Midsomer Murders - Murder On St Malley's Day [DVD]

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There are times as well when the story gets too naive or childish with the very convenient glove/clue at the door and with leaving a potential witness to a murder alive... Barnaby talks to Mr Charlie Meynell. He is walking across the grass. Barnaby notices the cufflinks he is wearing. Charlie denies that he ever said he hated the Pudding Club. He denies that he said Daniel wanted to leave the Pudding Club. He also denies mentioning a row between Daniel and Marcus Heywood the night before the race. Dudley tells Barnaby that the Pudding Club is all about money. The acquisition of wealth. That's the true purpose of the Pudding Club. Diplomats enjoy many privileges- Immunity, freedom of movement, diplomatic bag. Sir Walter's health had been deteriorating and with it his influence over the school. And a struggle for control of the Pudding Club has been raging. Archie Bellingham was a victim of that struggle. As was poor Daniel. Then, when Dudley finds out that Barnaby was at the race, he says he can't trust him anymore and tells him to leave.

Barnaby and Troy go to the pub and can hear the pudding club boys celebrating Charlie's admission to the pudding club upstairs. The next day boys from the school are romping around and swimming in the lake. Suddenly, a dead body pops up from the water. ( Thunder peels)

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The story, with the odd spot of suitable grimness and creepiness (like with the second murder that had an eerie build-up), is hugely compelling, and never simplistic and never losing any of the maturity of most of the previous episodes. There is a lot going on mostly without being cluttered or rushed (remarkable for an episode that as ever is heavy in exposition), and that nothing is what it seems, or very few people are who they seem adds to the complexity, while there are no out of kilter scenes. The twists, red herrings and turns keep coming, and rarely in an obvious or press-the-rewind button. The characters are colourful, eccentric and not what they seem.

Midsomer murders" has been one of my most beloved shows for few years now, but the series was definitely at its strongest in the Tom Barnaby era. The 5th season belongs to one of the better ones of the show with "Market for murder for me being solid if not great, "A worm in the bud" very entertaining and "Ring out your dead" quite impressive. "Murder on St. Malley's day" ends that season in a pretty high note. At the lake, Barnaby and Troy examine the body. There are Pudding Club cufflinks. It's the missing diplomat. He must've been dead over a week. He has a massive blow to the head. Similar to Dudley Carew. The Devington school has a long history of educating the privileged members of society and many have gone on to illustrious careers, such as in the Diplomatic Service. The Talbot family in particular has a long association with the school with three generations having attended. Barnaby and Troy investigate when there is a murder at the school. They find ongoing feuds between the school and villagers, a conspiracy theorist who thinks the school is the centre of criminal activity, students who are having drinking parties at the local pub, and the ongoing affairs of the school's secretive Pudding Club. The discovery of a long-held school secret leads to the discovery of the murderer. The motive for the killings are agreed on the far-fetched side. Wished they would have been a lot stronger for a good case like this.There is an echo of a teacher scolding.. " Don't run in the corridor, boy. Why aren't you in lessons, boy?" Brotherhood of Funny Hats: The Pudding Club is an exclusive club restricted to Devington students who are pursuing careers in diplomacy. On the surface, it's just a "boy's club" that regularly eats "puddings". note In the British sense of the term, which means anything from pies to desserts. In reality, it's a front for an illegal art-smuggling ring, with the members using their positions to smuggle valuables out of foreign countries and into the school proper, to be sold off to finance the school whenever it needs the money. Come on, Marcus. Don't be a bad loser," says Charlie. Marcus says, "Sorry, what have I lost?" Charlie replies, "Now that Daniel's gone, I'm the one. You thought you'd get the scholarship, but I'm afraid it's going to be me now. Anthony Talbot's as good as told me." Marcus says, "You're wrong. And take your hands off my sister." Charlie says, "Actually, I rather think she's got her hands on me." Marcus and Charlie start fighting. Sometime later, Julia puts flowers on Daniel's grave. Miranda sees her. "Don't go. You were Daniel's friend, weren't you? I'm pleased to meet you at last. What's your name?" Julia says, "Julia. I'd better go." Miranda says, "You don't have to. Stay for a bit." Julia says, "Alright." John Nettles manages to bring warmth to Barnaby despite the severity of his questioning and the seriousness of the case.

