eddy"), the Duke of Clarence & Avondale, a Protestant and second-in-line to the Throne of England, this relationship has to be kept secret.
 Murder by Decree / int_2bf993ad
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 Murder by Decree / int_2bf993ad
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Murder by Decree / int_2bf993ad
 Murder by Decree / int_2c0bbca0
type
Noose Catch
 Murder by Decree / int_2c0bbca0
comment
Noose Catch: The Ripper is hanged when he gets tangled in a cargo net and strangles himself.
 Murder by Decree / int_2c0bbca0
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_2c0bbca0
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Murder by Decree / int_2c0bbca0
 Murder by Decree / int_348c7ded
type
Sword Cane
 Murder by Decree / int_348c7ded
comment
Sword Cane: The Ripper employs this weapon.
 Murder by Decree / int_348c7ded
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 Murder by Decree / int_348c7ded
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Murder by Decree / int_348c7ded
 Murder by Decree / int_3577923b
type
Murder by Mistake
 Murder by Decree / int_3577923b
comment
Murder by Mistake According to the novelization, Catherine Eddowes was mistaken for Mary Kelly.
 Murder by Decree / int_3577923b
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 Murder by Decree / int_3577923b
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Murder by Decree / int_3577923b
 Murder by Decree / int_374c339d
type
I'll Kill You!
 Murder by Decree / int_374c339d
comment
I'll Kill You!: Holmes gives this warning to Foxborough
 Murder by Decree / int_374c339d
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_374c339d
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_374c339d
 Murder by Decree / int_3f45f1e6
type
Adaptational Heroism
 Murder by Decree / int_3f45f1e6
comment
Adaptational Heroism: Bob Clark and Christopher Plummer portrayed Sherlock Holmes as a more compassionate figure, as shown in his warm friendship with Watson, his sympathy to Annie, his rage at the doctor who imprisoned her, his offense over the government's involvement in these murders.
 Murder by Decree / int_3f45f1e6
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 Murder by Decree / int_3f45f1e6
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Murder by Decree / int_3f45f1e6
 Murder by Decree / int_3fe6a857
type
Public Domain Character
 Murder by Decree / int_3fe6a857
comment
Public Domain Character: Naturally for a Ripper film. We have Sir Charles Warren - the Police Commissioner, Lord Salisbury - the Prime Minister, and medium Robert Lees. Oddly the actual detective who worked on the case, Inspector Abberline is nowhere to be seen. Actually, Inspector Foxborough is a Roman à Clef of Abberline.
 Murder by Decree / int_3fe6a857
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_3fe6a857
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Murder by Decree / int_3fe6a857
 Murder by Decree / int_402b438d
type
Clothes Make the Legend
 Murder by Decree / int_402b438d
comment
Clothes Make the Legend: The film expresses Holmes at wearing the traditional Deerstalker cap and Inverness Coat, having him wear it to the Opera instead of a Top Hat and Opera Cloak (which the canonical Holmes would have worn instead).
 Murder by Decree / int_402b438d
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 Murder by Decree / int_402b438d
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Murder by Decree / int_402b438d
 Murder by Decree / int_40cc0c7e
type
Bittersweet Ending
 Murder by Decree / int_40cc0c7e
comment
Bittersweet Ending: The Ripper and his accomplice are dead, but in a Foregone Conclusion Holmes is unable to save any of the Ripper's victims and Annie Crook is left lobotomized. Warren is disgraced by his handling of the situation but the other government officials involved in the cover up escape any consequences. However, Holmes is able to pressure them into leaving Annie Crook's child alone.
 Murder by Decree / int_40cc0c7e
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 Murder by Decree / int_40cc0c7e
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Murder by Decree / int_40cc0c7e
 Murder by Decree / int_43b154c9
type
Not Even Bothering with the Accent
 Murder by Decree / int_43b154c9
comment
Not Even Bothering with the Accent: Donald Sutherland doesn't attempt to put on a British accent as Robert Lees, instead using his natural Canadian accent.
