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Reviews
Midsomer Murders: The Sting of Death (2019)
I'm going to bee nice here
Ok..look, this, to me was not the best episodes of MM. Not the worst, I give that to "Blood on the Saddle" and, to me the WORST one, "Night of the Stag" (when that comes on, I turn the channel).
Basically, in a nutshell, you have a village called Granville Norton (which seems to me since John Barnaby came to Midsomer, there seems to be more villages I have not heard from since all 14 or so seasons with Tom Barnaby and Troy/Scott/Jones years). In this village, you have a man named Ambrose Deddington, a man who is in love with himself and the bees he keeps. It's a wonder he is even having a relationship with a beautiful, younger doctor, living with his way too close sister, Tamara.
His bees are said to produced honey that "cured" his "cancer", thus having a waiting list of people waiting their "cure." Got it? Good.
Someone tries to destroy the hives. Why?
Well, because as we find out, someone doesn't bee-lieve his claims. So, bashed over the head and a destroyed hive.
Then, in said village, you have a Vicar who is (can you guess?) A fire and brimstone type that apparently EVERYONE who is not of the righteousness is going to hell (he would have loved the company of the Vicar in "Second Sight" and other wonderful "you're burning in hell" types). Well, he is on love with the doctor who is going with Ambrose and, he has some sort of bi polar and anger management issues. No wonder no one wants to worship with him (he's unhinged). But wait, there's more! He has a daughter who has come back from sabbatical (does he greet her? Only to scold her!) to be around this bee loving village to work with a pent up sister of said Ambrose who has the hots for Noah Moon, a yoga instructing, peace loving guy whom is not all what he seems. Why? Because he has come back for revenge! Ambrose "honey of the Gods to cure cancer" didn't help his mother who bee-lieved in that (see what I did there with bees..) anyway. He has to go but...he DOESN'T KILL HIM. Why the hell not? Because genuis here kills the doctor that he loved, the mam he loved but, somehow, found out he helped in some with the lie about the curable cancer honey. I was disappointed in this episode! I left a lot out (read the other reviews) but, I gave it a low score because there were people who SHOULD have died.
Ambrose, his awful sister (who was trying to burn alive the Vicar's daughter because she thought she had the hots for Moon boy...) and what's worse, SHE is not even arrested! What the actual hell? And the Vicar, too...he almost committed murder (he "saw" the devil in Noah Moon) but, he was stopped by his daughter (who was almost effing burned, btw) and Winter and Barnaby lite didn't arrest him??
The SAME Barnaby that sent an old lady to be brought to the station from an episode about Sarah's Uni bestie's son getting married and the old lady was helped by now dead bride to help slow the pain of her dying husband with some powerful weed! In that, he told Sarah, "Well, she's right I have to turn her in." But, in 2 cases in THIS damn episode, he doesn't!! Let this be Tom Barnaby, he would have let that slide (go the episodes "Death in Disguise" and "The Made for Measure Murders" about that).
What I liked about this episode: beautiful homes, settings, Fleur. Jaime is fine. I agree about John and Sarah not being seen to have chemistry like Tom and Joyce (and I do not care what a couple of people on here think in their reviews but Tom and Joyce are a great couple and you can tell that by their chemistry and their banter together). I mean, they have grown from the beginning of, what, the 14th season when we get to meet Sarah, BUT, still. They are a little stiff with each other. But I digress.
Still a better episode than "Blood on the Saddle" and "Night of the Stag"!
Thriller: Nurse Will Make It Better (1975)
She's one hell of a nurse
This a another great story from Thriller called "Nurse Will Make it Better" as Bessy Morne (played brilliantly and with great evil glee by Diana Dors), a "nurse" that is "called upon" from the agency to take care of a paralyzed young girl, the eldest daughter, Charley Harrow (Linda Liles) of an American diplomat (Cec Linder) who was hurt in a horse riding accident. His two other daughters, middle child Ruth and 16yr old Susy (Andrea Marcovicci and Tiffany Kinney) are trying to figure out how to help her, since one by one, nurses are leaving at a fast rate because of her anger over her condition.
Nurse Bessy introduces herself, goes upstairs to calm Charly down, and punches her to sleep. The silence is reassuring to all...except for middle sister Ruth, who finds something not quite right with Bessy. And in this story, we see that this Nurse is more into your soul than healing.
Soon, Charly can walk and, is more devoted to Bessy and young, impressionable Susy gets real comfortable with her as well, to the chagrin of Ruth and her father's bodyguard, who's dog was rid of quite quickly because animals can sense evil.
Now the oldest and youngest daughters are the new disciples to the devilish Bessy and is told to, "Be Faithful" as they run amuck, stop going to church, disobey and it is up to no good. What can Ruth do? And who can help her?
This episode was great in showcasing the great Diana Dors (whom you would never suspect it was her because she is soo glammed down) and how she didn't ham it up or chew a scenery. She played with a calm yet, scary touch as the nurse from hell, and when she is on screen, she takes command of the screen with her presence. The other actors in this story are very good, especially Andrea Marcovicci as the middle child who sensed immediately something wrong, Wendy Williams who played another disciple that was "nursed" by Bessy, Patrick Troughton as the Rev. That is trying to stop her and the bodyguard and boyfriend, Michael Culver and Ed Bishop (respectfully), are also on board trying to save the souls of Charly and Susy.
This was a very good episode...one of better ones (well, anything is better than "K is for Killing").
Thriller: Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are (1974)
A figmant of your imagination...
This was another great episode of Thriller. Here is a mystery about an American tourist name Cathy (Lynda Day George) who wants to know where her cousin, Jane (Kathleen Mallory) is located. Cathy has had some type of nightmare of Jane about to fall to her death but, doesn't. So, in the morning, Cathy gets up for breakfast and knocks on Jane's door to awaken her. No answer. So, she inquires Mrs. Lewis (Colette O'Neil) if Jane have left for the morning. She swears that her and her cousin came in at night to the inn where the Lewises are innkeepers. Mr. Lewis( John Carson) an alcoholic, swears to his wife and to Cathy that only 1 person checked in and that was her, the pretty blonde. But, Cathy is 100 percent sure they both registered. Looking at the book only her name is there...but, we realize in this episode someone tore a page from said book.
Cathy then gets worried when the Lewises questions her about Jane. Mr. Lewis is adamant that she was NOT there. Only her. Cathy insists. So, she calls the police, to the dismay of Mr. And Mrs. Lewis.
Detective Inspector Dexter (Peter Jefferey)comes in a suspects that maybe the beautiful American blonde is not quite all there and this is nothing more than a figment of her imagination. With his partner, Reeves (Richard Cobert), they try to deal with this "non matter" matter. So, they investigate. And so far, no one believes Jane even exists...until the other tenant, Paul, explains to the cops that yes, there WAS another woman. He should know: he helped them with their bags that night. And with a call to the airlines, there was, in fact, an American named Jane Howard, that arrived in England. So now, where is Jane? Did Mr. Lewis go into a drunken blackout and hurt her? Did Cathy have something to do with this? What did happen to Jane?
This episode was soo good because you start questioning what happened to Jane and why is she missing and what does Mr. Lewis have to hide.
Only the ending, you will see what did happen to Jane and how cold and calculating it was.
