Not in My Back Yard

I thought this was a good Midsomer Murders, with some slimy characters.

In the village of Great Pelfe, conservationists are fighting a proposed development there, feeling it will destroy the integrity of the village. Some say it's a scam and will never be built; it will be proved too expensive and then the project will be bought out by a shopping mall development - which is a common way to get a mall into a village.

Maureen Stubbs is one of the most vocal opponents, and doesn't mind calling people names in public. She is found dead not long after the episode begins.

There are two more murders, the next two absolutely dreadful, as Barnaby and Jones hone in on the killer, knowing it has to do with this development and the fight going on in the village. Before it's over, they will discover a traitor to the conservationist cause, a lot of sleeping around, and someone who doesn't mind doing whatever has to be done to get a desired goal - including gruesome murders.

This one pulls out all the stops for ugly murders and a couple of loathsome characters and keeps one interested. The only problem I had was with the way Barnaby asked the questions. He sounded really sly and as if he doubted everything the person answered before he answered. It was a little strange.

A solid episode.

This episode is about average (which isn't so bad), but it dredges up another plot that has been done before: that of a group of protesters wanting to keep the status quo and engaging in near-terrorist tactics. Anyway, at the bottom of this one is the fact that there are agendas there that lie beneath the surface. Two men are running for office. One is big on development and progress, while the other sees such things as destructive to the village. He begins to engage in an effort to discredit those who oppose him, engaging in illegal activities. The weaknesses here. For one, we have a ludicrous murder committed as a man gets stuck in a sliding door and strangled. How fortuitous and how ludicrous. Also, Barnaby keeps looking the other way. Slanderous accusations are made without any proof. Yet the townspeople fall for it. Let's get real.

As has been said by me a number of times, 'Midsomer Murders' is one of my most watched and most re-watched shows. It is nowhere near as good now and the Tom Barnaby-era wasn't alien to average or less episodes, but when it was on form or at its best boy was it good.

"Not in My Back Yard" is not classic 'Midsomer Murders', like the best of Seasons 1-9 and "Master Class" from the same season. It is though one of the better faring episodes of Season 13, not as good as "Master Class" but nowhere near embarrassment levels like "The Made-to-Measure Murders" and "Blood on the Saddle". A decent 'Midsomer Murders' episode that falls short of being great.

Starting with the good things, the production values as always are just great, 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.

Writing provokes a lot of thought mostly, and has a healthy balance of the humorous and the darkly twisted. Love the chemistry between Barnaby and Jones and how property development and politics is explored in a sinister way. The murders are among the most imaginative and memorable of Seasons 10-13 (when the show became more uneven and showing signs of becoming stale), especially the malfunctioning electronic door one. Some nice twists and turns along the way and intriguing subplots too.

John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together (their chemistry, and the chemistry with Daniel Casey and John Hopkins before Hughes, being a huge part of their episodes' charm).

At the same time, "Not in My Back Yard" is slightly routine with ideas that are familiar to 'Midsomer Murders' and have been done with more impact. Parts could have been elaborated upon a little more, such as the motives for the killings and especially the methods. Barnaby seemed out of character, being too sly and un-trusting and then making un-provable accusations.

In summary, decent episode that falls short of being great. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Love all these shows.....they are so good.......much better than the old car and gun junk shows.....

Barnaby and Jones get involved in a case of political unrest, with two sides at odds over a proposed development site. Things take a darker turn as people concerned start popping off in grizzly ways.

You wouldn't say this is the most original story, one that's been done several times, but that's disguised by the character driven feel of it. Linda Marlowe's Fiona is a great character, so flirtatious and debauched. Hugo Speer and Peter Egan give good solid performances too.

Some rather good moments of menace, the doorway murder is rather grizzly, as is the moment when you see Liz stalked by a masked figure, straight out of a thriller.

All in all despite being slightly formulaic, it's very enjoyable, the concept of poison by Irukandji Jellyfish is very interesting, it's a fantastically deadly animal worth checking out.