Episode #3.2

This was a slight mystery which ostensibly examines racism in the 1950s but so often gets sidetracked by the soap opera arcs. Geordie cheating on his wife and Sidney's relationship with Amanda which the Archdeacon has now noticed along with most of the townsfolk.

Peter Davison guest stars and once again dons a period cricketer's costume. He plays the local solicitor and cricket club secretary Geoffrey Towler an undisguised racist. Zafar Ali, a recent arrival from Pakistan and who plays cricket for the club is carrying on with his daughter behind his back.

During a cricket match, most of the men seemed to have some sort of arsenic type poisoning. Zafar is found dead by his brother Munir who blames Geoffrey Towler for Zafar's poisoning.

I think the episode might had worked better if they actually played down the racism of Geoffrey Towler. As it is you could guess that Geoffrey could not be the culprit as he was made to be so vile. (Ironic as Davison himself is of mixed race heritage.)

This episode isn't worthy of the series. It began as good mysteries with interesting characters and has devolved into a terrible soap opera. Oh my life sucks....who needs that kind of message?

Following a "friendly" cricket match, just about everyone becomes incredibly ill. There has also been a confrontation between a local big shot and a young man of Indian descent. Everyone recovers except for the aforementioned young man. He lives with his brother and apparently something happened during the night. It turns out there is serious prejudice against these young men (racism) and when it is discovered he had been having a relationship with a young woman. Her father is the big shot. Meanwhile, Sidney's connection to the woman who is divorcing her husband is beginning to cause all kinds of commotion. And, Geordie is also sewing wild oats with the pretty woman from his office. Sidney comes to realize that there are things that he must do himself to settle down the community. The case itself also produces some real surprises. This is a good series although at times Sidney pushes the envelope.

During a cricket match, everyone, including the vicar's dog, becomes violently ill. Apparently the culprit is the beer (some was spilled so the dog had some sips). The next day, one of the people who became ill, Zafar Ali, a Pakistani, is found dead. It turns out he had more poison in his system than anyone else.

Zafar was carrying on a secret affair with the daughter of the club secretary, Geoffrey Towler (Peter Davison), a racist. Zafar's older brother Munir believes he killed Zafar. Annie thinks her father did it too. And then there's Annie's secret admirer.

As far as Sidney and Geordie, they're both having difficulties. Geordie (Robson Green) has resumed his affair with Margaret, his secretary. Sidney confronts him about it, only to have his relationship with Amanda thrown back in his face. The archdeacon is making noises about it, too.

Excellent episode with a good mystery, and an episode which leaves us wondering what's going to happen to both Geordie's and Sidney's relationships. Robson not so long ago was a hunk like Norton (he still is as far as I'm concerned) so it's nice to see him in the clinch, and Norton is really showing his romantic side (and his bare chest). Loving it.

If you're not familiar with the younger Robson Green, I suggest "Reckless," the series "Wire and the Blood," and the TV movie "Me and Mrs. Jones."

Others have made cogent comments about this episode which I enjoyed. I thought the mystery of who poisoned and why wrapped around the several No-No/awkward relationships and the judgements about them was well done.

My main comment, though, is about the music during the cricket match. It's almost the same as the music played in the Downton Abbey cricket-match episode in season three. Music composer for both episodes is John Lunn.