Plot: What’s it about?
The countryside of Midsomer County should be idyllic, a beautiful rural landscape that looks serene and uneventful. But as Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby (John Nettles) could tell you, things might seem peaceful, but darkness lurks even in this kind of scenic locale. The area is home to numerous villages, each with their own quirks and customs and when a crime occurs, Barnaby is dispatched to uncover the truth. Barnaby is a good detective who enjoys his profession, but he also has a good home life, with a loving wife and daughter in his life. When he is called to solve the crimes, he uses standard deductive reasoning and his years of experience to put together the pieces. But even in Midsomer County, the crimes can be complex and have roots that run deep, so even Barnaby has to dig around quite a bit to find answers. Can Barnaby solve another round of Midsomer’s darkest deeds, or will the evil remain hidden behind well kept hedges and gardens?
I’ve now seen quite a few episodes of Midsomer Murders, having worked through sets seven, eight, and nine, but I couldn’t wait to see more. In Set 6, I was pleased to see five mysteries included, instead of three or four, as in the other sets I’d seen. The more, the merrier, especially when the episodes are this good. This five disc release represents the complete sixth season, which was broadcast in 2003. As in all the episodes I’ve seen, John Nettles is the show’s foundation and he carries the show well, but he is joined by some impressive guest stars here. One that stood out to me was Honor Blackman, veteran of The Avengers and James Bond, so Nettles has some solid talent around him. These five episodes continue the Midsomer Murders tradition, which means interesting stories and some nice twists. I’d call Painting in Blood and A Talent For Life my favorites, but I enjoyed all five. Another great assortment of episodes, so I am pleased to recommend Midsomer Murders: Set Six.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The show looks excellent here, the lush visuals shine and I was quite impressed. The scenery looks terrific in this treatment, with rich greens and browns, while all hues look solid. The contrast is sharp, so black levels are accurate and no detail is lost. Speaking of detail, the print looks clean and the image has superb clarity, no real softness in the least. These episodes look fantastic, not much else I could say about the transfers.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio is rather basic, but all the needs of the material are covered. This is a dialogue driven show, so there isn’t much need for expansive presence or dynamic range. The elements sound clear and natural, from the music to the sound effects. The main element is dialogue and it sounds flawless, no volume or clarity issues to mention. Not the kind of soundtrack you’ll rave about, but it gets the job done and that is what matters.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes a map of Midsomer, a profile of author Caroline Graham, as well as profiles on prominent cast members.
