S19E1: The Village That Rose From the Dead

S19E1: The Village that Rose from the Dead 

Excellent acting all around in this first episode of season 19. A competition over land development creates a killing in classic form. Our wee baby Betty is growing into an energetic toddler now, but sadly our loyal companion Sykes has passed on to frolic in doggy heaven-- be free ol' boy! And as we say aloha to Sykes, we say hello to the new DCI -- Charlie Nelson's replacement -- fashionable Sergeant Jamie Winter. He's got a lot of subtle charm no doubt. He's a familiar face to Dr. Kam-- do they have a history? And unlike the tense negative dynamic between Nelson and Karimore, the vibe between Jamie and Kam is refreshingly cheerful. And although Charlie can be easily replaced, it's not so easy to find a replacement for Sykes. But there's a new dog in town, and he's a cute little pup, indeed!  One negative in the episode has to do with all those creepy snakes-- and I don't mean the shady characters! Still, it's a solid, steady mystery set against the lovely backdrop of English scenery-- a fantastic start to season 19!