Barnaby and Jones find themselves in a town where the biggest controversy seems to be a bitter argument over a supermarket that is going to open in the provincial village. We are soon introduced to quite a place. There is S&M, wife swapping, dressing up, and other forms of sexual activity. One woman in particular seems out of character. She is an culinary expert, offering classes, but because her husband died and left her with nothing, she takes the route of supplying sexual favors for some men in the community. Barnaby likes her and doesn't want to see her embarrassed and vilified, but he is a stickler for the law. A man who is enjoying several favors, is found dead. It is later discovered that he was sort of a fifth columnist from the supermarket chain. Anyway, he is stabbed and this leads to a lot of speculation. It seems that there aren't many people in town that are able to keep their pants on. This is played a bit tongue in cheek but I found it entertaining nevertheless.
19 Reviews
Tittilatingly funny
morrowmmm13 December 2009
Country Matters was slightly out of the ordinary for MM. Obiously the team were a bit bored and made this episode with tongue in cheek! Drily funny, it deals with those grave matter of sex and murder with a bit of frivolity which might be unbecoming the Middle cLasses of Midsomer but makes everything a great send up and a real hoot. One of the best episodes. There is also the use of actors and actresses already known to friends of PBS English series such as Inspector Morse. Because IMDb has never liked a pithy comment where several hundred words will do I have to continue with this just to meet the minimum amount of lines. IMDb would never have allowed Pauline Kael in her more pithily scathing moments to submit her comments!
Why is Joyce in men's pyjamas.
Sleepin_Dragon27 October 2019
A proposed supermarket causes mayhem in a village, with half for it, and half against it.
I defy anyone to watch this and not chuckle, it is a very funny, enjoyable episode. It is an engaging enough mystery, with one singular, believable murder, but it's the humour attached that makes this such a joy.
Some terrific one liners and funny scenes, my favourite being Joyce in Tom's pyjamas.
It's one of the more kinky episodes, it's all naughty postcard stuff, Claire Holman and Juliet Aubrey are both particularly great fun.
It's a very unusual, enjoyable ending. This is great fun. 9/10
I defy anyone to watch this and not chuckle, it is a very funny, enjoyable episode. It is an engaging enough mystery, with one singular, believable murder, but it's the humour attached that makes this such a joy.
Some terrific one liners and funny scenes, my favourite being Joyce in Tom's pyjamas.
It's one of the more kinky episodes, it's all naughty postcard stuff, Claire Holman and Juliet Aubrey are both particularly great fun.
It's a very unusual, enjoyable ending. This is great fun. 9/10
Smirking All Through The Episode FACT!
susanhudek5318 October 2018
What a town Elverton is! There may be only one murder but The townsfolk will keep you laughing.. This is one of the funniest episodes I've seen. FACT! The expressions on Barnaby and Jones faces as they weed through this case are priceless! Don't want to give away any of the FACTS! Don't miss this one!
One of the best of a fine lot
flwrestle1 May 2018
Midsomer Murders as a series has its up and downs, but when it hits, it can be a true joy to watch. This is one of the two best episodes of the first nine seasons. It has a great sense of humor, a coherent story line, ties up all the loose ends, has a satisfying and plausible ending and follows a process in which we can follow all the footsteps to catching the killer.
Best ending of the whole series
sambson5 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This episode only involves a single murder, which Midsomer Murders fans have likely forgotten about by the time they hit the ninth season. But the vast majority of other mystery/murder shows rarely have a body count over the entire run of the show, as high a single season of Midsomer Murders. Barnaby's relish in hearing the details of the relationships and encounters in "Country Matters" is delicious while Sgt Ben Jones stunned reactions are equally great. This episode is particularly funny and a features one of the best endings to an episode in the whole series! How is it that this show just gets better and better the longer it runs? Midsomer Murders has a brilliant mix of death, levity, humanity, passion, darkness and mundanities to entertain most anyone.
Episode is So Much Fun
vintagegeek14 July 2019
There are more twists and turns in this episode than you can shake a whip at. Nothing gruesome but lots of characters with their own little peccadilloes. From the sweet lovely reverend to the role playing folks. All good fun.
one of the best episodes, very funny in spots
blanche-27 June 2015
"Country Matters" from season 9 is a bit different from other Midsomer Murder Fare. It's quite funny.
In the village of Elverton, developers want to put a supermarket in the town, on polluted land. Though people are against it, the positive side of it is that the supermarket people will clean up the site. The town meetings become very heated.
