15 reviews
Barking mad, but a cracking episode.
This is an absolutely nuts episode, I'd go so far as to say barking (no pun intended) mad, whete we see Jones going undercover.
It shouldn't really work but it does, the characters are outrageously over the top, almost everyone at the retreat is so over the top, effectively caricatures, as are The Olivers. Simon Day is purely there for laughs, but Christine Bottomley and Charity Wakefield shine through.
The opening scenes are excellent, the use of La Wally made it feel like an opening of Endeavour or Morse, very dramatic but full of impact.
Noted for being the 'shower scene' episode for Jason Hughes, in which he gives fans a view of his rear end. Noted also for being the last episode to feature the long standing George Bullard, who I believe is the show's longest serving member.
It shouldn't really work but it does, the characters are outrageously over the top, almost everyone at the retreat is so over the top, effectively caricatures, as are The Olivers. Simon Day is purely there for laughs, but Christine Bottomley and Charity Wakefield shine through.
The opening scenes are excellent, the use of La Wally made it feel like an opening of Endeavour or Morse, very dramatic but full of impact.
Noted for being the 'shower scene' episode for Jason Hughes, in which he gives fans a view of his rear end. Noted also for being the last episode to feature the long standing George Bullard, who I believe is the show's longest serving member.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- May 24, 2017
- Permalink
An exciting different episode
good one
The Oblong Murders begins with a man listening to Ebben? Ne andro lontana from La Wally, when his door buzzer rings. The man seems pleased to let the person up to his place. When he opens the door, he's stabbed to death. Quite fitting, as the aria ends with the words "I will go, I will go alone and far Through the golden clouds."
We don't find out the meaning of that scene until later in this intriguing mystery. Dr. Bullard tells Barnaby that the daughter of friends, Lucy Oliver, has gone missing. The parents are devastated. She joined a group called the Oblong Foundation and her weekly calls later stopped. They can't get any information.
Dr. Bullard has put in a good word with a dog sitter (his sister) for Barnaby and his wife, and one good turn deserves another. Barnaby sends Jones undercover to the Oblong Foundation. The Foundation is housed in the home of Ruth Lambert, a member of the foundation who is leasing them the house. Her parents died in a terrible boat explosion.
Barnaby ultimately decides that a secret loan made by Ruth's parents has something to do with the Lambert's deaths and possibly Lucy' disappearance.
This was a very intriguing episode, with Jones front and center as Cosmo Jones, a new inductee who attracts Ruth Lambert, still grieving for her parents. This makes Jones terribly uncomfortable.
There are some funny bits here, including Jones trying to hide and later use his cell phone, being stuck in the closet of one of the female organizers, and hearing what goes on in the "love rooms" of the group. And, of course, Barnaby's dog being auditioned by the picky dog sitter who is Bullard's sister. I loved when Barnaby tells his wife that the sitter "has to meet the whole pack - that includes you."
I liked Neil Dudgeon so much better in this episode than I have. Hopefully this will continue. Wow, this show has been going a long time.
We don't find out the meaning of that scene until later in this intriguing mystery. Dr. Bullard tells Barnaby that the daughter of friends, Lucy Oliver, has gone missing. The parents are devastated. She joined a group called the Oblong Foundation and her weekly calls later stopped. They can't get any information.
Dr. Bullard has put in a good word with a dog sitter (his sister) for Barnaby and his wife, and one good turn deserves another. Barnaby sends Jones undercover to the Oblong Foundation. The Foundation is housed in the home of Ruth Lambert, a member of the foundation who is leasing them the house. Her parents died in a terrible boat explosion.
Barnaby ultimately decides that a secret loan made by Ruth's parents has something to do with the Lambert's deaths and possibly Lucy' disappearance.
This was a very intriguing episode, with Jones front and center as Cosmo Jones, a new inductee who attracts Ruth Lambert, still grieving for her parents. This makes Jones terribly uncomfortable.
There are some funny bits here, including Jones trying to hide and later use his cell phone, being stuck in the closet of one of the female organizers, and hearing what goes on in the "love rooms" of the group. And, of course, Barnaby's dog being auditioned by the picky dog sitter who is Bullard's sister. I loved when Barnaby tells his wife that the sitter "has to meet the whole pack - that includes you."
I liked Neil Dudgeon so much better in this episode than I have. Hopefully this will continue. Wow, this show has been going a long time.
Jones goes undercover
Dr Bullard's finale, beautiful actresses in this intriguing episode
Season 14's not all bad then
The bone found by Sykes (in answer to another review)
The coroner declared "a spare rib of pork, bbq" so it was addressed.
Promising
A memorable opening scene, an immediate murder under the cover of night and an opera song. Then we switch to the congenial Sykes the dog taking a scenic walk in the scenic village. This is Dr. Bullard's swan song and as such, he plays out his most prominent Midsomer role yet: brother to the town's dog whisperer. Actually he's on a mission to find a missing girl. I wish he could've played more prominenty in every episode. This one includes a cast of ecentric characters, all a bit wacky amid a setting of a self-improvement foundation, AKA a silly cult. DCI Barnaby has taken command and he is settling into the role. The new age clap trap is reminiscent of an early episode in the early seasons, except this time, Jones participating undercover makes it easier to sit through. Lovely Autumn atmosphere and manicured gardens move the viewing experience along nicely. Some subtle comic relief (poor Jones caught up in cringe-flirty "Free Love') helps as well. And actually it was actually more like poor Jones, being sexually harassed, "I won't take no for an answer tonight." And yes, Jason Hughes uncovers his rear end. That display and the plot was not very interesting to me, but still, the mystery was solved, and justice dished out. Farewell to our beloved Dr. George Bullard, taking a page from Tom's book, and retiring peacefully to fish his days away on holiday in Ireland. Loved his last words to John: "Tom was a tough act to follow. You're getting there." And rest in peace Barry Jackson, who died only two years later.
