Two murdered but well-preserved bodies are found after a shed is torn down, and it's discovered that one of them had fought in the War of 1812.

Murdoch struggles to work with the new coroner and clashes openly when a cement block found near the water contains the remains of not one but three men.

Detective Murdoch, Inspector Brackenreid, Dr. Ogden and several others are transporting serial killer James Gillies to the prison in Kingston, Ontario where he is scheduled to be executed the next day. It creates a bit of a stir among the passengers when they learn who is being transported. Among them are Aaron Rauls, a late arrival on the train and Nathaniel Henry. Both come under suspicion when the police find a dead man, Dennis Bolton who was released from the Don jail just a week ago. There's no direct connection between Bolton and Gillies but both were in the same jail at the same time. As tensions rise, it becomes evident that Gillies has arranged for several ex-convicts to be on the train - all part of his plan to escape.

With Murdoch away, Constable Crabtree finds himself investigating the apparent death by poisoning of a visiting Chinese official who was in Toronto seeking men who had participated in the Boxer Rebellion. Their immediate suspect is Wu Chang but as Crabtree gets to know the young man, he is increasingly convinced of his innocence. It turns out it's not Boxers they're after. Murdoch and Julia Ogden meanwhile are trying to find their nemesis, James Gillies. Things take a strange twist when the Cobourg police inform them they may have found Gillies' remains. Ballistics settles the issue but one question remains: who wrote the threatening letters. Murdoch settles that mystery as well.

During the renovation of the police station, the body of a long-missing constable is discovered in the foundation which leads Murdoch to investigate that station's veterans' past and the gay community of that time.

Up from Ashes- Murdoch is in trouble. He is accused of murder, and he must prove his innocence. Julia is kidnapped, there is a new chief from the UK, friends gather, and there is a surprise.

Murdoch helps a man look for his missing wife; Crabtree contemplates his relationship; the team from Station House No. 4 works on a murder case.

Murdoch pursues former Inspector Giles after he escapes from prison to vindicate a murderer.