Midsomer Murders (TV Series) Last Man Out (2017) User Reviews

A welcome return

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 11 January 2017]

This story opens at a cricket match as the team captain wins the match for his team; something that doesn't impress on of his team mates. Shortly afterwards he is found dead; killed by the bowling machine. Barnaby and Winter turn up to investigate and Barnaby is surprised when he recognises the man who found the body; it is Jones, his old sergeant, although now he is calling himself Morris and won't explain why. Motives quickly emerge; some villagers are determined to stop the cricket competition as they don't consider ten over matches with over the top razzmatazz to be proper cricket, there is the suspicion that the games have been rigged by illegal gamblers and there are hints that something bad happened twenty years previously. Inevitably there is a second murder; the new captain of the cricket team is impaled with a stump. Things don't look good for Jones when he is approached by people wanting to rig the game and then made team captain.

The highlight of this story was obviously the return of Jason Hughes as Jones, a popular character who left the series a while back. The cricket themed murders were imaginative without being too silly… which can't really be said about the game itself; I can't imagine what was essentially a glorified village competition would have big-screen TV scoreboards, cheerleaders and pyrotechnics. Still Midsomer was never really like normal counties! There are plenty of suspects and motives to keep the viewer guessing and the ultimate killer isn't that obvious. There is a sense of danger concerning Jones; when he was a series regular we knew he wouldn't come to harm but as a guest character he is a potential victim. The guest cast includes plenty of other familiar faces so one can't spot the killer by the 'best known actor' method. Overall a fine episode that fans are almost certain to really enjoy.

A welcome blast from the past.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 15 May 2017]

One of the best episodes in a little while. Very well written, a truly interesting story, boosted enormously by the return of Jones. There was something about this episode that had a very traditional feel, echos of Midsomer Murders from years gone by, even the music was excellent. It's been a while since we've had a Cricket themed episode, it fits so well with the beautiful village theme. The quality of this episode reminded me of Dead Man's eleven from the early years.

Winter has been developing really well, but even he seemed a little pale in comparison to Jones, not sure what it is about him, but he just has so much charisma. Particularly well acted by the supporting cast, Susan Jameson is fantastic, she rather steals the show. A brilliant ending, so fitting for an episode of this quality.

A truly high quality episode, lots of tension, a great story line, and great performances. Been a while since we've had one as good as this, 9/10

A welcome return and it's just not cricket

[safenoe · 8/10 · 6 August 2017]

Sp wonderful and such a surprise to see Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) return to Midsomer, this time as an undercover cop investigating match-fixing in the C 10, sort of like the T20 version of cricket. Even though it's a guest appearance, it's more than worthwhile.

Susan Jameson plays Germaine Troughton. Susan in real life is married to James Bolam who played Jack in New Tricks, and Susan played Esther in the same series, and it just happens the Esther character was married to the Brian character.

Anyway, one plot is hole that Ben, as an undercover cop residing with Germaine, fails to see Susan's workout gym, and her ability to lift the weight of a huge corpse. Major plot hole but still an entertaining episode.

Return of the last man

[getinbusiness · 10/10 · 25 January 2017]

*** This review does contain spoilers ***

I have to say this is the most enjoyable episode I've watched in ages. They really got this one spot on, it was a hark back to the early days of Tom Barnaby and Troy, a good solid cast, viable murders, a good setting, solid characters and beautiful countryside. The episode was certainly helped by the welcome return of Jones who is now a DI and working undercover. I would like to declare here now that Jason Hughes (Jones) should be the next James Bond, a brilliant actor with a great screen presence. He certainly adds a lot to this episode and works well with the current DS, Winter to whom he bares a lot of resemblance. I found it very difficult to spot the killer although I had my suspicions... a couple of story lines ran parallel and intertwined nicely to give a solid ending. It would actually add so much to the show if Jones could have the odd appearance as it adds a total new dimension to the Barnaby and sidekick element. Not many negatives apart from how a frail old lady could have carried out the second killing (Barnaby even referenced it would have taken strength to carry it out) or how she could have the athletic ability to carry Jones in a wheel barrow, they also alluded to the old characteristics of Jones showing him to not exactly be the sharpest tool in the shed as he never noticed he was living under the same roof as the killer to the killers great surprise! Also when Jones dropped his phone the incoming call said "Barnaby" but having also worked under Tom Barnaby whom he would also have had his number, the name on the phone screen should have read "John Barnaby" however i'm just being pedantic. A magnificent episode wrapped up nicely, well done to the team, Winter is settling in nicely, plenty of scenes including Kam, (eye candy for the guys!) and Paddy is a great addition after the sad demise of Skykes (I was glad it was mentioned by Jones). I am really enjoying this new series.