The death of an old man known to several people in the town by different names may figure into this town battle somehow. The man was an environmental consultant who was working with the townspeople and the supermarket people.
Class issues, lots of adultery, rival factions, two budding juvenile delinquents, a single mother, deception, a married couple who make a living in an interesting way, and a horse training stable are just a few of the elements in this mystery. But the mystery isn't the main feature here, it's the story around it, and some of the reactions of Barnaby and Jones.
Let's just say that when people need to make a living in this town, they can be pretty resourceful.
And the ending with Joyce and Barnaby was great.
In the village of Elverton, developers want to put a supermarket in the town, on polluted land. Though people are against it, the positive side of it is that the supermarket people will clean up the site. The town meetings become very heated.
The death of an old man known to several people in the town by different names may figure into this town battle somehow. The man was an environmental consultant who was working with the townspeople and the supermarket people.
Class issues, lots of adultery, rival factions, two budding juvenile delinquents, a single mother, deception, a married couple who make a living in an interesting way, and a horse training stable are just a few of the elements in this mystery. But the mystery isn't the main feature here, it's the story around it, and some of the reactions of Barnaby and Jones.
Let's just say that when people need to make a living in this town, they can be pretty resourceful.
And the ending with Joyce and Barnaby was great.
Very enjoyable, decent plot, quirky characters, fun dialogue
yerwan123 July 2020
Decent story, attractive village setting, and noteworthy in four ways:
1. Half the suspects don't get bumped off
2. No church fete or village faire
3. More witty dialogue than usual
4. A bit of kinkiness in the village
Kinky Midsomer Muders episode.
poolandrews6 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Midsomer Murders: Country Matters is set in the small Midsomer village of Elverton which is being torn apart by the proposed building of a 'Goodfare's' supermarket which has divided local opinion & feeling right down the middle. As tempers flare during a village meet two local children Dora (Sophie Stuckey) & Otis (Jack Crutch) make a shocking discovery, they stumble across the dead body of environmental inspector Frank Hopkirk (Tim Hardy) in an old timber yard. DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) & DC Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) are on the case, with some odd autopsy results to consider & a lack of cooperation Barnaby has to dig deep which uncovers sex, lies, affairs, a conspiracy &, of course, a motive for murder...
Episode 6 from season 9 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Richard Holthouse & ones has to say that this is a particularly kinky little Midsomer Murders episode & that's where the majority of the entertainment from Country Matters come from since the actual murder mystery elements are fairly forgettable. The script by Andrew Payne starts off in intriguing fashion but doesn't really go anywhere, there's only one murder in Country Matters & it's an odd one as he doesn't really have much connection to the killer & the motives are all rather obscure & not terribly convincing. I mean someone brutally stabs a man to death to get back at her husband & his lover? It's a bit extreme isn't it? Wouldn't a divorce suffice? Like I said earlier the main entertainment value in Country Matters comes from the eccentric character's & their kinky somewhat perverted ways, from prostitutes who act like the 'perfect wife' for clients to a damsel in distress role-play to the traditional English past time of a woman whipping a guy's backside for pleasure which leads to a very funny scene in which Barnaby is faced by a client who drops his trousers in front of him thinking he's part of the session! Unfortunately there's not much focus on the murder & not that much actually happens so while it's fun & somewhat amusing because of the kinky sub-plots as a Midsomer Murders mystery there are better ones out there. As usual there's a fair bit of exposition so concentration is needed but the actual murder is quite simple when revealed & there's not a whole lot to it.
There's only one murder in this one & it's off screen, there's shots of a dead body with stab wounds on an autopsy table but nothing overly violent. There are some funny scenes in which Barnaby & Jones watch several recording of the kinky goings-on in Elverton & Jones reactions are priceless. The acting is good from all involved.
Country Matters is quite fun with a slightly kinky side but the actual murder in this episode is fairly mundane & forgettable. Good & worth watching but probably not for the right reasons.
Episode 6 from season 9 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Richard Holthouse & ones has to say that this is a particularly kinky little Midsomer Murders episode & that's where the majority of the entertainment from Country Matters come from since the actual murder mystery elements are fairly forgettable. The script by Andrew Payne starts off in intriguing fashion but doesn't really go anywhere, there's only one murder in Country Matters & it's an odd one as he doesn't really have much connection to the killer & the motives are all rather obscure & not terribly convincing. I mean someone brutally stabs a man to death to get back at her husband & his lover? It's a bit extreme isn't it? Wouldn't a divorce suffice? Like I said earlier the main entertainment value in Country Matters comes from the eccentric character's & their kinky somewhat perverted ways, from prostitutes who act like the 'perfect wife' for clients to a damsel in distress role-play to the traditional English past time of a woman whipping a guy's backside for pleasure which leads to a very funny scene in which Barnaby is faced by a client who drops his trousers in front of him thinking he's part of the session! Unfortunately there's not much focus on the murder & not that much actually happens so while it's fun & somewhat amusing because of the kinky sub-plots as a Midsomer Murders mystery there are better ones out there. As usual there's a fair bit of exposition so concentration is needed but the actual murder is quite simple when revealed & there's not a whole lot to it.
