Midsomer Murders (TV Series) The Sleeper Under the Hill (2011) User Reviews

the reviewers were tough on this one

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 22 March 2016]

The reviews on this site delve into some technical errors in "The Sleeper on the Hill" from season 14, but fortunately or unfortunately, those aren't things I could pick up on.

This is a case where Alex Preston, a local farmer, is murdered and his corpse placed in the Crowcall stone circle in a field on his land. He intention to plow the field was against the New Dawn druids, but when Barnaby investigates, they all seem to have alibis. Preston's wife was having an affair with her fencing instructor, but a friend of Jones', Trevor Gibson, a local police officer, proves that alibi false. A major druid, Leticia, is killed as Alex was. So a crime of passion is out anyway.

Barnaby thinks Gibson is hiding something and Jones violently disagrees. Barnaby speaks with a local historian, Caradoc Singer, trying to discover if the killings have to do with druid superstition or just plain greed.

This is pretty good, with Neil Dudgeon showing more personality than previously. Barnaby and his wife and dog are younger and have a different lifestyle from Barnaby and his wife Joyce -- maybe the producers were trying for a slightly different demographic, probably figuring the people who started watching the show 14 seasons ago are dead.

What I like about these episodes is that Jones seems to have a bigger part in them, not just in screen time, but in a more active way, and he's delightful.

"Sleeper on the Hill" is a good episode with enough goings on to keep one interested.

More murders in Midsomer

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 22 September 2011]

When a farmer is found dead on 'The Blood Stone', part of an ancient stone circle suspicion initially falls on a group of local druids who had had a run in with the farmer when he ploughed the surrounding field and removed all access to the stones. Of course this being Midsomer there are plenty of other suspects including the farmer's unfaithful wife and the local poacher. It will come as no surprise to regular viewers that in the course of the investigation more than one likely suspect is eliminated by virtue of the fact that they too are murdered.

This was another fine addition to the excellent series of murders; Neil Dudgeon has grown into the role of DCI John Barnaby managing to be quite a different character to John Nettle's Tom Barnaby without excessively altering the feel of the show. Of course this is helped by each episode containing a variety of unusual murders; this episode included a victim who was drowned in a water butt. As well as the regulars there was a cast of enjoyably unlikely characters including the aforementioned poacher, a police sergeant rather quick on the trigger when handling a confiscated firearm and a local historian with a taste for fine art. The case comes together nicely in the end and there are plenty of clues to lead the viewer to the killer… of course there are also a few red herrings to lead one astray!

Solid episode, with a memorable beginning.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 17 September 2018]

The Sleeper under the Hill is a solid early episode of the show for John Barnaby. It starts off with a very macabre opening, crows pecking away at a body on a sacrificial stone, quite graphic, certainly very visual.

I liked this story, I know others have mentioned a few technical flaws, I think reality has long since vanished in Midsomer, this show now very much represents escapism.

Dudgeon is very good here, he's witty and sarcastic, bouncing very well off Jones, who's still clearly unsure of his new boss. It has some nice humour, with a few sharp lines and comedy falls, but they seem to work quite well. Robert Pugh is very charismatic in it, a very strong personality, his scenes were very good.

The introduction of new Mortician Kate, I was never a huge fan of her character to be honest, none of them have been as good as George.

Very good overall, better then some of the reviews would lead you to believe. 8/10

A decent episode.

[harrykivi · 6/10 · 10 January 2023]

"The Sleeper Under the Hill" is definitely not a bad episode. It's just a fine one, but could have been much better.

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

. The production values of the episode are great. The direction's solid and the music fits the scenery. The acting is mostly fine, Robert Pugh is indeed quite good. Tamsin Malleson is enjoyable as well, just her character is not particularly interesting.

. The story is compelling for the most part, the murders are brutal (especially the first one). The humor is suitably wry and there are some good twists here and there.

But...

. The mystery suffers from too few suspects, making the identity of the killers (Caradoc Singer and Trevor Gibson) obvious early on. The solution was not very satisfying either with the motive for the murders being one of the most average there is. There are also aspects in this story (for instance: affairs and burglary), which feel done in the previous episodes, only these earlier episodes executed these subplots in a more compelling way.

Overall, a decent episode.

6/10 HK.

Different views see different things

[alarchdu · 10/10 · 18 October 2015]

I had reason to see this episode again recently, and then happened on the three reviews of it on IMDb, and am writing to highlight some errors apparently seen by the reviewers; The plots of the episodes are complex, often too complex to survive the final editing without some errors creeping in. In this case, I see the local police sergeant's role not ringing true to the life of a local (I can't see him being so readily bribed in a way that leaves witnesses). The use of the theodolite in both cases was correct (although the use of a telescope would make more sense). There was no need for the use of a datum point since the sole purpose of its use was to show that the stone circle was not actually on the ley line. The reason for the murders was caused by the finding of the relics. The main antagonist would have his historical significance diminished if he was shown to be in error, while the other murders were partially caused by the value of the relics found, as exemplified in the last scene when Barnaby apparently walked off with a million pounds of relic in his pocket. The fact that the modern-day druids were described as peaceful could have merely been used as a plot device, or it could have been the writer commenting on the fact that modern re-enactors of the druids ignore the fact that the religion was quite bloody in its practices.