Captain Jack Will Take You Home Tonight

[bhoover247 · 9/10 · 25 May 2021]

Yes Captain Jack turns out to be the much loved Ben Jones. It was great to see him again and Barnaby's reaction to him. The cricket angle was lost on me because I really don't understand the traditional game of cricket much less this bizarre version. Seeing Dallas style cheerleaders and other modern stuff in the village was funny.

My dude!

[dabigplanet-96102 · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

This gets a 10 based on the reappearance of my favorite sidekick. It's great to see DI Jones back in Midsomer.

It's cricket but not as we know it

[Sulla-2 · 9/10 · 6 October 2017]

Others have covered the man points of the episode which I thought was very good even though the motives were weak.

For me, the star of the episode was the cricket ground which has been used before. It featured in the series 12 episode called Secrets and Spies.

It's not your bog standard village ground. It's actually the Sir Paul Getty Cricket Ground in Buckinghamshire. It is home to very good class cricket.

It was great to see Ben Jones again but I am puzzled as to why they would use an Inspector on such a job. I was also puzzled as to why he kept practicing his defensive shots when the object was to score boundaries.

Jones, Jones, Jones!

[pensman · 7/10 · 24 March 2017]

I know nothing about cricket but a run through Wikipedia tells me there are indeed some short forms of cricket from Twenty20 Cricket to Evening Cricket to Six-a-side Cricket. Why bother? Because this episode begins with a game of C10 Cricket and I was curious.

Elliot Luthando, an architect by trade, is trying to bring C10 Cricket to Midsomer. The episode begins with such a match, and the winning player Leo Henderson has a great game, and a quicker exit. He is the first killed; and killed by a cricket ball pitch machine.

Barnaby and Winter arrive on scene to discover the body was discovered by Jack Morris. And we are excited, why: Jack Morris in none other than DI Ben Jones who is undercover in Midsomer. Really, that's all aficionados need to see to watch this episode.

Barnaby is somewhat disconcerted that something is happening on his patch and he hasn't been read in; but he has no real choice but to go along. Morris is staying with a friend, Germaine Troughton. She and St. John Beachwood (Sinjin—a pronunciation supposedly a holdover from the Norman-French invasion) are unalterably opposed to the new form or cricket and are pushing for a vote to have it banished. A vote that could be costly to Luthando who has purchased a franchise and might go belly up should his investment be denied.

Morris is also friendly with Melody Henderson, very recent widow of Leo, and this seems very irksome to Serena Luthando, Elliot's wife. More disturbing to Morris is the 10,000 pounds he finds hidden in a locked drawer that Leo didn't mention to his wife.

Before we get much further, we have a second murder, Fitz Thera, who had just been named the new captain of the local cricket team. And he's been the player who has been trying to throw matches. Not to mention he is/was the boyfriend of Kia Luthando. Plus, the dead body was discovered by Serena, Kia's mom. Then there is the tree, the tree the body was "fastened "to has twenty notches cut into it. Significant? Winter is told to check it out. He finds that the daughter of Germaine Troughton, Cilla, has been missing for 20 years.

Finally, Morris has to come to Barnaby and ask for his help. And now DS Winter discovers why his boss showed no interest in Morris as a suspect. Jones has been working trying to uncover a large-scale match fixing ring.