 Murder by Decree / int_43b154c9
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 Murder by Decree / int_43b154c9
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Murder by Decree / int_43b154c9
 Murder by Decree / int_479d4e5a
type
Would Hurt a Child
 Murder by Decree / int_479d4e5a
comment
Would Hurt a Child: The purpose in causing so much suffering and death is to locate and kill Annie Crook's child fathered by the Duke of Clarence and Avondale.
 Murder by Decree / int_479d4e5a
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 Murder by Decree / int_479d4e5a
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Murder by Decree / int_479d4e5a
 Murder by Decree / int_52d1f46e
type
Not What It Looks Like
 Murder by Decree / int_52d1f46e
comment
Not What It Looks Like: Dr. Watson notices a used syringe. Holmes indulging in his cocaine habit? No. The detective was just using it to empty his pipe.
 Murder by Decree / int_52d1f46e
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_52d1f46e
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Murder by Decree / int_52d1f46e
 Murder by Decree / int_53c47260
type
You Monster!
 Murder by Decree / int_53c47260
comment
You Monster!: Watson and Holmes give different views on Foxborough and his willingness to sacrifice Mary Kelly for the sake of radical change.
 Murder by Decree / int_53c47260
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 Murder by Decree / int_53c47260
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Murder by Decree / int_53c47260
 Murder by Decree / int_642806ca
type
Who Dares?
 Murder by Decree / int_642806ca
comment
Who Dares? When the Prime Minister takes offense to Holmes' words, Holmes responds that his offense is based on being himself offended.
 Murder by Decree / int_642806ca
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_642806ca
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_642806ca
 Murder by Decree / int_64e975cf
type
Manly Tears
 Murder by Decree / int_64e975cf
comment
Manly Tears: Holmes sheds tears over Annie Crook's situation.
 Murder by Decree / int_64e975cf
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_64e975cf
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_64e975cf
 Murder by Decree / int_65acf9db
type
He Knows Too Much
 Murder by Decree / int_65acf9db
comment
He Knows Too Much Polly Nichols, Liz Stride, and Annie Chapman were killed for knowing what Mary Kelly told them about the child. Makins the Citizens Committee Member for making the 'Juwes' message and telling Holmes to check on it.
 Murder by Decree / int_65acf9db
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Murder by Decree / int_65acf9db
 Murder by Decree / int_6ec4232f
type
Casting Gag
 Murder by Decree / int_6ec4232f
comment
Casting Gag: Frank Finlay had played Lestrade in the other film where Holmes faces off against the Ripper — A Study in Terror. Sir John Gielgud who played Holmes in a radio series for the BBC opposite Ralph Richardson as Watson.
 Murder by Decree / int_6ec4232f
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 Murder by Decree / int_6ec4232f
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_6ec4232f
 Murder by Decree / int_7fbe9a30
type
Freak Out
 Murder by Decree / int_7fbe9a30
comment
Freak Out: The normally stoic Holmes is appalled at the abuse Annie Crook has been put through at the asylum to the point he assaults the chief doctor snarling at him to let her go!
 Murder by Decree / int_7fbe9a30
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1.0
 Murder by Decree / int_7fbe9a30
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_7fbe9a30
 Murder by Decree / int_8470aa73
type
Roman à Clef
 Murder by Decree / int_8470aa73
comment
Roman à Clef: Several real people involved in the Ripper Case (or suspected to be involved) had their names changed for this film. Sir Thomas Spivey is based on Sir William Gull. William Slade is based on John Netley. Inspector Foxborough is based on Ripper Investigator Frederick Abberline.
 Murder by Decree / int_8470aa73
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 Murder by Decree / int_8470aa73
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Murder by Decree / int_8470aa73
 Murder by Decree / int_85557b38
type
Reality Is Unrealistic
 Murder by Decree / int_85557b38
comment
Reality Is Unrealistic: A poor prostitute gets a church funeral and a procession?!? Actually, Catherine Eddowes was given such a display through the charity of an undertaker named Charles Hawkes.
