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Motive

2013

CTV

4 Seasons

52 Episodes

7.2

(5 votes)

CTV Drops Season 5 of Motive from its Programming

Current Show Status

Motive Season 5 — Canceled

Latest Episode Aired Tue 8/30/2016 We'll Always Have Homicide Season 4: Episode 13

Next Episode Show ended 52 episodes total

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Storyline and plot

Motive is a Canadian police procedural television drama series that focuses on the question of why a crime was committed, rather than who committed it. Created by Daniel Cerone, the series first aired in February of 2013 and has had a successful three-season run, broadcast on ABC in the U.S. for the first two seasons. Motive Season 4 premiered on CTV in Canada on March 22, 2016.

Set in Vancouver, this drama follows the investigations of Detective Angie Flynn and her team as they try to put together clues that will lead to the prosecution of the perpetrator. Each episode presents a complicated maze of clues, with the killer and victim being shown at the beginning of the episode, and a series of flashbacks taking the audience back to the events leading to the crime.

Reviews and possible renewal

Motive has been met with positive reviews and critical acclaim, more so in Canada than the USA. Boasting a score of 7.2 out of 10 on IMDb and 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, this is a compelling police procedural thriller that draws a major audience. ABC is no longer investing in the production of Motive, effectively canceling the series in the USA due to the fact that the series has not performed particularly well there. Canadian audience was much more receptive and praised the series. However, the current season is slated to be the final one, as CTV has announced along with the renewal of Motive for the fourth series. Lack of financing is cited as the most likely reason for the cancelation.

Season 4 recap

The fourth and final season of Motive has concluded airing its 13 episodes on CTV on August 30, 2016, and on USA Network on September 25, 2016. The series continued to be a hit with the viewers, averaging close to one million viewers per episode during the last installment. The season finale attracted 0.92 million viewers, down from the 1.28 million fans who watched the season premiere. A consistent ratings performer, Motive has had as good a run as ever, and, following the usual format, the season finale featured a new murder investigation taken up by the reunited gang. With an undercover police officer revealed as the murderer, the probe grows more complicated, yet certain clues lead to uncovering the truth, while Angie and Mark consider coming clean about their ten-year old secret regarding Alfonso Dyer shooting. Farewell, Motive, it is sad to see you go.

Episodes

Season 4 Season 3 Season 2 Season 1

#	Name	Air Dates
1	The Vanishing Policeman	Mar 22, 2016
2	The Dead Name	Mar 29, 2016
3	Index Case	Apr 5, 2016
4	The Score	Apr 12, 2016
5	The Scorpion and the Frog	Apr 19, 2016
6	Interference	Apr 26, 2016
7	The Dead Hand	Jul 5, 2016
8	Foreign Relations	Jul 12, 2016
9	Remains To Be Seen	Jul 19, 2016
10	In Plain Sight	Jul 26, 2016
11	Natural Selection	Aug 2, 2016
12	Chronology of Pain	Aug 23, 2016
13	We'll Always Have Homicide	Aug 30, 2016

#	Name	Air Dates
1	Six Months Later	Mar 8, 2015
2	Calling the Shots	Mar 15, 2015
3	Oblivion	Mar 22, 2015
4	The Glass House	Mar 29, 2015
5	The Suicide Tree	Apr 5, 2015
6	Fallen	Apr 12, 2015
7	Pilot Error	Apr 19, 2015
8	Reversal of Fortune	Apr 26, 2015
9	Best Enemies	May 3, 2015
10	Purgatory	May 10, 2015
11	The Amateurs	May 24, 2015
12	Frampton Comes Alive	May 31, 2015
13	A Problem Like Maria	Jun 7, 2015

#	Name	Air Dates
1	Raw Deal	Mar 6, 2014
2	They Made Me a Criminal	Mar 13, 2014
3	Overboard	Mar 20, 2014
4	Deception	Mar 27, 2014
5	Dead End	Apr 3, 2014
6	Bad Blonde	Apr 10, 2014
7	Pitfall	Apr 17, 2014
8	Angels With Dirty Faces	Apr 24, 2014
9	Abandoned	May 1, 2014
10	Nobody Lives Forever	May 8, 2014
11	A Bullet for Joey	May 15, 2014
12	Kiss of Death	May 22, 2014
13	For You I Die	May 29, 2014

#	Name	Air Dates
1	Creeping Tom	Feb 3, 2013
2	Crimes of Passion	Feb 10, 2013
3	Pushover	Feb 17, 2013
4	Against All Odds	Mar 3, 2013
5	Public Enemy	Mar 10, 2013
6	Detour	Mar 14, 2013
7	Out of the Past	Mar 21, 2013
8	Undertow	Mar 28, 2013
9	Framed	Apr 4, 2013
10	Fallen Angel	Apr 25, 2013
11	Brute Force	May 2, 2013
12	Ruthless	May 9, 2013
13	The One Who Got Away	May 16, 2013

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Comments 52

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0 1 P Mcvicar July 19, 2022

It's 2022 and I've started watching Motive again and love it as much as I did the first time I watched the show. This is in my top five crime drama shows ever. Too bad they were canceled after season 4. The cast, writing, directing and location sets were top notch.

0 1 Neal Gallien November 27, 2016

Yet again, another smart program taken off. It seems to say how the level of intelligence continues to fall. What will they give us another mind numbing show like Big Brother Russia or Survivor Cuba.

0 1 Nancy Richard October 27, 2016

If Motive was such a great show, which I believe it was, and had such a high rating, >7, why was it cancelled? I may have been a season behind, here in US, but I was always looking forward to it. So sad to see it cancelled.

0 1 Jam October 22, 2016

Flashpoint, Rookie Blue and now Motive all good shows. All cancelled. Oh, well, all good things have to end.