Jones gets approached by Butler Styles to throw the matches, so he is getting closer to the ring. As a closer, a bag with 15K is delivered to him with the promise of another 15K when his team loses. Jones tells Styles he wants to meet the top man. After all, the last two captains ended up dead, and he doesn't want to be number three. Turns out that Wade McMaster , the pub owner, is the brains behind the fixing. But even more interesting is Kia Luthando set up the necessary spreadsheets for gambling on McMasters' computer. Kia flips on McMaster and Styles and the police try to pick them up. They grab Styles but McMaster slips away.

Cilla returns but why and what does she want. Mel married very young and to Leo, but Leo cheated on her with Cilla. Serena and Mel kidnapped Cilla and dumped her on the town outskirts with the warning: don't come back. But after there was absolutely no news of Cilla, Mel and Serena began to regret their action. Cilla is staying with Beachwood for now. And Cilla does have a police record, for stalking. But Cilla is most upset with her mother, who twenty years ago told her daughter who had been run out of town that she didn't want her.

Just before the final match, Jones is kidnapped but by who? The villain comes as a real surprise. Barnaby arrives just in time. We discover Leo had a child by Cilla. That Fitz was in the wrong place at the right time. And Jones, there was actually no reason at all to kidnap Jones.

You might figure out who did it but honestly, not the best ending to a Midsomer Mystery. But really, who cares. The truly important reason to even watch this episode was JONES WAS BACK.

A sticky wicket.

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 26 February 2023]

Writing was similarly entertaining to the classic John Nettles episodes. Jones back undercover worked script-wise. But, logically how could he not be recognized in an area he was so widely known in? Then he cozies up to the gorgeous grieving widow Melody Henderson (Natasha Little) like they're old friends when he's new to the group. Also how could lovelies Kam and Sarah (Finola Dolman) not spot Jones playing cricket when they were viewing the game before he joined forces with the local police. Half pint gangster Butler Styles (Paul Reynolds) bore a resemblance to American comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Interesting tension from DS Jamie Winters (Nick Hendrix) and DI Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) giving an excellent return visit performance.

I thought it was pretty good

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 12 May 2017]

In response to a previous reviewer, I didn't think Jason Hughes, returning for an episode as Ben Jones, looked bad at all. I kind of liked the scruff. Men do wear beards after 40.

This is an odd episode in a way, concerning the murder of a star cricket player, Leo Henderson, after a tournament called C10. C10 is a format violently opposed by a retired player, Germaine Troughton (Susan Jameson) and committee members of St. John Beachwood.

When Barnaby investigates the murder, he notices that Leo has a huge amount of cash in his account. And then who should come along to play cricket - Jones! Using the name Jack Morris and swearing Barnaby to secrecy. He also can't divulge his reasons for being there, but he is staying with Germaine Troughton.

When Leo's widow's house is robbed, who should Barnaby find with her but Jones. As far as his assistant, Jamie Winter, is concerned, Jones as Jack Morris is the prime suspect. And he wonders why Barnaby keeps shutting him down when he brings it up.

The murders don't end there, and soon Jones confesses he's there about match-fixing with Geraldine's cooperation and needs Barnaby's help.

It doesn't take long to realize that if the murderer isn't found and soon, Jones is at risk. He plays too well, and he too is approached about throwing games.

A subplot concerns a disappearance 20 years earlier, which is marked by people carving into a tree.

This episode was not without its problems. One of the last scenes was physically impossible without help, and one of the motives for an attempted murder is weak.

This story has a major twist. The writer used the magician's trick of drawing one's attention to one place while the real story was elsewhere. I liked it.

Midsomer Murders

[fran-mcginnis-981-682608 · 20 May 2021]

I too think Midsomer is not quite as good as it used to be, but in the early series the show really featured some interesting, quirky roles that the English are known for. I always liked seeing some of the actors who had their own acting style like John Shrapnel with that interesting voice, Claire Bloom, George Baker, there was one older lady I liked in whatever I saw her in and she had her own style, her name was Thelma Barlow. Even the other supporting players were good like Ronan Vibert and Caroline Goodall both who can play such nasty characters. Most of the cast is too young and many of them lack the experience to have their own acting styles. I think if they went back to using older characters the show would be much more interesting.

