S16E3, Wild Harvest

S16E3, Wild Harvest: Elegant opening scene unfurls into a chaotic dog eat dog environment. A creepy midnight woods murder and you've got yourself a bloody mystery full of mushrooms and scenic green fields. Akin to Sherlock's Baskerville's Hound, the intriguing theme sizzles out quickly. Sarah is on maternity leave while Sykes is off his usual nosh--I'll take this side on the plate, yes, Chef! Hmm...the plot rests as a bore until well, the boar! Nelson and Dr. Wilding are here, but there's actually nothing wild about that. Oh, I miss Jones. Still, the plot thickens up and gets quite saucy. So, the beginning is not appetizing, but I'd take another serving of this episode as all the ingredients combine. 3 out of 5 stars! And it seems I've developed an excellent palate for murder since I guessed the secret recipe with 20 minutes left to spare--which did indeed leave a good taste in my mouth. Oh, and the final reveal was the icing on the cake! Ah, but I'm sure you'll be a satisfied customer now that my fun puns have eaten up a lot of your time!

Watch it on my blog (link in bio) #midsomermurders #murder #mystery @officialmidsomer #british #acorntv #itv #neildudgeon #fionadolman @fiona_dolman #benjones #detective #detectivebarnaby @_jasonhughes #blog #writer #crime #justice #midsomermurders @mrgwilymlee #tamzinmalleson #katewilding #charlienelson

S16E2, Let Us Prey

S16E2, Let Us Pray

A rainy night with delicate music inside a church starts the episode. A mysterious underground tunnel and ancient fresco add to the mystery. Next thing you know, a dead body arrives. Nelson is shocked at Wilding's utterly unkempt abode. Meanwhile, Barnaby is shocked at how many baby items are needed to own a baby! Several unique camera shots and a dark grey hue creates the atmosphere. The lovely village exteriors and quirky characters are nicely familiar, but the unique charm of the Tom and Joyce seasons is noticeably missing--maybe it's the loss of all the original actors, the most recent being Jones. Michael Jayston as Reverend Gould adds the much needed depth to the episode, but it's not enough to make an impact. And an hour in, it is all just flat boring. The true motive comes out of nowhere, and it should have been part of the plot in some way as it is the only interesting bit in the story. 

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S16E1: A Christmas Haunting

S16E1, A Christmas Haunting: Merry Christmas! Your present this year is a brand new partner for John, Sergeant Charlie Nelson. Barnaby sure misses Ben (who's now a Detective Inspector in Brighton) as we all do! The weather is cold and snowy, the mood is festive yet creepy, and both Sarah and John are  expecting...a baby! We still need time to see how the new duo of detectives works together. We see John making the introductions and sharing the customs with the new guy this time around. So far Nelson is casual (not wearing a sharp suit) and keen (commands attention with a booming clap). Kate helps welcome him with a drink and a room. The guest cast bores me: drab, unhappy couples and dysfunctional families, but the jolly Christmas decor and jingle bells are special enough. Still, the pace is terribly slow, the plot lacks pizzazz, and the writing is devoid of humor. The reveal at the end is just as disappointing, but is saved by a heartfelt Christmas message from our old pal Jones. Watch it on my blog (link in bio) #midsomermurders #murder #mystery @officialmidsomer #british #acorntv #itv #neildudgeon #fionadolman @fiona_dolman #benjones #detective #detectivebarnaby @_jasonhughes #blog #writer #crime #justice #midsomermurders

S16E6, Schooled in Murder

S15E6, Schooled in Murder: Well this is a fun start! A lovely sunny countryside, a snooty set of snobs at a prep school, veiled threats, a mysterious young stranger, and murder by giant cheese wheel--whoa! Not to mention--It's the Barnaby's 15th Anniversary and sweet Sykes is suffering from a secret accident (John's fault?). We get to know all the potential suspects and motives at a steady pace. Then another cheese centered murder weapon slices into the plot amidst the breezy leaves of the trees and sprawling lawn of the rich, well who in the world is the killer? Oh, and DO NOT look at the 2nd victim: "maggots with a message" -- Oh the horror, it better be worth the inclusion. The next murder is ugly too, quick at least. Who knew that cheese making was such a brutal business? Is this the highest Midsomer body count, ever? And cups of tea too, by golly, a lot of those! An overall entertaining and nicely done final episode to season 15. And oh goodness me, this is the last episode of our dear Ben Jones (but for his next "final" episode in S19). Funny that his first case with John is centered at a school and here too. Unlike Troy, Tom, and George, he does not get an official good-bye scene, perhaps because Jason Hughes' departure wasn't certain. Good-bye, Ben! It will not be the same without you. Truly, the end of an original Midsomer era. Watch it on my blog (link in bio) #midsomermurders #murder #mystery @officialmidsomer #british #acorntv #itv #neildudgeon #fionadolman @fiona_dolman #benjones #detective #detectivebarnaby @_jasonhughes #blog #writer #crime #justice #midsomermurders

