This is one of those episodes where the writer said, "Let's have a bit of fun." We are introduced to a man who is supporting numerous wives and children. They are basically royals and live a lifestyle where they have certain rights and privileges based on their heritage. The problem is that the patriarch drops dead after an evening of excess and a diabetes condition. Soon all kinds of discoveries are made. Because a will is going to be read and nobody knows what's in it, some interesting jockeying takes place. Also, someone is starting to kill off the family members. Barnaby and his crew are in the midst of all this, trying to keep their faces straight. There is also a significant secret (of course) that leads to a great deal of misery. The joy of this episode is the portrayal of a group of people full of self importance who actually believe in their own superiority. I had fun with this one.
10 Reviews
Pure joy from beginning to end. Mummy... a Plumber?
Sleepin_Dragon26 February 2019
Vixen's Run is a definite favourite of mine, it's a return to the original premise of the show, a great mystery, huge characters, and a host of laughs throughout. It really does poke fun at Britain's upper classes.
It doesn't take itself too seriously, but when it needs to deliver a big bit of drama, the eventual killer does so in style.
Superb production values, it looks and sounds as good as ever. Fans of mystery serials will recognise a load of familiar faces, Sheila Ruskin, Joss Auckland and David Beames are all terrific, but the masterclass comes from Sian Phillips, who in all honesty is in a different league.
Barnaby and Jones made a terrific duo, this really is a gem from the golden age of the show. 9/10
It doesn't take itself too seriously, but when it needs to deliver a big bit of drama, the eventual killer does so in style.
Superb production values, it looks and sounds as good as ever. Fans of mystery serials will recognise a load of familiar faces, Sheila Ruskin, Joss Auckland and David Beames are all terrific, but the masterclass comes from Sian Phillips, who in all honesty is in a different league.
Barnaby and Jones made a terrific duo, this really is a gem from the golden age of the show. 9/10
Freddie's funhouse
vitoscotti8 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Freddie loves life. Really, really loves it. Has had an amazing life. Living with a bunch of rotten to the core good for nothings. The script is amazingly tight. One twist and turn after another. This has to be in my top 5 MM. Limited Joyce and Cully at the beginning. The senile senior playing possumn is used again. Brilliant cast. Flashback at the beginning once again integral. Vito S 12-8-19
murder among Butlers
blanche-22 June 2015
"Vixen's Run" from season 9 is an entertaining Midsomer Murder, with Jones (Jason Hughes) getting to do a little more so we can get to know him.
The episodes begins in 1953, the year of the Queen's Inaugeration. We see a young woman going into a cottage with a man. Each quickly undresses and has sex (we don't see that). As she leaves, she says, "thank you."
Now it's 53 years later, and Sir Freddy Butler (Joss Ackland) has summoned his family for an important announcement. His family consists of one current wife, Tara (Annabel Mullion), his son Richard (David Beames), and Richard's wife, Sandra (Joanna Riding). Freddy's first wife Annabel (Siân Phillips) and second wife Lucinda (Sheia Ruskin) are there as well.
Freddy drops dead before he can say anything. The coroner thinks it's natural causes but Barnaby thinks he was murdered. Then the family attorney's house is set on fire with the attorney in it. There goes the last copy of Freddy's will - the first one was stolen.
Now Barnaby is sure Freddy was killed and that murder is connected to this one. His investigation leads to some family secrets, lost emeralds, and another murder before it's over.
Very good - enjoy.
The episodes begins in 1953, the year of the Queen's Inaugeration. We see a young woman going into a cottage with a man. Each quickly undresses and has sex (we don't see that). As she leaves, she says, "thank you."
Now it's 53 years later, and Sir Freddy Butler (Joss Ackland) has summoned his family for an important announcement. His family consists of one current wife, Tara (Annabel Mullion), his son Richard (David Beames), and Richard's wife, Sandra (Joanna Riding). Freddy's first wife Annabel (Siân Phillips) and second wife Lucinda (Sheia Ruskin) are there as well.
Freddy drops dead before he can say anything. The coroner thinks it's natural causes but Barnaby thinks he was murdered. Then the family attorney's house is set on fire with the attorney in it. There goes the last copy of Freddy's will - the first one was stolen.
Now Barnaby is sure Freddy was killed and that murder is connected to this one. His investigation leads to some family secrets, lost emeralds, and another murder before it's over.
