User reviews

Barnaby and Troy return to Badger's Drift to investigate more strangeness. Now, it's the murder of Richard Bailey, a man who had just learned he had a malignant brain tumor. So why kill him? There are some suspects -- Bailey was working on redeveloping some property, Tye House, and making it into a golf course and housing. His childhood friend, Ian Eastman, didn't get the development because Bailey had gone with a bigger firm. And lots of people in town are against the development.

When there's a second murder, Barnaby's ideas about the motive go out the window. What links the murders? The answer can be found many years earlier.

Really terrific story and mystery, with a dash of humor, as Barnaby isn't happy to be back in Badger's Drift. Also, he and Joyce are celebrating their 25th anniversary and rather than go on a trip, Joyce has decided they should renew their vows. Of course, Barnaby's head is firmly in the case. The denouement is a surprise. Very enjoyable mystery, on the dark side.

After the fantastic opening season, the second kicked off with Death's Shadow.

Wonderful English countrysides again are one of the stars of the show, Midsomer is so easy on the eye.

As we're back in Badger's Drift it was nice to get the references to the earlier murders, the Rainbirds etc. and I was glad to see the return of David Whitely and Mr Jocelyne. One criticism I have with the new episodes, is there's no echoes of the past, in an area as bloodthirsty there should be more references.

Poor Mrs Bundy has no luck when it comes to finding bodies, poor dear should give up cleaning.

I noticed here the murders themselves are becoming more elaborate, they've started cranking up the intensity of them.

There is a big change from Series 1, gone is the humour and frivolity, the show is seemingly going in a much darker direction. No comedy double acts, no foolery from Tom or Troy, this episode meant business, and it delivered, this was a brilliant episode, very mature and grown up. Rather dark plot with a very sad story, and a very vengeful conclusion.

I think Richard Briers is utterly outstanding, he was simply wonderful, I believed every word he said. The whole cast are excellent, but Briers gives the masterclass. 10/10

I found this to be a scintillating effort in the series. We are introduced to a group of boys who are in club. They do something that isn't clear, and, of course, will come into play later. We now move ahead to present time as Barnaby is celebrating his 25th anniversary. He and his wife have been by a certain church in a nearby town. She has requested redoing their vows as a celebration. At their first wedding, Barnaby had to run off and deal with a crime. A young man who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor is decapitated one night and the detective and his partner are thrust into the center of some weird goings on. There is a land development issue and the neighbor's are feuding with a man who owns the property, claiming he is ruining their little town. Without going into great detail, there are lots of secrets. There are also some strained relationships that are making approachability quite difficult. We also get a closer look at Barnaby's daughter, Cully, who is an aspiring actress. She seems to be cast frequently in particularly bloody plays like Macbeth and the Duchess of Malfi. Anyway, there is threat hanging over everything and a deep dark secret that is eventually revealed.

I can't quite decide whether this is my all-time favourite episode or if the pilot episode, 'The Killings at Badger's Drift', (also penned by Anthony Horowitz) is as good. Regardless, this is an (equally) genuinely tense and sinister tale with an utterly satisfying denouement. The cast is first-rate. Definitely one of the high points of this long-running series.

I agree this is one of the best Midsomers, and compares well to just about any detective series.

In the beginning we see a group of school boys doing something. It's not clear what is going on, and it's not clear why there is an adult there. Is that one of the boys grown up? Is this a flashback? We'll find out later.

Soon a 40-ish year old man is brutally murdered, even though he is terminally ill. There follows another brutal murder. There are red-herrings, as usual, though it is so well done we can't be sure what is a red herring and what is not. There is an intriguing side plot with daughter Cully and a famous producer, and another side plot as Barnaby and his wife are about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. It all comes together with a resounding and satisfying conclusion, complete with HItchcockian reference.

A superb job! Don't miss it.

"Death's Shadow" couldn't have been a more perfect start to the second season. Season 1 started off 'Midsomer Murders' very promisingly, with only "Death of a Hollow Man" disappointing somewhat. Not only is "Death's Shadow" on par with the likes of "The Killings at Badger's Drift", "Written in Blood" and "Death in Disguise", it's even better.

As always, the production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. It is especially haunting in the flashback leading up to the first murder in the final solution, really bringing chills up the spine.

Meanwhile, the script is smart, thought-provoking and suitably grim, with even some nice humour. Films or television episodes heavy in exposition can be a problem depending on the execution, that "Death's Shadow" was heavy in exposition was not at all a problem and nothing felt inconsequential, everything had a point, everything intrigued. And yes, the references to past cases were great.

Like as was said with "Death in Disguise", The story is one of the show's most complex, darkest, most mature (actually feeling more grown up than before) most entertaining and most ceaselessly compelling. The ending was especially well done, the motive for the murders one of the most believable while never once condoning the murderer's actions (who can with methods so brutal? While not exactly graphic they are execution-like in style) and the lack of remorse from the murderer is chilling. The climax is one of 'Midsomer Murders' most iconic and one of the best. There is a lot going on without being cluttered or rushed, and that nothing is what it seems, or very few people are who they seem adds to the complexity, while there are no out of kilter scenes.