Okay but not great

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 28 February 2017]

When in its prime (a vast majority of Seasons 1-9), 'Midsomer Murders' was a great show and one that is watched and re-watched frequently. Seasons 10-13 became more uneven, with three of the show's worst episodes coming from Seasons 11 and 13, but there were a few solid episodes and "Blood Wedding" and especially "Master Class" were gems.

After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same for reasons detailed in reviews for the previous Season 14 episodes. Season 14 on the most part was very disappointing, with "Echoes of the Dead" and "Night of the Stag" faring worst. "The Sleeper Under the Hill" is better than those two episodes, but just falls shy of being one of the "good" episodes of Season 14 (like the surprisingly good "The Oblong Murders").

There did seem to be some sloppy writing in "The Sleeper Under the Hill", and no these are outside of the errors pointed out in the previous reviews. One of the deaths tries to make the viewer believe that it happened in full sight which didn't seem that easy to believe. It is agreed that the motives for the murders weren't as satisfying as they could have been, not quite coming together in terms of sense. In a case with strong motives, very shaky alibis but surprisingly few suspects, Gibson was too obvious a suspect too early, one very quickly gets the feeling that he either knew more than let on or was personally involved and it did seem strange that Barnaby and Jones would spend as much time disagreeing over something like that.

Following his final appearance in "The Oblong Murders", Bullard now has a replacement and she is nowhere near as strong a character. Kate is just too bland with not much of a personality. Some of the pacing could have been tighter too.

However, "The Sleeper Under the Hill's" production values as always are top-notch, it's beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

Scripting provokes some thought and it doesn't take itself as overly seriously as other John Barnaby-era episodes. The story is mostly interesting and has enough twists and turns to keep one engrossed, really liked that throughout things were not what they seemed and the red herrings proved good diversions that didn't take away from anything at all.

Neil Dudgeon is more comfortable and has more of a personality than his first three episodes in the lead role, and Jason Hughes is helped by that Jones isn't written as much of an idiot as in the first three episodes of the season and that Barnaby isn't quite as condescending towards him. The supporting cast all do well, particularly Robert Pugh.

In conclusion, okay but not great. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Another enjoyable episode

[wjspears · 8/10 · 31 January 2022]

MAJOR SPOILERS

I agree that it was fairly easy, this episode, to figure out who the guilty parties were. Not so much because of their actions, but rather because of the "rules" of TV mysteries.

If one main character has a buddy showing up in the episode, and that buddy is in for more than 2 scenes, it is a cinch that character is guilty of something.

If a main character keeps going back to one possible suspect multiple times with clues to ask explanations for, it is a pretty good bet that character is guilty of something.

I am being somewhat "tongue-in-cheek" here, but it rings true in this episode! But that really did not bother me. I enjoyed the episode for the mystery of why these people were being murdered, and for the suspects and victims themselves who were interesting to watch.

My only real complaint is how the writers keep portraying DS Jones as a hapless detective. In this episode, Jones is in a bar, scoping out witnesses and he leaves his cell phone in a jacket on a chair. Because of the loud music playing, Jones does not hear his phone ringing and misses an urgent call from his superior DCI John Barnaby.

I am not sure that would even qualify as an acceptable rookie error. But with Jones being a detective for at least two years prior to DCI John Barnaby joining, that mistake is unbelievable.

First because Jones is on duty, and is supposed to be available. Second, because no on-duty policeman would leave his cell phone laying about in a public place for someone else to steal.

The writers are clearly making DS Jones more stupid and awkward than he was with Tom Barnaby, presumably to contrast him with John Barnaby. It just seems forced, unrealistic, and unnecessary to write Jones this way.

That complaint aside, by my count this is third good episode of new season with John Barnaby, out of a total of five, so far. As I am watching these in chronological order, I will definitely continue watching into the the next season--Series 15.

Shows promise but ultimately boring

[lbowdls · 6/10 · 30 January 2021]

I often start watching this episode and realise oh this one I know where it heads, the other times when I happen to see the ending and that seems to happen to me frequently I think how has this got anything to do with this story? And thus is the problem to me with this episode a complete disconnect from ho2 it starts to the reason and who turns out to be the murderer. Sure you might say all episodes (of all murder mysteries) are like that, sure but unfortunately other episodes do it much more entertainingly way, to me the whole story falls pretty flat with too many obvious things too, like the local police person being involved. Definitely not a favorite.

Theodolite error!

