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Midsomer Murders: Tainted Fruit (2001)
A wonderful ending to the fourth series
"Tainted Fruit" is a wonderful last episode of the fourth series of Midsomer Murders and in my opinion, the second best episode after the classic Midsomer Murders episode, "Destroying Angel".
"Tainted Fruit" is set in the village of Midsomer Malham, and starts when Neil Laxton dies from pneumonia, at his home. Sally Rickworth, the district nurse, has been taking care of him. Upon her late arrival, Joan Farley comes along, and after she has been there for just a minute or two, she says they all know who has killed him.
Barnaby and Troy are investigating the threats that 22 year old Melissa Townsend has received lately, and on their way to Midsomer Malham, they almost collide with the multi-millionaire, Frederick Bentine-Brown. A party is being held at the tennis club, where Joan Farley throws a glass of wind on Melissa's white dress. Melissa asks Adam Keyne to borrow his jacket, throws her dress back at Joan Farley and demands that she cleans it for her.
After being tired of attending the tennis club events, Georgina Canning, crashes her car, and to get away with it, she places Sally Eickworth in front by the deiver's seat, making Sally believe that she passed out because she was drunk. Melissa discovers Georgina's action and calls Adam. They want money and starts to blackmail Georgina. Shortly after receiving the blackmail, Melissa Townsend is killed, when Georgina sticks a syringe containing a barbiturate, in Melissa's abdomen. Adam Keyne is also found murdered, after he is lured to a barn to collect something at the beam that has been tampered with. Raif Canning watched his wife taking the tools out of the shed, preparing the murder of Adam Keyne, and Georgina decides to kill her own husband, even though she never really wanted to do it.
"Tainted Fruit" is a wonderful last episode with red herrings, twist and turns. The murderer's identity is a shock and this is that kind of episode where you need to pay full attention. Blackmailing has been a central Theme in Midsomer Murders, and manages to be very intriguing in this episode. The final solution, with Georgina turning out to be the killer is clever. I do agree with the reviewer saying this episode needs to be rewatched, because there is a lot going on in the last part. I felt the same with the series 3 opener, "Death by a Stranger", and I feel the same about the "Tainted Fruit" episode, the last from series 4. The last murder of Raif Canning felt unecessary and did not add a lot to the plot. In this episode, we see the culprit and her point of view in first person, when she start to fill up the syringe with the lethal drugs, and when she finds the tools in the tools shed. But what I certainly like the most, is perhaps the opening scene, when the rain falls down and we are looking at a grave yard and afterwards with the scene of Neil Laxton's death.
In this episode, I feel that Adrian Rawlins, Ellie Haddington, Eleanor David, Claire Price, Miles Richardson and Benjamin Whitrow, leave the best impression from the supporting cast.
"Tainted Fruit" is a wonderland last series four episode and is easily the second best episode of this series, after the classic Midsomer Murders episode "Destroying Angel". 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Dark Autumn (2001)
It really is a dark autumn in Midsomer
After a good, but decent start of the series with "Garden of Death", the classic episode, "Destroying Angel", the miserable "The Electric Vendetta", and the slightly better one "Who Killed Cock Robin", "Dark Autumn" is a fine fifth episode from the fourth series of Midsomer Murders.
"Dark Autumn" is set in the Midsomer village of Goodman's Land when David "Dave" Cutler gets his throat slashed the same early morning he was supposed to have been delivering mail. It seems that Dave was a womanizer, and had slept with many woman in the village. Before Barnaby and Troy even get the chance to start investigating, Debbie Shortland is also found murdered, and later on, both Simon Reason and Owen August are found murdered as well.
During the episode, Troy grows a fonding interest in Jay Nash, a woman helping them with the investigation, but it seems they grow too close, when the murderer, revealed to be the bartender John Field, tries to murder Jay Nash. Troy, who wants to see Jay the same evening, then comes along with Barnaby and they rescue her from John Field
"Dark Autumn is a fine fifth episode of the fourth series of Midsomer Murders", and it is a lot better than "The Electric Vendetta" and "Who Killed Cock Robin?", but it is not a classic episode either. The first murder of Dave Cutler, happens after just a couple of minutes, and that is something I really like, when the first of hopefully many murders happen so quickly. It is wonderful that the next murder happens so quickly afterwards. The episode also features the aunt sally game, and these scenes shine of humour, as a contrast to the dark theme which I believe the story of "Dark Autumn" contains.
Unfortunately, the murderer's identity was not a big shock, something that has happened so many times before in Midsomer Murders. But what's bother me more, are the motives for the murders. I find it to be one of the weakest of all Midsomer Murders episodes. I do understand the love John Field has for his deceased mum, but honesty, why would he kill Dave Cutler just because he was prying on women? John Field should have had another focus on his own life instead of bothering with other's? The motives for the murder of Debbie Shortland is absolutely incom. The Murders of Simon and Owen are a bit more credible, as it seems they both rejected to publish John Field's book, "Dark Autumn", a work Written about his mother. Even though these murders are credible, John Field could easily have found another publisher. I find it a bit sad that John Field seems to have a hatred relationship with all the people he killed.
I really did like Gillian Kearney as Jay Nash in this episode. Celia Imrie as Louise August and Alan Howard as Owen August, play their parts wonderfully as well. Marian McLoughlin is also likeable as Barbara Judd. Robert Glenister plays the murderous John Field in a credible way, but I do have to say, I wanted to see some other aspects with his character.
"Dark Autumn" is a fine episode, and it really is a dark autumn in Midsomer, but the episode itself, could have been a lot darker, with some other suspects, and maybe a more credible murderer. 7/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Who Killed Cock Robin? (2001)
Watchable, but not very impressive
After an enjoyable evening with local landowner and former criminal Melvyn Stockard and his girlfriend, Francesca Ward, who runs the horse stables, Dr. Oliver Burgess drives home and on the way he Suddenly hits a man who is standing in the middle of the road. The incident shocks Oliver and he goes to the local pub to inform the publican, Bill Pitman, that he has hit someone. When they follow him back to the crime scene, the body is gone. A body is later dragged up from a well at the village green, and the man's name is Robin Wooliscroft, who disappeared 6 weeks ago. It turns out that Robin had started a relationship with Valerie Magson, the farmer's wife. Robin and Valerie were supposed to start a new life in New Zealand and they were going seperately to the airport. Unfortunately, Robin never came, and Valerie had to go without him. Mary Mohan is later found murdered and when the case comes to a close, it is revealed that Frank Lightbourne and Bridget Wooliscroft are responsible for the murders. It seems quite obvious that Bridget wanted Robin dead, because she found out that he was planning to leave her for Valerie.
"Who Killed Cock Robin?" Is an okay episode. It is better than the previous "The Electric Vendetta", but the story gets a bit boring unfortunately. This may be that kind of episode that you never watch many times as you would with the classic episodes like "The Killing at Badger's Drift", "Written in Blood" and Death's Shadow". The killers in this episode was not a shock and was very easy to spot.
From the supporting cast, Mick Ford, Larry Lamb, Polly Maberly, Linda Marlowe, Ian McNeice and Yolanda Vazquez leave the best impression.
"Who Killed Cock Robin?" is not an interesting episode, but it is still watchable. The first minutes are very intriguing, but after a while, the episode just gets weaker. It is better than the previous "The Electric Vendetta", but is a long way to go before this story could compare with the classic episodes like "The Killings at Badger's Drift", "Written in Blood" and "Death's Shadow". 5/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: The Electric Vendetta (2001)
The first bad Midsomer Murders episode
The Electric Vendetta" is the first bad Midsomer Murders episode. Some may say that "Blue Herrings" is the first bad Midsomer Murders episode, but I really liked that episode. Even though the deaths in "Blue Herrings" were natural causes and there was no murderer, except of Pru Bennet smothering her aunt Celia to death out of love, the episode itself was very heart-warming. The same can not be said about "The Electric Vendetta" unfortunately.
The body of Ronald Stokes is found in a crop circle by Harry Chatwyn. Stokes is found naked with a tuft of hair shaven off the back of his head, and he also got two small puncture wounds at the base of his spine. The autopsy reports reveals that Ronald Stokes cause of death is electrocuting. Shortly after a man by the name of Eddie Fields is found murdered in the same way, and Steve Ramsey is later electrocuted to death after someone had connected his car to the power supply. Lloyd Kirby is pushed down the stairs and dies, but someone will make Barnaby believe that he was killed in the same way.
"The Electric Vendetta" focuses on the love Isabel has for both Sir Christian Aubrey and Peter Rhodes. 40 years prior to this episode, Sir Christian and Peter had a duel where the winner would win the heart of Isabel. Christian won the duel and Peter could never forget or forgive what had happened. This dub plot is actually one of the good things that makes this story somehow interesting to watch, but that is that. Rest of the episode is unfortunately a mess, and the setting is pretty boring, to be honest.
Ursula Howells, Alex McCowen, Peter Penry-Jones, John Woodwine and Nigel Harrison leave the best impression from the supporting cast in this episode.
