MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 19 (FRENCH REGION 2 DVD)

DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) investigates bizarre and imaginative murders in the picturesque Midsomer County with his new DS, Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix), and pathologist Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk). From december 2016 to January 2017, ITV aired four out of the six feature-length episodes from the 19th series of Midsomer Murders. However, the channel decided to keep the remaining two for "later in the year".

Last spring French pubcaster France 3 didn't show them either but these episodes are in the French Region 2 DVD set from Koba Films, now available. Past a soporific premiere, Series 19 is in fact full of pleasant surprises.

- The village That Rose from the Dead: A 1940s themed party celebrates the reopening of Little Auburn, a derelict village left untouched since WW2, while three camps fight about its future. A young man behind an eco-village project, leaves the party on a bike when he's crushed by a tank (no less!) Unfortunately, the rest of the episode doesn't fulfill the promises of this scene. The only real drama is that Sykes, the Barnabys' beloved dog, has gone to Heaven. Paddy, his replacement, is brought rather predictably but at least the transition is better than for the DS.

Neil Dudgeon interrupts a placid mode for a short moment when his character has an encounter with a snake. Guest starring Caroline Blakiston, David Burke, Anthony Calf, Christopher Colquhoun, Hugh Dennis, etc. Written by Rachel Cupperman & Sally Griffith and directed by Nick Laughland.

- Crime and Punishment: The butcher of Bleakridge, the most remote village in Midsomer, is found dead in the cold room of his shop by his fellow members of the local Neighbourhood Watch group. The man was investigating a wave of burglaries in the village, but hadn’t identified the culprit yet. It's a little bit like Hot Fuzz without the comedy in this episode written by Paul Logue and directed by Renny Rye, though we could do without the production's insistence to match up the DS with the pathologist.

Frances Barber plays the leader of "the rural Stasi" (as Barnaby calls the Bleakridge Watch).  Katy Cavanagh, Neil Morrissey, Vicki Pepperdine, Sara Powell, Clive Swift  and Sam Troughton are amongst the other guest stars.

- Last Man Out: After the very good A Dying Art last year, scriptwriter Jeff Povey and director Matt Carter return to Midsomer Murders with this inventive and funny gem. Cricket is a ground for murder as DCI Barnaby and DS Winter investigate the death of a star batsman. They're about to interrogate the man who found the body: Jack Morris, the 12th player of the team. Except that "Morris" is actually Barnaby's old DS Ben Jones, working undercover to infiltrate a large-scale match fixing operation.

It's a pleasure to see Jason Hugues back as Ben Jones, former right-hand man of two DCI Barnaby. The reunion with John, the "duel" with Winter and Ben's confrontation with the match-fixer on the cricket ground are some of the great moments of this episode. John Bird, Susan Jameson and Natasha Little are amongst the guest stars.

- Red In Tooth And Claw: Death strikes in and around a pet show. There's an impressive number of rabbits and someone who plays with scissors in this most enjoyable episode, written by Lisa Holdsworth and directed by Steve Hughes.

Steve Pemberton is a champion rabbit breeder. Michael Obiora plays Oliver Marcet, the locum pathologist. English acting deity Susan Hampshire graces Midsomer County with her presence. Also with Aisling Loftus. 

- Death by Persuasion: A young woman slips away from a Jane Austen weekend dressed in period attire when she's stabbed in the woods with a feathered quill. A delivery drone becomes a most dangerous anachronistic element in this reconstitution of Georgian times where Barnaby and Winter must "blend in". John's wife Sarah (Fiona Dolman) is writing a novel and there's another temp pathologist, Petra Antonescu (Anamaria Marinca).

An excellent episode penned by a very inspired Chris Murray and directed by Alex Pillai. It seems that both (and director of photography Al Beech) had some fun with this Midsomer version of a period drama, filmed in superb locations. Susie Blake, Abigail Cruttenden, Nicholas Gleaves, Claire Skinner, Karl Theobald and Samuel West are amongst a perfect guest cast.

- The Curse of the Ninth: The winner of a music award is strangled with a violin string and a piece of paper is found in his mouth. Barnaby and Winter face "the Curse of the Ninth", a well-known superstition in the classical music world: once a composer performs his ninth symphony, he's destined to die. Sarah has writer's block. Kam returns and she has something very important to tell to Jamie.

Another excellent episode, which reminds of Death and the Divas (Series 15) at some point. The guest cast includes the great Simon Callow, Robert Daws, James Fleet, Caroline Langrishe and Cyril Nri. Written by new Midsomer Murders scribe Julia Gilbert (Holby City, EastEnders) and directed by Matt Carter. 

The 3-disc DVD box set from Koba Films contains the French dubbing and, fortunately, the original dialogue track (available with optional French subtitles). Based upon the books by Caroline Graham. Produced by Bentley Productions (part of All3Media) for ITV. Exec produced by Jo Wright and produced by Ella Kelly. Music composed by Jim Parker. 

http://www.kobafilms.fr/series-tv/595-inspecteur-barnaby-saison-19-3344428068721.html
http://midsomermurders.org/

MIDSOMER MURDERS: DEATH BY PERSUASION + THE CURSE OF THE NINTH (SERIES 19, EPISODES 5 & 6)

["Mini reviews"] From december 2016 to January 2017, ITV aired four out of the six episodes from the 19th series of its long-running detective drama Midsomer Murders. But for some reason they kept the remaining two for "later in the year". 

Oddly, Death By Persuasion and The Curse of the Ninth, surfaced this summer in some countries like Australia. These episodes are even included in the French Region 2 DVD set from Koba Films, though France 3 didn't show them with the others last spring.