- ummajon2003
- Jun 12, 2021
- Permalink
A good Season 14 episode?
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 for reasons detailed in reviews for the previous Season 14 episodes. Season 14 on the most part was very disappointing, with "Echoes of the Dead" and "Night of the Stag" faring worst. "The Oblong Murders" however is one of few pleasant exceptions, with things that were major problems in the previous three episodes and since not being a problem here.
By all means "The Oblong Murders" is not one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes or a classic. It is true that the first early murder is incidental to everything else, to me too incidental. Totally get the reasons detailed in a previous review, but the investigation of this murder being completely neglected for most of the episode until later on didn't work. It just to me felt that it had been forgotten about, suddenly remembered and then attempts were made to compensate, the explanation was plausible enough but it just felt underdeveloped, because while it wasn't the main focus it was still important and wasn't treated so.
However, for Season 14 "The Oblong Murders" was a rare good episode and is easily one of the best John Barnaby-era episodes. For one thing, Jones and his undercover subplot features prominently and instead of being a dumbed-down dolt his charm and cheeky humour is back (meaning that Jason Hughes can actually do plenty with what he's given) and the subplot brings some welcome humour sorely missing since the show became uneven and stale. John Barnaby is more support here, but is less humourless and condescending here and functions more as a detective. Neil Dudgeon is more comfortable than he was before.
The story is silly in places, with a couple of credibility-straining moments but is more focused, very intriguing and easier to follow but also less obvious than the previous episodes, with a final solution that's actually clever and unexpected even if the motives are not exactly inspired. "The Oblong Murders" bids a sad farewell to Bullard, done well in the episode but the character will be sorely missed especially as his replacements have been nowhere near as great characters (especially the current one). Sykes as always steals every scene he's in.
Production values 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 theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. The script is better balanced and more interesting than most John Barnaby-era episodes.
Acting is very good with characters much better than the bland and pantomimic ones seen previously, Charity Wakefield and Barbara Flynn fare particularly well out of a strong female cast and all the leads are much better here.
In summary, surprisingly good if not one of the best. 8/10 Bethany Cox
After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same for reasons detailed in reviews for the previous Season 14 episodes. Season 14 on the most part was very disappointing, with "Echoes of the Dead" and "Night of the Stag" faring worst. "The Oblong Murders" however is one of few pleasant exceptions, with things that were major problems in the previous three episodes and since not being a problem here.
By all means "The Oblong Murders" is not one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes or a classic. It is true that the first early murder is incidental to everything else, to me too incidental. Totally get the reasons detailed in a previous review, but the investigation of this murder being completely neglected for most of the episode until later on didn't work. It just to me felt that it had been forgotten about, suddenly remembered and then attempts were made to compensate, the explanation was plausible enough but it just felt underdeveloped, because while it wasn't the main focus it was still important and wasn't treated so.
However, for Season 14 "The Oblong Murders" was a rare good episode and is easily one of the best John Barnaby-era episodes. For one thing, Jones and his undercover subplot features prominently and instead of being a dumbed-down dolt his charm and cheeky humour is back (meaning that Jason Hughes can actually do plenty with what he's given) and the subplot brings some welcome humour sorely missing since the show became uneven and stale. John Barnaby is more support here, but is less humourless and condescending here and functions more as a detective. Neil Dudgeon is more comfortable than he was before.
The story is silly in places, with a couple of credibility-straining moments but is more focused, very intriguing and easier to follow but also less obvious than the previous episodes, with a final solution that's actually clever and unexpected even if the motives are not exactly inspired. "The Oblong Murders" bids a sad farewell to Bullard, done well in the episode but the character will be sorely missed especially as his replacements have been nowhere near as great characters (especially the current one). Sykes as always steals every scene he's in.
Production values 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 theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. The script is better balanced and more interesting than most John Barnaby-era episodes.
Acting is very good with characters much better than the bland and pantomimic ones seen previously, Charity Wakefield and Barbara Flynn fare particularly well out of a strong female cast and all the leads are much better here.
In summary, surprisingly good if not one of the best. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 27, 2017
- Permalink
A solid episode!
A snooze
I think I found this one boring because the "leader" of the cult, played by Paul Hilton, was so nothing. Nothing charismatic at all, just sort of there, and I couldn't see any reason anyone would follow him anywhere. I don't know if that was because of the way he was written or the way the actor played him or both, but I watched the episode several times and just never thought anything at all about the character who was supposed to be a cult leader. It never made any sense.
The other characters had some presence at least, even Lucy who was scarcely there at all had more substance than Dominic, the cult leader.
The other characters had some presence at least, even Lucy who was scarcely there at all had more substance than Dominic, the cult leader.
- mlbroberts
- Oct 15, 2022
- Permalink
Too preposterous
All these beautiful women are going to abandon their lives to follow a wacky cult leader? This was beyond silly. Tough to watch straight through.
- vitoscotti
- Jun 14, 2021
- Permalink
The motivation for the murders makes no sense
- gregorysorg
- Jan 16, 2024
- Permalink
The Bone found by Sykes