Lynda Day George did a wonderful job of portraying a confused, worried relative who wants to get to the bottom of her cousin's disappearance and John Carson plays the alcoholic, unhinged proprietor of the inn who, even though he knows he drinks too much and forgets at times, is confident about what really happened.
This one you have to see to the end!
Thriller: I'm the Girl He Wants to Kill (1974)
She's the girl that wants to live
Once again, Thriller comes out with another great episode, this one right after another great episode. Seems like back to back great episodes. Robert Lang and Julie Sommars play the man that wants to kill and Ann Rodgers, the woman he wants to kill, after realizing that she saw him coming out of her flat where he just finished murdering a young lady. She knows he has done it..and HE knows this. So, he is trying to silence her one way or the other.
This was a nail bitter of an episode. Because he knows he has been seen, he needs to track her down, and, whilst working on some unfinished business in an office building, unbeknownst to her, the killer comes and kills a guard. When she is ready to leave, and see that the doors are locked, she horrified to find out that Tony the guard is dead. Trying to go back up to the 12th floor, she sees the blood near the elevators...and decides to take the stairs. He sees that no one is there...until he sees her purse. Now he KNOWS she is trapped and it is a game of cat and mouse. Will he catch her? Will she outsmart him? Does the police know where she's at?
The last 10 minutes are really intense to this thriller and you wonder how will they catch him. Now, I understand a couple of people didn't like this episode because the cops took their time, the killer could have not run after her, stayed put and just killed her or, better yet, got the hell out of town, and Ann could have broken the glass doors to get out of there..but, seriously, when you are in this type of situation, sometimes all logic goes out the window. And common sense. Point is, with that being said, this was still a great episode after the previous great episode, A Coffin for the Bride.
Thriller: Sign It Death (1974)
Don't Spite Her
This is another great episode of Thriller that is worth watching! You know who the murderer is but, how cunning, conniving, disturbing and menacing the murderer is.
A few months earlier, Tracy Conway is waiting in the dining room, behind the curtains, to kill the unsuspecting family, The Carters, up in Salzburg. Once the deed is done, she dutifully cleans up her "mess". Once finished, she goes away to the Bahamas but, leaves behind a romance novel magazine..the only evidence left behind.
Now back in London, Tracy bumps into the very rich and successful Richard Main. He's the head of his own firm and is happily married. She follows him into the building where he works and sees the work environment. Richard's trusty secretary, Prudence Prue Claire, his partner Bill Lewis and the other secretary, Sally. Tracy sees how friendly and close he is to her and the rest, and in her mind, the perfect candidate to become his new secretary.....and wife!
Tracy follows her and at first, has the inkling of wanting to push her out on the street, but that doesn't work. So, she follows her, lies to Prue that she was sent by Mr. Main and then, trusty scissors in hand, kills her. Just like she killed the Carters up north.
Tracy assumes the role of Prue, whom no one knows what has happened to her. Mr. Main is very happy that someone stepped in soo quickly..but, the other workers on the floor, Bill Lewis and Sally the secretary, are non too happy with "Miss Goody Two Shoes".
This doesn't help the fact that Sally is warned by Tracy "Don't spite me" and her "attempts" at calling Mrs. Main, which makes Mr. Main assumes that his wife is up to something else...until the 2nd time, Bill calls him herself in front of both Tracy and Mr. Main that some how, she is misdialing.
The performances by everyone in this story is great, Francesca Annis as the disturbed Tracy Conway, who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Patrick Allen plays Richard Main, the head of Main Enterprise, who is unsuspecting of the very "too reliable" Tracy.
Edward Judd and Jackie Tong plays the other workers in the office, partner Bill Lewis and secretary Sally, who quips to Tracy "I'm engaged" to the unhappy Tracy. And let's not forget Mrs. Main, played by Moira Redmond, a very happy wife of Mr. Main Tracy is trying to take the place of.
Towards the end, the "investigation" from the partner Bill Lewis and the 2 detectives that were searching (and found stabbed to death) Prue and the call that connects this all together (along with that magazine at the original crimes scene) made a fascinating conclusion to this very great episode.
Definitely worth watching this and much, much better than "K is for Killing".
Thriller: Once the Killing Starts (1974)
The Mad Professor
This was another great episode of Thriller!
Once The Killing Start is a tale of a married man, a professor named Michael Lane, in this case, with a lover who is also a student, trying to get rid of said wife.
So, he cooks up a plan: He tapes her saying a phrase that would be later used in a tape recording that's time delayed, and have the instrument dial the number, with timer in tow, to set said trap. Only thing he has to do is to go over to his friend/fellow professor's house, Peterson...after he kills his wife by asking her to find some papers for him. And so, he does. A perfect murder by Professor Lane and an alibi to boot. The Detective Rush investigating the case sees that she must have startled someone and thus, murdered by him. So, case closed? Nope. There is a note that tells Professor Lane that he was seen and someone knows he has done it! But, who could it be? Was it George, one of the students who has an eye for his lover, Stella? Was it Stella herself? Was it his professor friend, Peterson, who could have found out about his scheme? He gets more and more of these letters which causes him to suspect George, at the same time the Detective Rush is always there, watching his every move at the University. Another note arrives and has him meeting at a spot where he sees George whizzing by. So now, George has to go.
George is poisoned by Professor Lane's late wife pills in a drink when he is at the professor's house on some pretense of getting helped. And now, he can continue his love affair...until he sees another letter after she leaves one night and now assumes SHE was the one who actually sent those letters. And so, he kills her. But the letters keeps coming...now he is losing it.
The ending was quite a twist, because after you see the 2 main people that you think either one of them could have been the murderer dead, one by poisoning and one by strangulation, you are quite surprised as to the "Who" and "Why".
Now, someone said on here that this was more in a "Columbo style" manner of how the murderer was found to be that. Which is funny because Patrick O'Neal who played the Professor, was a murderer in an episode of Columbo, (Blueprint for Murder). So, yes, this has the makings of a Columbo episode. This episode was very good episode for season 2, episode 2 of Thriller.
Thriller: The Eyes Have It (1973)
An episode worth seeing
This episode of Thriller, "The Eyes Have It", is one of the best in the series. A very gripping story that leaves you on the edge of your seat.
Three assassins, who goes to the "Medical School for the Blind" needs the building so they can use the top floor window to kill a visiting statesman. So, they kill the only seeing person, the Doctor/teacher of said school and realize that one of the students, Sally, is there to "witness" the murder..of which she can't see, to the satisfaction of one of the assassins, Anderson. Introducing himself as a plumber and his "2 helpers", Sally gives a letter to be mailed...but that letter will come into play later.
Sally then tells her friends that there are plumbers there but, they are "odd" because she may not see them in their "gear" plumbers, of course, has a smell to them. A smell she noticed they did not have. And something about them doesn't seem right (why would a plumber wear a pinky ring)?
Little things adds up but, no one is believing that the Doctor just ups and leaves. They all suspect that he is going to the parade that will pass by their school in a motorcade of where the statesman will be in.
Well, then, Sally is upset and knows something is wrong. But, she presses on and gets ready to work on the dummy used to teaching...but this is no dummy but the good doctor! And her letter is still there, she finds out. Her screams notifies the fact that the 3 assassins knows that one of them found the doctor's dead body! To the chagrin of one of the assassins (a man who is there to make sure the job is done correctly). Now her blind buddies knows something is wrong and they arr held hostage. With the windows barred and the door locked from the outside, and no help from the police, since the officer was duped by Anderson as being the good doctor, what are they to do? Why are they being held hostage. And then, the radio gives them the clues that they need to know: the school is in the direction of where the motorcade will come by. And they need their school to kill him. And it doesn't help that Sally knows the smell of gun powder that she smelled on them (but not what she should have smelled if they were "plumbers").