John Nettles and Daniel Casey sparkle together, with Nettles characteristically superb and Casey a great contrast. Jane Wymark brings some welcome humour, which is very amusing, and one feels sorry for Cully. In support, Richard Briers' outstanding performance is just unforgettable.

In conclusion, one of the best of the series, simply brilliant and couldn't recommend it enough. 10/10 Bethany Cox

The First episode in the second season of Midsomer Murders. Great way to start. Great characters in DCI John Barnaby, goofy sidekick Troy, long-suffering, but amenable coppers wife, Joyce Barnaby, daughter Cully. Some of the murders are inventive but watching one victim die is chilling. All good stuff. Not sure I believe that the killer has the ability to wield certain murder weapons for obvious reasons, but his motive is strong.

Set in Badger's Drift, the site of the first Midsomer murder, it is great to see another village fete going on. Village life in Midsomer County looks so appealing. Also fun to see Cully in another acting scene. Of course there are a few annoying and unsupportive characters that seem like they should have been murdered.

You might call it a great mystery but I call it a red herring that is out of left field. But even so, from early in the piece I figure it to be the least obvious, therefore being the most obvious person to be the murderer.

The second series of Midsomer Murders and the Barnaby's plan to renew their wedding vows at Badger's Drift.

They go to see the vicar, Stephen Wentworth (Richard Briers) a charming but a dull man according to the padre's wife.

Mrs Barnaby hopes this time Tom Barnaby will not be derailed by investigating a murder. Too bad.

Local property developer Richard Bailey, who learned he had a fatal brain tumor is found decapitated. He planned to leave a large legacy to the vicar's church but did not get round to change his will.

Bailey had made enemies with his latest property development plans. Maybe that is where the police need to concentrate.

Later another man David Whitely is found dead, his caravan was burnt. It seems they were at school with Bailey.

There is a third person, actor and drama teacher Simon Fletcher who is haunted by memories from his childhood. He has returned to Badger's Drift after many years.

I was surprised that it took time for the first murder to occur. I was puzzled how shocked everyone was by the gruesomeness. Hold on, you were all there in the first series!

It is a hallmark of the show that it gets more ridiculous as it goes along. An important clue is Barnaby ruling out a suspect.

From scene one i already knew the murderer. .. yes the usual red herrings were laid for barnaby to chase ... these british who done its are a pitiful lot of writing to drag out the interviews and cast aspersions in all directions and the dci took advantage of the circumstances to deflect redoing his marriage vows ... remember, this the detective that couldn't detect his own allergy to cats ... well done tom

Richard Bayly, a property developer, is found murdered in ghastly fashion - beheaded with an Indian sword. While he was generally well-liked, there's plenty of people with motives. His latest development in Badger's Drift has caused much animosity with the locals and his overlooking of the local real estate agent to sell the property has caused a rift between them.

Just when I had grown accustomed to thinking that Midsomer Murders will never be in the same league as Poirot (the David Suchet series), A Touch of Frost, Endeavour, Inspector Morse or Lewis, along comes an episode that makes me reconsider my view. The best episode of the show thus far, with a solid plot, decent sub-plots, a murder mystery that is impossible to fathom, making it quite original and unpredictable, some good red herrings and Troy's usual comedic contributions.

Talking of Troy, good to see that they've matured his character somewhat. I disliked the fact that he was there, initially, to act the dunce and show how clever Barnaby is.

I'm watching the se over again and this one I love. I was hoping the Ian character would be killed before the end. He had a nasty att and he was pompous. I've seen him in other things and still don't like him.

Another episode to make Christians look bad. This episode is in series 2 episode 1 and this is the 3rd one inserted with gay and homosexual content that is not made to look bad but Christian are made to look bad.

Guys that have gone to school together start being murdered one at a time. Barnaby thinks it has something to do with Tye House which is being sold and many of the villagers do not like this because it will bring a lot of strangers in the area and also a golf course was planned.

At first the writers make you think that the men that know each other might be the killer having to do with property, then it switches over to what happened in the school years ago.

The church is planning a festival and the people in the community meet. I could also tell it was a biased bull because a woman was going to tell fortunes in a tent at this church festival. Fortune telling is sinful and forbidden. Churches would not allow it at a feast or on their property but the writers of Midsomer Murder like putting Christians down and raising homosexuals up.

One of the men that is married is caught in bed with a 19 year old boy. He acts like it is okay because the kid is 19 and he explains he is not a "homosexual" and it was just a "business deal" he paid the kid for sex. So I guess age does not matter, marriage does not matter and paying for sex is okay to the writer who wrote this for the character Ian Eastman/Nick Dunning who looks like a young Bill Clinton.

Barnaby is also planning to retake his wedding vows of 25 years. The killings are very violent. A sword is used to cut a head off, a fire burned a motorhome and more. The killer goes before a gold Cross in church and prays and then sets out to kill. He later explains he is not sorry.

No Christian would go pray in a church and then go commit a murder. They try to make it look like the death and resurrection and belief in Christ is meaningless. Midsomer Murder stories are interesting and suspenseful but full of fantasy and farce and sometimes swearing.

The actors are good but I hope now that this series is basically over after 18 seasons they find a more respectful part in a more respectable series or movie.