Reviews

A pleasant watch, a case of mistaken identity always being an interesting feature of Midsomer Murders

As other reviewers have picked up on though, Jones was sent on the walk to keep an eye on the Doctor, it's not credible that he would let him out of his sight at all. Of course this was so they could create the dramatic final scene but it's not at all in keeping with Jones' normal behaviour who is normally a very savvy and switched on police officer.

Brilliant performance from Stephanie Cole, the highlight of the episode. I thought her suspecting the Doctor of helping her daughter to die was a great addition to the plot.

This episode is fairly plot/dialogue heavy and may to some viewers appear to lack pace. The views of North Wales were stunning.

Not a classic, yet much better than some of the later episodes nonetheless.

Loved the storyline of the fridge incident and how Barnaby and Troy worked it out together, especially the clincher which was that the light was off rather than on, I don't think we've ever seen a murder as a decoy in any other episode, so so clever.

Quentin was an utterly detestable character, glad to see they nailed him in the end.

As always, stunning houses used for filming, this episode is definitely in the top five.

A bit of a change with this one, set in a refuge with some rather unusual characters

The pace lacks a bit, its less of a mystery than other episodes in the earlier series

It's very notable how Barnaby works out and confirms the cause of the first death but it not being revealed to us the viewer, this makes up for the lack of pace somewhat as it maintains our interest.

No standout performances, we don't see as many well known actors in this one.

This episode stands out by a mile as being one of the very best, it has all the classic elements of the series all rolled into one, making it one of my most re-watched episodes. It's got the mystery, the humour, the colourful characters, the picturesque backdrops, lovely music.

A poisoning at a village fete is so classic Midsomer Murders, the plot twist that ensues as a result of this is second to none

Only slight drawback is it loses a little bit of pace towards the end when Barnaby and Troy go to visit the psychiatric hospital, but of course the dialogue heavy scenes are necessary in order for us to catch up.

Another thing which I wasn't able to work out- in the very final scene, Barnaby says that Joyce telling him the Samantha saying she'd seen someone ''in the street'' made him certain that Edward Allardice was the killer (that along with other evidence), but what I couldn't work out was how Samantha would have known Edward Allardice ? I'm sure it would add suspicion because they already thought he was responsible for the other murder, but surely it's not in itself incriminating ? If he'd had turned out to be the killer, that would have needed to be answered I think.

The acting is superb- Timothy West, Moray Watson, Barbara Jefford, Hannah Gordon are the stars of this show.

Unmissable really, will always be one of my favourites.

They definitely don't make them like this anymore, this episode encompasses all the values that make Midsomer Murders as good as it was in the early days.

As ever, stunning locations used for filming, was great to see them use the same village for Badgers Drift as they used in the very first episode- same church, same Doctors surgery, as well as the reference to the characters from that episode (the Rainbirds), Richard Bayly's house was stunning !

Small quirks in the episode add to the enjoyment as well, it's a typical insular community whereby everyone knows each others business, quoted by one character as having a ''rumour machine''. The only thing that wasn't credible about that was a character saying she heard about Richard Bayly's illness from the Doctors' cleaner; there's no way Doctors would be divulging patient information as gossip.

The murder methods also step up a gear- a beheading, a burning alive and a bow and arrow killing, the latter happening at a colourful village fete- classic !

I couldn't quite get my head around this one, the whole plot revolves around a letter, which we later find out is a letter detailing an affair but no one is named, is this in itself incriminating ?

What puzzles me is why Sonia was killed but not the other woman who she showed that day ? I also didn't buy the story that Joyce would remember fine details like the set of shears hanging on the wall and who was last out of the room.

Poorly executed and not really worth watching.

Like the previous episode of the series, this episode has two plots running simultaneously which doesn't always work, it often feels like the episode is just being padded out to fill the time. This one involves a double kidnapping and the death of a clown. This episode has elements of that but to a much lesser extent than the previous episode ''Mind Games''.