So, they need to find a way out and Sally, finds a breeze somewhere in the room. They remember that the room they were in was a donated mansion and that they dining room had a dumb waiter. Once they find that, Sally is petite enough to go down into the basement and finds the door after being let down. But, she's caught by Anderson, who is walking around the grounds to check everything out whilst his two cohorts are upstairs, bickering. He brings her back but, because of her screams, the other residents know that she was captured but will be back in the room so, they get a game plan on!
What is next is now down to the wire of how they managed to subdue Anderson and take out the next two. The last 5 minutes is a nail bitter and the last scene will forever be etched in your memory as how they came through and save the day!
Sinèad Cusack, Alun Armstrong and Dennis Waterman (the two men starring years later as Gerry Standing and Brien "Memory" Lane on the great hit "New Tricks") leads this great episode of Thriller. Some episodes of Thriller are supernatural, some are a little put there, but THIS episode is one of the tops when it comes to suspense. Absolutely worth watching again.
Midsomer Murders: Second Sight (2005)
Not really looking at the first time around..
I love MM. Love the whole show. Love the original cast of this great show more than the John Barnaby Era (no disrespect to John, Sarah) and Fleur is a riot!
But, there are some episodes that is below par. And this is just that. Mind you, to me, the WORST would be "Night of the Stag". This is nowhere near as bad but..yea. I agree with some comments as how you can easily sense who the killer is. But, what I don't get is, if you have Second Sight, and know that someone is on danger, one of them being your illegitimate son and a baby involved, WHY would you not use said abilities? The guy uses it ONLY after Barnaby pleads with him to help him catch the person (another evil, murderous Vicar, in a not so well established parish) who kidnapped a mother and child!! Are you kidding me? And earlier, as someone said in another comment, Scott (who bullied and warned the old man about ever crossing him in the episode "Maid in Splendour") was told by said guy that he was "going to kill him for touching things" didn't say anything. Why? Why didn't they allow Scott to stand up to him? And then, there's the flashback as the guy, running to save a military truck from crashing into a school, running in and say, "Let's play a game who can..." What? First off, you mean some giant guy comes running and the teacher doesn't blink an eye? She let him take over and get the kids outside? Yes, he saved lives but, come on now. "Everybody, you're in danger, get out now!" But..maybe that's me. That scene just made no sense to me..and I have seen this episode more than once! And another thing I don't get. How DID the first victim, who gets hit on the head by the Vicar, hoe did he manage to still fight people? Was he hit on the head first, them go in the bar, start a fight or, go in the bar first, THEN, he goes outside, gets hit on the head, then goes back in...you get the idea.
Just...I personally wasn't rooting for anyone in this episode. Even the baby was annoying!! Maybe the parents I felt pitty for!
As for the the other story, Cully wants to get in a van, traveling and acting, to Joyce's chagrin. And who would blame her? Cully went to Poland to act, to Perth (Scotland), and had Nico, an actor/bf. Now, she is doing this? I get why Joyce was non too thrill.
I was non too thrilled with this episode but, again, I would watch this more than "Night of the Stag" because once was enough for that horrible mess!
Midsomer Murders: The Noble Art (2010)
Not a Noble Bunch here
I pretty much agree with a lot of the comments on here..it was not a bad episode but, it wasn't the best, either. Certainly better than "The Electric Vendetta" "The Made for Measure Murders" and "Blood on the Saddle". I personally didn't mind "The Straw Woman" or "Second Sight"...BUT, it's by far much better than the God awful "Night of the Stag" and better than "Echoes of the Dead". As I was watching this episode, I was wondering a few things that no one seems to explained...like, how did Tom and Joyce become friendly with the magistrate, Gerard? Where did they meet? A charity, an event? In the episode, it was suggested that Tom and Joyce knew Gerard's adopted son, Sebastian, birth father. But, apparently, Sebastian doesn't know that Gerard is NOT his dad. And that the mom married Gerard, son and all, and she left both of them when he was about 4 or so. Do the Barnabys know her? Where are his birth parents? Anyway, another thing is, why do they enjoy boxing all of a sudden? Is this like the time, in "Bantling Boy" the said named horse was from Midsomer County and was a winner, thus, rooting for the home team? And since the boxing was from a local named John Kinsella, they decided to be interested in said sport? Because then, that would make sense. Did I like this episode? I did. Did I care for any of the characters...besides the lord of the house Gerard Farquaharason, and his daughter in law, not really. See, I actually didn't care about the murdered victims. This was one of those rare times where the people who were murdered didn't really get my sympathies. All over a bet from a lie. Gerard made a bet, on a lie, foolishly, with a man name Frank Bishop, the promotor/father in law of John, who won a match at MSG (Madison Square Garden in NYC). A bet for the estate. The lawyer who arranged this, Giles Braithwaite, was on the take and was witnesses by his all too personal (for her, not the closeted gay Giles), blackmailing, Irish Holman. Sebastian Farquaharason, the "adopted" son of Gerard, is 100 against this bet and is PISSED that his dad made this. What we find out is that his secret lover, Giles, wrote it up and the blackmailer, Iris (whom I have stated, was in love with Giles and hated them two for being lovers or, gay, even). Sebastian is an angry, bitter, hostile young man and married to his wife Camilla.
Well, after the match, and on his way to sign everything over (once they landed at Heathrow and Frank is on the way to collect) there is Giles...dead, in his chair. Who did it? This is where Tom and Ben comes in. Then, Camilla is found to be pregnant (courtesy of Joyce, with her knowledge of morning sickness). So, while Tom is interviewing Sebastian, it becomes clear to both Tom and Ben that A, he is not excited that she is pregnant because B, that is 100 not his child (and he is 100 sure) and it MUST be the boxing Midsomer Casanova, John's baby.
Then who else gets murdered? Why, it is Frank Bishop, the lying bully promoter, who just fired his trainer (who's in love with his wife) and can't stand her, either. Do we care that he is dead? No...no we are not. He is dressed like a wanna be Jack the lad or Mack the Knife or someone who just stepped off the stage from doing "Guys and Dolls". Personally, I was hoping Sebastian would be #3 but, no. He couldn't even try to commit suicide on himself with all that damn anger he has within him.
And then, death #3, Iris Holman. Was I sad that she was next? Kind of...but I'm not lighting a candle for her. Because she KNEW who did the murder...and was blackmailing said person (Gerard)! She is special, huh?
There were a few other characters here that just filled in space, like Bishop's wife (and mother to John). The sculptor who was commissioned to do a beautiful metal piece who is engaged (or was) to an equally aggressive, hurt feelings brute of a bully who also hated John because of how he was treated by the ladies. Wouldn't have mind if he was murdered, btw. This whole episode basically had me wanting MORE people dead. Is that sad for me to say? Trust me...there are episodes of MM where the people you think or, wish that should die, doesn't.
Tom finally gets to the bottom of the case by telling Joyce that he has purposely steered clear away from one suspect (his friend) because he just can't seem to understand why...because he doesn't want to believe it.
