Last Man Out

"Last Man Out" is not a bad episode. However, like "Breaking the Chain" (episode 18.3), it's hard to imagine that a small and supposedly quiet county like Midsomer having semi-professional sports. In this one, there's a cricket league...complete with hot cheerleaders and pyrotechnics. In such a setting, this seems very silly...like they're running low on ideas.

Now, if you put this aside, it's a decent episode and gives you a chance to see DI Ben Jones (Barnaby's assistant in some prior seasons) return as the same character...though this time working undercover. He's investigating gamblers determining the outcome of matches...and he's trying to find the man in charge of this conspiracy. As for Barnaby, he's investigating a murder that appears linked to this cricket league...when yet another is killed. What's going on here and are the two deaths related to the gamblers?

As I said above, aside from the silliness of big-time gamblers throwing what are essentially minor league matches AND it being in Midsomer, the show is exciting and interesting. Not among the best but competently made.

I too think Midsomer is not quite as good as it used to be, but in the early series the show really featured some interesting, quirky roles that the English are known for. I always liked seeing some of the actors who had their own acting style like John Shrapnel with that interesting voice, Claire Bloom, George Baker, there was one older lady I liked in whatever I saw her in and she had her own style, her name was Thelma Barlow. Even the other supporting players were good like Ronan Vibert and Caroline Goodall both who can play such nasty characters. Most of the cast is too young and many of them lack the experience to have their own acting styles. I think if they went back to using older characters the show would be much more interesting.

Overall it's interesting and engaging. Jones's return is welcome, though he might be a bit old for a cricket player on a championship team, but that's not my biggest cringe with this episode. Cringe 1 - those awful cheerleaders - I actually look away when they're on. Cringe 2 - how in the world does a tree NOT grow and obscure cuttings made 20 years earlier in its bark? Cringe 3 - the female actors were cringeworthy because they really weren't very good (Germaine was more wooden than the tree). OK, maybe the return of Jones is the only good reason for this episode....

Yes Captain Jack turns out to be the much loved Ben Jones. It was great to see him again and Barnaby's reaction to him. The cricket angle was lost on me because I really don't understand the traditional game of cricket much less this bizarre version. Seeing Dallas style cheerleaders and other modern stuff in the village was funny.

I usually do not enjoy the sport themed ones, and the only reason I liked this one was you guessed it, JONES JONES JONES! But other than that, it was a loser. Hammy actors, obnoxious cheerleader atmosphere, boring plot, shallow writing, and just not charming enough. Zero likable characters. Especially unpleasant was Parth Thakerera as Fitz. He was just "not charming enough" as well. Wish Jones had returned to a much better episode, points for him alone. Ok, a few credits to John Bird (St. John) and Susan Jameson (Germaine). Funny bit at the end with Jones and Winter sharing complaints about John won me over.