"The Electric Vendetta" is the first bad Midsomer Murders episode. There are some elements like the sub plot about Isabel, Christian and Peter that makes the episode enjoyable in a certain way, but that is it. Overall, a bad episode, and this review, that is maybe the shortest I have written, just says it all. 4/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Destroying Angel (2001)
Destroying Angel comes to Midsomer
"Destroying Angel" starts with the murder of Gregory Chambers. Gregory was out in the woods collecting mushrooms when he falls to the ground after being shot with an bow and arrow. Karl Wainwright, owner of the local hotel, dies at the same time, and his funeral is being held. Karl Wainwright leaves his hotel and modest capital to be shared between Suzanna Chambers, Gregory Chambers, Julia Goodard and Tristan Goodfellow. Now that Gregory is dead, his shares will be taken over by his wife Suzanna. A severed hand is found it the woods, and it is later identified as Gregory's.
Someone is seen dropping of mushrooms at Tristan Goodfellow's place. He has eaten many of them and starts vomiting. Colin Salter is summoned and after a check, it is revealed that Tristan has eaten amanita verosa, common name, Destroying Angel. Colin says that there is no cure, and in a couple of days, Tristan's liver and kidneys will be severely damaged. Shortly after, Julia Goodard's husband, Kenneth Gooders is smothered to death, when a drinks cabinet collapses and falls unto him.
Someone sneaks into Julia's house and goes up to the bedroom. Julia, who had received a strange phone call the same evening, was alarmed as was prepared when she found a shotgun. As the unknown person comes into Julia's bedroom, Julia fires a shot, and when she turns on the lights, realising that the unknown person was indeed Suzanna, Julia screams and gets frightened. Julia tells the truth and admits that Suzanna, Julia, Kenneth and Tristan, all were involved in a conspiracy to murder Gregory because of a new will. Suzanna found out about the new will from Wainwright. He told her they weren't going to get anything. She realises that Gregory has the new will. She tells Tristan to lock the door. Then she puts a pillow over Wainwright's face and smothers him.
Evelyn Pope admits she is the person responsible for the Murders of Tristan, Kenneth and Suzanna. Shortly after, she dies in Woody's arms. Her time had come and she wants Woody to be as happy as he can be with the rest of the time he has left.
Samantha Bond, Abigail McKern, Tom Ward, Robert Lang and Rosemary Leach leave the best impression from the wonderful supporting cast. Many of the characters in this episode are colourful and it is a joy to watch them in this story. The only problem may be that they try to make us care about Evelyn and the murders she commits, and it is a question we should ask ourselves, if the murderer deserves to get sympathy for killing other people. The story has many different twist and turns and red herrings keep coming throughout the entire episode.
"Destroying Angel" is a wonderful second episode of the fourth series of Midsomer Murders. This is also an episode where there are more than one murderer, and that makes it a lot more intriguing. The setting about the hotel and the people who inherited it after the owner's death, was a very interesting and intriguing story. In my opinion, a classic Midsomer Murders episode. 10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Garden of Death (2000)
"Back to the garden, I am a gardener, remember"
After a wonderful start to the first third series of Midsomer Murders, where many of the first thirteen episodes have been classic episodes, "Garden of Death" turns out to be a decent episode. It is not a bad episode, it is just that other episodes have been written a lot better, and some of the other episodes have had a much more interesting and intriguing story. Let us see what the plot says about "Garden of Death".
"Garden of Death" starts as the body of an uknown woman is dumped in a grave, five years prior to the episode. In present day, Tom and Joyce are visiting the public gardens owned by Elspeth Inkpen-Thomas. Elspeth plans to dig up a much-loved memorial garden, replacing it with a tea shop, which has caused a lot of resentments amongst the local residents. A village meeting is later being held that night and heated exchange of words start to occur between Jane Bennet and Elspeth Inkpen-Thomas. Jane Bennet is very fragile and turns out to be quite sad about Elspeth's decision, as it is revealed that the memorial garden belonged to her father. When Elspeth says Jane Bennet and the other's can open a memorial garden elsewhere, Jane Bennet runs out from the meeting. Susan Millard is walking her dog the following morning and the body of Fliss Inkpen-Thomas is found in the middle of the memorial garden. Elspeth is leaving Inkpen Manor after an argument with her mother, Naomi Inkpen, and stays at the vicarage. While she enjoys her bath, someone sneaks in the vicarage. They go to the kitchen and dump a jar of Pesto into a dish. They take the dish upstairs to Elspeth's room. Elspeth goes to her room and sees the pesto. She takes a bite, but do not like it. She sets the dish on the floor, and says that Crispin the dog can have the rest. Shortly after, she starts to have pain and breathes heavily. Someone holds the door shut as Elspeth tries to get out. She collapses on the floor and the murderer comes in and pushes more pesto down her throat. Elspeth dies and the murderer lock the door and leave through the window.
It turns out that Hilary Inkpen is the murderer. She was noen as an illegitimate child, daughter by Elspeth Inkpen-Thomas and Richard Deverell. Hilary realised the truth that she was never loved and never wanted, not by her sister, not by her mum, and nor by her grandmother. The woman that was buried at the start of the episode turns out to be Cynthia Bennet, Jane Bennet's mother. She was seeing other men and was infaithful towards Jane Bennet's father. Jane had had enough of her mum's action and strangled her. She was then buried in what would turn out to be the memorial garden, so when people walked there, they would walk over her just in the same way as she had walked over Jane's father.
I do agree that the plot about the missing woman who later is revealed to be Cynthia Bennet, was a bit more interesting than the main plot in this episode. I personally loved that plot, but I do wonder about her murder and the connection between the murder of Cynthia and the murders of Fliss and Elspeth. I believe that the episode would have been a lot more intriguing if the murders were connected. At a point, Barnaby and Troy are dealing with two different murder cases, which sometimes can be a bit confusing, and it takes your mind of the actual murders happening in the episode with Fliss and Elspeth. But with that being said, Cynthia's murder happens five years prior to the episode, and the purpose of that was perhaps to let it go a bit under the radar, and that her murder was not meant to be at the centre of attention, but somehow, I feel that her murder got more attention than the murders of Fliss and Elspeth. If you look at it from that point of view, these two stories could have been made into two episodes instead of one, even though Cynthia's murder five years prior to the episode, suits the story and episode very well.
"Garden of Death" is a good, but a decent start of the fourth series of Midsomer Murders, but as always, the story contains its dark scenes, and environments that are suitable for a crime drama. The story takes a bit of time to get going, and it has been other episodes where the characters have been more colourful. Hilary turning out to be the killer was not that hard to figure out, but with that being said, I can not imagine Hilary being a killer. I can not imagine in my head, that it is her wearing the dark gloves she wore when she killed her mum. Hilary's brutal murder method killing her mother is one of the murders that I still remember very well.
Anthony Bate, Simon Chandler, Anna Calder-Marshall, Kate Duchene and Victoria Hamilton leaves the best impression. On the other hand, Sarah Alexander as Fliss Inkpen-Thomas, Belinda Lang as Elspeth Inkpen-Thomas and Margaret Tyzack as Naomi Inkpen, all play characters that get me annoyed and they did not add a lot to the story, even though a good story needs characters like this to get the story interesting.
Neil Dudgeon, who later would replace John Nettles in the lead role ten years after "Garden of Death", does an okay appearance as Daniel Bolt in this episode. I would have loved to see a different side of his character's personality and a more interesting character. I may say so because I am so fond of Neil Dudgeon and the character of John Barnaby that he plays now in Midsomer Murders, that our first glimpse of him, in another role that it, could have been a lot better.
Overall, "Garden of Death", is a good, but decent start to the fourth series of Midsomer Murders. The episode is enjoyable and indeed interesting, but compared to the many classic episodes from the first three series, "Garden of Death" is a step down in quality. 7/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Judgement Day (2000)
Anthony Horowitz' last script
Judgement Day is an enjoyable, and interesting third episode of the third series of Midsomer Murders. This episode is Anthony Horowitz last script as a writer for Midsomer Murders, and yet this day, his script are still one of the best episodes ever made, with "The Killings at Badger's Drift", Written in Blood, "Death's Shadow", Strangler's Wood", Dead Man's Eleven", and now lastly his final episode, "Judgement Day".
"Judgement Day" starts in 1955, where young Annabel Weston kills her babysitter, because she never liked her. Annabel's parents have had their night out, and when they come home; they find Mrs Foster killed in a chair. They run up to Annabel's bedroom, and Annabel's mother is happy that her daughter is still alive. Afterwards, we see a Bloody knife stuffed between one of Annabel's toy soldiers.
Joyce Barnaby is excited that she is going to be a judge for the perfect village competition, alongside Rosemary Furman, Frank Mannion and Samatha Johnstone. Joyce is happy that she will get a week away from home, with a first class travel and a big dinner at the end. During the last two months, six different burgalries have occured in the village, and now there is a seventh attempt, when Jack Dorset and Peter Drinkwater robs Greyfriers House, the manor belonging to Edward Allardice. Unfortunately for Edward, he was away on a trip in London, and Jack and Peter had got a hunch that Edward was away on travel. They break into the house, steal some items and vandalize the whole place. Jack smashes a bowl and a picture is being Destroyed as well.