- Death by Persuasion (Episode 5): A young woman slips away from a Jane Austen weekend dressed in period attire when she's stabbed in the woods with a feathered quill. A delivery drone becomes a most dangerous anachronistic element in this reconstitution of Georgian times where DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix) must "blend in". Sarah Barnaby (Fiona Dolman) is writing a novel and there's another temp pathologist (1) while Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk) is away. Her name is Petra Antonescu (Anamaria Marinca).

An excellent episode penned by a very inspired Chris Murray and directed by Alex Pillai. It seems that both (and director of photography Al Beech) had some fun with this Midsomer version of a period drama, filmed in superb locations. Susie Blake, Abigail Cruttenden, Nicholas Gleaves, Claire Skinner, Karl Theobald and Samuel West are amongst a perfect guest cast.

- The Curse of the Ninth (Episode 6): The winner of a music award is strangled with a violin string and a piece of paper is found in his mouth. Barnaby and Winter are confronted to "the Curse of the Ninth", a well-known superstition in the classical music world: once a composer performs his ninth symphony, he's destined to die.

Sarah has writer's block. Kam returns and she has something very important to tell to Jamie. Another excellent episode, which reminds a bit of Death and the Divas (Series 15). The guest cast includes the great Simon Callow, Robert Daws, James Fleet, Caroline Langrishe and Cyril Nri. Written by Julia Gilbert (Holby City, EastEnders) and directed by Matt Carter, who also helmed the absolutely brilliant Last Man Out for this series.

Based upon the books by Caroline Graham. Produced by Bentley Productions (part of All3Media) for ITV. Exec produced by Jo Wright and produced by Ella Kelly. Co-produced by Ian Strachan. Music composed by Jim Parker. The Series 19 DVD box set from Koba Films will be available from tomorrow.

(1) After Oliver Marcet (Michael Obiora) in Red In Tooth And Claw, the previous episode.

http://midsomermurders.org/
http://www.kobafilms.fr/series-tv/595-inspecteur-barnaby-saison-19-3344428068721.html

MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 19, EPISODE 4: RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW + DEATH IN PARADISE - SERIES 6, EPISODE 4

A few words about the latest episodes of those crime/detective dramas.
 

- Midsomer Murders - Series 19, Episode 4: Red In Tooth And Claw (ITV). In recent years two scriptwriters amazingly succeeded in bringing fresh air into the venerable detective drama: Jeff Povey and Lisa Holdsworth. Povey is behind Last Man Out, the absolutely brilliant previous episode, and now here comes the eagerly awaited (by your humble servant at least) Holdsworth's annual Midsomer.

Lisa Holdworth caught our attention seven years ago with an episode of New Tricks. For her first gig on Midsomer Murders in 2013, a character died thanks to a giant round of cheese. Two years later she penned what was then the best episode since series 15 (A Vintage Murder). In Red In Tooth And Claw, death strikes in and around a pet show. DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Winter (Nick Hendrix) investigate amongst an impressive number of rabbits.

There's Steve Pemberton as a champion rabbit breeder, a locum pathologist (played by Michael Obiora), and someone who plays with scissors. English acting deity Susan Hampshire graces Midsomer County with her presence. A most enjoyable episode with great lines (« It's been a bad week for small animals. First a rabbit-napping and now a dog-on-badger hate crime. ») 

For some reasons which only belong to scheduling geniuses, ITV keeps the two remaining episodes of this 19th series for "later in the year". Directed by Steve Hughes.

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2017/01/midsomer-murders-last-man-out-itv.html (Episode 3)

- Death in Paradise - Series 6, Episode 4 (BBC One). In which we learn what Commissioner Patterson did during his days off, and Catherine doesn't care about her election campaign. 

« No solace in a kiss. No comfort in a sigh. No good about goodbye. » (Dame Shirley Bassey)

It's all boredom under the sun since the second episode of this current series. The romance between DI Goodman (Kris Marshall) and Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) balances between annoying and painful. Its only possible excuse (with extreme indulgence) would be to pave the way for a potential departure of Humphrey during the London two-parter or in Episode 8. 

In that case, Ardal O'Hanlon, who plays "DI Jack Mooney" in Episode 5, would be my chief suspect for the replacement. Anyway, let's hope things will go back to normal (well,  the Saint Marie "normal"...) ASAP.

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2017/01/death-in-paradise-series-6-episodes-2-3.html (Episodes 2 & 3) 

MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 19, EPISODE 3: LAST MAN OUT (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free] Cricket is a ground for murder as DCI Barnaby and DS Winter investigate the death of a star batsman.

The bottom line: The face should be familiar...

After the very good A Dying Art last year, scriptwriter Jeff Povey and director Matt Carter return to Midsomer Murders with the absolutely brilliant Last Man Out. Leo Henderson, captain of the Lower Pampling Panthers, wins the latest match of the Midsomer C10 Slam cricket competition and leads his team to the tournament semi-final. But his triumph is short, because he's pummeled to death by cricket balls in the practice area.

« His alibi checks out, Jones.
- I'm Winter, sir. »

DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix) are about to interrogate the man who found the body: Jack Morris, the 12th player of the team. Except that Morris is actually Barnaby's old DS Ben Jones, working undercover to infiltrate a large-scale match fixing operation. John cannot reveal the truth to Jamie, who quickly puts "Jack Morris" on the suspect list! Another captain dies is killed, near a tree. The same tree where someone who went missing 20 years ago suddenly reappears.

