Last Man Out

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....

This one features the most craziest and brutal killing. A cricketer-businessman gets walloped by cricket balls coming at him at full speed from a ball machine! Very inventive, and a good start to a standard episode, which is diverting enough, but it's more focused on the match fixing subplot led by former Assistant to Barnaby.

Winter and Barnaby investigate when Lower Pampling's star cricketer Leo Henderson is found dead after a match in the grounds, pummelled to death by cricket balls. Barnaby is surprised to see DS Jones undercover as one of Leo's team-mates, and his former colleague reveals he is working on suspected cases of match-fixing in the area, but things take an even more sinister turn when captain Fitz Theara is stabbed through the heart with a cricket stump.

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.

One of the best episodes in a little while. Very well written, a truly interesting story, boosted enormously by the return of Jones. There was something about this episode that had a very traditional feel, echos of Midsomer Murders from years gone by, even the music was excellent. It's been a while since we've had a Cricket themed episode, it fits so well with the beautiful village theme. The quality of this episode reminded me of Dead Man's eleven from the early years.

Winter has been developing really well, but even he seemed a little pale in comparison to Jones, not sure what it is about him, but he just has so much charisma. Particularly well acted by the supporting cast, Susan Jameson is fantastic, she rather steals the show. A brilliant ending, so fitting for an episode of this quality.

A truly high quality episode, lots of tension, a great story line, and great performances. Been a while since we've had one as good as this, 9/10

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.