But boy, does he! We find out that Gerard is the father of his daughter in law's baby! Not only that but, neither regret falling in love with each other. Great huh? The ending was pretty much summed up by Gerard: a lawyer who was on the cut, a bully of a man who lied to get the estate, a woman who was a blackmailing homophobe, and him. A man who had sex and fathered his own daughter in law. And the icing on this fresh baked mess of a cake...John Kinsella failed a drugs test because he's been doping and the belt will be given to the opponent. He didn't have to kill anyone. But he did. The only thing I was happy about was that he killed 3 unlikable people. And that he will finally have an heir with a woman that loves him. Albeit that's messed up but, the estate is in his name and she will be preoccupied with child.
What a Noble bunch of people indeed!
Midsomer Murders: The Miniature Murders (2019)
Not kid friendly
This was a pretty good episode. For anyone that has seen the early years of MM with DCI Tom Barnaby, you'll know he has run into the real estate agent, Olive Beauvoisin, a few times...now, years later, her great-nephew is the center of this investigation as the murder victim! Alexander Beauvoisin is a real estate agent that has been murdered whilst presenting dolls houses at the Midsomer Museum. On the other side of said event, you have Mrs. Barnaby with daughter Betty enjoying a kid's entertainment party. The Old running joke is that if Mrs. Barnaby (Joyce) was nearby, there would be a death (and maybe SHE did it, LOL). Well, since that Mrs. Is enjoying quality time with Tom, John has to contend with finding out this mystery as to who and why killed this man...was it the soon to be ex who hated that he just changed the locks and got snuggly with a younger women? The contractor who was blamed for the buildings (that turned out being slums) the dead man owned and served time for, that caused the death of a young Landy? The father/son moving company that lost said loved one to the slum shady Alexander Beauvoisin? The exquisite doll house maker that was promised by the great aunt to live on said property that was once owned by her, only to be told to pack up and leave by him?
The bird lady, Jemima, who was in love with her ex employee (faithful to a fault) who was given a building and now, since he's dead, she doesn't need to pay..could she have done it?
With soo many people that has motive, it is an interesting whodunit and an interesting ending. It is nice that a relative from the early years comes back for a visit (albeit, short) to Midsomer.
Love Fleur...she is an awesome pathologist who takes no crap and means what she says. Would have loved it if Barry Jackson (George Bullard) was still alive so we could see them two team up on a case (and, possibly, motorcycle riding). Betty looks adorable. Paddy is cute (but he's no Syke).
Overall, I enjoyed it...even if there are some aspects that didn't come together.
Rooms: Susan: Part 2 (1975)
A young Jane Wymark in a very great role
I am a big fan of Midsomer Murders and love Jane Wymark. I saw that she starred in an show called "Rooms" episode, "Susan" where she plays the title character. This 2 parter is about a young, shy-ish student/worker, who is renting out a room in this house from this couple. She has a cute upstairs neighbor she likes but, not too fond of the owner, and doesn't like to be touched. And in this episode, you'll understand why. Because in this episode, Susan is an abuse victim...sexually abused by her father who makes a visit...and tries his "luck" with her. But, he doesn't succeed.
The whole episode, especially part 2, is really dark and deep for its time. And a 22yr old Jane Wymark (whom I was told from other reviews that this was her debut) did a wonderful job. She played this part very well.
Nigel Havers, Pauline Yates, Bryan Marshall all did a great job in this story.
Worth watching...wish there was a part 3 and 4 to this because this would have been amazing 👏!
Midsomer Murders: The House in the Woods (2005)
Welcoming Ben Jones to our homes...and MM
As the others mentioned on here, this is a great episode to start the season and a great welcome to PC Ben Jones! Loved how quick on his feet he was with George and Tom at the scene of the double murder. I agree with the other comments: why did the murderer kill the couple in the beginning? They weren't going to buy it...just look at it. Maybe the murderer thought they would have succeeded in getting the home...who knows. But, that is one slight drawback.
Sad that Scott was not only a no show, but, no one ever mentioned him...again. He calls put "sick" but, nothing was resolved. Troy became a DI up north, Ben ended up being DI in Brighton, Nelson ended up doing undercover training or so for a year more (hence Winter) but nothing on Scott. But, then, we would have neve been introduced to Ben. His humour, his wit and his rapport with Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) is natural. Loved the side story of the wacky couple that wants to "preserve the past". I LOVE Joyce (Jane Wymark) because she brings a nice touch to any episode. I also loved the scene where Tom saw that Joyce was going to the House in the Woods and how he rushed over there...only to see her having tea and biscuits with Jack and the nice lad!
A great episode to start the season. This episode is, to me, is up there with the classics, A Killing in Badger's Drift, Written in Blood, Death's Shadow, Dead Man's Eleven, Destroying Angel, The Green Man....
The only reason why not a 10: no real explanation about Scott, no real explanation why the first couple were murdered. And a great ending scene, around the piano, in the house, in the woods.
Midsomer Murders: Midsomer Rhapsody (2005)
Swan song for DS Scott
This was a pretty good episode, albeit I agree that this one was confusing. You have to see this more than once to get it!
First off, loved the music, "Midsomer Rhapsody", and I also noticed just like a reviewer on here, Joan's album cover is the exact replica of the great Carole King...cat and all! I laughed as soon as I saw that.
Another thing I loved was the daughter of the late Joan. How she was really down to earth and didn't care that her father lived in a caravan in the woods. She wanted to meet ALL the people in her late birth mum's life. Including her ex, his gf, her grandmother...really loved her character. No yelling, screaming, anger from this one.
I even loved the death scene where a head was decapitated and hit the windshield of Barnaby's car!
However, the plot was confusing: A beloved music teacher gets murdered when the original manuscript is missing from his home. But, how did he know to leave the senior citizen facility to go to his home for said papers? Maybe I missed something. It has something to do with fraud but...again, was still confuse. Everyone wanted a piece of this classic piece of music that they would kill for it....and die for it, too. And the family relationships here were sad: You had a father disowning his son, a man who didn't know he was a father, a mother who was more concerned about what her late daughter thought than her other daughter who was alive and well, said other daughter who is married to a man who used to date the dead sis and is still madly in love with her (and tells her about his undying love), a young woman who just found her dad and grandmother.... I mean, a lot of sad family drama here. All of this and DS Scott last episode...which, look. I know he was not the best of the sidekicks, imho, when it comes to Tom Barnaby, but, he grew on me. He was a a city boy in the sticks. Loved the woman, got a little tough on some people, had a huge crush on Cully, a little cocky...that was him. It was amusing seeing two opposites, like him and Tom, work together. The way he got a double confession in his own way (Things That Go Bump in the Night is a great example of that) and how he had a one night stand with a suspect (who was later murdered). Scott was a wild card when it comes to MM Sergeants. And I was sad that they did not give him a send-off. His "send-off" was two episodes with acting DC Jones where Scott was "sick" and Tom needed a partner. In fact, except for Troy, none of the sidekicks in MM had a decent send-off.
Loved the ending with the beautiful music playing, the older couple marrying, the way Tom touches Joyce as he walks in to talk the the wife of the murderer, the faces of everyone enjoying said music.
Midsomer Murders: Things That Go Bump in the Night (2004)
A Few Bumpy Nights in Fletcher's Cross
I really liked this episode of MM. Also, I am in agreement with some of the comments on here about the 2 murderers. Very vile and evil and with no qualms about what they did.