« That's taking tree hugging a bit far, isn't it? »
 
Last Man Out is creative, ingenious and funny. It's a real pleasure to see the excellent Jason Hugues back as Ben Jones, former right-hand man of two DCI Barnaby. The reunion with John, the "duel" with Winter and Ben's confrontation with the match-fixer on the cricket ground are some of the great moments of this episode. John Bird and Susan Jameson are amongst the guest stars. Like Natasha Little, who also appeared this month in Death in Paradise, the tropical counterpart of Midsomer Murders (1).

Also starring Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby and Manjinder Virk (Dr Kam Karimore). Produced by Bentley Productions (part of All3Media) for ITV. Exec produced by Jo Wright and produced by Ella Kelly. Music composed by Jim Parker. 

(1) Amusingly, Jason Hughes guest stars in an episode of Death in Paradise this year. 

http://midsomermurders.org/ 

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/02/midsomer-murders-dying-art-itv.html

MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 19, EPISODE 2: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free "mini review"] The butcher of Bleakridge, the most remote village in Midsomer, is found dead in the cold room of his shop by his fellow members of the local Neighbourhood Watch group. 

The man was investigating a wave of burglaries in the village, but hadn’t identified the culprit yet.

It's a little bit like Hot Fuzz without the comedy for DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix) in this episode written by Paul Logue and directed by Renny Rye. Crime and Punishment appears to be quite an improvement over the sleepy series premiere, though we could do without the production's insistence to match up the DS with the pathologist, Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk).

Also starring Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby. Frances Barber plays Ingrid Lockston, leader of "the rural Stasi" (as Barnaby calls the Bleakridge Watch). Katy Cavanagh (Lena Ferrara), Neil Morrissey (Mitch McAllister), Vicki Pepperdine (Barbara Walton), Sara Powell (Maxine Lockston), Clive Swift (Felix Hope) and Sam Troughton (Henry Marsh) are amongst the other guest stars. Produced by Bentley Productions (part of All3Media) for ITV. Exec produced by Jo Wright and produced by Ella Kelly. Music composed by Jim Parker.

MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 19, EPISODE 1: THE VILLAGE THAT ROSE FROM THE DEAD (ITV)

A 1940s themed party celebrates the reopening of Little Auburn, a derelict village left untouched since WW2, while three camps fight about its future. 

Finn Thornberry, a young man behind an eco-village project, leaves the party on a bike when he's crushed by a tank.

The bottom line: He's dead, John.

The 19th series of Midsomer Murders, the venerable ITV detective drama, started on December 18 with this Village that Rose from the Dead written by Rachel Cupperman & Sally Griffiths. Little Auburn is the only thing rising from the Dead in this soporific premiere which does not fulfill the promises of the tank scene. Neil Dudgeon, who plays DCI John Barnaby since 2011, interrupts a definite placid mode for a short moment when his character has an encounter with a snake.  

The only real drama during those overlong 90 minutes (1) is that Sykes, the Barnabys' beloved dog (and Midsomer fans' favourite), has gone to Heaven. His replacement is brought rather predictably but at least the transition is better than for the DS. Yes, there's a new one: Jamie Winter, played honourably by Nick Hendrix. Fiona Dolman (Sarah Barnaby) and Manjinder Virk (Dr Kam Karimore) are back.

Caroline Blakiston, David Burke, Anthony Calf, Christopher Colquhoun and Hugh Dennis are amongst the guest cast. Produced by Bentley Productions (part of All3Media) for ITV. Exec produced by Jo Wright and produced by Ella Kelly. Music composed by Jim Parker. Directed by Nick Laughland.

(1) Minus adverts.

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-packs/midsomer-murders-1

MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 18, EPISODE 1 ON FRANCE 3 (RATINGS)

Midsomer Murders, the venerable ITV detective drama, usually returns in France in April (since a few years) but Series 18 premiered yesterday on pubcaster France 3.

The episode caught 3.307.000 viewers (13%). It's not only better than the launch of the previous series (2.6m/10%), it's also impressive considering that France 3 is #2 against an Euro 2016 football match.

Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV.

http://www.ozap.com/actu/audiences-allemagne-ukraine-large-leader-sur-tf1-inspecteur-barnaby-revient-en-hausse/500358

Series 18 reviews on this blog (Spoiler-Free):

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/01/midsomer-murders-habeas-corpus-itv.html (Habeas Corpus)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/01/midsomer-murders-incident-at-cooper.html (The Incident at Cooper Hill)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/01/midsomer-murders-breaking-chain-itv.html (Breaking The Chain)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/02/midsomer-murders-dying-art-itv.html (A Dying Art) 

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/02/midsomer-murders-saints-and-sinners-itv.html (Saints and Sinners)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/02/midsomer-murders-harvest-of-souls-itv.html (Harvest of Souls)

INSPECTEUR BARNABY SAISON 18 ON FRANCE 3

Midsomer Murders usually returns in France in April (since a few years) but Series 18 will premiere on pubcaster France 3 this sunday.

Aired between January and February on ITV with an "extended" six-episode run,  this eighteenth series surprisingly managed (overall) to bring back a bit of dignity to the venerable detective drama. 

Starring Neil Dudgeon (DCI John Barnaby), Gwilym Lee  (DS Charlie Nelson) and Manjinder Virk as the new forensic pathologist, Dr Kam Karimore. Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV.

Series 19 will introduce Nick Hendrix as Barnaby's new DS Jamie Winter.