There's only one murder in this one & it's off screen, there's shots of a dead body with stab wounds on an autopsy table but nothing overly violent. There are some funny scenes in which Barnaby & Jones watch several recording of the kinky goings-on in Elverton & Jones reactions are priceless. The acting is good from all involved.
Country Matters is quite fun with a slightly kinky side but the actual murder in this episode is fairly mundane & forgettable. Good & worth watching but probably not for the right reasons.
My favorite episode yet
babstoyfish7 March 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable addition to a much loved series
jamesraeburn200322 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Chief Inspector Barnaby and Detective Constable Jones (played by John Nettles and Jason Hughes) investigate the murder of an environmental health official called Frank Hopkirk (played by Tom Hardy) in the picturesque Midsomer village of Elverton. The detectives find tensions are boiling over because the villagers are split over the proposed building of a supermarket on a disused timber mill site where the body was found. Owners of the local stables Orlando Lamington and his wife Ginny (played by Jonny Phillips and Janet Aubrey) are against the development as are Jeremy and Celia Pagett (played by John McAndrew and Madeleine Potter) who run the local shooting club. Meanwhile, the local pub landlord, Danny Piggott (played by Dorian Healy), is in favour of it because the supermarket chain want to buy his land and the money would enable him to leave the village and start a new life. It turns out that the murder weapon was a kitchen knife that belongs to Rose Southerly (played by Sophie Stuckey), a widow who was left in debt by her husband and runs cookery classes to make ends meet. The questions facing Barnaby and Jones are: was the murder connected to the controversial supermarket development? Or, was the motive a crime of passion completely unconnected to it? Along the way, Barnaby and Jones uncover affairs, a potential scam involving contaminated soil and much more as they gradually discover who the murderer is...
All in all, this is another thoroughly enjoyable addition to this much loved series. Like the better episodes, it plays like a traditional, old fashioned whodunit whilst set in a contemporary rural setting. They take modern day concerns such as unpopular developments, building on green belt, saving a local pub or church and countryside pursuits, which are the backdrops for the mysteries and intrigue. Yet, beneath the realistic surface setting, the stories unfold from a completely make believe world that is fun to watch and the films have humour as well as being thrilling. Andrew Payne's screenplay piles on the red herrings, intrigue and there are enough twists and turns in the plot to engage the viewer from start to finish. Good acting all round, top flight production values and efficient direction by Richard Holthouse are added plusses.
All in all, this is another thoroughly enjoyable addition to this much loved series. Like the better episodes, it plays like a traditional, old fashioned whodunit whilst set in a contemporary rural setting. They take modern day concerns such as unpopular developments, building on green belt, saving a local pub or church and countryside pursuits, which are the backdrops for the mysteries and intrigue. Yet, beneath the realistic surface setting, the stories unfold from a completely make believe world that is fun to watch and the films have humour as well as being thrilling. Andrew Payne's screenplay piles on the red herrings, intrigue and there are enough twists and turns in the plot to engage the viewer from start to finish. Good acting all round, top flight production values and efficient direction by Richard Holthouse are added plusses.
Meet the kinky residents of Elverton!
sherondalewis-205317 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was a great episode! In this quaint village of Elverton, there are picturesque homes, cottages, beautiful landscape, a local pub, a small local mom and pop grocery store...but, some of those villagers wants a big chain supermarket to come in, which would get rid of the lovely local grocers. And some are against it. And in this said village, the ones who are against this are those said kinky residents! The single mom, Rose, who teaches cookery lessons, who does more than bake with her clients. Then, the married couple who's husband entertains himself watching (and snapping pics) of his wife's "damsel in distress" act (along with shooting, fishing). And then, the lovely lass who owns a riding school who will, literally, whip you to shape! All if this and the Rev who is having an affair! And the guy who was murdered? Frank Hopkirk, he was there to check the grounds of said propose location of this mega supermarket and was to "lie" about the safety of such area. He went to enjoy all 3 different activities..with 3 different aliases to check but, he did more than that and got into the kinks. And he enjoyed baking with the Rose the baker!
