HUDSON & REX: Episode 813
A string of burglaries rock the St. John’s Police Department right before Christmas.
Should You Watch It?
Yes, you should. This one offers a fun start to a two-episode arc, featuring a mystery and ending on a cliffhanger. Christmas in St. John’s brings family and friends visiting, along with a ring of thieves. The police force works to find the thieves, but are there more serious criminals in town?
The episode offers a fun mystery with a Christmas twist, using the Newfoundland tradition of “mummering” as a way for the thieves to gain access to their marks’ homes. Viewers learn a little about Newfoundland holiday traditions while enjoying a good whodunit. The episode also leaves viewers on a serious cliffhanger, so audiences will anxiously wait to tune in for Part 2.
Overall, this makes for a great watch for the whole family, but parents should keep in mind that young viewers might find the violent action scary.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESMark, Rex, and the rest of the St. John’s police department prepare to celebrate Christmas, but a string of robberies forces them to put their holiday plans on hold to catch the thieves. Meanwhile, his visiting girlfriend, lawyer Laura, is shocked to see a client in town who will soon surrender to the police. As the law closes in on the thieves, Laura begins to wonder whether her mysterious client is involved.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars for a fun mystery, a clever setup for the thieving ring, and a cliffhanger that leaves viewers eager to see what happens next. The episode is well crafted, especially in its use of Newfoundland Christmas traditions to help the criminals break into their marks’ homes.
The subplot involving Laura’s client, who appears in town, adds another layer of intrigue and leaves viewers wondering whether or not he’s connected to the thieves or part of a much larger mystery.
There are some formulaic elements. As a crime procedural, it follows familiar patterns, but the Christmas-themed crime spree and tantalizing cliffhanger still give viewers a good reason to return for the next installment.
The Worldview
A light moral worldview drives this Christmas installment of HUDSON & REX. The characters want to bring criminals to justice and work hard to catch the thieves who terrorize St. John’s. They treat one another with kindness and help each other as they hunt for the criminals. Family values also shine through. Sarah’s mother comes to town for a visit, and the pair share a sweet talk about how to balance work and family.
A light redemptive storyline also appears. One thief apologizes for her part in the robberies and refuses to blame someone else for her involvement. Instead, she takes responsibility for her own actions. Characters celebrate Christmas throughout the episode, but the celebrations remain secular.
Some light action violence pops up, but nothing graphic reaches the screen. A murder occurs at the start of the episode, but the camera never shows the act or the body. At the end, someone takes a bullet, but again, the episode shows nothing graphic.
A few action scenes show the police, with Rex’s help, as they chase down the criminals. The thieves also steal, kill, and lie, and one scene shows characters who drink alcohol. In the end, the episode reminds viewers that justice matters, family matters, and everyone must answer for their own choices.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
A light moral worldview, promoting bringing criminals to justice, doing the right thing, and being kind. Strong family relationships are shown. There is also a redemptive storyline where one of the thieves apologizes for her part in the robberies and takes full responsibility for her actions, even when given the chance to blame someone else for getting her involved. There are celebrations of Christmas throughout, but these celebrations are all secular
Foul Language
No foul language
Violence
Someone is murdered, but the act and the dead body are not shown on screen, a character is shot, but no blood is shown, and characters chase after and tackle criminals
Sex
A couple kiss
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Characters drink alcohol at a party, but not excessively
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug abuse;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Characters steal, lie, and murder, but these actions are rebuked, and the criminals are arrested.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The St. John’s community is rocked by a string of thefts. When people are tempted to take what isn't ours, what underlying emotions or desires, such as greed, discontentment, fear, or a lack of trust in God's provision, are usually at play? Matthew 15:19
Sarah and her mother have a heartfelt conversation about balancing work and family time. How does viewing your job as service to God change your daily attitude when work feels stressful or demands too much of your time? Colossian 3:23
One of the thieves takes responsibility for her actions and shows remorse, refusing to blame others for her getting involved in these crimes. How does the gospel give us the power to break free from a victim mindset without minimizing the genuine pain others have caused us? Romans 14:12
The Final Word
This episdoe of HUDSON & REX delivers a fun holiday whodunit and closes on a strong cliffhanger for Part 2. A few twists feel predictable, but the story holds attention from start to finish. With themes of justice, family, and redemption, the episode makes a great choice for the whole family, though some action violence may frighten young children.