Peter Drinkwater is later found murdered and during the village competition in Midsomer Mallow, Rosemary Furman is poisoned and she dies. Following afternoon, Samantha Johnstone is found murdered in her hotel room. Two out of four judges are dead and the question arises what the judges might have done wrong to deserve to die. During the poisoning, Bella Devere gets bad as well, but she only took a sip from the poisoned wine and survives. The clues lies within Sebdon Manor, and Barnaby and Troy realise that Annabel Weston who killed her babysitter in 1955 was admitted to Sebdon Manor where she became close with bone other than Samantha Johnstone. Barnaby realises that Annabel Weston is living in Midsomer under a false name, and it turns out that Bella Devere is indeed Annabel Weston. Her husband, Marcus could not bear the fact that she once again was locked up in prison, and decides to kill her with sleeping pills and then smother her with a pillow, described as quite painless in his own words.
"Judgement Day" gets Midsomer Murders back to a classic episode, and I love that Joyce is back centre stage in this story, being one of the judges. Bella Devere's backstory, being Annabel Weston and that she decided to kill her babysitter, was an interesting start to this episode. Bella/Annabel being the murderer was not a huge shock, and a bit obvious from the start, hence to Bella being afraid of her daughter's involvement with Peter Drinkwater. But still, I loved that Bella and Samantha had crossed paths before, staying at Sebdon Manor together during their treatment, and the scene where Barnaby and Troy visit the Manor was very intruiging. As happened before in Midsomer Murders, it takes a bit time before the murder of Peter Drinkwater is happening, and a crime story can become a bit boring sometimes, if the first murder does not occur during the first ten minutes. But with that being said I loved the scene where Peter and his friend decide to rob Edward Allardice's house, and these dark Midsomer Murders scene's will always intrigue me. The perfect village competition could have been a lot more interesting, but it is still a great episode.
Orlando Bloom, Hannah Gordon, Timothy West, Moray Watson and Josephine Tewson leave the best impression from the supporting cast. Orlando Bloom has been a well liked actor of mine and I loved seeing him in movies like The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and of course this Midsomer Murders episode. The filming locations are as well so stunning as ever, and Chenies Manor House and the beautiful village of Haddenham, are my favourite filming locations in this episode.
"Judgement Day" is a very well liked episode, and the crime drama feeling is back on track after the "Blue Herrings" episode, which in my opinion got a bit too much comedic at times.10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Blue Herrings (2000)
The red herrings turns to blue
"Blue Herrings" is a fine second episode of the third series of Midsomer Murders. The episode is a bit different from the other episodes, with no actual killings and murderers, but the episode and story is enjoyable.
The story of "Blue Herrings" centers around the nursing home in the village of Aspern Tallow, called Lawnside. Alice Bly, DCI Tom Barnaby's aunt is one of the resident staying at the nursing home, after being hospitalised. The same evening, old Muriel Harrap is found dead in the lift at the first floor. Later on, Marge Fielding and Celia Armstrong is found dead, and Alice Bly is frightened that all the elderly women who died, have been murdered, and that these deaths are not as natural as Dr. Clive Warnford insinuates.
"Blue Herrings" may not be a interesting story, but the story is quite relevant. I believe that this nursing home setting does shine a light on how it feels to be old in today's society. "Blue Herrings" is a heart-warming episode, where the elderly residents at Lawnside share a strong bond with each other. "Blue Herrings" may still be in the crime drama category, with dark scenes and some suspicious deaths, but.but some moments during the story, the episode feels more like a sitcom, stepping away from the crime drama intension. Even though this episode feels comedic at times, the melancolic feelings are still present. Even though 23 years have passed since this episode's original transmission, 22 January 2000, the setting on how it feels to be old, is still very relevant today in 2023.
Phyllis Calvert leaves a wonderful impression and her interpretation as Alice Bly is so amazing. It was a clever move to include this character in this episode and that we at last could see a relative of Tom Barnaby, other than just Cully and Joyce. Gudrun Ure, Nigel Davenport, Mary Wimbush, Geoffrey Bayldon and Angela Down leave a very good impression as well with their characters.
Overall, this episode is likeable, with some dark scenes and moments, but in comparison with the first ten episodes, this story turns more into a sitcom than being a crime drama, which makes the story a bit boring at times. 7/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Death of a Stranger (1999)
A wonderful start to the third series
"Death of a Stranger" has always been a favourite episode of mine. "Death of a Stranger" is compelling and interesting from start to finish, and the story from Douglas Livingstone and the direction from Peter Cregeen are both amazing. The story is dark, but not as dark as the series two opener, "Death's Shadow". "Death of a Stranger" was broadcast on New Years Eve in 1999, and what a way to end this year with this episode.
"Death of a Stranger" starts with the murder of an old tramp during a fox hunt in the village of Upper Marshwood. Barnaby enjoys a holiday in France with Joyce and Cully, while Superintendent Pringle steps in to cover the murder investigation during Barnaby's absence. Pringle arrests a young poacher boy named Billy Gurdie, after finding out that Billy Gurdie's fingerprints were found on the weapon. When Billy's father, Ben Gurdie, is found murdered as well, Tom Barnaby realises that the two murders are connected.
The Founders night party are being held shortly after. All seems well, but after a while, Pringle witnesses something at the summer house and is spooked. The next day at the fox hunt, Ron Pringle is murdered, and it appears that this horse has been tranquilized. Barnaby shows Troy the summer house and believes that Pringle was killed because the murderer knew he had seen "them". "Them" is found to be Kate Tranter, Grahame Tranter's wife and Dave Hedges, and Grahame could not bear knowing that someone else knew about his wife's infidelity. Grahame tries to stop Kate from leaving, but fails. In a last desperate attempt, he finds his shotgun and points it at Kate, their son Harry, and Dave. When Barnaby arrives, Grahame realises it is all over and that he has lost both his wife and son. He can't bear to live without them, and chooses to take suicide.
It all comes down to the killing of Simon Tranter and the tramp. The tramp. Who is revealed to be Michael Darrow and Grahame Tranter's dad, started a relationship with Marcia Tranter, which resulted in her pregnancy with Grahame. Her pregnancy put her in a difficult position hence to Simon being sterile. He knew that Grahame could not be his son, so Marcia persuaded James Fitzroy, another lover of hers, to kill Simon, and to make Michael disappear, so Marcia was able to pass their son Grahame off as Simon's son, so he could inherite the Tranter Estate. But Grahame knew that Kate was seeing someone else, and that the Estate did not matter at all, if he could not have Kate and Harry.
"Death of a Stranger" is a wonderful start to the third series. The first murder of the tramp, happens after ten minutes, and it is that amount of time that makes it most intriguing. We have seen other episodes, such as "Death's Shadow" where the murder of Richard Bayly happens after nearly 30 minutes. Considered that the first series of Midsomer Murders lasted for about 1 hour and 45 minutes per episodes, 30 minutes before a murder happens is a very long time, but "Death's Shadow" was so well written, with many interesting scenes before the first murder after 30 minutes, that it did not really matter at all.
"Death of a Stranger" is also that kind of episode where you need to pay full attention. I have watched "Death of a Stranger", and it took me a while before I did understand the connection between the tramp and Grahame Tranter, and that he indeed was Grahame's father. It took me a while before I really did understand that Simon Tranter had been killed by James Fitzroy just to hide the truth behind Marcia's pregnancy. I am also quite fond of the writer's decision to wait to reveal the tramp's true identity until the end of the episode. The real identity of the tramp was a huge surprise when it first was revealed, and that decision made me pay more attention to the story, as I wanted to find out who the tramp really was. With that being said, even though I have paid attention to this episode, I still neeeded to see this episode several times to get the full picture. A reason for that, is, as someone else already have written in their reviews on this episode, that during the last 30 minutes, too many secrets are revealed at the same time, and there is no wonder why I have felt so confused after watching this episode, and why I needed to see "Death of a Stranger" several times to get the full picture.
The Lee was once again chosen as one of the filming locations, and I love that place. From the supporting cast, Dominic Mafham is amazing as Grahame Tranter. Richard Johnson was well liked as James Fitzroy and James Bolam played Ron Pringle wonderfully. I also did like Sarah Winman as Kate Tranter, and Diane Fletcher and Jennifer Hillary were likeable too, as the characters of Marcia Tranter and Sarah Fitzroy.
"Death of a Stranger" is a wonderful start to the third series, and will always be one of my favourite Midsomer Murders episodes, alongside "The Killings at Badger's Drift", "Written in Blood" "Death's Shadow", "Strangler's Wood", "Dead Man's Eleven" and many more. 10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Blood Will Out (1999)
A fine ending to the second series
"Blood Will Out" is a fine ending to the second series of Midsomer Murders. The story is not as interesting as the previous three episodes, but I really like this episode nonetheless.
