Midsomer Murders (TV Series) Blue Herrings (2000) User Reviews

a sobering Midsomer Murders

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 25 November 2013]

In "Blue Herrings," Barnaby, supposedly on a break from detective work, finds himself involved in some suspicious deaths at a nursing home.

Barnaby's aunt (Phyllis Calvert) is convalescing at a nursing home when a sudden death occurs. She's told by one of the residents that the doctor and his assistant, a Miss Richards, are getting people to change their wills, leaving everything to the home, and then they conveniently die. When there's a second death, Aunt Alice really becomes worried. Also, the personal effects of these residents are missing.

Despite some other reviews, I enjoyed this episode. It is poignant, sad -- after all, we're dealing with the elderly -- and the denouement is interesting. It was wonderful to see Phyllis Calvert, an old-time film star, playing Aunt Alice, as well as Nigel Davenport as a resident who missed his old bon vivant life.

I also found the end with Joyce and Barnaby very sweet.

Red (and blue) herrings abound

[runsfast2002 · 8/10 · 28 June 2014]

As some of the others have commented, this is also one of my favorite episodes. The plot involves rumors of fraud at a nursing home where Barnaby's aunt (Phyllis Calvert) is temporarily convalescing. Are residents being coerced into changing their wills in favor of the home and then being bumped off or not? The viewer does have to pay attention to keep track of all the threads, but at the end everything is sorted out.

There were several interesting things of note in this episode. First, whatever filming technique was used, the result is a gray gloom cast over the interior of the nursing home that creates an atmosphere of finality and loneliness. The scene with Barnaby and Phyllis Calvert in the rose garden is charming and the bright pink of the flowers highlights the gloom of the other scenes to lend to the idea that while the residents are cared for and happy they also feel forgotten and useless. Or, as Nigel Davenport puts it, invisible. One of the sweetest scenes is that of the nurses dancing with the residents to big band music, and Nigel Davenport having one last ride in a sports car was priceless. There may not be enough action for some, but I enjoyed the departure from the more normal (if such a word exists in Midsomer) murders.

Blue Hair-ings?

[slappy-jack-morgan · 8/10 · 25 October 2016]

There seems to be a mix of reactions to this episode from long time Midsomer Murders fans. Personally, I liked it. Yes, it was different. And yes, if the series began to trend in this direction, I would find it tiresome. However, I imagine that this was a welcome departure for the main cast and crew. A chance to tell a story that's a bit different from the others. I found this story to be quite outside the normal formula for MM, and that was refreshing for me.

Plus - and I guess I'm just like this - I really enjoyed the sentimentality of it... the portrayal of aging in our ever-go- faster, shallow society was moving, especially the way Nigel Davenport delivered it. Most convincing. And I LIKE to be made to feel a little sad occasionally.

Is it just me, or was there an intentional effort with the title of this episode... a nod towards "blue haired" people? I mean, it's almost as if the writers thought of "blue hair" and "red herrings" and - BAM - created an episode full of red herrings and blue-haired (i.e.: mature) people. Maybe not. It's just the way my brain works.

One of my favorite episodes

[dakota_linda · 9/10 · 8 October 2013]

This is one of my favorite Midsomer Murders so far (I haven't seen them all). I love the series, but some of the episodes have so many gruesome murders that it is almost comical and for me detracts from enjoyment. This episode got much more into character development. I particularly appreciated the performance of Phyllis Calvert (Aunt Alice). She's an actress from the golden era of 30's and 40's movies, and still in this episode has marvelous eyes and glowing skin. It's wonderful to see some of those actors and actresses still performing and obviously still enjoying it. I felt that all of the various strands of plot came together nicely and that the story made sense on so many levels, reflecting the reality of emotions older people experience in nursing homes. It was a good change of pace from the more violent episodes.

you become invisible

[chrislyons12 · 11 October 2006]

This is one of my favourite episodes of Midsummer Murders, I think that as the series has run the episodes are stretched a bit thin over 2 hours but this one that keeps your interest, It is memorable for a great line of dialogue when Nigel Davenport, as a resident of the retirement home, says the main thing to know is that as you get older, or to a certain age, you become invisible. This, in the UK, is very true and a sad reflection of how older people are perceived in society to-day, the concept that that a whole generation of citizens just disappear as regards to the younger members of society and the older you get the more invisible you become.

