Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Forgotten TV: MIDSOMER MURDERS: "Writtten in Blood"
This episode is from 1998 and quite entertaining. I haven't seen many of these because they put Phil to sleep but I enjoyed this one a lot. A writer's group invites a famous author to visit. One of the group seems threatened by his visit. I never could have guessed why. The scream from the housekeeper at the start is perhaps the longest one I've ever heard.
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I love the Midsommer Murders (or "Midders" as we refer to them in our house). The original mysteries (I think she wrote seven) by Caroline Graham are very good. WRITTEN IN BLOOD is especially close to my heart because it was the mystery that got me reading modern mysteries. I'd read all the Golden Age writers, but none of the new ones. Then, during Thanksgiving 1996, my m-i-l gave me a copy of WIB and I devoured it. Btw, the book differs somewhat from the show--and in the series as a whole the character of Troy is completely different.
--Deb
Oh, I liked this one very much, Patti. Thanks for the reminder.
I've picked up some DVD sets of Midsommer Murders. I'll have to check to see if one of them includes this "Written in Blood" episode.
I believe at least some of the series are available on Netflix. We've watched a few Series 11 episodes (including the one where his daughter finally gets married) on PBS down here and thought we'd go back to the earlier ones when we get home. Of course, before MIDSOMER, John Nettles had starred in the long-running BERGERAC, few of which episodes ever played in the New York area.
Incidentally, "Written in Blood" (based on the novel) was the second-ever episode, in a series now at #116.
Yeah, I saw that. I have one seen perhaps a dozen if that many. Most were a bit too cozy for me. But this one stood out. I lean more toward Happy Valley.
I’ve seen this one, Patti. Last fall, I watched quite a few episodes. Their calm, quiet, orderliness helped me get through our raucous election season.
Maybe I do need to watch more!
Agree on HAPPY VALLEY. Good show.
Don't believe I've heard of this.
I love this series. Have read all of Caroline Graham's Inspector Barnaby books, and they were just as good when I reread some recently. I will agree that the first few episodes of Midsomer Murders that were based on the books were the best, but I enjoy them all, and we have been rewatching them. My husband falls asleep watching them, but he likes them too, when he can stay awake. We also like darker, more realistic TV shows, but I think the longer running time gives the space for more development of a story.
I am going to have to try Happy Valley.
THe first episode of Happy Valley is a bit upsetting. After that one though, the ugh factor drops. Hard to believe the same actor that plays the villain here plays the minister in Grantchester.
I just think Sarah Lancashire must have really enjoyed going from her role in LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX to the much grittier role in HAPPY VALLEY. She's really excellent.
Her range is vast.
I like MIDSOMER MURDERS, but only the early ones with the original casting - the original 'Troy'. I never could get with the casting changes introduced later.
My favorite thing about them are the settings. LOVE all those scenes of 'village life'. But who knew that English villages were so full of murder and chicanery? :)
Like most series it went on too long.
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