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Midsomer Murders (British TV thread)
Janson
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So it's 4 am in the morning and I am bored of playing Mass Effect. Then it occurs to me that I really want to watch an episode of Midsomer Murders. But more than that, I'd like to tell you fine folks about it. Only I don't believe there are enough MM fans here to justify an entire thread, so if you wish to discuss other British TV shows here, that is also fine.
What is Midsomer Murders?
Midsomer Murders is a detective drama. It was originally based on a series of books by Caroline Graham. The TV show proved to be so popular, however, that it has grown far beyond the book series. In fact it is now in its 12th season, which is pretty amazing for a feature-length show (each episode is a full 100 minutes long).
The show is set in the fictitious county of Midsomer. It is a typical, idyllic English county, full of rustic villages and rolling green hills. It also has the most ridiculously high death rate; so ridiculous that even the characters in the show itself have been known to comment on it.
Who does it star?
The main character is DCI Tom Barnaby:
He's genial, forward-thinking, and he's exceptionally good at his job.
Over the 12 years the show has aired he has had a number of deputies, the first, and longest-serving, of whom was Sgt Gavin Troy:
In contrast to Barnaby Troy was a bit of a bigot, but he had a good heart and he was definitely the best deputy. He also had a crush on Barnaby's daughter, Cully:
That's Cully and her mother, Joyce Barnaby. They occasionally bring cases to Barnaby's attention, and have even helped solve them, albeit unintentionally. They're also the only other cast members guaranteed not to meet a sticky end.
Why does it work?
Don't ask me! Midsomer Murders manages to combine amiable and comfortable characters and settings with some of the most gruesome murders available. Not to mention that the motives behind those murders are usually very dark and murky, too. Heck, in the first episode of the show you have a selfish, incestuous brother-and-sister couple who murder just because they feel like it. There's even an episode where an eight-year-old girl kills her nanny in cold blood with a knife before tucking herself up in bed. (Don't worry, that's not a spoiler - it happens in the opening five minutes).
It's comfortingly formulaic without being too predictable or boring. Sometimes it is obvious who the murderer is but most of the time it's surprising. It's also fun to try and guess who the next victim will be, too. There's usually only one murder in the first hour, but then things get heated and by the end there's usually a body-count of four-five victims.
Guest stars! And writers!
Some of the best-known TV writers have contributed to the show. The first few were written by Anthony Horowitz; the author of several award-winning children's novels as well as the very popular drama Foyle's War and more than a few Poirot adaptations.
Midsomer Murders has also launched the careers of many stars, including Emily Mortimer (she was the incestuous sister) and Orlando Bloom (he was speared with a pitchfork, you'll be pleased to hear).
When it's not launching new careers, Midsomer Murders happily revives old ones. Each episode is a Who's who of veteran British TV and film actors.
Mostly Midsomer Murders is just so terribly British. If you ever wondered what life in the old country is like this show pretty much sums it up, that is, minus the body count.
Oh, and in case you are now inspired to watch this show (I hope a few of you are), the DVDs are readily available on Netflix.
Or, of course, you could watch something else. I think Mori and I are about to start watching Coupling and Peep Show. I hear good things about those two!
What is Midsomer Murders?
Midsomer Murders is a detective drama. It was originally based on a series of books by Caroline Graham. The TV show proved to be so popular, however, that it has grown far beyond the book series. In fact it is now in its 12th season, which is pretty amazing for a feature-length show (each episode is a full 100 minutes long).
The show is set in the fictitious county of Midsomer. It is a typical, idyllic English county, full of rustic villages and rolling green hills. It also has the most ridiculously high death rate; so ridiculous that even the characters in the show itself have been known to comment on it.
Who does it star?
The main character is DCI Tom Barnaby:
He's genial, forward-thinking, and he's exceptionally good at his job.
Over the 12 years the show has aired he has had a number of deputies, the first, and longest-serving, of whom was Sgt Gavin Troy:
In contrast to Barnaby Troy was a bit of a bigot, but he had a good heart and he was definitely the best deputy. He also had a crush on Barnaby's daughter, Cully:
That's Cully and her mother, Joyce Barnaby. They occasionally bring cases to Barnaby's attention, and have even helped solve them, albeit unintentionally. They're also the only other cast members guaranteed not to meet a sticky end.
Why does it work?
Don't ask me! Midsomer Murders manages to combine amiable and comfortable characters and settings with some of the most gruesome murders available. Not to mention that the motives behind those murders are usually very dark and murky, too. Heck, in the first episode of the show you have a selfish, incestuous brother-and-sister couple who murder just because they feel like it. There's even an episode where an eight-year-old girl kills her nanny in cold blood with a knife before tucking herself up in bed. (Don't worry, that's not a spoiler - it happens in the opening five minutes).
It's comfortingly formulaic without being too predictable or boring. Sometimes it is obvious who the murderer is but most of the time it's surprising. It's also fun to try and guess who the next victim will be, too. There's usually only one murder in the first hour, but then things get heated and by the end there's usually a body-count of four-five victims.
Guest stars! And writers!
Some of the best-known TV writers have contributed to the show. The first few were written by Anthony Horowitz; the author of several award-winning children's novels as well as the very popular drama Foyle's War and more than a few Poirot adaptations.