Alice in danger.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 7 June 2017]

Blue Herrings really does stand out as a unique Midsomer Murders, it's very subtle, it doesn't boast any wild and outrageous forms of murder nor any crazed, psychotic killers. It is first and foremost a character driven story, a terribly sad one at that. There is no way on Earth that a story like this will ever be made again, as it lacks the sensationalism of most of the new ones. I think the scenes between Pru and Alice are both chilling and tragic, amazingly played out. It opens up a very serious and grey area, euthanasia.

Wonderful performances from a principle mature cast, Nigel Davenport, Geoffrey Bayldon. Phyllis Calvert was glorious as the sympathetic Aunt Alice, true quality and stage presence. Angela Down certainly drivers with her performance as Pru, heartfelt and sinister.

An excellent early episode, how nice to see a mature cast led programme 9/10

A little disappointing, still not a bad episode at all

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 23 December 2016]

The first two seasons of 'Midsomer Murders', which when in its prime was one of my favourites and one of my most watched shows (although it's nowhere near as good now it's still being stuck with), were extremely good, with the best episodes, "The Killings at Badgers Drift", "Written in Blood" and "Death's Shadow" being among the show's classics.

While not quite a 'Midsomer Murders' classic, the previous episode "Death of a Stranger" was still a very strong start to Season 3. At this particular point of 'Midsomer Murders', while not by all means the worst episode of the show (not by a long shot), "Blue Herrings" was for me the least satisfying. It is by no means a bad episode, but it does fall short of being very good, let alone great or classic. More decent.

It is let down by a final solution that doesn't feel as developed as it ought to have been and like it was trying too hard to make one feel sympathy for the murderer, which to me wasn't that easy because the murderer isn't particularly interesting. Along with a motive that feels like it should have come sooner and a potentially relatable situation that was too rushed in explanation to make one feel anything properly. Some of "Blue Herrings" is a little dull pacing-wise, and it is agreed that for 'Midsomer Murders' it is rather tame and not as dark, grim or as complex as previous or succeeding episodes.

However, "Blue Herrings" does have many pleasures. The production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, who can't help love that house, quaint and atmospheric photography with some of the shots actually enhancing the herrings. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. This may look like reiterating what was said about what was so good about the previous episodes, but only because when 'Midsomer Murders' was in its prime its strengths were the same and with similar impact.

Some of the script is thought-provoking and poignant, like with the big band dancing scene (that did make me well up a little bit), while the directing is solid enough on the most part. The story, while flawed as said above and also that the twists and herrings weren't as twisty as hoped and a tad obvious in places, but it was still nicely gentle and intriguing.

John Nettles and Daniel Casey sparkle together, with Nettles characteristically superb and Casey a great contrast. Phyllis Calvert sparkles very expressively as Alice, an instantly lovable character, and Nigel Davenport is the other standout with a crusty demeanour that is quite fun in a way.

Overall, not a bad episode at all but compared to the previous episode it was somewhat of a let down. In a way, an example of a change of pace that wasn't executed quite as well as it had potential to. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Not as Interesting as Some

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 13 February 2016]

Barnaby's aunt is in a convalescent home. She is of sound mind and pretty resourceful, but needs to recover. While she is there, people begin to die. We are then introduced to the nurses, the residents, and some family that live outside the old building. We have a whole series of possible suspects, but after a while, their movements seem to be explained satisfactorily. We are deliberately misled by camera angles and shadows. It seems a bit contrived. The place does seem to be rather undesirable in some ways. There are enough bad caretakers to make things a bit dicey. But, of course, we as viewers are being manipulated. The show is called "Blue Herring" but the "Red Herring" is the order of the day. Barnaby comes and goes to visit his Auntie and it takes forever for him to believe that something seedy is going on there. When he does, the results are rather disappointing. Nevertheless, it's decent enough to keep our attention.

Enjoyable episode

[SandVis · 7/10 · 3 May 2016]

I really enjoyed this episode and the title is very apt. I see that a big kerfuffle is being made about spoilers but I'm writing this primarily because I've decided to note from now on who's the killer is each episode as I don't find this information anywhere on the internet and sometimes you just want to go back and check without having to watch the whole episode again.

So in this one there's only actually one murder and it's Pru Bennett who euthanises her aunt Celia Armstrong because she's very ill and she didn't want her to suffer.

The rest was all just red herrings but still very entertaining and refreshing in that it's actually a twist that there isn't a big conspiracy to bump off old people after they've changed their will to benefit the doctor and Miss Richards.

Starry cast are excellent...