Series 18 reviews on this blog (Spoiler-Free):

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/01/midsomer-murders-habeas-corpus-itv.html (Habeas Corpus)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/01/midsomer-murders-incident-at-cooper.html (The Incident at Cooper Hill)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/01/midsomer-murders-breaking-chain-itv.html (Breaking The Chain)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/02/midsomer-murders-dying-art-itv.html (A Dying Art) 

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/02/midsomer-murders-saints-and-sinners-itv.html (Saints and Sinners)

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2016/02/midsomer-murders-harvest-of-souls-itv.html (Harvest of Souls)

MIDSOMER MURDERS: HARVEST OF SOULS (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free] As the annual "harvest fayre" arrives in the Midsomer County village of Whitcombe Mallet, the owner of an equestrian centre is trampled by his horse. Except that someone encouraged the animal with a gunshot.

The 18th series of Midsomer Murders, the venerable ITV detective drama, ends its "extended" six-episode run with a very good episode written by Caleb Ranson and directed by Nick Laughland. DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) have to unravel a feud from the past between two families in and around the fairground on the village green.

One of suspects of the case is Butch Nevins, owner of the daredevil rider Wall of Death attraction. John and his wife Sarah (Fiona Dolman) prepare their holiday but the hotel doesn't take dogs and Sykes hates kennels. Kam (Manjinder Virk) and Charlie compete to keep the dog while the Barnabys will be away unless... Harvest of Souls boldly features some dialogues in French, an inventive murder and a Volkswagen camping van.

Overall this eighteenth series surprisingly managed to bring back a bit of dignity to Midsomer Murders. Anyway, there will (of course) be a Series 19. This final episode drew 4.9m/22.7%, giving this series an average of 5.2m/23.9%. Actor/director Seán Gleeson, Michael Higgs, Michelle Holmes, Amber Rose Revah, Helen Schlesinger, the great Meera Syal and David Yelland are amongst the guest stars of this episode.

Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV. Phil Hunter is the producer. Jo Wright exec produces. Music composed by Jim Parker.

http://www.midsomermurders.org/
http://www.visitmidsomer.com/

MIDSOMER MURDERS: SAINTS AND SINNERS (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free] The bones of a saint are found by an archaeological team in the village of Midsomer Cicely. Soon after, the dig leader is murdered in a horribly ironic way.

As Series 18 is about to end its "extended" six-episode run, talented screenwriter Lisa Holdsworth returns to Midsomer Murders with this penultimate episode. Three series ago, Schooled in Murder, her first script for the venerable ITV detective drama, got noticed because of that famous scene where Martine McCutcheon met a giant cheese. Her second episode, last year's A Vintage Murder, was simply the best since Series 15. In this gem Naoko Mori basically played Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous (the actress was Sarah in Ab Fab).

DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) investigate the death of Dr Zoe Dyer, the lead archaeologist of the Midsomer Cicely dig, killed after her team found the remains of protestant martyr Cicely Milson. The site is regularly visited by "nighthawks", metal detectorists looking for a buried treasure. Villagers are upset by the discovery because they believe they already have the bones in the local church. Cicely is the subject of a feud between Reverend Peter Corby and his historian brother Christopher. By the way, Charlie plays tennis with Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk).

Saints and Sinners doesn't top or match Lisa Holdsworth's previous episodes but she displays her usual ingenuity for her annual Midsomer death tour. And there are two great scenes: the bonfire confrontation between the brothers, served brilliantly by Aden Gillett (as the historian) and Malcolm Sinclair (as a typical Midsomer County clergyman), and when the culprit threatens Kam. The choir who sings Glory to thee, my God, this night is the Wallingford Parish Church Choir and they clearly deserve to be mentioned.

Other guest stars include Ralf Little, Julia Sawalha (another Absolutely Fabulous regular) and Ruth Sheen. Fiona Dolman plays Sarah Barnaby. Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV. Phil Hunter is the producer. Jo Wright exec produces. Music composed by Jim Parker. The official Twitter account of Midsomer Murders gives amusing and (really) interesting Behind-the-scenes trivia during each episode.

http://www.midsomermurders.org/
http://www.visitmidsomer.com/
http://deadlinesanddiamonds.blogspot.com
http://www.wallingfordchoirs.org.uk/

MIDSOMER MURDERS: A DYING ART (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free] Businessman and modern art lover Brandon Monkford turns into the macabre centerpiece of his new Sculpture Park when he's found dead during the launch night.

« You know how art imitates life?
- I've heard that rumour.
- Well, this is art imitating death. »

DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) talk to  the victim's family. They also investigate amongst residents of the picturesque (aren't they all?) Midsomer village of Angel's Rise opposed to the park, and the artists rejected by Monkford. Series 18 of Midsomer Murders continues with a very good art themed fourth episode written by Jeff Povey (Holby City, Casualty) and directed by Matt Carter (Doctors, Father Brown). For their first gig on the venerable ITV detective drama they both show an appropriate sense of creativity (it's about art, remember) to surprise viewers. The second murder in particular is an instant classic.

« There's gonna be a doctor, a dentist, a guitarist/singer, even an artist.
- I seem to be surrounded by them at the minute. »

John is awakened very early by a phone call from Charlie and prepares to join him and pathologist Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk) during the opening credits (« I'm missing my beauty sleep as well. ») Sarah Barnaby (Fiona Dolman) reminds her husband that he must give a careers talk at her school. Baby Betty contributes to the art of the episode and Charlie argues with Kam about a dialogue line! David Bamber, Denis Lill, Cherie Lunghi, Saskia Reeves, Adrian Scarborough and Ramon Tikaram are some of the guest stars.

Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV. Phil Hunter is the producer. Jo Wright exec produces. Music composed by Jim Parker. The official Twitter account of Midsomer Murders gives amusing and interesting Behind-the-scenes trivia during each episode.

http://www.midsomermurders.org/
http://www.visitmidsomer.com/

MIDSOMER MURDERS: BREAKING THE CHAIN (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free] At last! Someone on this series remembered how to make a decent episode.

« I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride it where I like. » (Queen, Bicycle Race)

Last week's episode was great with all those celebs, Ant & Dec... Oh wait, actually there was no Midsomer Murders on ITV last wednesday because of the National Television Awards. Now Series 18 returns for its third episode, written by Chris Murray and directed by Rob Evans. Previously Murray killed people with a roulette wheel in the opener of the 17th series and wrote the 2013 Christmas episode.

« Tell me. How did Greg Eddon do in the race?

- He won it. »

A professional cycle road race comes to the Midsomer village of Burwood Mantle. Greg Eddon, the race winner, warms down when he's murdered by someone who puts a spanner in his rear wheel to throw him off his bike. DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) investigate, assisted by forensic pathologist Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk). 

Rivalry is everywhere: on the road, within one of the teams and between two teams. Even (in a much nicer way) between John and Sarah Barnaby (Fiona Dolman), for the first word of Baby Betty, and between Charlie and Kam. An environmental activist is opposed to the race and someone receives a threatening package with a cow's heart (plus a note).  Another cyclist is murdered.

John, Sarah, Charlie and Kam go to a pub quiz and thankfully nobody is killed during the competition. Breaking The Chain makes a good use of professional cycling as a backdrop for the Midsomer routine. It brings back a little "nastiness" to the murdering habits of the county inhabitants, though it's both in shadow play and off-camera (« We get the picture, Kam. ») And for once in this 18th series, the dog and the baby are not the only members of the regular cast who seem awake.

The excellent English actor Joe McGann, who plays Jez Oliver, is well-known in the UK for his role in the ITV sitcom The Upper Hand (1990-1996), the British remake of the American sitcom Who's the Boss? (1984-1992). French actor Edward Akrout (Mr Selfridge, The Borgias) brings a touch of class and élégance to Midsomer County this week. The solid guest cast also includes Hari Dhillon (Holby City), Richard Graham, Tessa Peake-Jones (Unforgotten, Grantchester), Derek Ridell (Happy Valley), Olivia Vinall, etc.

Edward Akrout is not only an actor, he's an artist too. The official Twitter account of Midsomer Murders gives amusing and interesting Behind-the-scenes trivia during each episode.

http://www.midsomermurders.org/
http://www.visitmidsomer.com/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ilana-rapp/an-artistic-conversation_b_7934448.html (An interview with Edward Akrout)

MIDSOMER MURDERS: THE INCIDENT AT COOPER HILL (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free] Felicity Ford, a forest ranger, is blinded by mysterious lights while driving by night between Midsomer Stanton and Cooper Hill. The next morning her car is found abandoned at the roadside. 

The body of Felicity is discovered nearby, in a sort of black pod and covered with a dark substance.

The bottom line: Too bad that Mulder and Scully weren't available.

The 18th series of Midsomer Murders, the venerable ITV detective drama, started last week with the mother of all the false good ideas. At least The Incident at Cooper Hill, written by Paul Logue and directed by Renny Rye, brings back murder in Midsomer County. This week DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon, more placid than ever) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) are in pure X-Files territory. Something comes from the sky with a rush of wind and blinding lights to cover people with some black slime that even Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk), the new forensic pathologist, can't identify.

Barnaby and Nelson investigate in the village of Cooper Hill, a famous UFO hotspot. It's also a place where military secrecy meets family secrets and secret love stories. Oh, it's John's birthday. UFOs and their hunters would have been solid gold for Midsomer Murders during the Tom Barnaby era or when his cousin arrived. Unfortunately, the ITV stalwart lost its spark and wit a couple of series ago and here it shows again. Only Renny Rye's direction and the guest cast save The Incident at Cooper Hill.

Midsomer regular helmer Rye nails it right from the pre-credit sequence with the nightly scenes of the episode and in the bunker. English actor Pip Torrens delivers an impressive performance as Group Captain Jeremy Ford. Alison Steadman (Abigail Tonev) and Steve Oram (Nathan Tonev) manage to make the last 30 minutes watchable. Michelle Collins, Steve Evets, Steve Toussaint and Sîan Webber are the other guest actors. Fiona Dolman plays Sarah Barnaby.

Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV. Phil Hunter is the producer. Jo Wright exec produces. Music composed by Jim Parker.

http://www.midsomermurders.org/
http://www.visitmidsomer.com/

MIDSOMER MURDERS: HABEAS CORPUS (ITV)

[Spoiler-Free] Gregory Lancaster, 75, a wealthy landowner of Little Malton, dies at home from pneumonia. But when the undertakers arrive at Malton Hall his body has disappeared.

The bottom line: It's in the tree, it's (not) coming! 

Midsomer Murders is now so boring that someone steals dead bodies for one hour before something remotely interesting happens: a chainsaw stained with blood falling off a tree. The 18th series of the venerable ITV detective drama started this wednesday with the aptly titled Habeas Corpus, written by Rachel Cupperman & Sally Griffiths and directed by Alex Pillai.

DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) work with a new forensic pathologist, Dr Kam Karimore (Manjinder Virk). Fans certainly appreciated the charming explanation given to the departure of Kate Wilding, played by Tamzin Malleson, including a photographic cameo of a former regular. The body of the Lancaster's nanny is stolen from the graveyard near the local church. Even Pink Ted, baby Betty Barnaby's favourite toy, goes missing!

Habeas Corpus goes a little more sinister in its second half but cannot match Cupperman and Griffiths's Death and the Divas (the 2013 Hammer episode) or even their Murder by Magic for Series 17. The guest cast is excellent: Helen Baxendale, Navin Chowdry, Emma Cunniffe, Alastair Mackenzie, Ciaran McMenamin, Clive Merrison and Diana Quick. Note the presence of Sarah Middleton, very good as the young undertaker assistant who seems right out of a Tim Burton movie. Fiona Dolman plays Sarah Barnaby.

This series has an extended run of 6 episodes (against 4 for the previous one). Let's hope the rest is better than this lacklustre premiere. Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV. Phil Hunter is the producer. Jo Wright exec produces. Music composed by Jim Parker.

http://www.midsomermurders.org/
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-06/how-manjinder-virk-is-shaking-up-midsomer-murders
http://thebwhagency.co.uk/sarah-middleton

MIDSOMER MURDERS: MURDER BY MAGIC (ITV)

The Midsomer Oaks pub landlady is crushed to death by a giant Perspex box during a magic show by a famous illusionist. 

DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) investigate. They uncover a conflict between the village church and local ancient pagan traditions.

Series 17 of Midsomer Murders started on January 28, 2015 with a rather tedious episode called The Dagger Club. Aired yesterday on ITV, Murder by Magic is penned by Rachel Cuperman and Sally Griffiths and directed by Charles Palmer (Death in Paradise, Doctor Who). Fiona Dolman and Tamzin Malleson play respectively Sarah Barnaby and pathologist Dr Kate Wilding. Joe Absolom (Doc Martin), Amanda Burton (Waterloo Road, Silent Witness), Stephanie Leonidas (Defiance), Andrew Lee Potts (Primeval), Jack Shepherd (Wycliffe) are amongst the guest stars.

Scribe duo Cuperman and Griffiths was behind Death and the Divas, the splendid 2013 "Hammer" episode, and they managed to bring back a bit of the spirit of their instant classic in their latest contribution for Midsomer Murders. A church fundraiser by David Blaine type magician Gideon Latimer turns nasty. Hooded and masked members of a pagan cult practice ritual sacrifices (or do they?) A fanatical clergyman makes a deadly encounter with a dagger. A bullet goes facetious and someone ends up in a sort of Wicker Man remake on a budget. There's also a cool nod to Death and the Divas. 

With its assets and a sumptuous guest cast, Murder by Magic is an improvement over last week but since the previous series Midsomer Murders shows signs of fatigue in many respects (the main actors seem on autopilot). Its spark is on a Saint Marie beach because Death in Paradise does Midsomer better these days. This 17th series is exec produced by Jo Wright and produced by Phil Hunter. Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions Ltd, an All3Media company, for ITV. The music is composed by Jim Parker (House of Cards).

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep2week6/midsomer-murders
http://midsomermurders.org/murdermagic.htm

See also: 

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2014/04/midsomer-murders-series-16-on-france-3.html
http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2014/01/midsomer-murders-series-15-french.html

MIDSOMER MURDERS SERIES 16 ON FRANCE 3

Series 16 of Midsomer Murders, aired on ITV from last Christmas to mid-February, arrives this sunday in France on pubcaster France 3.

The latest Midsomer Murders series starts with a Christmas special, The Christmas Haunting (Frissons de Noël in French), whose sole interest is to introduce stage and TV actor Gwilym Lee as Charlie Nelson, the new DS of DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon). It also tries to give a proper exit to DS Ben Jones because actor Jason Hughes left after the previous series. Nelson looks like the little brother of Broadchurch's DI Alec Hardy and Lee quickly finds his feet.

DS Nelson is not the only change in this series as John's Wife Sarah, played by Fiona Dolman, is pregnant. Let Us Prey (Colère divine) is far better than the "special". Charlie tries to cope with lodging in the messy house of pathologist Dr Kate Wilding (Tamzin Malleson). There are some "medieval" murders and a severe flood alert. Rebecca Front (Lewis, another favourite of France 3's sunday nights) plays a scheming vicar vs the great Michael Jayston.

Though writers Rachel Cuperman and Sally Griffiths did the splendid "Hammer" episode for Series 15, boredom is the crime weapon in Wild Harvest. The rather decent The Flying Club, written by Michael Aitkens (The Dark Rider), has an elegant tribute to North by Northwest and two legends in the guest cast: June Whitfield and Bernard Cribbins.

The Killings of Copenhagen, the 100th Midsomer Murders, was filmed partly in Denmark. Ann Eleonora Jørgensen (Forbrydelsen) and Birgitte Hjort Sørensen (Borgen) are amongst the guest stars in this average episode centered around the murder of the boss of a Badger's Drift biscuit company on a business trip to Copengagen. There's also Sanjeev Bhaskar (The Kumars, The Indian Doctor) and a Willy Wonka-esque factory.

This sixteenth series is produced by Louise Sutton and exec produced by Jo Wright. Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions, an All3Media company, for ITV. Series 15 was released on DVD in France by Koba Films in January (http://www.kobafilms.fr/serie/inspecteur-barnaby---saison-15-358.html).

http://midsomermurders.org/midsomer.htm

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2014/01/midsomer-murders-let-us-prey-itv_9.html (Review of Let Us Prey)
http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2014/01/midsomer-murders-series-15-french.html (Series 15 French Region 2 DVD review)

MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 15 (FRENCH REGION 2 DVD)

Series 15 of British detective drama Midsomer Murders is available on DVD in France since last month thanks to Koba Films.

Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby and Detective Sergeant Ben Jones, of the Causton CID, investigate bizarre and imaginative murders in the picturesque Midsomer County.

« That is a sense of community, Jones. One goes mad, they all go mad. It's a wonderful little world out here. »

Based initially on the novels by Caroline Graham, Midsomer Murders was launched in 1997 on ITV. Produced by Bentley Productions, an All3Media company, it is sold in more than 200 countries and aired in France since 2001 by France 3 (as Inspecteur Barnaby). John Nettles played DCI Tom Barnaby until 2011. Neil Dudgeon plays Tom's cousin and replacement DCI John Barnaby. Series 15 is the last of Jason Hughes as DS Ben Jones. Sarah Barnaby, John's wife, is played by Fiona Dolman. The music is composed by Jim Parker (House of Cards).

Koba Films releases the six 90-minute episodes of this series in a 3-disc DVD set with the French dubbing and, fortunately, the original dialogue track (available with optional French subtitles).

- The Dark Rider: A headless horseman pointing victims to their doom brings terror to Quitewell Hall, home of the aristocratic DeQuetteville family. Barnaby and Jones investigate the secrets of the ancestral family house while its occupants prepare a Civil War battle reenactment, much to the annoyance of their wealthy neighbours.

« Witness said the horse rider had no head.
- Drunk or stoned?
- I was on duty, sir. »

James Callis (Battlestar Galactica) guest stars as twin brothers. Eleanor Bron plays the local Violet Crawley alongside William Gaunt (No Place Like Home, The Champions). The battle reenactment, which quickly turns into a scene of the 1967 Casino Royale, was filmed with four cameras. Historical association The Sealed Knot helped and 200 of their members were used as extras.

An excellent opener written by Michael Aitkens and directed by Alex Pillai. Full review here: http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2012/02/scooby-doo-where-are-you.html

- Murder of Innocence: Convicted killer Grady Felton comes back to his childhood home after 18 years, which infuriates the family of his victim. His defence barrister is murdered that same night but Grady has a solid alibi. An endless and weak episode written by Elizabeth-Anne Wheal and directed by Renny Rye (http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2012/03/midsomer-murders-murder-of-innocence.html).

« Is anyone here stupid enough to commit arson with their own fuel, sir? »

- Death and the Divas: Writers Rachel Cuperman & Sally Griffiths and director Nick Laughland pay an affectionate tribute to the legendary Hammer Films and the horror films of the 60s with this instant classic.

« Not a vampire bite, then? You must be disappointed. »

Brilliantly crafted sequences from the (fictional) filmography of Stella Harris, played by Sinéad Cusack, feature John Carson (Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter) and cult movie goddess Caroline Munro. Harriet Walter, who plays Stella's sister Diana Davenport, is the niece of the great Christopher Lee (http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2013/01/midsomer-murders-death-and-divas-itv1.html).

- Written in the Stars: An amateur astronomer is killed by a blow to the head with a meteorite during a total eclipse over Midsomer Stanton. Penned by Steve Trafford and directed by Renny Rye, this episode meets the requirements of Midsomer's more than proven formula (http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2012/09/midsomer-murders-written-in-stars-itv1.html).

- The Sicilian Defence: Richard Lumsden (Sugar Rush) and Julie Graham (Survivors) are amongst the guest stars of this laboured episode written by Paul Logue and directed by Alex Pillai.

« A rambler found him this morning.
- Where is our rambler?
- Still throwing up.
- Lovely. »

- Schooled in Murder: A young woman is crushed to death with a large wheel of cheese at the home of the world-famous Midsomer Blue. Scriptwriter Lisa Holdsworth (New Tricks) displays a joyful ingenuity for her first Midsomer, right from the pre-credit sequence. Directed by Andy Hay.

« Have we got a murder weapon?
- You're standing in it. »

This fifteenth series is the first produced is by Jo Wright (55 Degrees North, the Doctor Who 1996 TV movie, Lovejoy). The Dark Rider and Death and the Divas alone justify buying the DVD set of an overall good series.

http://www.kobafilms.fr/serie/inspecteur-barnaby---saison-15-358.html
http://midsomermurders.org/midsomer.htm
http://www.thesealedknot.org.uk/
http://deadlinesanddiamonds.blogspot.com/ (Lisa Holdsworth)

MIDSOMER MURDERS: LET US PREY (ITV)

Series 16, Episode 2. The body of a  young woman with a mask on her head is found in the rain-swollen river at Midsomer St. Claire. She was killed in a similar way to a macabre image on a medieval fresco discovered in the church crypt.

« You never told me how he died.
- Unusually. »

Series 16 of Midsomer Murders started on December 24, 2013 with an uneven Christmas special. The Christmas Haunting introduced stage and TV actor Gwilym Lee as Charlie Nelson, the new DS of DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon). It also tried to give a proper exit to DS Ben Jones because actor Jason Hughes left after the previous series. Nelson looks like the little brother of Broadchurch's DI Alec Hardy and this week we learn he can swim (« Wild swimming. It's all the rage. ») He's not the only change in this series as John's Wife Sarah, played by Fiona Dolman, is pregnant.