Blood Will Out takes place in the Midsomer village of Martyr Warren, where the traveller, Orville Tudway settles down with some of his friends. His return to the village is not a warm welcome, and Miss Dinsdale and the magistrate Hector Bridges want them gone. Hector arranges a meeting with a friend in the army who will force the travellers out of the village, but a warning from Fleur Saxby makes Barnaby and Troy to investigate the matter, turning up at Hector Bridges house forcing the army to leave without doing any damage. After a while, Hector Bridges is shot dead in his own library, and an old man by the name of John Smith is later found murdered as well in his caravan.
As the investigation closes, it is revealed that Fleur Saxby killed Hector Bridges, because he had assulted her throughout many years, and because he did not want to pay for her trip out of the village. Her mom, Jenny Bridges, her father, Will Saxby and Orville Tudway wanted to take the blame for Hector Bridges murder, but Barnaby finds out that it really was Fleur.
Phyllinda Law, Kevin McNally, John Duttine, Elizabeth Garvie, Paul Jesson and Tricia George leave the best impression from the supporting cast.
Blood Will Out is a fine ending to the second series of Midsomer Murders, but unfortunately, it was a step down in quality in comparison with the first three episode from series two. 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Dead Man's Eleven (1999)
Another well written episode from Anthony Horowitz
"Dead Man's Eleven" is a wonderful third episode of the second series of Midsomer Murders. Both "Death's Shadow" and "Strangler's Wood were classic episodes, and Dead Alan's Eleven continues in the same way. The long and the short of it is that all these three episodes were written by Anthony Horowitz. For the fifth time, we see a director and writer collaboration between Jeremy Silberston and Anthony Horowitz. They both worked together as director and writer on "The Killings at Badger's Drift, "Written in Blood, "Death's Shadow", "Strangler's Wood", and now "Dead Man's Eleven". All these five episodes have been a joy to watch and their stories have been wonderfully written.
"Dead Man's Eleven" takes place in the village of Fletcher's Cross where Robert Cavendish is about to celebrate his 60th birthday with his family. Robert and his wife Tara have had enough of the villlage and Robert informs his family that he has decided to sell the estate, and he and Tara will move on to Orlando. Stephen Cavendish, Robert's son, claims Tara has turned his father against him, but Tara says she just wants what is best for Robert.
Tara goes for a walk with their dog, Kaiser, the following morning. As she walks by the old quarry her husband used to run, someone comes up behind her, and smash her head with a cricket bat. As Barnaby and Troy talk with Robert, Robert gets frustrated because he feels that Tara's disappearance was never seriously considered by the police.
A cricket match between Fletcher's Cross and Midsomer Murders is set to be played. Gavin Troy has agreed to play for Midsomer Worthy, something Tom Barnaby believes is a good idea. The cricket match turns out to be of the murderous sort, when the score taker Charles Jennings is stabbed.
And as the case closes, it is revealed that the Cavendish's house keeper Mrs Wilson is the murderer. She wanted Robert to feel the loss of his wife, because she had reason to believe that Robert was responsible for her husband, Matthew Draper's death. Mrs Wilson had a daughter, Patricia Smith, and she started a relationship with Stephen simply to Destroy him and blame him for both murders. Patricia killed Charles Jennings because he tried to blackmail Mrs Wilson, because he knew that she had murdered Tara. Robert kills Patricia in self defense at the climax of the episode, and Mrs Wilson has now lost both her husband and daughter.
Littlewick Green is my favourite location in this episode where the cricket match and some of the other scenes were filmed. From the supporting cast, Robert Hardy, Anthony Calf, Imelda Staunton, Duncan Preston and Hilda Braid leave the best impression.
Dead Man's eleven is a wonderful third episode of the second series of Midsomer Murders, being the third classic Midsomer Murders episode in a row. 10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Strangler's Wood (1999)
A downfall for Monarch Tobacco
"Strangler's Wood" is a wonderful second episode of the second series of Midsomer Murders. The story is not as dark and complex as "Death's Shadow", but it is still a very good episode.
The body of Carla Constanza is found in Raven's Wood with a tie around her neck. As Barnaby and Troy come to the woods, Barnaby realises that the Wood is indeed familiar. It turns out that three young women were strangled in the same woods nine years ago and the woods was subsequently referred to as "Strangler's Wood" among the local population.
Shortly after the newspapers are delivered at The Fox and Goose. Gloria Bradley, an employee the proprietor Leonard Pike, calls DCI Tom Barnaby, and informs him that she can give him an ID. Gloria says Carla Constanza payed for a week's stay at the hotel, but she never came back after the first night. Leonard Pike comes back to the hotel, and Gloria tells him what has happened. Troy finds out that Carla had called Monarch Tobacco before she died, and Barnaby and Troy drive there to talk with the company's managing director, Bill Mitchell. He seems surprised when Barnaby and Troy talk with him, but as the conversation progresses, he seems more interesting in Monarch Tobacco and what her death will do to his company.
Anna Santarosa, an au pair at Kate and John Merrils house is shortly afterwards found murdered as well, and then Leonard Pike is stabbed to while taking a bath. As the investigation comes to a close, it is soon revealed that Leonard Pike was the person responsible for the killings at Strangler's Wood nine years ago. He was never caught, because his mother could not bear to turn him in. She warned him and said that it could never happen again, while she was alive. When Troy had told him about the new Strangler's Wood victim, she thought the worst, and killed his son. Bill Mitchell is found to be the murderer behind the killings of Carla Constanza and Anna Santarosa. Carla Constanza was killed because she had developed the lung disease called pulmonary emphysema, and Bill Mitchell could never risk her ruining his company. Anna Santarosa tried to blackmail Bill because she knew what Bill had done to Carla, after hearing a message Carla left behind on the Merrils answering phone, about her meeting with bill. Fortunately for Anna, the message from Carla was in Portugese, the one language she did understand, but sadly, she made a mistake too many when she tried to blackmail Bill.
Peter Eyre, Jeremy Clyde, Phyllis Logan, Nicholas Farrell and Trudie Styler leaves the best impression from the supporting cast. When it comes to filming locations in this episode, I would say that Dorney Court which features as The Fox and Goose hotel, stands out as my favourite filming location.
"Strangler's Wood" is a wonderful second episode of the second series of Midsomer Murders. "Strangler's Wood" may not be as dark and complex as "Death's Shadow", but is close by. 10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Death's Shadow (1999)
A wonderful start to the second series
"Death's Shadow" remains as one of the best Midsomer Murders episodes ever made, and it was just a perfect and wonderful start of the second series. Jeremy Silberston and Anthony Horowitz make a perfect collaboration as the director and writer duo once again, just like they did with "The Killings at Badger's Drift" and "Written in Blood.
"Death's Shadow" starts with a dream 30 years Prior to the story. A school bell is ringing. Five boys slip away through a gate. The boys are shown throwing rocks at the window at the school. One of the boys is blindfolded, and the others yell and tease. The boy calls for Simon, one of the boys who is with him. Adult Simon goes over to the boy and slips a noose around his neck.
Tom and Joyce are having a discussion with Cully what they will do to celebrate their 25th year anniversary. Cully syggest going on the Orient Express to Venice, but Joyce wants to stay nearby. She don't want to go away at all, and tells Tom and Cully that she wants to retake their marriage vows. They drive to St. Michael's Church in Badger's Drift" where the priest, Stephen Wentworth meets them. Stephen asks why they chose to come to Badger's Drift and Barnany replies that he had noticed the church while he was working on a case here two years ago. Stephen recalls what case Barnaby is talking about, and says he knew Dennis Rainbird quite well.
Richard Bayly is not well and receives some bad information at Dr Henson's office. He has a brain tumour, a malignant astrocytoma. When he is on his way home, he bumps into Ian Eastman, and he wants to know what will happen to Tye House, the Manor Henry Trace previously owned before Barnaby and Troy rode along to investigate the murders of Emily Simpson, Iris and Dennis Rainbird and the shooting of Bella Trace, the last time they were in the village. Richard informs he is going with Erickson's in Causton. Ian gets angry and then he drives away.
The grand village fete is about to be held in Badger's Drift and the committe dicusses the preparations at Stephen's home. Richard then reveals that he is not well, and that he may not make the Fete this year, and at the end of the committee meeting, Richard asks if Stephen has some time to talk with him. After he has talked with Richard, Stephen is seen praying at the church, and Dr Henson receives a phone call, and gets worried. During the night, Stephen wakes up and turns on the light. He tells Angela that there might be an intruder in their house, and Stephen goes downstairs to find out what it is. Stephen closes an open window, and when he goes back to bed, something is seen missing from the wall.
