Murdoch Mysteries

I hadn't heard of this series and just looked it up on wikipedia. Sounds interesting--I'm not generally a big mystery show buff (except for stuff like Columbo and some of the various Sherlock Holmes series over the years)--but the device of introducing historical personalities into the plots could be fun if done right. I'd be up for trying out some episodes, if they can be seen in the US. Any particular episode recommendations?

(As an aside, I wonder if you've ever caught the miniseries The Murder Rooms, a fact-based UK series that was predicated on the story of Dr. Joseph Bell, Conan Doyle's real-life mentor and inspiration for Holmes? Very well done, with some of the stories based on Holmes tales; Doyle himself appears in the series, acting somewhat as Watson to Dr. Bell. If Murdoch manages the same level of interweaving of fact and fiction in an entertaining way it should be a good show.)