S16E5: The Killings of Copenhagen.

S16E5: The Killings of Copenhagen.

To mark its 100th episode, Midsomer goes to... Denmark? Because...I don't know. Maybe to prank the fans like Ha! We've really changed the show now, even the language! (actually the show is very popular there). But no, thankfully--here we are...back to biscuits in Badger's Drift! Home sweet home. Beautiful buildings and scenery here. But you know how you feel when see the tin of cookies just to find out that inside is just your Mum's sewing kit? Yep, that's the feeling here in the beginning. Now Sarah's baby is finally due -- I wonder if John will miss the delivery-- don't you? Oh yes, we do. So, the intrigue does thicken up a bit with the characters who own the antique store-- they harken back to the early days of the show with their well acted quirkiness and familiar faces. Then suddenly we're in Denmark and its all Danish this and that just because a dude from the U.K. was found murdered here. Do they not see how pregnant Sarah is? Solve that murder via email, folks! So as usual we get the run around until we get to the actual identity and motives for the murders, but the lady detectives are not as charming as Nelson thinks, though, in fact, yes, Denmark is lovely. We have to wait until the last ten minutes to get to the familiar recipe of amusing absurdity and kooky closure that truly satisfies, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. Now on to S17--let's see of the Barnaby's are still living the sweet life with their beautiful baby Betty! 

S16E4, The Flying Club

S16E4, The Flying Club: It's a bird, it's a plane--no, it's a dead man falling from the sky? That's a first for Midsomer (right?). If you enjoy stunt pilots and their airplanes, this one's for you; if not, then it's a snooze. You'll wish you were on vacation with Sarah. 

Now, viewers traveling Midsomer usually do take the highway to the danger zone, but this flight sat on the runway way too long, had way too many lay overs, little on board entertainment, and not a blip of needed turbulence--only to reveal a dull destination, a near crash landing, I almost ditched before the end.

Perhaps I'm being unruly here. There's the bit about Kate's parents, which is a decent enough detour, establishing a bit of historical background for the pathologist. Still,

June Whitfield was the only bright spot on an otherwise dreary trip to the landing. Oh, but, yes, watching Sykes get the first class treatment is one for the scrapbook. In the end, however, the plot's itinerary may have been exciting on paper, but the route taken was like a bad trip. But as this one departs, I'll keep my hopes high for the next.