planktonrules

The original "All Creatures" from the 1980s was a magnificent show...one of the best British TV shows I've ever seen. Despite seemingly 'normal' characters and everyday situations, you couldn't help but care about the vets and their families in this show.

"You've Got to Dream" is the first episode of the new series. It begins with James in Glasgow...preparing to travel to barren Yorkshire for a job interview. The man he'll work for, Ziegfried Farnham, is an odd man...and the pay isn't great. And, James is tossed into the job without any sort of honeymoon period. But it IS during the Great Depression and James is thrilled to have a job as well as working with animals in the district.

As you'd expect, the acting and sets are first-rate and I can only hope subsequent episodes are this good! Well worth seeing.

It's pretty easy to guess who the murder victim will be in this installment of "Midsomer Murders". After all, the guy seems to try hard to irritate everyone in the village and he even invites a group of Travelers (a British term for the Romani or Gypsies) to stay for free on his land. Again and again, he just seems like a petty jerk and when he's killed, no one is surprised. But unlike most murders, it's difficult to figure out who did it when everyone wanted to kill the guy! In addition to this, the DCI's wife has put him on a diet...a health kick to get him to lose a few pounds...and he finds it very difficult...especially since she seems to be a god-awful cook!

This is a very typical and 'normal' installment for the series...enjoyable and easy viewing. Believable? Not really...but the idea of so many brutal murders in tiny Midsomer is just something you need to accept for yourself.

J. Neil GIbson is a man who is used to having his way. After all, he's a super-rich American who can buy and sell practically anyone! So, when he comes to see Holmes about taking a case, he is not surprisingly, haughty and demanding...and Holmes won't have any part of this and tells him he won't take the case! Gibson seemed nearly apoplectic...but has no choice but to leave.

Later, Watson convinces Holmes to look into the case. After all, the person accused of the crime ISN'T Gibson but his childrens' governess. But the particulars of the case sure make it seem as if she shot and killed Mrs. Gibson and try as he might, Holmes can't get past this...until he remembers the chipped railing on the bridge. What does this mean? See the show.

This is a very good mystery and despite Gibson being about as likable as a putrifying scab, the story works very well. One of the better mysteries.