Really loved how this episode played out. You didn't know until the end on who killed the guy and what was their motive (jealousy is the issue here). This tongue in cheek episode was quite amusing and had a lot of funny parts...FACT. The daughter of the baker and her "friend" who's dad runs the local pub, who knows what's going on (but not with her mom) in said village. The quirky Rev Sue (she's hip with God), the widow who didn't seem upset with her husband's death (don't give her a tissue because there was nothing to grieve over) and Tom trying to save the "damsel in distress" only to find out he's was the wrong guy trying to..ahem..."save" her!
And Tom and Ben got to watch, in the baker's horror, her tape of her..ahem..cooking lesson (had a hidden camera for security reason...in case someone was trying to blackmailher).
The ending, I agree with another post on here, was great! Joyce, wearing Tom's pj's because she was cold and thought he wouldn't mind, tells Tom that A, the baker, Rose, wanted her to help with the cookery lessons, B, she is not into the damsel in distress (how demeaning) nor the perfect house wife scenario BUT C, she enjoys dishing out a little punishment (to Tom's delight)!
This is one of those episodes where you can watch over again and get a great chuckle out of it every time.
Really loved how this episode played out. You didn't know until the end on who killed the guy and what was their motive (jealousy is the issue here). This tongue in cheek episode was quite amusing and had a lot of funny parts...FACT. The daughter of the baker and her "friend" who's dad runs the local pub, who knows what's going on (but not with her mom) in said village. The quirky Rev Sue (she's hip with God), the widow who didn't seem upset with her husband's death (don't give her a tissue because there was nothing to grieve over) and Tom trying to save the "damsel in distress" only to find out he's was the wrong guy trying to..ahem..."save" her!
And Tom and Ben got to watch, in the baker's horror, her tape of her..ahem..cooking lesson (had a hidden camera for security reason...in case someone was trying to blackmailher).
The ending, I agree with another post on here, was great! Joyce, wearing Tom's pj's because she was cold and thought he wouldn't mind, tells Tom that A, the baker, Rose, wanted her to help with the cookery lessons, B, she is not into the damsel in distress (how demeaning) nor the perfect house wife scenario BUT C, she enjoys dishing out a little punishment (to Tom's delight)!
This is one of those episodes where you can watch over again and get a great chuckle out of it every time.
A joy to watch
boxyfella30 September 2021
Season 9 continues it's fine form. This is one of my all-time favourite episodes, because of the humour surrounding the kinky goings on. Barnaby and Jones' reactions are priceless. The scene in the stables with Barnaby and Mr Hundsecker made me laugh out loud and I loved the ending. There were some superb performances from Clare Holman and the two kids in particular. I did find the Rev Suze irritating, but I suppose she was meant to be. Overall a joy.
One of the best episodes of Season 9
TheLittleSongbird8 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.
While, to me, "The House in the Woods" is the best episode of Season 9, "Country Matters" gets my vote as a close runner-up. The episodes in between the two also range from decent to very good. There could have been more focus on the murder itself, which was slightly disappointing for an episode that is very light on the body count, but that was the only thing really that wasn't quite so good here.
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 often hilarious humour, a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is absorbing, never simplistic, sometimes creepy in atmosphere, never dull (for an exposition-heavy episode) never confusing (remarkable for an episode with many colourful characters and a wide range of deliciously kinky sub-plots) and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here. The ending agreed is one of the show's best, and one that is appreciated by me even more now than on first viewing.
John Nettles is a joy and Jason Hughes brings appeal and nice wry humour to Jones. The two work extremely well together, and the rest of the cast are uniformly strong.
Overall, great episode and one of the season's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
While, to me, "The House in the Woods" is the best episode of Season 9, "Country Matters" gets my vote as a close runner-up. The episodes in between the two also range from decent to very good. There could have been more focus on the murder itself, which was slightly disappointing for an episode that is very light on the body count, but that was the only thing really that wasn't quite so good here.
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 often hilarious humour, a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is absorbing, never simplistic, sometimes creepy in atmosphere, never dull (for an exposition-heavy episode) never confusing (remarkable for an episode with many colourful characters and a wide range of deliciously kinky sub-plots) and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here. The ending agreed is one of the show's best, and one that is appreciated by me even more now than on first viewing.
John Nettles is a joy and Jason Hughes brings appeal and nice wry humour to Jones. The two work extremely well together, and the rest of the cast are uniformly strong.