Richard Bayly is found murdered the following morning and two further deaths occur. David Whitley, who also appeared in "The Killings at Badger's Drift is burned alive in his caravan and Simon Fletcher is shot with a bow and arrow at the village fete. Stephen Wentworth was in shock when Barnaby first told him about the murder of Richard Bayly, and he certainly gained Barnaby's trust and twined him around his little finger. It all comes down to the dream Simon had in the beginning of the episode, and it transpires that Stephen was the father of Felix Bryce, the boy who was believed to have taken suicide at the time he was in the woods with Simon and his friends. But without knowing that he was talking to the boy's father, Richard told Stephen that David Whitley, Simon Fletcher, Ian Eastman and himself were all responsible for Felix's death. Stephen's motive for the murders was a good old fashioned revenge, because he felt that they had killed his son. At the climax point at the end of the episode, Stephen leaps from the Church's roof, and commits suicide, something he felt he should have done years ago.
"Death's Shadow" remains as one of my favourite Midsomer Murders episodes. The story is one of the show's most complex, darkest, most entertaining and compelling of all times. Even though the murder of Richard Bayly happens after nearly half an hour, it means very little, because the story itself is so wonderfully written. The climax, and Stephen Wentworth turning out to be the murderous priest, is of the most iconic endings in Midsomer Murders entire history. And when it comes to the supporting cast, Richard Briers steals the show, and in my opinion the perfect actor to play Stephen Wenthworth. In addition to him, I really liked Julian Wadham's interpretation of Simon Fletcher, and Dominic Jephcott was likeable as Richard Bayly.
The Lee and the Holy Trinity Church in Bledlow once again stood in as parts of Badger's Drift, and they are my favourite filming locations in this episode.
"Death's Shadow" is one of the best Midsomer Murders episodes ever made. It will always be one of my favourite episodes, and this episode is a wonderful start to the second series. 10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Death in Disguise (1998)
The lodge of the Golden Windhorse murders
Ian Craigie and William Carter are the founders of a new-age commune named "The Lodge of the Golden Windhorse. William Carter wants to get out, but Ian begs him to stay. The altercation continues in the house, and William Carter dies when he falls down he stairs. When Barnaby, Troy and Bullard arrive at the lodge, Bullard informs barnaby that Bill Carter broke his neck in the fall, and says he had apparantly been drinking. A young boy named Christopher Wainwright arrives at the lodge and Trixie Channing, one of the members of the commune makes Christopher aware of the recently murder.
The following night, there is a thunderstorm, and one of the youngest members of the commune, Tim Riley seems to have gone missing. The members goes out looking for him, when a cannonball falls down from the roof. Suddenly they see Tim in one of the windows and it turns out he was hiding there because he is scared of the sound of thunder.
One of the members of the Commune, Suhami, who later turns out to be the daughter of Guy Gamelin is about to celebrate her birthday at the lodge. Her father is giving her £3million. She thanks her dad, and gives the money to Craigie. Guy gets furious, and does not want his daughter to waste £3million on Craigie and the lodge. Later that evening, May Cuttle is having one of her regressions, and when the lights are turned on again, Craigie is found dead.
Guy Gamelin is later found murdered and the case closes. It turns out that Christopher Wainwright was lying about his identity and that he is indeed Andrew Carter, William Carter's nephew. Andrew wanted to come to the lodge to help his uncle and reason with Craigie to persuade him to buy William out of the lodge. Andrew Carter murdered Ian Craigie as revenge for his uncle's death, and he nearly killed Tim Riley as well, because Tim knew that it was Andrew who killed Craigie, after watching him pointing his finger at Andrew just moments before he died. Tim had recently begun to talk again, and Andrew was afraid that Tim could be able to tell them the whole truth. It is brought to light that Tim pushed William down the stairs, in an attempt to protect Ian Craigie and take his side.
"Death in Disguise" is a fine ending to the first series of Midsomer Murders. The story is good from start to finish, and unlike "Faithful unto Death", the first murder in "Death in Disguise" happens after just two and a half minutes. This story is also a bit darker than "Death of a Hollow Man" and "Faithful unto Death" and I really do like the episode where scenes are being filmed in the evening or late at night, like the thunderstorm scene in this episode. It fills your mind with more excitement, something you never get in the same way when a scene is fillmed in broad daylight.
From the supporting cast, Charles Kay, Daniel Hart, Judy Cornwell and Stephen Moyer leave the best impression and their characters get the story going by showing different sides about their personalities. Michael Feast and Nigel Anderson do a well done job as well, but I would have wanted to see different sides about these two characters, that could have surprised me a bit more.
The Nether Winchendon house, the filming location for the Lodge of the Golden Windhorse, is stunning to look at. Both the house and the gardens suits the episode very well and this location is my favourite from this episode.
"Death in Disguise" is a good ending to the first series of Midsomer Murders, but the story takes a little bit of time before things move on. It is clearly positive that the first murder happens during the first three minutes, but it lacks more intriguing scenes that would have added something new to the story. 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Faithful unto Death (1998)
Barnaby and the Bunny cakes
Tom Barnaby, Joyce Barnaby and Cully Barnaby are attending a village fête in Morton Fendle, where DCI Tom Barnaby witnesses an altercation where Gray Patterson threatens local businessman, Alan Hollingsworth about turning an old mill into a tourist attraction. But the project has been going down the drain for quite a while, and the investors demand their money back. Alan seems to take this whole thing deeply personal and is drinking to hide the pain. Barnaby and Troy find him drunk on the floor when they come to visit him. Barnaby wants to talk to Alan's wife, Simone, and says she is at bell practice. When Barnaby arrives at the church, George Bullard says she never turned up.
Elfrida Molfrey and her husband Bunny Dawlish seems to have control over what is going on in the neighbourhood. They informs Barnaby about a hole Alan has dug up in his garden and they believe he concealed hidden money there. Barnaby tries a couple of their homemade Bunny cakes, and seems to enjoy their company. Brenda Buckley gives Alan a Sheperds Pie, which Alan buries down the hole. The detectives dig the hole up again and they find the sheperds pie. Brenda Buckley is looking out of one of the windows in Buckley's home and starts to cry when she witnesses what Alan did with her gift to him.
A meeting is held at the Queens Arms, where the investors are discussing how they can get their money back. Barnaby and Troy sit in the back monitoring, but when the discussions are esc, Barnaby steps forward and makes the investors aware of Simone's disappearing and that her sagety means more right now.
Alan travels to Finchmere Market to deliver a ransom demand, and Brenda Buckley follows him and asks if she can help him. She tries to call her dad, Reg Buckley and wants to talk to Troy, who is at their home, but the line is cut. Suddenly a car is seen behind her forcing her car to collide with a stationary log lorry, killing Brenda instantly.
Soon afterwards, Alan is found dead in his home. Cully is a part of a new play, and invites Elfrida and Bunny to the first night. When the show is over, Elfrida gets sentimental and says that she does miss Simone and her handiwork with make up. Elfrida's line makes Barnaby aware of the truth and when Simone returns, it is revealed that Sarah Lawton killed Alan on behalf of Simone, with her former boyfriend, Vince Perry also involved. Sarah Lawton goes to prison, and Simone and Vince become a couple again, and are moving away from Morton Fendle.
"Faithful unto Death" is a good episode, and is a step up in quality from the previous episode, "Death of a Hollow Man". But everything is not good with this episode. Even though "Faithful unto Death" is a wonderful episode, the story itself is not that interesting as I would have wanted it to be. The story takes a long time to get going and the first murder happens after forty four minutes. What I do like about this show is when the first murder happens during the first ten minutes, and "Faithful unto Death" fails to deliver on this. But with that being said, there are some characters that makes this story a joy to watch, and that is Elfrida Molfrey and Bunny Dawlish. Eleanor Summerfield and Peter Jones who plays the characters of Elfrida and Bunny, steals the whole show. Faithful unto Death" becomes a much better episode because these two characters are in it.
"Faithful unto Death" is a fine episode and is a step up in quality from the previous episode, "Death of a Hollow Man", but the story itself is unfortunately not that interesting, even though some of the characters make the episode well. 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Death of a Hollow Man (1998)
"Can you believe that anyone would commit murder for the sake of the theatre?"
After a wonderful start of Midsomer Murders, with both "The Killings at Badger's Drift and "Written in Blood" being classic episodes, "Death of a Hollow Man" is a step down in quality. "Death of a Hollow Man is not a bad episode, it is just that "The Killings at Badger's Drift" and Written in Blood have a better script and story.
"Death of a Hollow Man" starts with the murder of Agnes Grey. She was about to light a candle in a dark room, when someone creeps up on her and smashes her head. Her body is then disposed in a lake.
The Causton playhouse is about to start their last rehearsals for their set up of the famous play "Amadeus" by Peter Schaffer. The actors come in one by one. Rosa Carmichael, Nicholas Bentley, Kitty Carmichael and Esslyn Carmichael, who once was married to Rosa. The director, Harold Winstanley loves what he do, and is clearly fond of the theatre. Esslyn is playing the lead role Salieri, but believes that Nicholas is masking him at every turn. Kitty says he does so, but Harold rejects the claims and says it is up to him to decide whether Nicholas is masking Esslyn or not. Joyce is also a part of the cast, and talks to Tom about it, as she looks forward to the play.
