A Climate of Death

And I don't mean this in a positive way. This episode is just ridiculous. The characters are flat and one-dimensional. The plot is just dumb. The ending a huge yawn. There is no real suspense. The inspectors walk around talking to this person and that one until Barnaby figures it out. There's not a shred of real drama.

This entire season has been a huge disappointment. I have loved this show for years and was so excited for the new series to begin. But none of the episodes have any real drama, not the way they used to have. The plots used to be complex and highly intricate. The characters had substance and I never yawned at the end because there was excitement and suspense, mood and ambience. All of that is missing. Bring back writers and directors who understand what this show is supposed to be.

I've watched every episode of MM and earlier seasons numerous times. This is definitely the weakest season. And this episode is the worst. It's no fault of the main cast. They all acted the parts they were given very well. Throughout the season, Sarah is used sparsely and Betty awkwardly. The plots are weak and not clever anymore. This episode's bizarre eco-facist takeover of a town was just stupid. How can a pub owner control a town to the point of forcing people's lights off at 7 and rationing their toilet paper when they've been naughty and used electricity? The spying and harassing and opening people's packages should have gotten them charged. People lose their businesses because of it. One woman has to basically make an OF to survive. People can't make or receive their own deliveries. But it's all touted as the perfect solution. The only sympathetic character (who isn't for the eco-fasicm) is killed. And then there's the absolutely clownish caricature of an American. It was embarrassing. Not for Americans, but for the Brit that wrote that nonsense. Beyond cringe from start to finish. So sad.

I don't understand other reviewers and viewers having to put down a classic good episode, so much and so often.

This episode is a great whodunnit with great guest stars. Nathaniel Parker - Inspector Lynley himself. And Julie Graham who's in every thing. She's the Michael Caine of British Crime mysteries!

A great variety of characters who all look not suspicious and innocent - which exactly how it should be. A lot of the classic roads in many directions. All something to do with a combination of a green village and climate change and good old history and historic papers of ownership. Missing persons all why? And foot fetiches mixed in for good measure. It reminds me of some of my other favourite episodes that had similar themes. But that doesn't make it tired it makes it a thrilling return to form.

For once, all the overacting was done on purpose. And under the lighthearted, colorful surface there is a solid plot, and good acting.

This was a very satisfying mystery. There were secrets to be uncovered, red herrings to avoid, and nobody was who they said they were. It felt at times like there might be too many balls in the air, but by the end of the episoede everything and everyone was accounted for, all ends were tied in a bow and everything made perfect sense. I love that.

The acting was truly great. It takes good actors to take silly and funny and not turn it into clownish and ridiculous. Corey Johnson really sells the colourfully American Mr Rooster, while Eve Austin is masterful in showing us the cracks in her character's influencer façade. Melissa Johns and Nathaniel Parker shine particularly in the final reveal, but they are great throughout, as is everybody else.

The only bit of weirness was... the chilli pepper shenanigans with Winter and Barnaby? Not sure they were really necessary, and made me cringe a little bit. In my humble opinion, ending the episode by giving a conclusion to Sarah's health spree might have been more appropriate, but I have a weak spot for Winter and his long-suffering looks and eye-rolls, so as long as he's there I'll take almost anything.

Barnaby and Winter investigate murder in a green village in A Climate of Death in season 24, episode 4 of Midsomer Murders.

Goodman's Land is a village dedicated to the reversal of climate change. It's run by the Havergals, Brian and Dixie (Nathaniel Parker and Julie Graham). They enforce strict rules; their daughter Harper (Eve Austin) is a social media influencer.

The lease on the land is running out, but no one can figure out who had the original lease. The town and land have bern purchased by a Texas oilman Rooster Johnson (Corey Johnson).

One of the residents, Liam Tarleton (Nigel Betts) has been taking rubbings of cemetery stones and doing research to see if he can identify the original owner. However, he and his son are both murdered.

In the midst of this, Sara (Fiona Dolman) is on a health kick and giving Barnaby green juice, and he's counting his steps. And the town is having a chili pepper contest. How hot can you go?

Several reviewers feel with this episode that MM has jumped the shark. I thought it was played for comedy, and I enjoyed it. Several characters were not what they seemed, nor were their agendas. There's a lot going on, but it ties together at the end.