Cricket with 'Midsomer Murders'

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 30 May 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 on the most part. Season 14 was a disappointment outside of "The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust", with "Echoes of the Dead" and "The Night of the Stag" being show low-points. Season 15 was inconsistent, being a case of starting promisingly and then took a three-episodes-in-a-row strange turn with "Written in the Stars" before finishing on a good note. Season 16 was mostly good, especially "Wild Harvest", with the only disappointment being "Let Us Prey". Season 17 was a mixed bag, with the first two episodes being watchable but uneven and the other two, particularly "A Vintage Murder", faring better.

Season 18 was mostly unimpressive, with "Breaking the Chain" faring weakest and "Saints and Sinners" and "The Incident at Cooper Hill" not faring much better. The season did have two good episodes, the best being "A Dying Art" and "Harvest of Souls" being a close second.

The latest season, Season 19, got off to a promising start with "The Village that Rose from the Dead", and that promise also came over in "Crime and Punishment" and "Last Man Out" which are just as good.

Kam once again, and people are probably going to find this criticism rather old, does nothing for me. Dr Bullard is very much missed and while Kate was bland Kam lacks even more personality and still comes across as a condescending know-it-all. Her chemistry with Winter is quite good, but that's it.

"Last Man Out's" ending mostly works, but it almost doesn't at first due to the physicality of the murderer being hard to swallow and raising question marks as to how they were able to do it. The attempted murder motive is pretty flimsy too.

This said, the identity of the murderer is a big surprise, it's a suspenseful ending that doesn't feel resolved too conveniently or by chance and the motive(s) on the most part are believable. The murders are more fun and imaginative than most murders in the John Barnaby-era episodes, and the characters are more pleasingly eccentric than the bland and pantomimic ones.

Paddy is a worthy replacement for Sykes, a very endearing and cute character if a little lacking in Sykes' (who one will miss dearly) scene-stealing comic timing. It was wonderful to see Jones again, and he is well used, the cricket setting is also used to full potential.

The production values however cannot be faulted as usual. 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 is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

Writing is thought-provoking and some of the quirky and gentle humour juxtaposes well with the dark murder theme and the twists and turns, the episode not feeling overly serious or heavy like some John Barnaby-era episodes as a result. The story is never simplistic, neither is it convoluted.

Neil Dudgeon took a while to get used to when he first took over, but Season 19 has proved that he looks comfortable as Barnaby and doesn't play the character as heavily and somnambulist like he did initially and in some of his latter episodes. Winter is also settling in nicely. Susan Jameson is particularly impressive of the uniformly solid supporting cast.

Summing up, after two very good episodes "Last Man Out" doesn't disappoint. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I like the episode but

[mlbroberts · 7/10 · 30 December 2021]

Overall it's interesting and engaging. Jones's return is welcome, though he might be a bit old for a cricket player on a championship team, but that's not my biggest cringe with this episode. Cringe 1 - those awful cheerleaders - I actually look away when they're on. Cringe 2 - how in the world does a tree NOT grow and obscure cuttings made 20 years earlier in its bark? Cringe 3 - the female actors were cringeworthy because they really weren't very good (Germaine was more wooden than the tree). OK, maybe the return of Jones is the only good reason for this episode....

Last Man Out

[ummajon2003 · 5/10 · 12 June 2021]

I usually do not enjoy the sport themed ones, and the only reason I liked this one was you guessed it, JONES JONES JONES! But other than that, it was a loser. Hammy actors, obnoxious cheerleader atmosphere, boring plot, shallow writing, and just not charming enough. Zero likable characters. Especially unpleasant was Parth Thakerera as Fitz. He was just "not charming enough" as well. Wish Jones had returned to a much better episode, points for him alone. Ok, a few credits to John Bird (St. John) and Susan Jameson (Germaine). Funny bit at the end with Jones and Winter sharing complaints about John won me over.