Overall, great episode and one of the season's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Barnaby intrigued by Joyce's discipline yen
vitoscotti16 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Oh no 30 minutes of pro/con of a community's supermarket groundbreaking yawn fest. It's gets cooking after that. The chef, horse lady, and vicar are stunning. A dull start loaded with emotional overacting turns into a real gem thereafter. Everybody is doing everybody. Apparently the chef is inspector Lewis's medical examiner which makes me want to revisit Lewis after a disappointing few episode try. Hetty Wainthrop's bother-in-law has a bit part. Another goofy kinky vicar. This one leaps into her awaiting makeshift bedding.
Barnaby turns a blind eye to kids drinking hard liquor which doesn't seem Barnaby like.
Joyce in PJs? She's hinting at disinterest and boredom in the marriage? Would of given it 9 if the beginning wasn't so bad. Vito S 12/16/19
Barnaby turns a blind eye to kids drinking hard liquor which doesn't seem Barnaby like.
Joyce in PJs? She's hinting at disinterest and boredom in the marriage? Would of given it 9 if the beginning wasn't so bad. Vito S 12/16/19
Only one murder !
Schweizer8528 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Low body count in this one, some quite funny moments though, with the usual brilliant scenery
The thing that nags me is that the only reason the killer was concealed is that Rose couldn't remember Ginny coming to see her that day and taking the knife, surely if she only had three visitors that day she'd remember all of them, especially if you being arrested for murder or not depended on it. Obviously if she'd remembered at the start then there would have been no episode, but it just seemed very feeble. It would have been better if the meeting of the several couples at Ginny's house later that day had taken place at Rose's, then any one of them could have taken the knife, thickening the plot.
Worth a watch, but the conclusion is very far fetched
The thing that nags me is that the only reason the killer was concealed is that Rose couldn't remember Ginny coming to see her that day and taking the knife, surely if she only had three visitors that day she'd remember all of them, especially if you being arrested for murder or not depended on it. Obviously if she'd remembered at the start then there would have been no episode, but it just seemed very feeble. It would have been better if the meeting of the several couples at Ginny's house later that day had taken place at Rose's, then any one of them could have taken the knife, thickening the plot.
Worth a watch, but the conclusion is very far fetched
Above average
coltras3523 July 2022
The residents of Elverton-cum-Latterly gather to hold a protest meeting about proposals for a supermarket in the centre of the village, but proceedings are brought to a halt by the discovery of the site adviser's body. Barnaby and Jones discover the victim had a penchant for acting out role-play scenarios with local women - but that is not the only secret the villagers are hiding. Better than average and more fun. It's isn't so dark in tone, and has good round of suspects.
Escape to the Country!!!
safenoe1 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
A charming episode that didn't take itself too seriously, and risqué with the ways some folk earn their keep (a cooking school, stable, damsel in distress, hidden CCTV, you name it).
This episode had one murder (some have three to four) and I was kept guessing until the end.
Clare "Inspector Lewis" Holman beautifully played her role, and one had difficulty imagining her being the killer. Juliet Aubrey as the stable owner was ruthless and quite stern.
Sadly though the episode deemed it entertaining to have the tired trope of the anti-hero character, Mrs Hopkirk (the widow of Mr Hopkirk who was not at all aggrieved by his murder due to his adulterous ways) disdainfully ignoring the "Please do now smoke" sign at the coroner's office. When Jones politely reminded her of it, she rudely ignored him and lit up a cigarette, and then she threw the cigarette down afterwards.
I know, I know, maybe the writer was plain sick of anti-smoking laws and wanted to get his opinion in, and was hoping those who despise political correctness will inwardly applause and cheer for Mrs Hopkirk's independence stance against the nanny state, etc.
This episode had one murder (some have three to four) and I was kept guessing until the end.
Clare "Inspector Lewis" Holman beautifully played her role, and one had difficulty imagining her being the killer. Juliet Aubrey as the stable owner was ruthless and quite stern.
Sadly though the episode deemed it entertaining to have the tired trope of the anti-hero character, Mrs Hopkirk (the widow of Mr Hopkirk who was not at all aggrieved by his murder due to his adulterous ways) disdainfully ignoring the "Please do now smoke" sign at the coroner's office. When Jones politely reminded her of it, she rudely ignored him and lit up a cigarette, and then she threw the cigarette down afterwards.
I know, I know, maybe the writer was plain sick of anti-smoking laws and wanted to get his opinion in, and was hoping those who despise political correctness will inwardly applause and cheer for Mrs Hopkirk's independence stance against the nanny state, etc.
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