Midsomer Murders has also launched the careers of many stars, including Emily Mortimer (she was the incestuous sister) and Orlando Bloom (he was speared with a pitchfork, you'll be pleased to hear).
When it's not launching new careers, Midsomer Murders happily revives old ones. Each episode is a Who's who of veteran British TV and film actors.
Mostly Midsomer Murders is just so terribly British. If you ever wondered what life in the old country is like this show pretty much sums it up, that is, minus the body count.
Oh, and in case you are now inspired to watch this show (I hope a few of you are), the DVDs are readily available on Netflix.
Or, of course, you could watch something else. I think Mori and I are about to start watching Coupling and Peep Show. I hear good things about those two!
Janson on
0
Posts
Lots and lots.
It's one of those shows I watch with my folks ('cos they're addicted to crime drama). If I try to watch it on my own I feel like something is not quite right with the world.
Well the murder has taken place inside a cricket score booth!
(Troy was participating in the game).
It's a sunday evening after roast dinner type thing.
A guy got in his car and then was electrocuted or something
I think it was this, anyway the point is the image has never left my head whatever it was
oops
well maybe he doesn't
Looking Johnathan Creek up on Wikipedia led me to discover that apparently a special is airing on January 1 of next year!
Dear god that is a great show.
Do we have any other good things?
Father Ted: ...OK, one last time. These are small... but the ones out there are far away. Small... far away... ah forget it!
Father Ted is wonderful
cant remember what exactly had me thinking that though
probably because thats how it is
but i wouldnt mind watching some more next time i catch it on tv
anyway say goodbye to the show forever now that you are an american
Exactly!
blimey!
he didn't fight back because he was totally engrossed in that rousing game of cricket
i think it used to be on tv here and i think i used to think it looked boring but never watched any
until a couple of years ago when i went to new zealand and stayed at this one cool hostel for a few days where the nice owners and workers were fans of the show and occasionally one of them would randomly yell out one of the things the old guy says and then they all had to yell out the rest of them
so youd be sitting around chatting or whatever and suddenly from different parts of the hostel youd hear these guys yelling out "feck!", "arse!", "drink!", "gobshite!" and "girls!"
after that i looked into it
can you blame him?
Of course not, someone had just smacked in a four and he was joting down in his notebook about how that would affect Tim the batsmans stats, he might be trying out for county you know
I'm not sure how gruesome this episode will be - this may be a bad idea at 5 am.
It's starring Dan Scott instead of Troy.
Father Ted: Oh Feck!
Bishop Brennan: What?
Father Ted: [in French accent] Who ees thees? Zere is no Creely 'ere.
[Ted hangs up]
Father Ted: God almighty! I just said "feck" to Bishop Brennan!
Father Dougal: Oho! He won't like that!
Father Ted: It might be alright though. I disguised my voice so he'd think he dialled the wrong number.
[phone rings, Ted picks it up]
Father Ted: Ah, Bishop Brennan. I think you must have got the wrong number when you called there.
God, I wish Location Location Location was still on. I need my Kirstie Allsopp fix.
Father Ted: Hm? Oh, Miss Clarke, yes, it's very exciting isn't it? Famous novelist, here.
Mrs Doyle: You've never read any of her books, have you, father?
Father Ted: Actually, I'm a bit of a fan. That's where I was the other day - at her book signing.
Mrs Doyle: Well, I'm very surprised to hear that, father. I didn't think you'd like that sort of thing. I read a bit of one of them once. God, I couldn't finish it. The language, unbelievable!
Father Ted: It's a bit gritty, but that's the modern world, Mrs. Doyle.
Mrs Doyle: Ah, it's a bit much for me, father. "Feck" this and "feck" that.
Father Ted: [uncomfortable] Yes, Mrs. Doyle.
Mrs Doyle: "You big bastard". Oh, dreadful language! "You big hairy arse", "You big fecker". Fierce stuff! And of course, the f-word, father, the bad f-word, worse than "feck" - you know the one I mean.
Father Ted: [becoming exasperated] Yes, I do, Mrs. Doyle.
Mrs Doyle: "Eff you". "Eff your 'effin' wife". Oh, I don't know why they have to use language like that. "I'll stick this 'effin' pitchfork up your hole", oh, that was another one, oh, yes!
Father Ted: I see what you mean, Mrs. Doyle.
Mrs Doyle: "Bastard" this and "bastard" that, you can't move for the bastards in her novels! It's wall-to-wall bastards!
Father Ted: Is it, Mrs. Doyle?
[taking her arm and steering her out of the room]
Father Ted: Anyway...
Mrs Doyle: "You bastard!" You fecker!" "You bollocks!" "Get your bollocks out of my face!" It was terrible.
Father Ted: [finally gets her through the door and closes it] Yes, you go and prepare for the nuns.
Mrs Doyle: [from the next room] "Ride me sideways" was another one!
The First Meeting
Which reminds me - oh crap - the shipping company asked for a clearer scan of my passport page (the photo has a watermark on top of it which makes it tricky to see) otherwise they can't send me all my belongings.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kkiBNal5qHQ
Coupling was amazing...especially as it was before that guy did something about his eyebrows. I used to sit there and make Company of Wolves references about his monbrow. I do not think those watching it with me were amused, but I couldn't stop laughing!