During a total eclipse of the sun, an astronomer is bludgeoned to death by a meteor, and an astrologer claims to have predicted each subsequent murder.During a total eclipse of the sun, an astronomer is bludgeoned to death by a meteor, and an astrologer claims to have predicted each subsequent murder.During a total eclipse of the sun, an astronomer is bludgeoned to death by a meteor, and an astrologer claims to have predicted each subsequent murder.
Paul Blackwell
- Eclipse Observer
- (uncredited)
Chris Cowlin
- CID Officer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Moonstone disc displayed in the museum is a replica of a real bronze age artifact: the "Nebra sky disc" (Himmelsscheibe von Nebra), found 1999 near Nebra, Saxony-Anhalt in Germany. The description given by Catrina is spot on: dated around 1600 BC, and probably used to harmonize the moon and the sun year (354 vs. 365 days).
- GoofsWhen D.I. Barnaby asks amateur astronomer George Dormer where he was the previous night when a murder was committed, he replies that he was watching a transit of Venus. This occurs when Venus crosses the disc of the sun, and it would be impossible to see such an event at night.
- Quotes
DCI John Barnaby: With all your powers of divination, perhaps you can tell me who did this.
Mags Dormer: No. No, I foretell the future, Inspector. The past, and all its mysteries, is your department.
- Alternate versionsThis is S15E4 on FreeVee streaming in 2024.
- ConnectionsReferences Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Featured review
Season 15 jumps the shark
When in its prime (a vast majority of Seasons 1-9), 'Midsomer Murders' was a great show and one that is watched and re-watched frequently. Seasons 10-13 became more uneven, with three of the show's worst episodes coming from Seasons 11 and 13, but there were a few solid episodes and "Blood Wedding" and especially "Master Class" were gems.
After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same, if anybody's read my reviews for the Season 14 episodes the reasons are detailed in those. After being pleasantly surprised by the previous two Season 15 episodes "The Dark Rider" and "Murder of Innocence", while not a 'Midsomer Murders' low-point "Written in the Stars" is a disappointment.
Starting with the strengths, as always, the production values in "Written in the Stars" cannot be faulted as usual. It's beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
The acting is good enough, with Neil Dudgeon and Jason Hughes acquitting themselves well and working more as a cohesive team than in most of their episodes. Barnaby isn't as arrogant or as disdainful, and Jones not as much as a dolt, Barnaby's treatment of Jones being nowhere near as much a turn off as in some of their previous episodes. Adorable and amusing Sykes steals scenes as ever. The murders are pretty inventive and atmospheric.
However, "Written in the Stars" had an intriguing concept with a unique premise but just doesn't grip, with an outlandish and convoluted story that fails to make sense. The final solution suffers from a too clichéd motive, not that surprising a killer's identity and for being pretty far fetched. The characters are not that engaging and lack colour (in personality). This is including bland Kate and condescendingly charmless Sarah (who for Barnaby's wife has very little chemistry with him).
Scripting is routine at best often and both takes itself too seriously and feels dumbed down. The pacing can lack energy.
In conclusion, pretty lacklustre but watchable episode. 5/10 Bethany Cox
After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same, if anybody's read my reviews for the Season 14 episodes the reasons are detailed in those. After being pleasantly surprised by the previous two Season 15 episodes "The Dark Rider" and "Murder of Innocence", while not a 'Midsomer Murders' low-point "Written in the Stars" is a disappointment.
Starting with the strengths, as always, the production values in "Written in the Stars" cannot be faulted as usual. It's beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
The acting is good enough, with Neil Dudgeon and Jason Hughes acquitting themselves well and working more as a cohesive team than in most of their episodes. Barnaby isn't as arrogant or as disdainful, and Jones not as much as a dolt, Barnaby's treatment of Jones being nowhere near as much a turn off as in some of their previous episodes. Adorable and amusing Sykes steals scenes as ever. The murders are pretty inventive and atmospheric.
However, "Written in the Stars" had an intriguing concept with a unique premise but just doesn't grip, with an outlandish and convoluted story that fails to make sense. The final solution suffers from a too clichéd motive, not that surprising a killer's identity and for being pretty far fetched. The characters are not that engaging and lack colour (in personality). This is including bland Kate and condescendingly charmless Sarah (who for Barnaby's wife has very little chemistry with him).
Scripting is routine at best often and both takes itself too seriously and feels dumbed down. The pacing can lack energy.
In conclusion, pretty lacklustre but watchable episode. 5/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 10, 2017
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- Watlington Hill, Watlington, Oxfordshire, England, UK(Moonstone Ridge: the astronomical society watch the eclipse)
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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