[jonige-763-897765 · 8/10 · 12 August 2013]

Ah, Mr. Nettles. I've seen this episode twice now, and as it reaches the part where the inspector hauls out a theodolite to check a sight-line I cringed for the second time. John, if the necessity should ever occur again in your acting career, that you have to set up a theodolite, please take a 5 minute lesson from a surveyor or a construction site engineer. All the best. N.P.Lawton (Civil Engineering Instructor at Fanshawe College, London ON, Canada)(Retired) That's all I want to say, but the powers that be are insisting on ten lines and a summary. I don't want to do either of those things. In order to prove the alignment, the theodolite would need to be carefully placed in a particular spot, or "over-lined" to get an exact line. and the plate has to be levelled in two directions at right angles to each other using the three thumbscrews on the levelling head. Hope it's long enough now NPL

The New Dawn Druids-cult

[ctyankee1 · 25 February 2013]

A man is murdered and his corpse placed in the Crowcall stone circle in a field on his land. Parts of his body were removed. There is some kind of religious symbol near the body so the police go to the cult leader a female.

The police go and talk to the members of this cult. There is conflict with the owner. He does not want them on the land.

This episode is with John Barnaby and and not Tom. The police coroner is now a woman not the one that was with Tom Barnaby.

John Barnaby is quick witted and at times funny. There is tension between him and Jones. Sometime John comes off as too confident but there seems to be a little more humor in the series which is needed.

The story is interesting but the end does not seem to justify the means. To me the mystery was good but the reason for the deaths make no sense.

In the story the characters mention "Physical violence is alien to them" this druid cult. Comments made by cult members and others give this cult a pass and no criticism voiced like they do with Christianity in most episodes where churches or church figures are used. I want to point this out as another cult episode with no the writers keeping negative things out.

It is different than the episodes with Tom Barnaby/Nettles. John Barnaby's wife is into body stuff like yoga. Joyce was into music and art. All seem to be to self idolatry and phony town societies.

Intense final 1/2 hour

[vitoscotti · 7/10 · 22 August 2021]

Neil Dudgeon can be interesting when he's solving the case at the end. But he's very dry leading up to that. He doesn't have the charisma of John Nettles, with his wonderful wife Joyce (Jane Wymark), and daughter Cully (Laura Howard). Even his relationship with very talented Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) should be better. Possibly more Sarah (Fiona Dolman) could help. The 2nd Barnaby era is new at season 14. Possibly things could improve. The stories are still very watchable. That's the main thing. This episode was the usual sluggish up until the last terrific 1/2 hour. Was it ever explained how the villain acquired the masterpiece paintings.

New Dawn Fades

[bhoover247 · 9/10 · 3 January 2021]

I liked this episode with its usual great scenery, music and well written murder mystery. This episode had one feature that appears often in this series. A man pretty much living in the woods. Does that really happen often in England or is it just a plot device. In America we have homeless people but they are usually in cities. The feral human living in the woods like John The Baptist is a very rare occurrence here.

A Snooze on the Couch

[ummajon2003 · 4/10 · 13 June 2021]

There's an intriguing opening scene with an ancient history vibe (including a gruesome murder scene, so turn away). Here we meet Dr. Kate Wilding, the new resident pathologist--seems straightforward and cold, which we should expect from a coroner. Funny bits throughout (Jones kicking in a door that is already open, poor lad, haha). Lovely crisp atmosphere and the classic English scenery here. Squabbling over land, pub conversations, and county maps included. A late night chase among historic ruins--yes, please! Guest acting is very convincing, though most characters were extremely unpleasant. DCI John is confident and curious. Our modern career woman Sarah rarely has time to cook a full meal, in stark contrast to Joyce (and as we know, that's probably a good thing, haha!) and her husband is completely daft in the kitchen. The plot got quite slow, I felt sleepy, and I must have missed a few irrelevant details. Disgusting portrayal of the murders, not viewable in the slightest bit. This is just my peasant opinion and reflects nothing on the proper work put into creating this episode.

New Dawn Druids

[elsybee · 8/10 · 5 December 2022]

I'm also an american viewer and I take exception with the person who wrote about the homeless man in the woods.

She/he/they didn't see the scene at the poachers house which makes him not homeless here,and the US is a huge country with many woods. While I agree our homeless problems are confined to the cities, I can't imagine that any one person could know that all homeless people are in cities. The problems are in the cities maybe not the homeless people. Almost got the number of characters I need. Oops need 97 more, still need 70+ this is really a pain, now is the time for all good men to come.

Religious obsessions rule this series - sad lack of imagination

[lornagwater · 3/10 · 30 December 2018]

Second episode - religious obsession Third episode - religious fanatic Fourth episode - investigating a cult Fifth episode - ritualized murder on the sacred "blood stone" of the druids

The new batch are either OK or really bad. This is the latter.

[keithfmanaton · 3/10 · 30 November 2021]

I worked out who did it in the first 10 minutes. A clumsy stumble through a very lazy story. Even lazier dialogue & acting. And even poorer fantasy policing than usual.