Esslyn is Agnes Grey's cousin and agrees to identity her body. He talks with her solicitor and are aware that he will not inherite anything from her, because she wanted her money to go to charity. What he does get, is an envelope from Agnes adressed to him, that was to be opened after her death. Barnaby wants to know which person Agnes was and Esslyn tells him that she did the same job for twenty five years before she took an early retirement. Agnes spoke excellent French and Italian, and her degree was art history.
Esslyn opens the envelope from Agnes. For someone, the content only means bad news, and Esslyn makes a phone call to the person in question, and says he never wants money, but something else that Esslyn knows the person is aware of. Esslyn gives a final deadline the next following Monday.
It turns out that Kitty is having a fling, which Esslyn knows nothing about, until Rosa spies on Kitty and calls to tell Esslyn about it. Esslyn wants to divorce Kitty instantly, even though she is pregnant. Esslyn reassures that the child will be provided for, but Kitty has to provide for herself.
During the second act of the play, Kitty and Esslyn are having a fight and she is angry with him. She slaps him, they struggle and he throws Kitty to the floor. In Salieri's last scene, Esslyn's character is about to commit suicide. Esslyn takes a razor and slits his throat as Joyce and David Smy watch. The suicide turns out to be quite real when Esslyn himself falls to the ground.
As the case closes, it is revealed that Harold is the murderer. He killed Agnes Grey because she wanted to come clean after their art theft. Esslyn found out, and tried to blackmail Harold about it. He was about to expose Harold, unless Esslyn got full control of the new theatre. Harold could not take any risk, and made sure that Esslyn was killed.
"Death of a Hollow Man" is not as interesting as the previous two episodes, and sometimes, the story feels a bit boring. It is a good episode and I really like the setting with Amadeus and a setup of a play, but for some reason, the first murder of Agnes Grey is completely forgotten during the episode, and then at the end, it all comes back and they need an explanation of why she was murdered.
From the supporting cast, Ed Waters, Debra Stephenson, Nicholas Le Prevost, Janine Dutvitski, Bernard Hepton and Sarah Badel are the fare strongest. Ed Waters is a joy to watch and his character Nicholas Bentley becomes Cully's boyfriend. Debra Stephenson and Nicholas Le Prevost plays Kitty and Esslyn, and does a good job, but I think Kitty is a bit more interesting than Esslyn, a character I feel is a bit too bland, and we never get to know him properly. Janine Dutvitski and Sarah Badel play colourful characters and we get to know their personality throughout the episode. Bernard Hepton is a wonderful actor and is credible in his interpretation of Harold Winstanley, even though I have to say that his character feels bland as well.
The solution feels a bit underwhelming and the murderer's identity is not that surprising. I feel that it could have been other characters in the story that could have had stronger motives for killing Agnes and Esslyn.
"Death of a Hollow Man" is a fine third episode of the first series of Midsomer Murders, but after an astonishing start with "The Killings at Badger's Drift" and "Written in Blood", "Death of a Hollow Man" is a step down in quality. 7/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Written in Blood (1998)
Midsomer Murders and the far away hills
Midsomer Murders started off wonderfully with "The Killings at Badger's Drift and "Written in Blood" continues its classic standard. Part of the reason is the perfect John Nettles as Tom Barnaby, a character with both humour and thoughtfulness. Jane Wymark is so good in her role as Joyce Barnaby, the kindest person in Midsomer Murders, and the perfect wife and mother to Tom and Cully.
"Written in Blood" starts in Durrow, Southern Ireland 1955. Liam Henlon, a young boy, is sexually abused by his father, and Liam wants to put an end to all the pain his father has caused him. One night, he finds a shotgun, he goes into his father bedroom, and pulls the trigger. After realising that his father is dead, he runs away from home.
In present day, Gerald Hadleigh, Amy Lyddiard, Honoria Lyddiard, Laura Hutton, Brian Clapper and Sue Clapper, are having their monthly meeting for the Midsomer Worthy Writers Circle. They are having a discussion of which writer they shall invite, and Gerald's proposititions are being rejected. Amy Lyddiard suggests they should invite Max Jennings, the famous writer behind the best selling book, "The Far Away Hills". Gerald Hadleigh is deeply troubled about Amy's suggestion, and says he don't want him to come. Unfortunately for Gerald, the majority vote is yes. Gerald is still deeply troubled knowing Max Jennings will come to his house later in the evening, and asks Amy to make sure that Gerald won't be left alone with Jennings during the evening, something Amy Lyddiard agrees upon.
Amy and Honoria Lyddiard live together at Gresham Hall. Amy was married to Ralph Lyddiard, Honoria's brother. She adores her brother and writes a history of England, seen through the personal chronicles of her family, the Lyddiards. She does anything to find some new information about her brother, and she does so, in Navy news at Laura Hutton's shop. Honoria knocks at Gerald's door some hours before the Midsomer Murders Writers Circle's meeting with Max Jennings, but there is no reply.
During the meeting with Max Jennings, Max asks them if them have any qustions they would like to ask him. Max looks at Gerald and wants him to say something, but Gerald rejects him. Eventuelly Gerald asks Max a question about the truth in fiction, and wonders where Max gets all his ideas. When Max replies that it is mainly from experience, Gerald seems suprised, but finds the answer interesting, and replies that he have nothing he can write about, not now. At the end of the meeting, Amy makes sure that Max leaves alongside her and Honoria, but when Max tells them that he needs to go inside again to collect a pair of gloves, Amy is forced to leave Gerald alone with Max in Gerald's house. A while later, Max leaves Gerald's house and drives away.
The following morning, Gerald Hadleigh is found murdered by his cleaning lady, Mrs Bundy. She is in a terrible state, but is capable enough to inform Barnaby of the meeting that was held the previous evening. Troy says that Mrs Bundy knew the people who attended the writing circle evening, accept the invited writer Max Jennings. Barnaby and Troy talks to Sue Clapper, and get the name they have been looking for, the famous writer, Max Jennings.
After a while, Max Jennings is found murdered in a sea cottage, and the pieces start to be tied up. It transpires that Max had a secret relationship with his secretary, Barbara Neal, and she reveals she found Max dead without noticing Barnaby. They had booked the sea cottage together and the trip to Denmark was just a front, which they told Max's wife, Selina. Even though he is dead, Gerald Hadleigh still owns a flat in London that is overlooking the Albert Hall. When Barnaby and Troy get there, and Barnaby starts to wander around in the flat, he gets the feeling that he knows this place, that he has been here, and after a while, he recalls what Joyce told him in advance, about "The Far Away Hills" and that the young boy, Liam Henlon, which the book is about, bought a flat in London overlooking the Albert Hall. Barnaby remembers that Joyce gave him details about the flat and how it was described in the book, and realises that the young boy, Liam Henlon, which the book is about, is indeed Gerald Hadleigh, and he tells Troy the complete picture. The story is about Liam Henlon, who lives with his father in Durrow, Southern Ireland. Liam is sexually abused by his father and kills him in 1955. He runs away from home and meets an artist in Europe. The artist paints him in historical dress and the paintings are sold for a fortune. He gets rich, buys a flat in London overlooking the Albert Hall, and tells Max Jennings everything. Max Jennings used to work as a psychiatrist before he became a writer and when Gerald told him his innermost secrets, Max took what Hadleigh had told him and put it in a book. It is revealed that Gerald Hadleigh killed Max Jennings and on the way home from London, Barnaby and Troy find out that Honoria Lyddiard killed Gerald Hadleigh, after finding out that the artist Gerald met in Europe, was indeed Ralph Lyddiard, Honoria's brother, and that Ralph and Gerald were lovers, as a result of Gerald being a transvestite.
After this summary of the main points of this story, I feel that this story about Gerald Hadleigh being Liam Henlon, and that his life was put into the book, "The Far Away Hills" is indeed a wonderful episode. I really like the setting about a writers circle, and that Gerald indeed was at center stage. As said, it is a wonderful episode, but the only thing that still troubles me about this episode, is the subplot about the drama class that Brian Clapper teaches. First of all, it did never bring anything interesting to the story, and I still wonder, why would a 15 year old girl be interested in an old man like Brian Clapper? I know it is a part of a play, but at the end of the day, that story just feels weird in my opinion. If they had told him in advance that Brian and Edie would make love, and that is just was a part of the play, the story's coup de théâtre, this part of the story would have been a lot more credible. Instead they just make fun of him, and I then begin to wonder if this actually was meant to be a part of the play, or if their intention was to freeze him out of his own play.
Anna Massey, Joanna David and Robert Swann are the fare strongest of the supporting cast. Even though Honoria kills Gerald Hadleigh in anger, Honoria still cares about Ralph, even though he is dead, and during a conversation with Amy at the end of the episode, when she is confessing to the murder of Gerald Hadleigh, we can see that she nearly starts to cry when she talks about Ralph. That is touching, considering that Honoria feels like a bland character. Amy is a joy to watch and Joanna David plays her wonderfully well. Amy is getting used to being protected by Honoria. Honoria talks in a patronising way to Amy, but still, Amy manages to cheer up. That shows willpower and a wonderful actress behind the character. Robert Swann is a joy to watch in this episode as well, even though his character Gerald Hadleigh is killed off early on. Gerald may look like a bland person at first glance, but I believe that he has so much trauma in him from his childhood, not to mention the betrayal he feels after being let down by Max Jennings, when he wrote the book about Gerald Hadleigh's life in "The Far away Hills".