[janetelizabethbird · 8/10 · 10 February 2024]

I have only just started watching Midsomer Murders and so far it's been exceedingly entertaining. I particularly like that young man as the sidekick. Glad we're past the stage where he wore curtains though. What an excruciating hairstyle that was.

Lovely to see all the old stars. A lot of favourites in this episode.

I found it quite chilling in parts. I felt afraid for the residents. Being old is not for the faint hearted.

I am glad the Barnabys had Auntie to stay in the end. Hope she didn't mind the smell of paint.

There are no murders in this episode. Would have liked to see the Rainbirds coming in to cart off all the dead bodies. 😁

The red herrings turns to blue

[hossychristie · 7/10 · 8 October 2023]

"Blue Herrings" is a fine second episode of the third series of Midsomer Murders. The episode is a bit different from the other episodes, with no actual killings and murderers, but the episode and story is enjoyable.

The story of "Blue Herrings" centers around the nursing home in the village of Aspern Tallow, called Lawnside. Alice Bly, DCI Tom Barnaby's aunt is one of the resident staying at the nursing home, after being hospitalised. The same evening, old Muriel Harrap is found dead in the lift at the first floor. Later on, Marge Fielding and Celia Armstrong is found dead, and Alice Bly is frightened that all the elderly women who died, have been murdered, and that these deaths are not as natural as Dr. Clive Warnford insinuates.

"Blue Herrings" may not be a interesting story, but the story is quite relevant. I believe that this nursing home setting does shine a light on how it feels to be old in today's society. "Blue Herrings" is a heart-warming episode, where the elderly residents at Lawnside share a strong bond with each other. "Blue Herrings" may still be in the crime drama category, with dark scenes and some suspicious deaths, but.but some moments during the story, the episode feels more like a sitcom, stepping away from the crime drama intension. Even though this episode feels comedic at times, the melancolic feelings are still present. Even though 23 years have passed since this episode's original transmission, 22 January 2000, the setting on how it feels to be old, is still very relevant today in 2023.

Phyllis Calvert leaves a wonderful impression and her interpretation as Alice Bly is so amazing. It was a clever move to include this character in this episode and that we at last could see a relative of Tom Barnaby, other than just Cully and Joyce. Gudrun Ure, Nigel Davenport, Mary Wimbush, Geoffrey Bayldon and Angela Down leave a very good impression as well with their characters.

Overall, this episode is likeable, with some dark scenes and moments, but in comparison with the first ten episodes, this story turns more into a sitcom than being a crime drama, which makes the story a bit boring at times. 7/10 Hossy Christie.

Disappointing ending

[ctmohr · 7/10 · 18 May 2022]

Residents dropping like flies, a doctor who has little to NO compassion or patience for the residents, no autopsies, ? Ending came "out of no where". Not our fav.

But love the colors The Barnabys chose for their new home.

"You are without doubt the most unpleasant person I've ever met." The first 'bad' Midsomer Murders episode.

[poolandrews · 5/10 · 10 July 2007]

Midsomer Murders: Blue Herrings starts at the Lawnside Nursing Home which provides private residential care for the elderly in Midsomer, there the dead body of Muriel Harrap (Matyelok Gibbs) is discovered in an elevator. DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) is currently enjoying some time off work as he & his family move into a new house, while he has the time he decides to visit his aunt Alice Bly (Phyllis Calvert) who is recovering from an operation at Lawnside. Alice tells Tom the rumours made by other residents there about how the owners Hilary Richards (Debroah Findlay) & Dr. Clive Warnford (Clive Wood) are getting certain residents to change their wills just before they suddenly die. This raises Barnaby's interest just enough to start asking questions & he quickly learns there is more going on at Lawnside than first appears, then another elderly lady Madge Fielding (Georgine Anderson) turns up dead which just adds fuel to everyones suspicions...

Episode 2 from season 3 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Peter Smith & in my humble opinion is the first weak episode of this usually fine series over the opening three seasons so far. The slow moving script by Hugh Whitemore isn't a traditional Midsomer Murders case as there are lots of red herrings which in the end lead to nothing & actually seem only to be there to pad the story out to it's required 100 minutes, 120 if you count the commercials. I also didn't like the fact that Tom was on holiday, I mean wouldn't he like to get away from cold blooded killers for a while? I didn't like to see him walking around in jeans & a shirt either, this guy is a DCI & his casual dress during Blue Herrings just seemed out of place & against his character while Sgt. Troy is barely even in this episode. To be honest this isn't even a proper murder case as the final revelation attempts to make us feel sorry for the killer, this is not what Midsomer Murders is all about & I definitely don't want to see it going down some moralistic route & the delicate subject of euthanasia feels out of place in a usually excellent detective show such as this. I mean Quincy (1976 - 1983) went down the moralistic path & look what happened to that show, it was canned so that's my moralistic message to the makers never to make another episode like Blue Herrings again.