Maybe I should think about watching Saving Hope.

0 1 Debra Rothermel October 8, 2016

That will teach me to invest any interest in yet another great TV drama. It seems my loyalty to any truly well-done series is rewarded with cancellation with it only to be replaced by another insipid, juvenile comedy I'm sure

1 0 Paula Price Debra Rothermel October 19, 2016

DITTO, Ms. Rothermel!!

0 0 daniel4ever October 3, 2016

[censored] - my husband and I love this show! Please, USA, pick it up and make a season 5!!

0 2 Teresa J October 2, 2016

So sad to see that Motive had been cancelled. The show had compelling stories, was unique in it's genre and had great acting. So much better than a lot of shows on television these days. Wish the powers that be would reconsider.

0 0 Lora October 1, 2016

I'm very sad to see that it's not being renewed it's an awesome show for once tv done right I think the decision should be rethought !

0 2 sj September 30, 2016

I liked Motive as everything else on TV is either a zombie show or a reality show

0 1 KGM September 30, 2016

Just got into this show and watched the final episode of season 4 only to realize this must be it. Sad to read my suspicions were true. This is a GREAT SHOW! Finally something different. I hope someone reconsiders.

0 1 Renee September 27, 2016

I feel like everyone else on here. I love this show and all the networks want to do is reality shows. They do always seem to cancel all the good ones.

0 1 S.A.B.F. September 26, 2016

I also hope that USA Network, realize the GEM they have in MOTIVE. IT is an AWESOME, show. And, it takes you on the ride with the Detectives as they investigate the crime. Gives you detailed insight as to why the crime was committed and It also gives you insight into the Team of Detectives. I really thought provoking series from..."Oh Canada".. ;-) I do hope the powers that be realize the same and continue to provide quality stories. Each and Every Actor that works or has appeared in this series, DELIVERS week in and week out.

0 1 Theresa September 24, 2016

I have really enjoyed all seasons of Motive and each season gets better. These actors are seasoned, intricate and the characters are relatable. If I never see another reality show, it will be way too soon!! The way they tell a story is unique and keeps you watching..."How did that guy kill that girl?? They don't even seem to be connected!" It does seem they get rid of the good shows and keep the shallow nonsense on the air. Well, here's to hoping some TV exec has some common sense!!

0 0 Michael Dueling September 21, 2016

I hope motive comes back we wait all week for it to come back. Like the columbo stye of format. Hope it will be reconcidered.

0 0 MML Photo September 19, 2016

Before everyone jumps to conclusions. The article is a little confusing. Canadian tv cancelled the series, but the usa network has been running the remaining episodes of the show. No word, that I can find if USA Network will pickup and continue making new episodes (ie, a season 5). That's what made the comments in the article so interesting, the show did so much better in canada, than the us? really? then why did your canadian tv network cancel the show and a us based one continue to show it? and why would the us based network consider continuing the series? lol. ABC hasn't been a good network for years. The show was on the wrong network there. Not the fault of the viewers or lack of people watching the show. Let's see what USA Network decides to do. :-)

0 0 Mary Somenhaller MML Photo September 26, 2016

I really hope Motive comes back. I love the format. And Kristen Lehman and Lauren Holly are great in their roles. Bring it back, USA!

0 0 Dotti Gilmore September 19, 2016

I, agree, they always cancel the good shows and leave some of the stupid reality shows. I hope another network picks Motive up because it is a great show.

0 0 DeeA September 18, 2016

What a great crime drama. Not your typical who dune it!!! Great cast and story line. Bring it back!!!

0 0 Longmire4ever September 16, 2016

I watched all the episodes that aired on ABC. I just discovered it again on USA network. Why do they always cancel the quality shows? The chemistry between the cast was amazing and the format was so intriguing. I hope that Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon pick it up as I missed all of season 3 and most of season 4.

Thank you to the cast and crew of Motive for a thrilling four years of television.

0 0 Janice September 15, 2016

I have watched this show from the first time that it was on ABC. Great show, great acting, great story lines. Gonna miss it.

0 0 Jeff Lovejoy September 14, 2016

Great show. they should reconsider but probably won't. Have to make space for more reality [censored].

0 0 Kristina September 11, 2016

i'm very disappointed that Motive will not be renewed for Season 5. This is one of the best shows on television in the USA. I understand financial cutbacks but I wish they would reconsider. So much better than reality shows. Always cancel the good shows and keep the awful reality shows on. Never fails that quality television shows are cancelled and [censored] stays on. Who's running the networks anyways?

0 0 Liesl Ivanovna September 1, 2016

I really enjoyed this show! Next to Law & Order, this series was on my top list. Although I'm disappointed that such an artistically constructed and captivating series had to end, I'm glad I had the chance to watch it. It was a nice experience. I guess sometimes good shows have to end at their climax before they run out of steam.

0 0 KL August 31, 2016

Just finishes watching the season/series final and I wanted to see if it was being renewed but after reading about it's cancellation like all of you I'm disappointed. It's the only show on T.V. that I make a point of watching every week. I love everything about this show! and because I live in Vancouver I love to see if I can recognize any of the places that are in that weeks episode. Unfortunately cancellation of great Canadian television are always lost due to cutbacks and finances, Thanks for an outstanding show~

0 0 Alice Rutkowski August 29, 2016

Hello
I watch many series on Amazon and this is my favorite next to The Good Wife. Seems like someone is not listening to audience. Great acting, stories, and characters.:(

0 0 Yolanda August 17, 2016

This is my absolute favorite show. I love the characters. The writers are very creative. I'm just praying that they will get the financing they need for season 5.

CTV Drops Season 5 of Motive from its Programming

Comments 52

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