Death in a Chocolate Box, S10E8

You know, Midsomer Murders really is like a box of chocolates--you never know what you're gonna get! As long as Tom Barnaby is featured, you know it's going to be sweet, but throw a few nuts in there, and bam, it's a dark day in the county. Now then, there are several special things in season 10's final episode, Death in a Chocolate Box. First off, Cully and Simon show up from London to what seems like a completely new or remodeled Barnaby home outside and in. Confusingly, we see Simon in the backyard, apparently checking on the work he did in episode 5, Death and Dust. However, we see in episode 6, A Picture of Innocence, that they are still in their kitchen with the open spice cabinet so it suggests it is remodeled rather than new (now of course this will only matter to well, probably only to me, but there you have it). Joyce thinks the young couple has a sneaky, sad secret, but is pleasantly surprised that it's the good, warm news about being engaged! Now this bit of light is in stark contrast to the dark nature of the plot here, the dark rainy scenes, oh, and the dark interior of this new Barnaby house. And who likes dark chocolate, anyway? Another special bit is the use of the camera obscura, which is symbolic of the mystery, since the truth is obscured, you see. The plot is somewhat choppy for simple minds like myself, and there's the icky bits about drunk women and creepy cops, not to mention suicide by train. I found the character of Gina Colby unpleasant to watch, although she found herself quite watchable being that she had multiple framed photos of HERSELF in her office (why?)! And Tom just happens to have a special framed photo of himself and this Jack guy he's never mentioned before? Sure. Nevertheless, lovely performances in the characters of Lord Holm and Marcia Warren. Barnaby must be glad it's the last episode of the season, and both he and Joyce piggyback onto Cully's honeymoon plans, and get the heck outta dodge for awhile! Let's see if season 11 starts off in New Zealand (Spoiler: It doesn't)! Don't forget to check out my Instagram @Omae.Zing. Here on the blog, we're going to start our stroll with... 

ALL THINGS BARNABY:

Exteriors:

Interiors

Extra bits:

Farewell until Season 11!