The relationship between Frost and DS Marsh works really well, an excellent performance by Cheri Lunghi who I also liked in Midsomer Murders. We're kept guessing on the motives behind the kidnapping and which of the victims was the target, I was hoping for a red herring or some kind of plot twist, the lack of this meant the conclusion was rather predictable.

This episode falls into the trap of several Frost episodes of having two plot lines running simultaneously, in some episodes this works well but in this episode it just doesn't.

It was fairly obvious how the story of the two murders 20 years previously would unfold. This alongside the murder of the guy in his office seemed to drag on forever. One thing I did like though was the performance of the new pathologist.

Poorly acted as well, with the exception of the pathologist, no standout performances at all, it's a shame that this episode just isn't up to the standard of the earlier series.

Interesting episode, albeit with a slightly disturbing plot line involving incest

It was great to see them using the old creepy house from 'The House in the Woods' episode a few years previously, I like seeing them use the same locations again and again. The characters in this episode are allowed to develop and we see some very convincing performances particular from the three younger cast members who are chosen for the Master Class, Orlando in particular. The three family members who run the school play creepy very well, it was pretty much certain that they'd be instrumental in the conclusion.

A nice change in this episode, its not at all gruesome, and whilst there's a killing, whether its a murder or not is a moot question to quote John Nettles. He claims this episode is one of the most literate scripts there is, and whilst this isn't one of my favourites, I'm inclined to agree.

The relationship between Alice and Barnaby is great, a lovely performance by Phyllis Calvert. They're supported by a cast of other senior actors, notably Nigel Davenport who is just brilliant- escaping the nursing home and stealing cars, classic. I particularly like the scene very near the end when we hear ''Blue Herrings'' ; it sums up the episode very well and is very aptly named for that reason. There's a very nice scene unique to the DVD as well which between Cully and Mr Smithers, it's a shame that so many scenes across many episodes are cut from the TV versions.

Low body count in this one, some quite funny moments though, with the usual brilliant scenery

The thing that nags me is that the only reason the killer was concealed is that Rose couldn't remember Ginny coming to see her that day and taking the knife, surely if she only had three visitors that day she'd remember all of them, especially if you being arrested for murder or not depended on it. Obviously if she'd remembered at the start then there would have been no episode, but it just seemed very feeble. It would have been better if the meeting of the several couples at Ginny's house later that day had taken place at Rose's, then any one of them could have taken the knife, thickening the plot.

Worth a watch, but the conclusion is very far fetched

Whilst I love the production values in this one and think it's a great start for Scott, certain things nag me every time I see it.

Firstly, I find it hard to believe that any of Cully's friends left school only ten years ago, those parts are not cast very well, they would be 28 but all look considerably older. Secondly, I find Cully very irritating in this episode, it's almost like she just doesn't get the hint when she keeps suggesting going out for a meal and thirdly, I don't find the storyline of the child looking nothing like her mother anywhere near credible, surely Barnaby's first thought would be that she may look more like her Dad by her hair colour

I like very much the performances of the older cast - John Standing in particular as Charles Rust. If you're a fan of Midsomer Murders you'll like this one but be warned, Cully is highly irritating !

Really like this one, pleased to see it being repeated Christmas 2020, shows just how popular Midsomer Murders continues to be.

All the action takes place in the house of one family which is obviously totally different to what we're used to but a welcome change. As usual some great performances.

The devil is in the detail with this episode though and with every repeat I pick up minor details I missed the first time round so you'll need to pay attention during the flashbacks.

The 'garage incident' as they called it I thought was exceptional, the swapping of remotes and how the boy Howard works out that the garage door wasn't in fact locked as was claimed, I thought that was brilliant, proper crime writing, very Agatha Christie esque.

The house used for filming is stunning as well, I just love the setting of Midsomer Murders, the sinister subject of murder against the backdrop of the English countryside, definitely a worthwhile watch for Christmas