I will get to the point: you have a medium name Rosetta Price that leads a church where, for a fee, she can connect the dead with loved ones. There are a lot of people in said village that doesn't like that.
Then you have the undertaker, Penny pincher Pennyman, who was found dead by his wife, Janet. Horrified of his death, she runs out and is escorted by two neighbors back into her cottage. Barnaby and Scott investigates what looks like a suicide at first, only quickly to be found out is a murder.
There are quite a few people who didn't like Patrick Pennyman and quite a few who doesn't like the spiritual church lead by Rosetta, especially Elizabeth Key. She is a woman who befriends Joyce and they get on nicely and she goes out to dinner and talks to her about Rosetta and and said church.
Joyce accompanies Elizabeth to said sèance and is in quite a shock when Rosetta touches a nerve in Joyce. Tom reassures her that somehow, they knew she was married to the DCI investigating.
And then one night, Joyce is told by Elizabeth WHY she is into said church: she blames them for her mom's death. And then, she gets murdered the same way, after Joyce leaves.
Towards the end, you will understand why not only Patrick and Elizabeth are murdered....but, the caretaker/husband of Rosetta's assistant.
And it all has to do with Janet Penny man and Ronald Burgess! The unhappily married choir director of his church who has been having a relationship with Mrs. Pennyman (and as we see, whomever else he can screw around with) because Mr. Pennyman had to go because....the Mrs. Was tired of him, Elizabeth had to go because she was getting too close to finding out that the undertaker was stealing things off of the dead (found her mum's broach at a second hand shop she wanted her to be buried with) and the caretaker because he CAUGHT the two in a embrace and would tell everyone. These 3 people had to go.
I have never seen any murderer or murderers soo entertained by they killings in all the episodes of MM (until the John Barnaby years, that is, "Night if the Stag").
John Nettles and Jane Wymark as Tom and Joyce can do no wrong. Liked Scott in this one (and the scene where a healer, who deals with gems, tells Scott the ones he picked were good fortune for travel, as if she knew something was going to happen for Scott).
What I didn't like..well, they never explained How and Why they decided to kill in the first place. What triggered them to do it.
Anyway, was this the best episode? No, but it was a pretty good one to get a 7 from me.
Midsomer Murders: The Night of the Stag (2011)
This stag needs to be put down...
I love watching Midsomer and, I know that during the Tom Barnaby years, there has been some not too great episodes ("The Electric Vendetta", "Blood on the Saddle", "The Made to Measure Murders") to name a few (yes, I know there are a LOT of ppl who didn't like "The Straw Woman" or "Second Sight" but I didn't mind those). In fact, "Blood on the Saddle" was my LEAST favorite....until THIS. OMG...wow.
Basically, you have a village run by some bootlegging, blowhard, bully pub owner who's everyone is in some sort of fear of and is like the "leader" of said village, with his 2 co hort goons, Dumb and Dumber, doing said bidding.
He kills the tax man, not because he was about to find out the man's schemes, BUT, because he got married to a village girl-a village girl who was supposed to ONLY marry someone in that village or in the neighboring village. So, guess who has to die? The innocent young married tax man. The Rev (a recovering alcoholic) because he performed the ceremony, and ANY one else that got in his way. Then, framed an innocent drunk and made HIM sign away some deed. Yea... But wait, that's not what makes this cringe worthy. In said village, the pub owner (played by Warren Clarke) and in all of his disgustingness, also wants to promote a "stag night", where both village have their men go over to the other side and go a "hunting" (i.e. Rape) because that's what they did back in the days and the village idiots agree what great fun to be "taken advantage" of because, why not? Worse, one of the characters is a woman who is loud, brass, kind of a whorey slag/Tart, who banishes her sweet daughter (besties and MOH to the loud mouth "leader") so SHE can be "handled" by said loud mouth. While HIS daughter is at home (and when he encounters the lone man who made it over the hill because there were some people who thought, like I did that, that this was insanely stupid) HE tells he should get his reward: HIS OWN DAUGHTER! Are you kidding me?
Anyway, lead bully of disgust passes Older Sad Sack Slag, and goes to "hunt" for her daughter (and to get "back" at her for being married to an outsider). The mother is upset (of course) but...eww.
Then the ending. All the town's people are around to arrest Dumb, Dumber and Bully and one pulls out a shotgun. To kill them. They were going to kill a DCI and a Sargent. In front of people? And no one was going to stop them? I was actually waiting for them to form a circle and sing/chant and do some Wickerman ish (the classic with Edward Woodward not the awful remake). And, again, John talks and tries to reason with these people (because he studied psychology so of course he has put it to good use).
They finally got the Blowhard Bully after the daughter admitted to everyone his intent. And then the villagers? They walk away. Hopefully from the shame they allowed this from ever happening. Not consoling the 2 young girls that were about to be raped. Not the sorry, shaggy, mother. After watching this the first time, I make it that ONLY time watching this mess.
Jason Hughes is great but, really didn't do much here. Neil Dudgeon...eh. Warren Clarke, was disturbingly sick as the Bully Pub Owner/Wannabe Rapist/ Murderer.
Anyone who likes this particular episode...wow. As for me, when this ever comes on, I will find ANYTHING else to watch.
Midsomer Murders: Death and Dreams (2003)
Not a dream...but a nightmare
I really liked this episode. It's funny that there are some people who didn't like this episode and called it "the worst", which I think is laughable because I can tell you the worst was definitely NOT this, but, "Blood on the Saddle" would be a top tier contender for "one of the worst episodes" but, that's my opinion.
This episode is basically about 3 murderous siblings who kills anyone they believe is getting too close to their mum, Dr. Moore (played by Isla Blair). You find out in the end, that the oldest 2 killed their dad by pushing him off a cliff. Why? Because he wanted to spend time and have relations with their mum!! That's how nuts they are!! It doesn't help that the mum is a psychologist for people who are mentally impaired and runs a home for said people in a village community who doesn't really want them there. Well, one of her patients killed himself and now, Barnaby and Troy is on the case. Barnaby finds out that the person he was seeing for help is said Dr. (Troy is NOT a fan).
Before long, we have 3 dead people: a patient, a band leader of a band no one cares about, and the Dr's assistant!
The kids even try to off Tom!! Thank God for Troy! Why try to kill Tom? Because he likes their mum. Not in anyway but professional, but, seeing how happy the mum is to see him (and him to her) and to the chagrin of Troy, he had to go.
You can guess, whether quickly or not, the murderer(s) but it's how the murders are done. All with rope. And the why and the way they enjoyed it. Maybe that's why I liked this episode. It is sick, dark and twisted. And any time it revolves around kids being the killers, it is as sick and dark as it can get. Because it fascinates me as to when and how they became so damn devious.
Liked the acting by Perdita Weeks (if she looks familiar, she is related to Honeysuckle Weeks who was also in an episode of Midsomer).
Liked John Nettles and Daniel Casey as Barnaby and Troy. Liked the potential love story between Troy and Cully. Wished that went further. Liked that Tom needed Joyce's help at the end.