Even the locations don't quite seem up to scratch here, most of the episode takes place in Lawnside & Danesfield House near Buckinghamshire was used for the interiors. The deaths in Blue Herrings are very tame & occur off screen expect the smothering of an elderly lady. Being set in an old folks home & dealing with euthanasia this is actually quite depressing & sombre, the eccentric set of character's we usually see are sadly absent here. It's certainly well made with high production values but so are the other episodes so why bother with this one? The acting is very good as is normal, ex Doctor Who assistant to Jon Pertwee at the start of the 70's Caroline John makes a cameo appearance here as a florist while Geoffrey Bayldon has a role here who I can remember from the fun British horror anthology flicks The House That Dripped Blood (1970), Tales from the Crypt (1972) & Asylum (1972).

Blue Herrings is the first episode of Midsomer Murders to this point that I would call weak, it's OK but it's too long, too depressing & there's not even a proper murder for anyone to investigate. Not one of the show's best & I'm happy to say Blue Herrings was an exception in Midsomer Murders that the makers hopefully realised didn't work rather than a rule.

Confusingly plotted episode set in a nursing home that may make viewers young and old wonder if they're going senile

[J. Spurlin · 8 September 2009]

Barnaby pays a visit to his beloved Auntie Alice at the Lawnside nursing home, in which she has taken up temporary residence. The bright and perceptive old lady tells him gossip about the mysterious doings at the place, especially in regards to the death of one of the residents whose Cartier watch has vanished. More deaths follow, which is hardly extraordinary at a nursing home filled with men and women in their 80s. Nevertheless, Barnaby suspects something fishy is going on - but he'll have to ignore the red herrings to find out what it is.

Viewers young and old may wonder if they are going senile as they try to figure out the bewildering plot twists and remember which character is which in this unsatisfactorily plotted episode. Still, it's hardly a total loss, since, as usual, we get to meet a lot of interesting people with interesting secrets. And as always the interesting people are played by top-quality actors. I especially enjoyed Phyllis Calvert as Auntie Alice and Nigel Davenport as the crusty old Mr. Smithers.

Nice story, just without the murders

[Schweizer85 · 7/10 · 1 March 2021]

A nice change in this episode, its not at all gruesome, and whilst there's a killing, whether its a murder or not is a moot question to quote John Nettles. He claims this episode is one of the most literate scripts there is, and whilst this isn't one of my favourites, I'm inclined to agree.

The relationship between Alice and Barnaby is great, a lovely performance by Phyllis Calvert. They're supported by a cast of other senior actors, notably Nigel Davenport who is just brilliant- escaping the nursing home and stealing cars, classic. I particularly like the scene very near the end when we hear ''Blue Herrings'' ; it sums up the episode very well and is very aptly named for that reason. There's a very nice scene unique to the DVD as well which between Cully and Mr Smithers, it's a shame that so many scenes across many episodes are cut from the TV versions.

Enjoyable.

[harrykivi · 6/10 · 29 August 2021]

"Blue Herrings" is a somewhat controversial episode of the series. For some, it's very boring and some people think of it as one of the series' best (John Nettles has said that "Blue Herrings" is one of his favorite scripts). For me though, this episode has never been a favorite. In my opinion "Blue Herrings" is decent, but not great. It's far away from the worst of the series though.

Let's start with the good aspects first, shall we?

. The production values are great as usual. The direction by Peter Smith is moving and so is the music. The performances are pretty good for the most part. Phyllis Calvert is lovely in her last TV role, Nigel Davenport is charming. Quite liked Deborah Findlay and Angela Down too. John Nettles is amazing is every episode he is in and Daniel Casey's just as good.

. The dialogue is well- written and filled with quirky humor. The characters are eccentric as well and the episode is touching while dealing with deep subjects (like mercy killing).

But....

. The story is not always very compelling and can get quite dull in certain places. Few more twists, turns would have been needed to get the narrative moving.

. The biggest problem was the ending. The solution tries too much to make us care about the killer and throws in themes, which could have been explored far more sooner in the episode. At the end of the day, the solution just feels underdeveloped.

Overall, fine, but not great.

