Wild Harvest

The cross-relationships in this episode were so convoluted, that I got about an hour into it and started over, keeping notes the second time to keep track of who was who. Despite that, I really enjoyed this episode. The setting of the restaurant was a nice change, and I thought the acting was great. Although I really liked John Nettles' Barnaby, I have to say I like this new one just a little better. The same goes for Jones/Nelson. It seems like they are giving this new DS a little more to do than just be the bumbling contrast to the DCI.

The only thing I didn't like about this episode was the (again) rather flimsy motive for murder.

Wild Harvest is a good mystery, with a decent story, and some interesting characters, Chefs are always big characters, and Sharon Small plays the feisty Ruth Cameron well.

The killings are pretty grim, the first one is incredibly macabre, the poisoning is also pretty nasty, it does seem though that more people are concerned by the theft of the truffles, then any of the deaths.

I like the mystery, and the plots, but do find the solution a little bit of a stretch, although the final twist is good.

A good mystery for Barnaby and Nelson. 7/10

Plot was seriously over-complicated and made what should have been easy viewing a real slog. Not what we want from MM. We want interesting characters, light-hearted banter and a murderer caught.

The story begins with a Mr. Stickland being tied up and eaten by wild pigs...yes, pigs! It's a gruesome sort of murder but it turns out he was set out for the pigs...smeared in truffle oil to attract them! Who did it and why? And what has all this to do with the restaurant which is renting space from Strickland? And, how come more horrible things keep happening at the restaurant?

This is a very good episode of "Midsomer Murders"...with a very interesting story (even though I did guess the criminal and their motivation) and characters. Well worth seeing...and also quite weird as I never imagined owning a restaurant was THAT dangerous!

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 on the most part. Season 14 was a disappointment outside of "The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust", with "Echoes of the Dead" and "The Night of the Stag" being show low-points. Season 15 was inconsistent, being a case of starting promisingly and then took a three-episodes-in-a-row strange turn with "Written in the Stars" before finishing on a good note.

Season 16 got off to a very good start with "The Christmas Haunting", introducing us to Barnaby's new partner Nelson. "Let Us Prey", while not a terrible episode at all, was a disappointment and very problematic. Luckily Season 16 returns to form in its best episode yet "Wild Harvest".

Production values cannot be faulted as usual mostly, apart from some rather amateurish camera work at the start. It's mostly beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

With such a grim case, with one of the most brutal first murders of the entire show (the visuals and description are enough to make one squirm), "Wild Harvest" had the danger of being too heavy and serious as well as too dark, actually it was very nicely balanced with the amusing and quite charming subplot with Sykes, who is still adorable, gifted in comic timing and a definite scene stealer (actually much prefer him over Cully).

The story benefits from the intriguing setting of the culinary world, put to great use, and is neither simplistic, convoluted or padded. Nor is it too heavy or overly silly, like some John Barnaby-era episodes have been. Some of the themes are rather typical of 'Midsomer Murders' and have been done better elsewhere, but are not too predictable or obvious, just that it has been done with more spark or atmosphere. The identity of the murderer was a real surprise, even if the motive was more guessable.

Characters are closer to the colourful and eccentric characters than the bland and pantomimic ones, especially when compared to the cartoonish murderers of "Death in the Slow Lane" and "The Night of the Stag". Personality-less Kate is the sole exception. There are many suspects, without being too many, and very little felt inconsequential, excepting the slightly confused twist regarding the fate of Sharon Small's character which would have fared better as what it seemed to be.

Neil Dudgeon is much more comfortable than he was in the previous two seasons, though he continued to have uneven moments since "Wild Harvest". Gwilym Lee is settling in very nicely, he is likable and isn't a dumbed down idiot like Jones became and the chemistry between him and Barnaby sees a much better treatment of him from Barnaby. The supporting cast are all strong, with Sharon Small standing out, and it was great that Sarah is written with more development and charm and that her chemistry with Barnaby is here more loving and playful than the condescending and non-existent one it tends to be.

All in all, very good episode and one of the better ones of Season 16. 8/10 Bethany Cox