Written by Paul Logue and helmed by Alex Pillai, who directed series 15's excellent premiere, Let Us Prey is undoubtedly far better than the special. A severe flood alert and some "medieval" murders (including a very nasty one) disturb Midsomer St. Claire. DS Nelson tries to cope with lodging in the messy house of pathologist Dr Kate Wilding (Tamzin Malleson). Kate finds his fitness habits equally challenging. John doesn't care; soon his study will be invaded by baby things (« How many babies are we having? »).

« Isn't it beautiful? All that misery and suffering. Almost makes me tingle. »

Rebecca Front plays with an obvious pleasure the role of a scheming vicar. Of course in Lewis she was... Innocent. Vincent Regan, William Beck and the great Michael Jayston deliver top-notch performances. Jayston's character talks about fatherhood with Barnaby (« Ha! You're scared stiff. And if not, you have no business being a father. »). Jason Hughes' successor Gwilym Lee quickly found his feet (« It's the 21st Century, sir. ») Paul Copley, Andrea Lowe and William Postlethwaite are amongst the other guest stars.

This 16th series is produced by Louise Sutton and exec produced by Jo Wright. Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions, an All3Media company, for ITV. Series 15 was released this week on DVD in France by Koba Films (http://www.kobafilms.fr/serie/inspecteur-barnaby---saison-15-358.html).

http://midsomermurders.org/midsomer.htm

MIDSOMER MURDERS: DEATH AND THE DIVAS (ITV1)

Midsomer Murders - Series 15, Episode 4. «  Oh, you frightened the life out of me! » Eve Lomax is murdered while watching a cult 1960s horror movie starring Midsomer Langley's own Stella Harris, guest of honour of a festival organised at the village hall. She was writing a book about Stella and her sister, Hollywood royalty Diana Davenport.

« Looks like someone threw a party and didn't invite me.
- It happens all the time, Jones. »

It turns out as a case of death imitating art for Causton CID sleuths DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Ben Jones (Jason Hughes), when two puncture wounds are found in the victim's neck, as if she was killed by a vampire, just like the film. Fortunately John happens to be a classic horror movie fan and an admirer of Stella Harris too.

«  A Thirst For Blood. Ah! This is the film Kate and I saw tonight.

- Sounds like some trashy vampire film.
- Less of the trashy, please, Jones. »

Writers Rachel Cuperman & Sally Griffiths and director Nick Laughland pay an affectionate tribute to the legendary Hammer Films and the horror films of the 60s with this delightful Death and the Divas. Brilliantly crafted sequences from the (fictional) filmography of Stella Harris, played by Sinéad Cusack, feature John Carson (Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter) and cult movie goddess Caroline Munro. Harriet Walter, who plays Stella's sister Diana Davenport, is the niece of the great Christopher Lee. And the den of local film buff Colin Yule (Pearce Quigley) is packed with memorabilia including posters of The Curse of Frankenstein, Quatermass and the Pit and The Mummy - but also the one of Stella Harris's Death and the Diva!

« Not a vampire bite, then? You must be disappointed. »

The episode stands far above the couple of previous entries (the average Written in the Stars and the terrible Murder of Innocence) with an excellent plot, the trademark humour and some punchy lines (« Less than 24 hours and you've made the place look like a bordello. ») Henry Goodman,  Anna Wilson-Jones and Joseph Beattie are amongst the guest cast of this instant classic. Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions, part of the All3Media Group, for ITV1. Jo Wright is the producer. Note that the DVD box set of Series 13 arrives next week in France thanks to Koba Films.

« Oh, you're a genius, Jones.
- Well, yes, sir, obviously. »

http://midsomermurders.org/midsomer.htm

MIDSOMER MURDERS: WRITTEN IN THE STARS (ITV1)

Midsomer Murders - Series 15, Episode 3. An amateur astronomer is killed by a blow to the head with a meteorite during a total eclipse over Midsomer Stanton.

Written by Steve Trafford and directed by Renny Rye, Written in the Stars brings back Midsomer Murders into familiar territories after the weak and endless Murder of Innocence - aired in march. DCI John Barnaby (the excellent Neil Dudgeon) and DS Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) investigate among the star-seeking community.

The victim, Jeremy Harper (Tim Wallers), had a row with university observatory director Lawrence Janson (Harry Hadden-Patton) before the eclipse. Harper was passionate about preserving Moonstone Ridge, a heritage site housing a 1930s observatory. But local mystic Mags Dormer (Maureen Lipman), who found the body, believes this site is cursed. Sexual tension, academic rivalry, a protective father who's also a yogi, a javelin, a masked killer, and Jones's star chart are some of the other elements of this case... or not.

Produced by Bentley Productions, part of the All3Media Group, Midsomer Murders is aired by ITV since 1997 and is sold to more than 230 territories. It survived the departure of John Nettles, who starred until 2011 as DCI Tom Barnaby (the actual Chief Inspector Barnaby is his cousin), thanks to a cautious transition. It even survived some uninspired words of its longtime producer Brian True-May (1), now replaced by Jo Wright (Lovejoy, 55 Degrees North) for this fifteenth series which started in february on ITV1.

Overall Written in the Stars meets the requirements of Midsomer Murders' more than proven formula. And the temptation to alter this formula from time to time should be resisted as showed a couple of previous episodes. It's precisely that formulaic aspect which makes Midsomer a global hit. The cast is perfect even if Fiona Dolman, who plays Sarah Barnaby, gets the worst scenes. And it's always a pleasure to see Maureen Lipman or Ace Bhatti (The Shadow Line, The Sarah Jane Adventures).

(1) http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/mar/15/midsomer-murders-producer-race-row

http://midsomermurders.org/midsomer.htm