"Written in Blood" is an incredibly well-made episode, beautifully photographed with a gorgeously idyllic scenery. The story is a bit darker than "The Killings at "Badger's Drift", and this story is compelling as well. The director and writer collaboration between Jeremy Silberston and Anthony Horowitz is a wonderful joy to witness. Bosham, Sussex stands out as the most wonderful filming location in this episode alongside Aldbury in Hertfordshire.
In conclusion, Midsomer Murders continues its classic standard with "Written in Blood". 10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger's Drift (1997)
A wonderful start to a much loved series
Midsomer Murders has been an absolute favourite of mine for so many years. New episodes are never missed, and I have watched every single episode several times. I believe Midsomer Murders is that kind of crime drama that you never get tired of watching. Some episodes are clearly better than others, and the series was at its best during the John Nettles era. The series has clearly been altered after Neil Dudgeon replaced John Nettles in the lead role, but the Neil Dudgeon era has had its good seasons and episodes as well.
"The Killings at Badger's Drift" was the very first episode of Midsomer Murders shown back in 1997. John Nettles is the perfect Tom Barnaby, a character with both humour and thoughtfulness. Jane Waymark plays a character with a heart of gold, a personality that shows both sympathy and thoughtfulness.
A late afternoon in the most beautiful of English villages, a wooden post announcing "Badger's Drift - Midsomer's best kept village", elderly Emily Simpson cycles through the village. She greets various villagers as she passes them. She meets her friend and neighbour, Lucy Bellringer, and talk about their competition concerning a very rare orchid, "spurred coral root". Lucy Bellringer found it seven years ago and Emily Simpson had to buy Lucy Bellringer tea at the Regency Hotel. Now, Emily Simpson wants to even the score, and jokes about Lucy buying her tea this year. She is on her way into the woods to find the spurred coral root and she does so. She finds her camera and photographs it before she marks it with a wooden stake with a red ribbon. Shortly after, she hears a sound in the nearby area, and she realises that someone is having their way right in front of her. She is frightened and runs away, and it seems that she knows the persons concerned. As she comes home, she is calling the helpline and asks for a number in Brighton, but before she can reply which number she wants, it knocks on her door.
"The Killings at Badger's Drift" starts with the brutal murder of Emily Simpson. DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy are called to Beehive Cottage in Badger's Drift where she lived. When her body is discovered, it looks like her death might be an accident, but upon interviewing Lucy Bellringer, Barnaby starts to believe that Emily Simpson was indeed murdered. Lucy informs Barnaby and Troy about her and Emily's competition concerning the spurred coral root. Curiously, Barnaby asks if Miss Simpson would have picked the orchid, but Lucy says the rules were simple. They both had their own camera and wooden stakes, just with different colours on the ribbons, red ribbons for Emily and yellow ribbons for Lucy. Lucy Bellringer is confident in her case that her best friend was murdered, something she tells Barnaby during the interview. She is proved right when the autopsy report proves she was hit over the head.
In "The Killings at Badger's Drift" we meet the mother and son couple Iris and Dennis Rainbird who spy on their fellow residents in Badger's Drift, blackmailing them for different reasons. Henry Trace is about to marry Katherine Lacey, a woman he has cared under his wings alongside her brother Michael, ever since Michael and Katherine's parents died in a car accident when they were children. Trevor and Barbara Lessiter are unfaithful with each other, and Barnaby is told that Henry Trace lost his wife during a shooting accident 26 June 1995. A little while after Emily Simpson's funeral, both Iris and Dennis Rainbird are stabbed to death, and Barnaby starts to wonder if the murder of Emily Simpson, the death of Bella Trace, and the brutal murders of the Rainbirds, are all connected.
As the investigation progresses, the pieces start to fall into place. It is revealed that Katherine Lacey and her brother are having a relationship, something that has been going on for years. The truth is soon brought to light and it turns out that Katherine is the murderer. She killed Bella Trace to marry Henry Trace for the money, murdered Emily Simpson for discovering her and Michael having sex in the woods, and murdered Iris and Dennis Rainbird for blackmailing her and Michael about their relationship, including the rug they used to have sex in the woods, which Dennis found in the quarry.
Elizabeth Spriggs and Richard Cant are both terrific in their roles as the horrible mother and son couple Iris and Dennis Rainbird. Emily Mortimer is amazing, and she leaves a solid and a wonderful interpretation of Katherine Lacey. Jonathan Firth leaves a very good impression as Michael Lacey, even though his character was a way too bland for my taste, and not as open-minded and interesting as his sister Katherine. Rosalie Crutchley plays Lucy Bellringer so wonderfully well and her part is without doubt one of the most colourful and interesting characters. Sadly she passed away in july 1997, four months after "The Killings at Badger's Drift" was shown for the first time in the UK, but I am glad that she managed to take a part of Midsomer Murders when this pilot episode, "The Killings at Badger's Drift was filmed during the months of September-October 1996.
"The Killings at Badger's Drift" is an incredibly well-made episode, and is beautifully photographed with a gorgeously idyllic scenery. The Lee, Little Missenden, and the Holy Trinity Church in Bledlow stand out as my favourite filming locations of this episode as parts of the village of Badger's Drift, but I do have to say that the Black Park Cottage which features as Holly Cottage, and Watlington Park which features as Tye House, are stunning filming locations in this episode as well.
"The Killings at Badger's Drift" is such a wonderful story, with twist and turns and the red herrings are present as well. "The Killings at Badger's Drift" is one of the darkest, complex and compelling stories of all Midsomer Murders episodes, and the murders of the Rainbirds will always be remembered as fare brutal, while the ending and final solution will be remembered as one of the show's most shocking.
"The Killing at Badger's Drift" is a wonderful start to a much-loved series. 10/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Sins of Commission (2004)
The pen is mightier than the sword
Sins of commission is set in the village of Midsomer St. Michael and starts as the body of Richard Rackham is found. At first glance, it appears to be suicide, but soon, Dr. Bullard informs Barnaby that it seems to have been murder. Richard's murder comes the same evening as the opening of the Midsomer St. Michael literary festival, where the winner's price is worth £20 000, which is sponsored by Sam Callahan's company. It is soon revealed that Richard Rackham had been involved in a sexually relationship with another writer in town, Neville Williams. When Neville is found dead, after falling to the ground from an upper floor terrace, it soon transpires that writing is a dangerous game, which anyone would like to kill for.
Sins of Commission is in my opinion one of the best episodes of series seven, and it is that kind of story and episode I can watch several times, but as other reviewers have pointed out already, the closure and Camilla Crofton turning out to be the killer, left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Camilla turning out to be the murderer was not necessarily a shock, but her motives was laughable. It is alright to point out that all her victims wanted her dead, but her statement saying she acted in self defense, was quite dull, and there could have been other characters with stronger motives. The episode itself is wonderful, apart from the last 15 minutes. It seems the writer did not have a clue or explanation of why Camilla commited all these killings, and hence the dull explanation in the end just to get an explanation.
With that being said, the theme of the story with a literary festival was very intruiging and there are a lot of likeable characters in this episode as well. It is also a step up in quality from the previous "The Fisher King" episode, with a more intruiging story, and that is why it is very sad that this episode's writer did not got a chance to complete it one hundred percent. One thing I did like about this episode was that Camilla Crofton actually was Jezebel Tripp, and that she had hired an actress to step into her shoes before she was supposed to reveal the truth, that Jezebel Tripp was indeed her nom de plume, or her pen name as you can also call it.
"Sins of Commission" is a good episode, but could have been a classic if the ending had been written in a more satisfying way. 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: The Fisher King (2004)
Midsomer Barrow and the summer solstice
The Fisher King is set in the village of Midsomer Barrow and starts in 1970 with the death of Roger Heldman. 30 years later at present day, David Hartley-Reade, son of the late Paul Hartley-Reade is writing a book about the barrow. His wife Miriam is attending a course led by the Norwegian archeologist Per Hansen, and gives him a copy of David's book. Later, during a talk at the Barrow, Jane Willow is witnesses a fight between her daughter Vanessa, and Roger Heldman's son, Gareth. Gareth is soon found murdered, and Vanessa may have been the last person to see him alive. Miriam informs David she wants to divorce, and it is later revealed that they are brother and sister. In David's mind, this can all be fixed by the summer dolstice held at Midsomer Barrow, where flaming arrows are shot through the skies, giving David permission to have sex with Miriam again. But Miriam still wants a divorce and tries to avoid David at the solstice. When David's arrows have been fired towards the skies, someone shoots him with another arrow and he falls to the ground. A man called James Lavery is later found murdered as well, and Miriam nearly becomes a victim of the killer herself, but Barnaby and Scott prevent that from happening. It is revealed that Per Hansen is indeed Paul Hartley-Reade and that he wanted to get vengeance over Roger Heldman, as it is revealed that Roger Heldman started a relationship with Paul's wife, who also was the sister of Roger's own wife, Anne Heldman. Paul Heartley-Reade is then arrested, and the last thing he says, is that he wanted to take back what was rightfully his, including his own birth name, Paul Heartley-Reade.