My cons? Well, how can a mum, a psychologist or whatever, how could she not have known her 3 kids are murderers? That THEY needed help? Maybe it's me but..yea. Another thing is I wish they had more of a development with Troy and Cully. And, really, me personally, I would have been pissed if I were Joyce. Because think about it: my husband, a DCI, calls me and asks for my help, then you have me sit in the room while you tell the psychologist or whomever, that YOUR kids not ONLY killed 3 people but, a few years ago killed YOUR husband and then TRIED to kill after poisoning you...I would have been LIT (slang term for being extremely upset) with Tom AND her!! As much as Joyce loves Tom (and vice-versa)...again. That's just me.
Anyway, John Nettles, Daniel Casey, Jane Wymark are all great in this. Laura Howard is great as Cully. A very good episode.
And, too me, definitely not the worst. Await the later years of Tom Barnaby and the John Barnaby years to find worst episode contenders.
Midsomer Murders: Secrets and Spies (2009)
I spy with my little eye....
Really enjoyed this episode. Secrets and Spies starts off in 1982, where, in East Berlin, a woman and a little boy (mother and child) gets help escaping to West Berlin. And the person that helped them, gets found out and beaten.
Years later, ex spy Malcolm Frazer, owner of an estate in Middle Parva, where he owns a safe house for agents (The Allenby House) with his son Nicky and daughter in law, Jenny, is meeting another former spy at said estate. Anna Masey (great actress and was in one of the best episodes of Midsomer Murders called Written in Blood), plays a woman named Brenda Packard, the head of MI5, of which Tom was once involved in after Uni (to the surprise of Joyce, whom he tells one night that he was once a "spook"), that she needed Tom to "spy" on them because she is the "Left hand that doesn't want to know what the Right hand is doing."
Meanwhile, Jones is on a cricket team, Midsomer Parva, who will be against said residents of The Allenby residents, and volunteers Tom to referee, to his chagrin. On a Sunday. His day off. So, Tom does and as we see, chaos insues...and then, murder. The first few minutes of this episode is very good. I can see why some loved the first few minutes and then was upset that it took long to get going.
I didn't mind. Yes, it took a minute to figure what East Berlin, circa early 80s had to do with one of the most murdering counties in England, Midsomer (Midsomer Parva) but it does.
Loved how WPC Stephens becomes a DC. The cricket match of mayhem between Midsomer Parva and Allenby. The joy of Tom being referee (and getting back at Jones). How angry Tom got when he was off the case. The shock of Joyce when Tom "retires". The relief when he is "unretire" (so relieved, she thank God for said murder and went back to sleep). The whole "Beast of Midsomer"...all of this was a fun episode.
And I do agree with a comment on why Tom would tell Joyce that he was part of MI5....he could have kept that to himself but, seeing Joyce reading a book about spies made him want to "show-off" that he was part of that world..(he says a few months but I believe for longer than that).
Also, I understand why someone wouldn't think Tom Barnaby would be a "spy" but...sometimes, it ends up being that person.
Midsomer Murders: The Dogleg Murders (2009)
Hole in one
This was a very good episode of Midsomer Murders, that gives you the remaininsance of the early years (or Troy years) of this show.
We are back in Midsomer Worthy (where between this and Badger's Drift, a lot of murder, mayhem and madness goes on a LOT more than some of the other villages, not saying that the others don't try to outdo with their madness within Midsomer County) where at the WhiteOaks Golf Club, we have Alastair Kingslake (played by Rupert Vansittat, an actor who has played the same, snottish character in 3 different episodes: Market for Murder, The Axeman Cometh and this), Jerry Drinkwater (wonder if he is in relations to the the younger Drinkwater that was stabbed with a pitchfork by Annabella in Judgement Day) played by Nicholas Le Prevost (with his neck intact), Miles Tully and Ed Monkberry. They are all playing on said golf course where the bully Alastair makes a bet with Jerry. Well, the pompous man is a good shot and poor Jerry betted on money he didn't have and cheated, caught by Colin Fountain, the dimwitted, bullied but strong, groundskeeper and he lies for him (because he owes money to the ground keeper's mum, the very corrupt Eileen Fountain, more on her a little later).
Alastair hits a ball that ends up over on Crisp's Folly (named after the man who lost his home on a bet there). He is then hit on the head whilst searching for his ball and in and around the footpath, gets beaten to death. With his own club! But, who did it? It wasn't the men with him...was it another club member? Some random person via the footpath?
Meanwhile, Joyce is trying to get Tom to join a club, like they have done years ago, to play tennis or anything. Swimming? No, chlorine, hates it. Hiking? Dirty wellies (boots). Tennis..well, the club they were in was too much, snobbery and he arrested a person there for killing his mistress. So, none of these things delights Tom until he is called to said Golf Club to see the snobbery, secretism and club mannerisms he longed escaped years
ago.
With Jones by his side, he investigates the death of Alastair. And then,a second death of another member by the same method. We find out that the club has more secrets to it, courtesy of Tom and Joyce friends, a married couple, whom for a while, was part of said club. Until gambling got involved and "late dues" the intimidating begin, lead by said Eileen, the bullied but strong Colin and the favorite, Darren, who wants to be a part of said society (and "having fun") and be with Becky, the owner of said club's daughter, much to Colin's chagrin.
This was a great story about class, snobbery, illegal betting, intimidation, favoritism, non sportsmanship, as well as a nice whodunit.
The scenery is beautiful, the acting is good, and the ending was nice.
Loved the scenes between Joyce just wanting to do something with Tom (instead of reading the paper and watching cricket 🏏 or football or rugby on telly) and Tom only interested in her wearing her short outfit on to try. Jones learning the art of golfing and the non members of said golf club and how they feel about the goings on over there.
It is not a solid 10 but, the start of the season is a good one! Worth checking out!
Midsomer Murders: Blood on the Saddle (2010)
Just...awful
Look, I love going into great detail about am episode, especially Midsomer but this right here? Just...nope. Bad. Sucks worse than the Made for Measure Murders. I have seen this episode a couple of times. Why? Because when I have pent up stress, I like to find something to yell at. Makes me feel better. And this episode (like the one mentioned before) is something worth yelling at. Because this one sucks. Hope I am not ban for saying that. The ONLY pros about this episode: Joyce is a better shooter than Tom and the exchange of her winning, "Well, you know my gun was jammed," he says and she pretty much says "Aww, too bad for you." Thought that was funny. Then, he tries to hit the witch in the pool. Was telling Joyce how to and with one hit, with her right hand (she is left handed) she hits the target! That was funny! And the look on his face was funny. And then, Tom, being petty and jealous, GIVES AWAY her 2 bears (that she named) to 2 kids. See..those were the highlights. And, Tom going down the slide of where the shooter was at. That was cute, too. And the jeans that Tom was wearing. Very nice bum. I said it, don't care.
These were the only thing about this damn episode I liked. Didn't care about the Murders nor the murderer or why they were dressed in Wild Wild West clothing and a shootout (he could have walked in the home and shot them up and kept going). Who wrote this mess? Love John, Jane and Jason.