Very good - enjoy.
Titles all wrong
the_venetian28 September 2020
The ghastly Sandra gives Barnaby and Jones a load of pretentious codswallop about titles when she becomes the incumbent Lady Butler.
She claims that because of her husband having inherited his father's baronetcy, she is now "Lady Sandra" and the widow and the ex-wives of the recently deceased Sir Freddy are now just "Lady Butler." In point of fact, they are al "just" "Lady Butler." They can only be "Lady" plus their own first names is they are BORN the daughters of Earls. As wives, they only reflect their husband's titles, and Sir Freddy is merely a KBE.
She claims that because of her husband having inherited his father's baronetcy, she is now "Lady Sandra" and the widow and the ex-wives of the recently deceased Sir Freddy are now just "Lady Butler." In point of fact, they are al "just" "Lady Butler." They can only be "Lady" plus their own first names is they are BORN the daughters of Earls. As wives, they only reflect their husband's titles, and Sir Freddy is merely a KBE.
A lot of fun
TheLittleSongbird5 February 2017
Despite being nowhere near as good nowadays, and even the Tom Barnaby-era had its not-so-good episodes ("Second Sight", "The Electric Vendetta" and "The Straw Woman" being notable previous episodes in this regard), 'Midsomer Murders' is still one of my most watched and re-watched shows.
Season 9 got off to a brilliant start with "The House in the Woods", a great introduction to Jones with one of the show's most unexpected and ingenious endings and George Baker's performance being one of the show's best supporting turns. "Dead Letters" was a couple of steps down, with a miscast Simon Callow and a couple of things either not needed or needed to be elaborated upon more, but was still intriguing and had a few nice references to past episodes.
"Vixen's Run" is a lot of fun, not as good as "The House in the Woods" but a little better than "Dead Letters". It does take a bit of time to get going, by 'Midsomer Murders' standards at this particular point in the show a bit too long, with an exposition-heavy first 20-25 minutes before the episode properly comes to life during the dinner scene. The only other real faults are a slightly clumsily done first (definite) murder, a jarringly cheap-looking opening past flashback and after a very good job was done raising the question of whether it was murder or natural causes it was somewhat of a cheat for the episode to not explain, regardless of if from the sheer gluttonous spectacle of the dinner scene one can also draw their own conclusions.
However, the production values as always 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, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice quirky and firmly tongue-in-cheek humour, a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is absorbing, never simplistic, sometimes creepy in atmosphere, never confusing and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here. The adventure-like jewels subplot was a fun diversion and didn't feel that pointless or inconsequential and it is agreed that the second (definite) murder is one of the show's most satisfying.
The acting is fine, with John Nettles a joy and Jason Hughes bringing appeal and nice wry humour to Jones. The two work extremely well together. The rest of the supporting cast fare very well, even with limited screen time "larger than life" Joss Ackland indeed dominates.
Overall, a lot of fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 9 got off to a brilliant start with "The House in the Woods", a great introduction to Jones with one of the show's most unexpected and ingenious endings and George Baker's performance being one of the show's best supporting turns. "Dead Letters" was a couple of steps down, with a miscast Simon Callow and a couple of things either not needed or needed to be elaborated upon more, but was still intriguing and had a few nice references to past episodes.
"Vixen's Run" is a lot of fun, not as good as "The House in the Woods" but a little better than "Dead Letters". It does take a bit of time to get going, by 'Midsomer Murders' standards at this particular point in the show a bit too long, with an exposition-heavy first 20-25 minutes before the episode properly comes to life during the dinner scene. The only other real faults are a slightly clumsily done first (definite) murder, a jarringly cheap-looking opening past flashback and after a very good job was done raising the question of whether it was murder or natural causes it was somewhat of a cheat for the episode to not explain, regardless of if from the sheer gluttonous spectacle of the dinner scene one can also draw their own conclusions.
However, the production values as always 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, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice quirky and firmly tongue-in-cheek humour, a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is absorbing, never simplistic, sometimes creepy in atmosphere, never confusing and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here. The adventure-like jewels subplot was a fun diversion and didn't feel that pointless or inconsequential and it is agreed that the second (definite) murder is one of the show's most satisfying.