"The Fisher King" is a good, but decent third episode of series seven of Midsomer Murders. I really do like the setting about a dig happening in Midsomer, but I do agree with the reviewer saying that the incident happening 30 years prior to the episode, may have stolen too much attention of the episode. With that being said, every story needs a beginning, and "The Fisher King" and the story's background, manages that very well indeed.
Per Hansen/Paul Hartley-Reade turning out to be the murderer, did not come as a shock, and was very quite obvious from the start. Midsomer Murders has suffered with that kind of flaw many times before, but many of the episodes with that happening, have still been good.
The plot about Roger Heldman, and the fact that he was a womanizer who fathered the whole village, did get me a bit confused, as other reviewers have also pointed out. Him being father to both Gareth and David, Miriam and Vanessa, did get clarified at the end, but it could have been explained in an easier way. The fact that Roger was more interested in making kids with different women, then to stay with his wife Anne, strikes me as odd, even though things of course was a bit different in 1970, the year this episode started.
Overall, "The Fisher King" is an interesting and indeed a watchable and enjoyable episode, but to me, this episode could have been a more intruiging episode. 7/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Bad Tidings (2004)
Welcome to Midsomer, DS Daniel Scott
Bad Tidings starts as Fiona Thompson is found dead in Chenies Field after attending a spanish evening where she has an argument with her husband about money. As Troy has departed to start his new job as Detective Inspector in Middlesbrough, Barnaby welcomes new DS Daniel Scott as Troy's replacement, and Scott is not that impressed about his new job in Midsomer. During the annual Garden day, Charles Rust gets murdered as well, and it seems that the murderer wants to conceal a secret.
Bad Tidings is a good, intriguing and an enjoyable episode, and in my opinion, a step up in quality, because this story is more compelling. It was nice to see Cully reunited with her School friends, but the meeting does not turn out as she wanted it to be, something I feel sad for. The story itself is very good, and I did like the setting about the spanish evening, Cully's reunion with old friends, and the garden day.
Overall, a good second episode of series seven. It does take a little while to get to know Scott, after Troy's departure, but Scott will leave a better impression later on. 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: The Green Man (2003)
Farewell Gavin Troy
The Green Man is set in the village of Midsomer Malham where Troy and Barnaby solve two different cases seperately. Barnaby is investigating a Collapse in a tunnel, where skeleton remains are found shortly after they rescue the people who is trapped. Troy on the other hand is investigating his final case in Midsomer before being transferred to Middlesbrough, after being promoted to Detective Inspector. Troy's case centers around the murders of two young men and a woman. A local man named Tom who lives in the woods is found to be the son of Eric Edwards, who's remains is found when the people are rescued from the tunnel.
"The Green Man" will always be known as Gavin Troy's last episode as a regular cast in Midsomer Murders. I would have wanted to see a bigger send off, considered that he was Barnaby's original sidekick. The last scene where a celebration is held at the Barnaby's was indeed touching, and a moving moment. I still do believe that it was a clever move for Troy to get his own cases to solve on his own, in both the previous "Birds of Prey" episode, and now the following series seven opener, "The Green Man". Considered the two different cases in this episode, I find Barnaby's case much more interesting than the actual murder case in this episode. I still find it very intriguing that Troy was given the task to solve the final case on his own, but the case itself is not interesting enough. Barnaby's case on the other hand, is compelling and I was always interested to know if Tom, who lived in the woods, had something to do with the man who's remains was found in the tunnel. Tom turning out to be Eric Edwards son was never really a surprise, but still very intriguing. The murder case that Troy is investigating, did lack surprises, and Daniel turning out to be the murderer, killing his friends because they had started a relationship with Daniel's mother, did not come as a shock, but still the motive is quite good.
The Green Man is in my opinion a decent episode. The plot is not that interesting to watch, but the episode is still enjoyable and watchable. The episode is very well made as always, but considered that this was Troy's last episode, I would have wanted to see more. 7/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Birds of Prey (2003)
Never trust your own sister
"Birds of Prey" is set in the village of Midsomer Magna where Julian Shepard demands to get his money back after an investment he believes has gone wrong. The project manager Charles Edmonton tries to calm him down, but it never helps. When Julian comes home, he intends to take suicide, but changes his mind. Moments afterwards, a figure of an unknown person is seen Entering his home while he lies in the bath. Julian Sheperd gets murdered and is later found in the water.
The story also centers around Eddie Darwin, a man who stole Jane and Eleanor McPherson's home, and made them to his slaves. He is a man who is showing no respect and demands that they will do exactly as he tells them to do. A while later, Eddie Darwin is seen entering the Edmonton's Estate, and as he opens the freezer, he sees the dead body of Charles Edmonton and runs away. Shortly after, he is run over by a car, and he later dies of the injuries. It appears that George Hamilton tried to blackmail the murderer, and he should never have done that, for he is the last victim to fall by the hands of the murderer.
"Birds of Prey" is a wonderful ending to the six series of Midsomer Murders. The story is dark and intriguing and there are many interesting characters. The sad part is that Troy was not that much involved in the murder investigation as he was occupied with something else. I do have to say it felt strange to see Barnaby solve the crimes without much help from his sidekick. The episode contains twist, turns and red herrings, but as more Murders were commited, few suspects remained, and Naomi turning out to be the murderer did not come as a shock.
David Calder, Alexandra Gilbreath, Rosalind Knight, Shelia Shand Gibbs and Anton Lesser leave the best impression from the supporting cast. We do catch a glimpse of the wonderful church and pond in the Buckinghamshire village of Haddenham during the first ten minutes, and that is my favourite location in this episode.
"Birds of Prey" is a wonderful ending to series six of Midsomer Murders. Even though it felt a bit strange not seeing Troy much involved in the investigation, Barnaby managed to solve the case on his own perfectly. 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: A Tale of Two Hamlets (2003)
A family that never wants to reveal their secrets
"A Tale of two Hamlets is set in the Midsomer villages of Upper Warden and Lower Warden and starts when Larry Smith gets murdered after Entering a summer house to promote the hit horror movie "The House of Satan". Barnaby and Troy start to investigate, but the Smythe-Webster family seems to stay silent without reaveling much to Barnaby. Rupert Smythe-Webster owns the manor house after his elder brother commited suicide years prior to the episode, but even he does not say much. The Smythe-Webster family is a family with secrets and it turns out that one of the wifes have had a relationship with one of hers husband's brothers. A while later, Frank Smythe-Webster, simply known as Frank Webster, is found murdered and Barnaby believes the Smythe-Webster family knows more than they want to share.
"A Tale of two Hamlets" is an enjoyable and intriguing episode, and compared to the decent series six opener "A Talent For Life", and the different feeling kind of episode with "Painted in Blood", "A Tale of two Hamlets gets Midsomer Murders back on track as they did with "Death and Dreams". "A Tale of Two Hamlets" is an good episode because the murderer's identity is very well hidden, with many suspects, among the members of the Smythe-Webster family. The killing methods are indeed very well, and the story has many twist, turns and red herrings.
"A Tale of two Hamlets brings the six series of Midsomer Murders back to a Midsomer Murders episode again, after the unusual "Painted in Blood" episode. 8/10 Hossy Christie.
Midsomer Murders: Painted in Blood (2003)
The first investigation without Barnaby
"Painted in Blood" takes place in Midsomer Florey where Joyce takes part in a watercolour society on an open-air-art class. The excitement soon turns to fear, when Ruth Fairfax is found murdered. Ruth Fairfax is later identified as Angela Browning, who used to work in the National Intelligenge Service. The NIS takes Barnaby off the case, and Troy gets in a difficult position with both keeping Barnaby informed, and being loyal to the NIS.
"Painted in Blood" is known for its low body count, with only Ruth Fairfax/Angela Browning being the only victim. I really did like the setting about the watercolour society and that Joyce takes a bigger part of the story, but I do feel that it was strange to see Barnaby not in chance of the investigation. We can also ask ourselves if this is an ordinary Midsomer Murders episodes. To me, it did felt a bit different, like they wanted to try something new, leaving the solid ground that has made Midsomer Murders a favourite amongst many people. The problem with just one murder victim is that the story and not the murder takes a bigger part. It feels a bit sad that the murder seems to be totally forgotten, but still, I believe the reason for that is that the NIS and not Barnaby, was in change of the investigation.
They wanted to try something new with "Painted in Blood" with a low rated body count. That itself can be intriguing, but if you eant to do so, the murder and not anything else around, needs to get more focus. 7/10 Hossy Christie.