Midsomer Murders: Left for Dead (2008)
Well here's a creepy story
There are some episodes that are really fun/funny episodes of Midsomer and then, there are creepy ones. One of them is this one right here. Left for Dead takes DS Jones back to his hometown of Dunstan, where he and Tom Barnaby investigate the deaths of an elderly couple, the Wilsons, Libbey and Ron, by the "clairvoyant" Lynne Fox, who is getting people to sign a petition to stop an overpass from coming in and tearing down the last home there. The backstory of the Wilsons is tragic: their son, Michael, years ago, was killed in an accident, hit by a car when he was on his bike. The person who accidentally hit and killed him was the Sr. Purdy. (Whom, a year or so later, committed suicide because of that horrible accident). They never gotten over that at all and closed themselves out from public view (no electricity, power, nothing). Here to the scene, besides the DS and DCI, is George Bullard and a photographer named Charlotte, who was called in at the last minute for the original forensic photographer. She knows Ben and knew Michael well (they were best friends).
Tom sees their reactions and is not too keen on her. She explains that after their son's death, no one heard or have seen them. Kept themselves to themselves. And then,a year later, another boy, another school mate, Patrick Bradley, 11, went missing.
As for Lynne, she still has to worry about the overtaking of the land by the Purdy Developers, run by Jack Purdy, a bully of a man (to say the least) whom NO ONE really likes. He has a business to run and doesn't give a toss about the people trying to stay in their homes (or, at least try to save the last house standing, the house that Patrick Bradley lived in before his disappearance). Jack knows Ben because Ben went to the police force with the younger brother Mark Purdy and now he's about to get married to Louisa (whom we find out was the ex of his older brother, Jack, who is married with 2 daughters). Ben hears that Mark is getting married and Jack is the best man and Charlotte will be there at the wedding. But, what happens at Stag Night at the Bowling Alley later that day? Jack Purdy is murdered. Red paint all over his car. Founded by Lynne. She told DCI Barnaby the first incident will not be the last and here she is, finding the 3rd body. But, there is really no love lost (maybe from his brother and wife).
The soon to be married couple needs a best man and they volunteer Jones (to his chagrin) and orderd by Tom to take it (because he will be there to make sure the happy couple doesn't do a runner).
But, trouble follows...again. And now Louisa, the new Mrs. Mark Purdy, with a planned "fight" to try to escape from the eyes of Ben, is found burned with cigarette marks, fighting for her life in hospital. And she says..."He's come back. I saw him." But, whom DID she see? Who came back? Is this any connection to the missing boy Patrick Bradley, the deaths of the elderly couple or Jack Purdy? Well...yes. And it is sinister and quite twisted.
**SPOILERS** A year after the tragic death of Michael Wilson, Patrick Bradley goes missing. The clique of Charlotte, Louisa, Mark and Jack were playing until Patrick came onto the scene. They have him come to play (against Mark telling him it was best NOT to) only to burn him with cigarettes (Louisa's), have him run for his life (sans his bike) and when caught and pleading to go home, tells a boy who says he can't swim, to "learn" how. Damn near drowning and terrified, these 4 bullies pulls a not quite dead boy from the river and, failing the kiss of life (or CPR) Charlotte devise the idea of putting him in a place he was told NEVER to go near: the well. And threw him down there, with bike. Wonderful kids, aren't they? They make a blood pack that they renew every year, for 19yrs mind you, of never telling anyone what has happened. But...he came back!
This was a very good episode. It also shows you how some children can be really creepy, cold and calculating (happened in 2 earlier episodes, Death and Dreams and Bantling Boy) where the kids were the mastermind behind the most brutal of murders. Even though it was a flashback to what Charlotte, Louisa, Mark and Jack did as kids, to know that they thought of that, still is disturbing. But, they are not the only ones. The elderly couple, The Wilsons, were creepy in their own way. Taking someone away from another family ("adopting" a boy and calling him their dead son's name).
There were a lot of pros to this episode. Loved the chemistry between Tom and Ben. Maggie Steed (who played Lynne Fox) is good. The funny story of Joyce telling Ben how Tom's best man called her "Jenny" and that she didn't mind (BUT, she was there saying, "It should have been me") which lovingly Tom replied "I'm glad it wasn't". Thought that was sweet.
Here are the cons. I know I gave this a 9 because I thought it was good but, this is where I had to think, "Really?": How did Patrick get out from the well? Really. How did he manage to climb up, with no rope. I know there were some steps or something but, there is no real way of solving that puzzle. That made no sense to me but, whatever. Another thing: when he, by sheer determination, got out from said well, I know he was probably disoriented but, how did he not know where to go? And when he found the Wilsons (or they found him), why couldn't he escape once he has gotten better? How did he not know his name? See...these things made no clear sense to me. And 19yrs later, he gets strong and instead of going back home to where his house still stands...he remembers what Mark, Jack, Louisa and Charlotte looked like to hunt them down and kill 2 of the 3, injured th 3rd one? I guess he wanted his sweet revenge after all these years before reuniting with his mum....which he could have done YEARS earlier (but then, we wouldn't have this episode). I personally liked the fact that those bullies got what they deserved. I didn't mind the ending, either. With Tom staring at the last house being torn down and the look on his face. Almost as he was reliving knowing the horrors Patrick went through. Bullied, almost drowned, thrown into a well, then, "kidnapped" by a couple and away from his real mother. Well...what an episode.
Midsomer Murders: Shot at Dawn (2008)
Worth a shot
Usually, I tend to go long on my reviews of this great show because I LOVE Midsomer Murders and love the characters of Tom, Joyce, Ben....but, I will get to the chase.
Here you have a story of 2 feuding families that may remind you if the Hatfields and McCoys, the Hicks and Hammonds, where the hatred for both sides stemmed from 90yrs on.
The Grandfather Hicks is at a tribute for his dad, who was executed (by his *supposedly* half brother, a Hammond) because he left the battlefield (in the first 5 minutes or so, you see the poor shell-shocked young man wondered off). The Grandfather Hammond thinks this is crap and a "coward" shouldn't get this.
The Hicks side as the awful mayor Hicks, his gum smacking, tart-y wife, and their two sons. One's down to earth, the other is like his father (that's not polite).
The Hammonds are upper class, upper crust, snotty with a plethora of secrets. A Gay husband, an affair having, pill popping wife, a lesbian daughter and the elder daughter (who works for a clinic for the lower class).
These 2 families, both hated, both have love interest from the other fam (the eldest kids from both sides are madly in love and not like their parents) and Mayor Hicks and Mrs. Hammond and their 25 year affair (yes...25).
It was an OK episode. Much better than Blood on the Saddle. And much better than some of the John Barnaby ones, too (Death in the Slow Lane is what came up).
It was weird that the Mayor would be involved with construction (the Barnaby's roof is leaking all over the place...why WOULD Tom even deal with the company by a man, who happens to be Mayor, of whom he NEVER liked). Then, you have a re-enactment of a battle that took place (which jokingly, Tom tells Ben "Watch it all go to Hell). I wonder if John Nettles/Jason Hughes or even Jane Wymark (Joyce) thought that the script was like that! You will quickly realize who and why **SPOILER** the Grandfather Hicks did it (all for dad) but...really? Years LATER??
This episode has creative murders, infidelity, scandal (Sophie and Kate Hammond are not their father's children), weird re-enactment...and we really don't see Jones so much and what he is given isn't worth much either. Dammit...I wanted to make this brief but I went on. Again. Would I watch this again? Well...yea. There were some funny scenes.
Midsomer Murders: Picture of Innocence (2007)
Picture this...