 Murder by Decree / int_85557b38
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 Murder by Decree / int_85557b38
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Murder by Decree / int_85557b38
 Murder by Decree / int_863fa679
type
What Happened to the Mouse?
 Murder by Decree / int_863fa679
comment
What Happened to the Mouse?: After Holmes' second meeting with him, Robert Lees is absent for the remainder of the movie, with no resolution to the subplot.
 Murder by Decree / int_863fa679
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 Murder by Decree / int_863fa679
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_863fa679
 Murder by Decree / int_89ed9b94
type
Gentleman Snarker
 Murder by Decree / int_89ed9b94
comment
Gentleman Snarker: Holmes and Watson. It's about the only way Watson can cope living with Holmes.
 Murder by Decree / int_89ed9b94
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 Murder by Decree / int_89ed9b94
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Murder by Decree / int_89ed9b94
 Murder by Decree / int_8c431fe4
type
Band of Brothers
 Murder by Decree / int_8c431fe4
comment
Band of Brothers: The Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, and Sir Charles cover up the Ripper murders because they feel obliged to due to the Ripper being a fellow Freemason.
 Murder by Decree / int_8c431fe4
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 Murder by Decree / int_8c431fe4
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Murder by Decree / int_8c431fe4
 Murder by Decree / int_8ca20b69
type
Out-of-Character Moment
 Murder by Decree / int_8ca20b69
comment
Out-of-Character Moment: Sherlock Holmes admits to a belief in spiritualism. In canon, Holmes is a firm atheist on the subject (although the author was a devoted spiritualist).
 Murder by Decree / int_8ca20b69
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 Murder by Decree / int_8ca20b69
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_8ca20b69
 Murder by Decree / int_8ec0abf
type
The Voiceless
 Murder by Decree / int_8ec0abf
comment
The Voiceless: Not once does the Ripper ever speak on screen.
 Murder by Decree / int_8ec0abf
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 Murder by Decree / int_8ec0abf
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 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree / int_8ec0abf
 Murder by Decree / int_9f4bec33
type
Destroy the Evidence
 Murder by Decree / int_9f4bec33
comment
Destroy the Evidence: When an inscription The Juwes are the ones who will not be blamed for nothing turns up on an alley wall near the murders, Sir Warren orders the message destroyed. He claims the message will blame the Jews for the crime and start a race riot in the neighborhood. In truth, the message is implicating the Freemasons, and Warren is protecting his fellow members.note As Holmes later says, the 'Juwes' are Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum, three villains from Masonic lore
 Murder by Decree / int_9f4bec33
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 Murder by Decree / int_9f4bec33
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Murder by Decree / int_9f4bec33
 Murder by Decree / int_a70223
type
Karma Houdini
 Murder by Decree / int_a70223
comment
Karma Houdini: Although 'Jack the Ripper' was punished, the official higher-ups complicit in Annie Crook's imprisonment and the murders suffer none.
 Murder by Decree / int_a70223
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 Murder by Decree / int_a70223
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Murder by Decree / int_a70223
 Murder by Decree / int_aed65980
type
All for Nothing
 Murder by Decree / int_aed65980
comment
All for Nothing: Robert Weverka's novelization has Holmes disputing the justification of the government's actions to resolving what they thought was the threat to the monarchy. Annie Crook's Catholic child by the Duke of Clarence & Avondale would never been a serious claimant: the Royal Marriage Act 1701 would have rendered the marriage invalid and the Act of Settlement 1772 mandated a Protestant as a successor to the throne. Thus, the threat that led to these horrible crimes only existed in their paranoia.
 Murder by Decree / int_aed65980
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Murder by Decree / int_aed65980
 Murder by Decree / int_c6c5ce4
type
Bedlam House
 Murder by Decree / int_c6c5ce4
comment
Bedlam House: To keep her out of the way, the conspirators have Annie Crook confined to a barbaric asylum far out in the country. Even the normally stoic Holmes sheds Manly Tears on seeing her plight.
