There seems to be a mix of reactions to this episode from long time Midsomer Murders fans. Personally, I liked it. Yes, it was different. And yes, if the series began to trend in this direction, I would find it tiresome. However, I imagine that this was a welcome departure for the main cast and crew. A chance to tell a story that's a bit different from the others. I found this story to be quite outside the normal formula for MM, and that was refreshing for me.
Plus - and I guess I'm just like this - I really enjoyed the sentimentality of it... the portrayal of aging in our ever-go- faster, shallow society was moving, especially the way Nigel Davenport delivered it. Most convincing. And I LIKE to be made to feel a little sad occasionally.
Is it just me, or was there an intentional effort with the title of this episode... a nod towards "blue haired" people? I mean, it's almost as if the writers thought of "blue hair" and "red herrings" and - BAM - created an episode full of red herrings and blue-haired (i.e.: mature) people. Maybe not. It's just the way my brain works.