The acting is fine, with John Nettles a joy and Jason Hughes bringing appeal and nice wry humour to Jones. The two work extremely well together. The rest of the supporting cast fare very well, even with limited screen time "larger than life" Joss Ackland indeed dominates.
Overall, a lot of fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Titles and murder!!
coltras3516 July 2022
Barnaby and Jones investigate the death of a local aristocrat who seemingly died of a coronary - shortly after declaring he had an important announcement to make. After the peer's will disappears and his lawyer is killed in an arson attack, it is clear sinister forces are at work. However, the prime suspects all appear to have cast-iron alibis.
Lady Sandra is a great character, who is obsessed with gaining a title and inheriting the estate from his husband's dead dad. It's a typical MM with quirkiness and eccentricity at the forefront and there's plenty in the plot to keep you watching.
Lady Sandra is a great character, who is obsessed with gaining a title and inheriting the estate from his husband's dead dad. It's a typical MM with quirkiness and eccentricity at the forefront and there's plenty in the plot to keep you watching.
The Butler did it!
poolandrews19 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Midsomer Murders: Vixen's Run is set in the small village of Haddington where Sir Freddy Butler (Joss Ackland) lives in Haddington Hall with his third wife Lady Tara Butler (Annabel Mullion) & his son Richard (David Beames) & his wife Sandra (Joanna Riding). Freddy's first wife Annabel (Siân Phillips) & second wife Lucinda (Sheila Ruskin) have been invited to the hall to witness an important announcement by Freddy but after dinner just as Freddy is about to speak he drops down dead. Local coroner Dr. Bullard (Barry Jackson) informs DCI Barnaby (John Nettles) that Freddy died from natural causes but Barnaby isn't convinced. Then the Butler's family solicitor Henry York (Charles Kay) is found burnt to death after an arson attack on his home which destroyed the last copy of Freddy's will. Barnaby believes the death's of Henry & Freddy are linked & sets about finding the truth...
Episode 3 from season 9 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Peter Smith & is a decent enough episode but the one thing I find quite amusing about Vixen's Run is that all the main character's & suspects last name is Butler so probably for the first time in Midosmer Murders history I can honestly say that the Butler did it! The only question is which one? Vixen's Run is one of those Midsomer Murders episodes which does take quite a while to get going, the first twenty odd minutes is pure exposition & since Freddy's death is initially classed as natural causes the first proper murder doesn't happen until after the forty five minute mark which is too long really since it's not until that point that the investigation kicks in although you do know that something fishy is up with Freddy's death as well. This episode has an Indiana Jones style subplot about a couple of character's searching for hidden Emeralds by solving clues & finding secret passages & the like which comes across as a nice distraction if ultimately a bit pointless. There's also a strange slightly mad character who talks to his vegetables & puts them to bed at night in a small cot complete with bed sheet! The motives for murder here in Vixen's Run are pretty good & fairly plausible if a little bonkers & rather routine, this one like so many murder mysteries boils down to money which is always a solid motive to bump someone off I suppose even if it is the oldest motive in the book. One of the few Midsomer Murders episodes not to feature any scenes with Barnaby at home.
There are two definite murders & even though the ending hints that Freddy was also murdered it's never explicitly stated that he was & even if he was it's not revealed how. The first murder sees someone burnt in a cottage (when the fire started & he was still alive why didn't he open the window, hang off the ledge with his feet as close to the ground as possible & just let go? He would have had a sprained ankle at most, it was only one floor up for God's sake) while kill number two is very satisfying as one of the most snobbish & unlikable character's in all of Midsomer Murders history is shot straight through the head complete with blood splatter. The stately home used in Vixen's Run for Haddington Hall was in fact the same building used in Dead Mans Eleven (1999) from way back in season two. There's a pre credits scene set in 1953 which is actually quite cheap looking & feels very staged. As far as the cast goes the name of note is the distinctive larger than life Joss Ackland who has been in loads of things but whenever I see him I am always reminded of his odd cameo in the Pet Shop Boys music video for 'Always on my Mind'!
Vixen's Run is a good solid Midosmer Murders episode with a fairly predictable & uninspired motive for murder that still works but isn't exactly memorable or original & it does take a while to get going. That head-shot murder is great though...