 Murder by Decree / int_c6c5ce4
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 Murder by Decree / int_c6c5ce4
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Murder by Decree / int_c6c5ce4
 Murder by Decree / int_cfbd1467
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Never Suicide
 Murder by Decree / int_cfbd1467
comment
Never Suicide: Holmes is told that Annie Crook committed suicide. Holmes does not believe it.
 Murder by Decree / int_cfbd1467
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 Murder by Decree / int_cfbd1467
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Murder by Decree / int_cfbd1467
 Murder by Decree / int_d88faed2
type
Scarf of Asskicking
 Murder by Decree / int_d88faed2
comment
Scarf of Asskicking: Holmes weaponizes his trademark scarf by weighing it down and swinging it like a cudgel.
 Murder by Decree / int_d88faed2
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 Murder by Decree / int_d88faed2
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Murder by Decree / int_d88faed2
 Murder by Decree / int_e16217f8
type
Historical Villain Upgrade
 Murder by Decree / int_e16217f8
comment
Historical Villain Upgrade: Sir Charles Warren is made into an incompetent buffoon actively hampering the investigation. The real Sir Charles while a talented military officer was ill-suited for the job of police commissioner. And he was constantly criticized by the liberal press and even the Government to point he actually quit his post during the Ripper case. Lord Salisbury, the Prime Minister. Prince Victor Albert. Maybe Queen Victoria
 Murder by Decree / int_e16217f8
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Murder by Decree / int_e16217f8
 Murder by Decree / int_e52e0dc1
type
Clothing Combat
 Murder by Decree / int_e52e0dc1
comment
Clothing Combat: Holmes weaponizes his trademark scarf by weighing it down and swinging it like a cudgel
 Murder by Decree / int_e52e0dc1
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Murder by Decree / int_e52e0dc1
 Murder by Decree / int_e83f211c
type
O.O.C. Is Serious Business
 Murder by Decree / int_e83f211c
comment
O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The fact Sherlock Holmes hasn't been called by Scotland Yard to help with the Ripper case clues the Great Detective in that something is very wrong, if Scotland Yard refuses to have him consult on such a high profile case.
 Murder by Decree / int_e83f211c
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Murder by Decree / int_e83f211c
 Murder by Decree / int_ee6edfec
type
Arsenal Attire
 Murder by Decree / int_ee6edfec
comment
Arsenal Attire: Holmes weaponizes his trademark scarf by weighing it down and swinging it like a cudgel.
 Murder by Decree / int_ee6edfec
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 Murder by Decree / int_ee6edfec
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Murder by Decree / int_ee6edfec
 Murder by Decree / int_eef35d8d
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A Handful for an Eye
 Murder by Decree / int_eef35d8d
comment
A Handful for an Eye: When Holmes walks in on Slade and Spivey murdering Mary Kelly, Slade tosses a handful of hot coals in Holmes' face.
 Murder by Decree / int_eef35d8d
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Murder by Decree / int_eef35d8d
 Murder by Decree / int_fd4f8299
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Well-Intentioned Extremist
 Murder by Decree / int_fd4f8299
comment
Well-Intentioned Extremist: Foxborough is willing to sacrifice Mary Kelly to prove the government's involvement in the Ripper murders.
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Murder by Decree

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Murder by Decree
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A Handful for an Eye / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Ambiguous Situation / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Band of Brothers / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Bedlam House / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Canadian Movies / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Clothing Combat / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Destroy the Evidence / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Dueling-Stars Movie / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Freak Out / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Gentleman Snarker / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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He Knows Too Much / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Murder by Mistake / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Never Suicide / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Noose Catch / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Secret Relationship / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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The Voiceless / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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Who Dares? / int_b0bab3a8
 Murder by Decree
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You Monster! / int_b0bab3a8