6/10 HK.

Blue herrings

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 20 February 2023]

Barnaby visits his Aunt Alice, who is recovering from an operation at a nursing home, and finds himself in the middle of a mystery. A resident has been found dead and the official verdict is a heart attack, but as rumours of fraud and deception abound, Alice's friend believes someone may have conspired to commit murder.

A different episode than the usual body turning up dead in inventive ways- here, there isn't any clear cut incident of a murder, just suspicion. And that from an old biddy in a nursing home. She suspects that the death occurring in the nursing home aren't natural. Aunt Alice - Barnaby's aunt - relays this to her nephew, and investigation occurs and it's quite compelling from here. Only till the end the confirmation of something untoward is revealed. Aside from this, this is a rather poignant look at issues of elderly people. Good episode.

A Day in the Life of Senior Living

[sherondalewis-20531 · 7/10 · 6 May 2022]

I really liked this episode. It was sad, bittersweet but, lovely. Tom and Joyce have moved to a lovely new home...Cully has come down to help (still living with Nico in London) as Tom has a whole week off to help unpack. But as we all know, even on his day off, there is no rest for the weary. At the same time, Auntie Alice Bly is staying at Lawnside Retirement living, as per hospital's orders, to recover from a surgery. Auntie Alice is a lovely women who loves her favorite nephew, Tom (which makes me think she is the aunt via his mom's side) and gets a visit from him. The night before hand, a woman named Muriel, was found dead in the lift by Marjorie "George", "on her way to church", and Alice, overhearing the news from said George that Muriel was "only 81 and as fit as a fiddle". She tells this to Tom as he pays her a visit, mistake a relative of another member as the help, and afterwards, when leaving, he "investigates" on Alice's suspicion (and from George as well as William Smithers, another headstrong resident) to the doctor who, as a country doctor, from William's POV, "that car cost way too much for a country doctor to afford..." Tom is now interested in this place his favorite Auntie Alice is at. Did Muriel die naturally or, was it foul play? Does Aunti Alice has something to worry about?

Cully visits and noticed William, who tells her that when you're old, you're invisible but how SHE noticed him and then Troy, who finds out from the staff that one of the relatives of the home was threatening her, what happens later: another death. So, who's doing them end..and why?

This particular episode was fun because you see British stars from yesterday, fancy dancing, some S&M action (from whom you would least expect), thieving, car stealing (w/accident), "mercy killing" and loneliness.

Happy ending for Auntie Alice (who ended up staying with Tom and Joyce) but sad for George to see no one visiting her and either her friends are dying or, moving to another place. Not the best (like The Killings at Badger's Drift, Blood Will Out) but, a nice episode about the goings on at a senior living facility and the people there.

Fizzles out

[andrew-805 · 3/10 · 17 January 2021]

All set for an insightful ending after 2 hrs and it fails to deliver. A year before Shipman, the police bumble around and it's rather silly and contrived. Obvious leads are never answered - one of the most lacklustre endings Give it a miss - a dud 🙄

Lighting

[mjamesray-34243 · 18 May 2022]

I have watched this series thru the years and have seen this episode several times. What is up with the lighting on this episode, why is it so dark. I find it very annoying and distracting!

Absolutely appalling

[lsmit-07775 · 1/10 · 23 October 2023]

A woman murders her elderly aunt because she has decided, without any consultation with her aunt, that the older woman's life is about to become too painful to be of any value. The aunt is charming and friendly to those she meets, clearly not beyond the ability to enjoy friendship and relationships, able to give and receive love, but none of that matters. This murder is presented VERY sympathetically, as if this it was really an act of kindness. Just horrible.

Barnaby lets me down in this episode. He's usually the voice of reason and of order, and he does gently tell this woman that in the case of his own elderly mother he made a very different decision and was glad of it, since he discovered that she was still capable of hearing what he was saying to her and responding to him with love and attention. However, he refuses to condemn the act of murder and assures this woman that "everyone will be very understanding." No, they won't. Murdering your elderly relatives because you think their life has become too pathetic to go on is not a kindness and will not, must not, be treated with understanding.

In today's world people are living longer and staying alert, aware, and energetic longer, and this sort of propaganda against the elderly is really damaging. It's true that Barnaby's Aunt Alice is presented as a reasonably competent and intelligent person, which is nice, but the main murder plot is horrible, agist, and immoral.

Systems Error

[jacjones-97272 · 9 April 2020]

Problem near ending in the last ten minutes of program. Systems Error