The Stitcher Society

The best episode for quite a while and it had a very different feel, similar to the earlier seasons. There were plenty of good characters and an intriguing story. I was really enjoying this, right up until the last ten minutes. As seems to be the case nowadays, the ending felt rushed.

Barnaby's solving of the case hinges on him realising that the killer knew that a certain person didn't have a scar. Now Barnaby wasn't present when the killer discovered this fact, and the spy cameras didn't witness the event either, so how did Barnaby know which one of the suspects knew about the lack of a scar?

Also, I'm no legal expert but I doubt that the CPS would allow a material witness (somebody who placed the accused at the crime scene) to conduct the case for the prosecution at the trial.

Overall, very solid but not great.

"The Stitcher Society" was seen with rather mixed expectations. Did like the premise and 'Midsomer Murders' is wonderful at its best. It has been very up and down for a while now and after being so unimpressed by the previous episode "The Wolf Hunter of Little Worthy", so part of me prepared myself for a possibility of another disappointment. While hoping too that it would be an improvement and an episode to recommend.

Was very pleasantly surprised however by "The Stitcher Society". It is not brilliant or a 'Midsomer Murders' high point, but by John Barnaby-era standards it is pretty darn impressive. A massive improvement over "The Wolf Hunter of Little Worthy" and one of the best episodes in a while, perhaps even the best. One of the few episodes of this period to pass for an episode where Tom Barnaby was in charge if perhaps more a good episode from Seasons 9-13 than pre-Season 9.

Am going to begin with the not so good things. The episode agreed would have been better with less characters, some could have been more developed (Harry for instance is very underused).

Do agree too that the invester subplot added very little to the story, near irrelevant even.

On the other hand, "The Stitcher Society" has a very engrossing story that shows promise from the very intriguing but ominous opening. The murders are hard hitting and far from tame, and there are plenty of surprising twists and turns. Plus finally a non-rushed, non-over the top, non-last minute and plausible ending, where the perpetrator and motive were both a surprise. Maybe the motive element could have gone into a little more detail, but that might change on rewatch.

Furthermore, "The Stitcher Society" has some nice tension, like at the beginning, but there is too some light-heartedness that avoids over-seriousness while not being silly. A light-heartedness that was quite close to prime-'Midsomer Murders'. The characters are interesting on the whole. The acting is good this time, Annette Badland is a joy as Fleur and Hannah Waddingham is a big standout of the supporting cast. Keith Allen's character is too underused though for him to shine properly but he does what he can with what he has.

It's a typically good looking episode, especially the scenery which the photography clearly loves. The music is pleasant and haunting and who can resist the unforgettable theme tune.

Concluding, very well done and a pleasant surprise. 8/10.

I'm not a fan of the really weird MM so had lost interest lately, however this episode is a bit lighter with plenty of twists that caught me out.

This episode opens with a prologue set five years ago; we see villages surrounding a man, Toby Wagner. They are furious that he was acquitted of a murder and are threatening to set dogs on him. In the present it becomes clear that he was merely run out of the area... now he is back though. He has recently had heart surgery and has been signed up to join the titular Stitcher Society... a club for survivors of heart surgery. The owner of the club believes there is proof of Wagner's innocence; others are furious. Soon afterwards the club owner is killed with a shinai, bamboo Kendo sword, modified to include a real blade. Villages point Barnaby and Winter towards Wagner but the investigation soon uncovers other suspects with varied motives. Before the case is solved there will be further murders.

I really enjoyed this episode; it contained the expected Midsomer clichés which fans of the series enjoy: numerous suspects and motives; varied methods of murder and a group with something in common. Of course it is farfetched... would a small village have so many people who had undergone heart surgery?! That however is the fun of the series; murder is more fun when it doesn't feel real. There are plenty of humorous moments; most obviously the estate agent who keeps flirting with Barnaby. The cast, both regulars and guests, do a solid job bringing their characters to life. Overall I'd say fans of the series should really enjoy this instalment.

The plethora of characters and who belongs to whom, matrimony wise, relationship wise or even their respective role in the so-called community is horribly confusing. The best part is the flirtatious real estate agent. They need to lay out a good murder board and spend at least 30 seconds every half hour so you can get the picture.