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Reviews
Midsomer Murders: Written in Blood (1998)
The best MM episode
After 14 years of watching Midsomer Murders, "Written in Blood" emerges as the best episode of the entire series. It's always more difficult to create a murder story around a mentally driven killer rather then some casual reasons like money, blackmail or revenge. In this episode the killer's motive is well exposed in the end and completely understandable. Too often a mental maniac turns out to be a killer only because of his/her insanity which leaves a sour taste. Over here, despite the obvious mental issues, a real motive is there to be discovered and doesn't turn out to be a mere hoax. Also it's one of the most gruesome and dark episodes of the series, a real winner for all the murder story fans.
Midsomer Murders: Dead Letters (2006)
Unsual but still one of the better episodes
One of the most unusual Midsomer episodes given the fact that although the main plot has quite often something to do with a certain event in the past, this time it effectively triggers all the murders after some eight years without much warning. What ignites all the drama is the return of the annual Festival Queen award which was originally abandoned after the death of Bella Slade, the incumbent holder at the time.
The real circumstances of Bella Slade's death are not revealed until very late in the episode. Originally it is thought she'd died because of food poisoning complications, yet Ursula Godding is aware of Bella's death at childbirth. After that is's revealed that Bella actually died during an abortion done by Dr. Wellow who - along with Bella's mother Marion is the only person aware of the actual happenings. Marion Slade dies at the beginning of the episode leaving Dr. Wellow alone with his mystery and even when Barnaby begins to think Bella's death might be pivotal in solving the case, he doesn't crack whatsoever and only gives away a small part about being involved in a love affair with Marion.
There are no flashbacks upon Dr. Wellow, he doesn't seem to be bothered about Marion's death even when Barnaby tells him about suspected murder. Usually the Midsomer victims are seen in a jeopardy, sensing something's in the air, yet Dr. Wellow keeps his nerves. Either he isn't aware of Bella's child father's identity or doesn't think this has something to do with it at all. He does mention a plan to leave the town, but when the killer visits him at night, he isn't concerned whatsoever which leads to the fact, he doesn't know that Robert Pride is the father of Bella's child and the man behind both previous murders.
Barnaby hooks up with Bella's pregnancy only when he finds letters written to her by an anonymous person, quite obviously baby's father and gets the ultimate stranglehold on the case when Dr. Wellow's secret admirer April Gooding turns up as a witness of Pride's late night visit.
This is a strange episode because the clues are given out moderately and Barnaby chases the motive right until the end rather then adding up all the clues and methodically spotting the killer. He only senses the importance of Bella's death, but can't get a firm hold on the case. In fact the plot speeds up dramatically towards the end when Pride decides to interfere with the annual festival parade and threatens the new Queen with a knife which would have blown his cover anyway, regardless of April Gooding's confession that has handed Barnaby the case on the silver plate.
The death of Mark Castle is somewhat a forced issue in the plot and could have really been omitted.
One mention goes to the characters of Ursula & Alistair Gooding which are family relatives to a similar mother-son duo from the very first Midsomer episode "The Killing's At Badger's Drift". Elizabeth Spriggs and Richard Cant play the characters in both episodes.
More trivia comes from the last scene when Alistair Gooding is seen in his library. On the shelf you can see books of Jezebell Tripp and Ellis Bell both which appear as characters in previous episodes ("Sins of Commission" and "The Tale of Two Hamlets" respectively).
Columbo: A Stitch in Crime (1973)
Leonard Nimoy holds his ground
Most of the Columbo villains were no slouch actors with stardom background and Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock was as good as it gets (see you later William Shatner) but their performance in the Columbo itself differs with quality.
For example Honor Blackman's appearance was a low bounce in "Dagger of the Mind" and on the other hand nobody gets close to Jack Cassidy, yet Leonard Nimoy stands tall along with Donald Pleasance and John Cassavetes.
Nimoy plays a truly cold-blooded Dr. Mayfield who uses a tire iron of all things to kill his first victim and doesn't hesitate to frame another completely innocent person which he also kills. And of course he still has another one in his sleeve only for Columbo to spoil the party. Nimoy's character is one of the least friendly and human-like villains in the entire series, you really don't have any sympathy for the guy. His attitude towards Columbo is also one of unique kind, he doesn't try help him in solving the crime, he doesn't act friendly and cheerfully, he just wants the cop to get out of his way.
That behaviour leads to one of the best scenes in the entire series where Mayfield laughs off Columbo's theory and Columbo slams a coffee urn on Mayfield's desk in response. You rarely see Columbo get really upset with the murderer and that one hits the jackpot instantly.
The eventual clue with the stitch is a bit half-hearted, but avoids mediocrity. Sometimes the cat & mouse games between Columbo and the murderer top the actual crime plot and this is another example. I mean Mayfield's overall behaviour doesn't leave much room for evidence, just pure speculations if anything, yet Columbo wanders his way into the all important stitch by second-guessing where it had been hidden. It's doubtful whether finding the clue would have happened in real life, admittedly all the motives and suspect would have been uncovered, but no evidence means no case and finding the evidence was actually the weakest part of the plot.
However it's not as bad as "Dagger of the Mind" for instance and as said before, Leonard Nimoy makes a really good showing in a role that gets way off the regular Columbo villains.
Columbo: Publish or Perish (1974)
One of the best Columbo episodes ever
A true Columbo classic with very intelligent and well-organized plot although it differs somewhat from the traditional one-on-one match-up.
Jack Cassidy is making a mark for himself again - similar to the other two episodes where he's co-starring - to complete the perfect cast.
Of course one must give a special call for pulp-writing legend Mickey Spillane and the gorgeous blonde Mariette Hartley both whom also appear in this episode.
Finally, the humorous restaurant scene with chili & frozen tea. Most of Columbo's personal gags involve the car, but not this time which makes it even better.