I usually enjoy almost all the Tom Barnaby years on Midsomer. And, even though I did like and enjoy this, it is not one of my favorite but, still decent. Tom and Joyce gets and invitation for an exhibition of photographs from the society of classic camera takers (that's what I am calling them). Once there, they are looking at kittens out of a boot, an assortment of trees and the weird(est) one: half eaten veggie burger with an assortment of peas. Anyway, the digital camera gang (I guess in this county, of you can have bonfires, Wicker man style events and all of that sort, of course you will have this type of "gang" activity) makes a nuisance of themselves against the "old boys".
After they leave, Joyce is too busy staring at a pic on display: Tom being kissed by some woman. She wants to know who this woman is (and after 30yrs of marriage by this time, I would be asking the same and losing patience). It is quickly determined that it is 100% fake. But why? Who's that lady kissing Barnaby? Well, at home, Tom looks at the picture and it is an old flame, Marianne, a women he was with BEFORE Joyce. Anyway, Joyce believes him and so does Ben. But now, there is more evidence...against Tom. Someone is trying to set Tom up. But why? Well, it is not that hard to figure the "who". The "why" is dodgy. Anyway, the ending was funny. The daughter of the first victim, Philmont, Philly to her friends, is the said daughter of Marianne, Tom's old flame is heading off to London, her home is being sold, and there is no need to be there, and, look who has arrived in town: Marianne. With a new boyfriend. Off to California to live. And she sees Tom and Joyce and asks if she could take a picture with Tom, "The family that would've been" and the look on Tom's face was hysterical. You can see why Tom and Marianne never made it (apart from the fact she dumped him because he was old fashioned).
So...not bad but, certainly not great, either. Hence why I gave this a 5.
Midsomer Murders: The Axeman Cometh (2007)
Rock and Roll in Badger's Drift
I kinda liked this episode of Midsomer. This shows me that Tom has an eclectic taste in music as he is reliving his love for the rock band Hired Gun, who is having a rock performance in Badger's Drift. To the shock and confusement of Cully (whom she once called "The Old Man" in the episode, Dead in the Water-DS Scott years) and to the amusement or so of Joyce. While Tom is getting to see the band from the late 60s, early 70s gear up, we see the band members lead by Axeman Jack McKinnley, and the new manager that has taken over for his late father, Simon Dixon, to talk about the upcoming performance.
At the same time, Tom and Jones bumps into retired DCI Jenkins, whom Tom was a DS with years before HE became a DCI (or DI). Jenkins is there for a reason (we find out later that he is still investigating the cold case of the disappearance of one of the guitarist from said band years earlier).
It takes a while before things really kick off. By the 40 minute mark, you got Cully being introduced (accidentally) to Simon (love at first sight for him) and got Cully to work for the crew. You got Tom being told off (per se) by Axeman Jack, (in front of Jones, no less), and got to see some of the bandmates and their quirks. The deaf drummer. The alcoholic singer...pretty much standard in the who's who of characters in a rock and roll band and then the lead, Axeman Jack, his special needs out there daughter, and a woman who is in a home and lost the plot (yes ago). What do all of this have to do with the story?
Well, revenge, of course! Without giving too much away, we see who and know the why one person got electrocuted (in front of an audience), one drugged and drowned, one found out to be a fraud, a solved mystery of a disappearance, a match made, a blown up motorcycle....and some great singing performances! There really wasn't any cons in this particular episode. Since I think a lot when it comes to characters and storylines, this here made me think these things: A, Cully has a type (dark haired guys, like Troy, Scott...and Simon, who looks a little like Ben). B, Tom's taste in music (and how he happens to mentioned he was in a little band himself once upon a time). C, we got to see whom Tom was under as a DS. D, that even Tom can get knocked down a peg or two (which was sad and awkward). I wish Joyce was in this more to share her love for this music (maybe she is more into Motown, lol). But, worth watching.
Midsomer Murders: Country Matters (2006)
Meet the kinky residents of Elverton!
This was a great episode! In this quaint village of Elverton, there are picturesque homes, cottages, beautiful landscape, a local pub, a small local mom and pop grocery store...but, some of those villagers wants a big chain supermarket to come in, which would get rid of the lovely local grocers. And some are against it. And in this said village, the ones who are against this are those said kinky residents! The single mom, Rose, who teaches cookery lessons, who does more than bake with her clients. Then, the married couple who's husband entertains himself watching (and snapping pics) of his wife's "damsel in distress" act (along with shooting, fishing). And then, the lovely lass who owns a riding school who will, literally, whip you to shape! All if this and the Rev who is having an affair! And the guy who was murdered? Frank Hopkirk, he was there to check the grounds of said propose location of this mega supermarket and was to "lie" about the safety of such area. He went to enjoy all 3 different activities..with 3 different aliases to check but, he did more than that and got into the kinks. And he enjoyed baking with the Rose the baker!
Really loved how this episode played out. You didn't know until the end on who killed the guy and what was their motive (jealousy is the issue here). This tongue in cheek episode was quite amusing and had a lot of funny parts...FACT. The daughter of the baker and her "friend" who's dad runs the local pub, who knows what's going on (but not with her mom) in said village. The quirky Rev Sue (she's hip with God), the widow who didn't seem upset with her husband's death (don't give her a tissue because there was nothing to grieve over) and Tom trying to save the "damsel in distress" only to find out he's was the wrong guy trying to..ahem..."save" her!
And Tom and Ben got to watch, in the baker's horror, her tape of her..ahem..cooking lesson (had a hidden camera for security reason...in case someone was trying to blackmailher).
The ending, I agree with another post on here, was great! Joyce, wearing Tom's pj's because she was cold and thought he wouldn't mind, tells Tom that A, the baker, Rose, wanted her to help with the cookery lessons, B, she is not into the damsel in distress (how demeaning) nor the perfect house wife scenario BUT C, she enjoys dishing out a little punishment (to Tom's delight)!
This is one of those episodes where you can watch over again and get a great chuckle out of it every time.
Midsomer Murders: Down Among the Dead Men (2006)
The rabbit saved the day
Really liked this episode. Barnaby and Jones tries to solve the murder of a man who turned out being a blackmailed, in his own home. Shot by a shotgun with homemade bullets. Turns out, he was a blackmailing people left and right. Did he deserve to get shot with a blast in the chest? Hell yea he did!! Couldn't happen to a nicer fellow! And who would kill him? The pub owner who was being blackmailed because of his lying about his paying inheritance tax? The woman he loves who turns out being a klepto, who was blackmailed by him due to her being caught stealing from him? The ex cop who was knighted for helping wayward girls with his late wife, for the lie told that it was more than that and his fear of people speculating about his character? The possibilities are endless!! Also, there's Cully's friend, former reform school girl (who was trying to blackmail the good Samaritan ex cop), another ex cop and his wife who owns a fish store, and the well to do scuba diving couple who are diving for gold...soo many different people. All with motives. The scenes I love is the humour/banter between Jones and Tom. The scene where Tom cooked the rabbit and after all that talk about Joyce and her inability to cook, Tom isn't any better (and yet, Cully seems the best cook of them all) with him forgetting to take the pellets out of the dry cooked rabbit. The beautiful scenery. Tom going into the freezing water (and Jones wishing he had a camera)....and the shooting of the creep! There was no cons here. This was a great episode. Kind of sad the murderer was whom it turned out to be, because he and his wife would have made great friends with Joyce and Tom (and maybe George and Cath).
I could watch this again and again and still be entertained and applaud his death!!