So-so episode

[wjspears · 6/10 · 21 May 2022]

I'm afraid that I will play the role of curmudgeon here. Yes, it is nice to see Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) here, but it is a truly implausible scenario they have written for him here.

Jones is sent back to his former "stomping grounds". He is given an alias, and cannot inform his former police superior, Barnaby, of his presence, let alone his mission.

Generally speaking, law enforcement send undercover agents to places where they have never been before, and certainly not to places where they have lived!

Unless Jones was a complete recluse when he formerly lived in Midsomer, why would his present superiors be confident that he would not be "outed" by someone?

These questions, and Jones evasiveness toward his former boss, John Barnaby, strained credibility for me.

Add to this the complete surprise of Cilla Troughton, near the end. Her existence, and presence, ends up featuring prominently in the resolution to the murders, and feels like a cheat.

Finally, given who the killer ends up being, the murders seem to be another implausible, given the strength required, particularly the second one (as well as the threat Jones was faced with at the end).

I definitely enjoyed seeing Jason Hughes again--even if it was for only this one episode. And the story of cricket match fixing was an intriguing one.

There were just too many illogical pieces to this episode that distracted my enjoyment.

Ben Jones is back!

[harrykivi · 7/10 · 30 March 2018]

Jeff Povey is one of the best writers in Midsomer murders nowadays, because he seems to put some orginality to his work. This episode has cricket settings which is even though used before, fits to the story. Leo Henderson and Fitz Thera's deaths are bizarre, but don't go that stupid. Script has lot of twists. And the idenity of the culprit is indeed shocking. Ben Jones is back! Which was very goof move from the writer. We should have a lot more people come back to Midsomer( maybe Cully's son or daughter, Cully herself, Joyce, Tom).

But Jones attempted murder's motive is stupid and story doesn't get going after 20 minuetes in. So 7/10

Killed by cricket balls !!

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 23 July 2022]

This one features the most craziest and brutal killing. A cricketer-businessman gets walloped by cricket balls coming at him at full speed from a ball machine! Very inventive, and a good start to a standard episode, which is diverting enough, but it's more focused on the match fixing subplot led by former Assistant to Barnaby.

Winter and Barnaby investigate when Lower Pampling's star cricketer Leo Henderson is found dead after a match in the grounds, pummelled to death by cricket balls. Barnaby is surprised to see DS Jones undercover as one of Leo's team-mates, and his former colleague reveals he is working on suspected cases of match-fixing in the area, but things take an even more sinister turn when captain Fitz Theara is stabbed through the heart with a cricket stump.

Poor Midsomer has become ridiculous!

[kkboyd-603-991354 · 2/10 · 6 April 2017]

Let's take the above comments first. Whoopee Ben Jones is back? Well, I'm female and I say better he should have stayed in Brighton. Such a hangdog scruffy mess of a man I've rarely seen. At a certain age (and Jason Hughes IS at that age) a 5-day old beard doesn't make a man look raffish, it makes him look like a bum! Now, this series with the new Barnaby has had some serious plot issues all along. I especially hate the "damsel tied to the railroad tracks" ending they seem to force on us. In this one, Ben is strapped upright to some sort of frame (railroad tracks not being handy?) with the old lady (very old -- how did she get him up there?) ready to flail him with a cricket bat. (And this after a different S&M scene that was truly laughable).

Another weakness is lack of motive. There have to be at least 3 corpses in every show whether it makes any sense to kill them or not. In this show, the old bat was going to kill Ben because she THOUGHT HE MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT HER FAVORITE CRICKET BAT WAS MISSING OFF THE WALL!! (He hadn't noticed.) This happens every episode. There really isn't any plot or character development to speak of. Just bodies piling up and a very overworked coroner.

P.S. I was always a big fan of the original Ben Jones and Barnaby.