Two more murders follow as Barnaby and Troy dig to find out what all these people are hiding, who met Daniel and killed him while he was racing, why did he wander off his route during the race, and why is everyone in the Pudding Club so uptight? Very good mystery with an unexpected ending, one of the better ones in the series. These stories tend to be complicated and require one to focus - it's not easy, mindless entertainment, and I like that about them. For some reason, I've always been partial to Barnaby's first partner, Troy, and it's easy to see why in this episode. He's delightful and very attractive.

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Barnaby says, "Marcus Heywood and Charlie Meynell have been giving us the runaround since the very beginning, haven't they?" Troy receives the forensic report. There are traces of cleaning fluid on the roller and Carew's clothing. They can release Paul Starkey then. Troy says he knows where Charlie Meynell and Marcus Heywood will be tonight.

The Devington school has a long history of educating the privileged members of society and many have gone on to illustrious careers, such as in the Diplomatic Service. The Talbot family in particular has a long association with the school with three generations having attended. When Daniel Talbot is killed during the St. Malley's Day race, the same day as his elderly grandfather died of natural causes, Barnaby and Troy investigate. They find ongoing feuds between the school and villagers, a conspiracy theorist who thinks the school is the centre of criminal activity, students who are having drinking parties at the local pub, and the ongoing affairs of the school's secretive Pudding Club. The discovery of a long-held school secret leads to the discovery of the murderer. At night, the pudding club boys go to Charlie's room and carry him to the pudding club room. Anthony Talbot says, "Gentlemen! If I may have your attention, please, for one moment. The police have arrested the man who killed my son, Daniel. He's a villager. But that doesn't mean it's over. Outsiders will see this as an opportunity to snoop and pry into the affairs of the school. But you must remember that your first loyalty is to the Pudding Club. Always. Loyalty is our greatest strength." He looks at Charlie. "Carry on, gentlemen." The pudding club boys start tapping their spoons on the table. Anthony Talbot leaves, but Marcus follows him. "There's something you really ought to know about Paul Starkey, sir. It's about him and Daniel." The story of this episode is very compelling, filled with many twists and turns. Agree that "Murder on St. Malley's day"'s a exposition heavy murder mystery, so lots of patience- focus is needed when watching, but it doesn't hurt the narrative a bit. Conspiracy Theorist: Dudley Carew, who believes that there's a secret and sinister purpose behind the Pudding Club at the Devington School, claiming they're an Illuminati-esque group responsible for murder and mayhem on a global scale. Barnaby tells Troy to ask Paul about Arabella Heywood, Marcus Heywood's sister. Ask whether he knows her and how well, but don't make a big thing of it.

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The police carry the statues and treasures out of the school. Barnaby says, "Charlie Meynell was right. The Pudding Club. He said they were like kids in a gang. In the end it wasn't about money, it was about who was in and who was out. Who was the leader. Who was top dog." Troy shakes his head. He says, "School. Supposed to be the happiest days of your life." Barnaby says, "That's what they say, Troy." Troy says, "I never did get that." They see the sign saying "Keep Off the Grass." They walk on the grass... Barnaby and Troy go to the Chalk and Gown pub. Mrs. Bosworth is there with Martin Fulmer, who is in charge of sports at the school. Troy notices the knives at the bar- the same as the knife that stabbed Daniel Talbot. Barnaby and Troy ask to speak to Paul, but his father says he is not there. As they leave the pub, Paul drives up on his motorbike. As always, the production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice humour and colourful characters, the role of The Pudding Club is incredibly intriguing here. Nothing felt inconsequential, everything had a point, everything intrigued and any loose ends were tied together nicely. Later Barnaby shows Troy the card. He thinks Arabella Heywood did not write the card. It's the wrong handwriting. He doesn't think she ever went out with Daniel at all. Barnaby tells Troy to go to the school, drop in on Mrs Bosworth, and talk to Dave Winch. See if he really left a message for Paul Starkey at the pub.