Episode 3 from season 9 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Peter Smith & is a decent enough episode but the one thing I find quite amusing about Vixen's Run is that all the main character's & suspects last name is Butler so probably for the first time in Midosmer Murders history I can honestly say that the Butler did it! The only question is which one? Vixen's Run is one of those Midsomer Murders episodes which does take quite a while to get going, the first twenty odd minutes is pure exposition & since Freddy's death is initially classed as natural causes the first proper murder doesn't happen until after the forty five minute mark which is too long really since it's not until that point that the investigation kicks in although you do know that something fishy is up with Freddy's death as well. This episode has an Indiana Jones style subplot about a couple of character's searching for hidden Emeralds by solving clues & finding secret passages & the like which comes across as a nice distraction if ultimately a bit pointless. There's also a strange slightly mad character who talks to his vegetables & puts them to bed at night in a small cot complete with bed sheet! The motives for murder here in Vixen's Run are pretty good & fairly plausible if a little bonkers & rather routine, this one like so many murder mysteries boils down to money which is always a solid motive to bump someone off I suppose even if it is the oldest motive in the book. One of the few Midsomer Murders episodes not to feature any scenes with Barnaby at home.
There are two definite murders & even though the ending hints that Freddy was also murdered it's never explicitly stated that he was & even if he was it's not revealed how. The first murder sees someone burnt in a cottage (when the fire started & he was still alive why didn't he open the window, hang off the ledge with his feet as close to the ground as possible & just let go? He would have had a sprained ankle at most, it was only one floor up for God's sake) while kill number two is very satisfying as one of the most snobbish & unlikable character's in all of Midsomer Murders history is shot straight through the head complete with blood splatter. The stately home used in Vixen's Run for Haddington Hall was in fact the same building used in Dead Mans Eleven (1999) from way back in season two. There's a pre credits scene set in 1953 which is actually quite cheap looking & feels very staged. As far as the cast goes the name of note is the distinctive larger than life Joss Ackland who has been in loads of things but whenever I see him I am always reminded of his odd cameo in the Pet Shop Boys music video for 'Always on my Mind'!
Vixen's Run is a good solid Midosmer Murders episode with a fairly predictable & uninspired motive for murder that still works but isn't exactly memorable or original & it does take a while to get going. That head-shot murder is great though...
A solid episode!
harrykivi13 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The ninth season of "Midsomer Murders" started very well with "The House in the Woods", but "Dead Letters" was not as near as captivating. "Vixen's Run" continues the ninth season in a solid way.
Let' s start with the good aspects, shall we?
. The production values of this episode are great as usual. The direction's good and so is the music. The acting's very good all around. The regulars give lovely performances, but out of the guest stars Joss Ackland, who is a joy to watch, and Sian Phillips fare the best.
. The mystery is very intriguing for the most part. There are some good characters, twists and turns, wry humor. The subplot about a couple hunting for emeralds was very fun indeed. The solution (Annabel did the deed) was clever as well.
But...
. The story does take too much time to get properly going. The first forty minutes or so felt like exposition-heavy setup for a murder and that's why the pacing of this episode is quite pedestrian at times.
. The ending (Freddy's death might not have been natural) was a very unsatisfying ending twist, because it shows George Bullard in an unprofessional way and questions his capability to perform autopsies.
Overall: good, but not great.
7/10 HK.
Let' s start with the good aspects, shall we?
. The production values of this episode are great as usual. The direction's good and so is the music. The acting's very good all around. The regulars give lovely performances, but out of the guest stars Joss Ackland, who is a joy to watch, and Sian Phillips fare the best.
. The mystery is very intriguing for the most part. There are some good characters, twists and turns, wry humor. The subplot about a couple hunting for emeralds was very fun indeed. The solution (Annabel did the deed) was clever as well.
But...
. The story does take too much time to get properly going. The first forty minutes or so felt like exposition-heavy setup for a murder and that's why the pacing of this episode is quite pedestrian at times.
. The ending (Freddy's death might not have been natural) was a very unsatisfying ending twist, because it shows George Bullard in an unprofessional way and questions his capability to perform autopsies.
Overall: good, but not great.
7/10 HK.
the good taste is no longer there
mgl-9203730 April 2022
It's hard for me to put my finger on why MM is distinctly worse by season 9 but it's undeniable. There's no subtlety. This episode is also full of too much baffling behavior. You don't have the sense of people acting for normal reasons. Instead, people are given bizarre tasks just to make the story less dull.
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