S15E5, The Sicilian Defence

S15E5, The Sicilian Defence: Captivating opening scene, the mystery starts immediately. Beautifully shot, includes lighthearted Barnaby fam bits, but could have gone without the ear piercing screaming from the girl at hospital, yikes. Lovely scenery and buildings, the cast of characters, none very endearing. A dead cat will disturb some. With half an hour left, the pace picks up after my waning interest. And boy, does it get all twisty and turny! And even through the enjoyable absurdity, it manages to be surprisingly touching thanks to DCI John Barnaby's psychology skills! I also noticed his variety of facial expressions conveying different thoughts which reminded me of dear old Tom! Watch the first 30, skip the next, then view the last, and you've got an entertaining hour here! In short, this is a MEMORABLE episode, which is apropos considering the theme of it. (The Sicilian Defence is a chess opening that begins with the following moves: 1. e4 c5). 

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S15E4(3), Written in the Stars

S15E4 Written in the Stars (It may be E3, actually): a sunny festival featuring astronomy, a shiny red sports car, a solar eclipse, a touch of mysticism, the thud of a weaopinized meteor, and a murder--the intro is all over the place. A beautiful ridge vie on a Bronze Age site, oh and well, it is cursed, of course. Later, we find out that John is a Scorpio, just like yours truly. The Scorpio "chases Orion, the hunter, the killer, across the night skies," hmm... sounds about right! I really don't care about the first murder until it seems that it might be related to a mysterious death from 15 years ago. The action is absent, lots of repetitive motive set-ups slowly stretch along like a sweaty yoga session. Will any of these dull, self-centered characters die already? And hey, I am of South Asian heritage, so I hope it's safe to criticize the choice of using the name Gagan for the lovely young lady's name? There are so many more pretty names that could've fit the bill! Ok, more yoga, more overprotective father, more people threatening each other, got it. OMG, will someone get murdered already?! Oh, yes okay, but why this guy?, hmm, don't care. Well, I can't wait for Kate Wilding's upcoming WILD birthday party--perhaps some action after all! And I'd love to meet Jones' Gran--he always talks about her. Anyway, what? The only likable character--murdered like that? That's unexpected--find the killer immediately! And no, no, no--Ben is "fantasizing" about Kate? Didn't want to know that. And as it turns out, didn't need to know much of anything for this episode. Did they even address the cold case from 15 years ago? A few nice bits, but overall, it did not work. Watch it on my blog if you're keen to know what I mean (link in bio) #midsomermurders #murder #mystery @officialmidsomer #british #acorntv #itv #neildudgeon #fionadolman @fiona_dolman #benjones #detective #detectivebarnaby @_jasonhughes #blog #writer #crime #justice #midsomermurders

S15E3, Death and the Divas

S15E3, "Death and the Divas" starts off with an intriguing blood sucking murder (or two), so you're hooked in from the get go. John and Sarah giddily attend a horror film festival with stars in their eyes, cute couple these two. Kate shows up as well--are we to discover she has a life outside her medical scrubs and possibly a personality outside of expert on decomposition? Ooh, it's raining at night, how atmospheric! American accents? Oh, dear me--hopefully they're the next victims! Ha! A pair of lovers in bed? Hopefully they're next! Pleasant scenery and eye-candy interiors keep me satisfied. A steady pace of motives fall around, until the 2nd murder itself drops--then a couple more motives add up, keeping me curious. The supporting guest cast acts very well (some familiar faces), but there are several scriptural raunchy bits--silly, though they match the old, vampy vibe of campy movies. Vampy campy! Still, an actual sex scene with sounds and all is jarring, but thankfully brief. Leads me to laughter, though, when Jones gets the wrong idea about Sarah being part. Although the ear piercing screaming is too much even in its suspenseful ending, it's another episode fit for a fun-filled Halloween night, or any day! 

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