Midsomer Murders (TV Series) Painted in Blood (2003) User Reviews

A quality episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 27 September 2018]

It's no wonder that Painted in Blood is so highly regarded, it really does have it all, it has mystery, charm, suspense, intrigue, and very fefindefin humour.

The story is excellent, it's so clever, and multi layered, so much going on, crimes past and present. So many people up to something dodgy, it holds your attention. Every character plays their part, and adds something, Barbara Durkin is fabulous as the suspicious blonde, Clive Merrison is wonderful as the troubled bank manager, and Leslie Phillips adds his charisma, charm and bags of laughs.

I love the scenes in the vault, and it amuses me that Joyce is once again in the thick of it.

Quality, 9/10

Charming and Funny

[zboston3 · 8/10 · 2 July 2010]

This episode is a bit different from the usual MM in that the body count is pretty low, but it makes up for that in its charm, its humor, and its neat twists.

Joyce in her never ending pursuit of culture is part of a watercolor painting group when much to her dismay she discovers a body on the village green.

From there on the plot involves a dotty and lecherous old colonel, a "handsome" long legged bird, a paranoid husband, and a murder that is more than it seems.

When Barnaby is shoved off the case by an elite squad, he in typical fashion keeps on investigating around the edges and soon uncovers some very hinky goings on. It all comes together in a gathering of suspects in a bank vault with millions in quid and one gun packing robber.

All in all this was a pleasant afternoon in Midsomer Flory.

Joyce's painting class is disrupted

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 1 September 2014]

Joyce Barnaby is taking painting classes in Midsomer Florey. She finds that not all of her fellow students are friendly. By mistake, she ha taken the spot of the elderly Miss Fairfax, and poor Joyce has to move out of her way.

Then the rude Miss Fairfax is found murdered, and Barnaby and Troy are brought in. Turns out that Miss Fairfax wasn't old at all, she was just made up to look that way. She's actually in her thirties.

Barnaby is removed from the case and replaced by someone from the National Intelligence Team who is never around. His underlings don't know which end is up, and Barnaby is frustrated, especially since the thrilled Troy is working with them.

I thought this was an amusing episode. I happen to like it when the characters are featured, rather than just having them solve a murder.

This episode is a little bit different from the usual, but good and watchable.

Quality episode

[Schweizer85 · 18 December 2020]

This episode stands out for me as one of the very best Troy episodes. In contrast to other episodes the body count is low, but that doesn't detract from the excellent plot, which, again, is quite a significant contrast from other episodes in the early series. Some excellent performances and filmed in the most amazing locations, well worth a watch.

One of my favorite episodes

[wjspears · 10/10 · 22 October 2020]

This was, first, an intriguing episode of mystery. Who killed the amateur artist, Ruth Fairfax in broad daylight? And why would you do such a risky thing?

The show does a wonderful job of incorporating the always sweet, and welcome Joyce Barnaby (Jane Wymark) into this mystery, as another amateur artist around at the time of the murder.

But what, for me, sent this episode to soaring heights, was the sub-plot of our hero, DCI Barnaby being sidelined from investigation by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Barnaby's reactions at being removed, first surprise, then suspicion, annoyance, and finally the typical Barnaby patience were wonderfully played by John Nettles .

The two self-important, and obnoxious NIS detectives, were brilliantly played by Nigel Lindsay and Andrew Lancel.

As usual, the witnesses and suspects (who, as usual, are interchangeable) were fun to watch and try to figure out their motivations,

When Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby's partner, Sgt. Gavin Troy, remarks at the end of the episode, that he wishes all their arrests were as enjoyable as this one was--I heartily agreed!

Flat-footed country coppers 1 NIS 0

[boxyfella · 10/10 · 25 October 2021]

I love this episode. It's so different it's an absolute gem. There are good performances all round from the guest actors and in particular, Leslie Phillips who is delightful. The chemistry between Barnaby and Troy is superb, as it is between Tom and Joyce, who once again becomes embroiled in murder due to one of her hobbies. The real fun of this episode though is seeing how the 'flat-footed country coppers' get the better of the NIS squad.

The Jewel in the Crown...

[evehands · 9/10 · 12 September 2020]

...or perhaps, the shiniest brass badge of the fictional Midsomer constabulary!?

Every long-running TV series has one episode which is better than the rest, and in the case of Midsomer Murders, this is the one. A perfect balance of understated English comedy combined with mystery and deftly depicted character interactions, directed with wit and without the heavy handedness that marrs many Midsomer episodes. Only ONE (non-gory!)murder was a most refreshing change from the same-old same-old. Bad guys got come-uppances and there were consolation prizes for the Downtrodden, while the lecherous Busy-body played by veteran thespian Trevor Eve got nothing but bragging rights. Too fun! Every minute was enjoyable (but will sadly spoil the handful of episodes I haven't yet seen, by comparison...)

One of the best episodes period!

[harrykivi · 9/10 · 13 October 2017]

Painted in blood is written by Andrew Payne. This episode has all what midsomer murders needs. It's funny, grisly, well written characters. AND one of the better written sideplots. Solution is good as well.

But there's only one murder in this one, what slows things down.

Final verdict 9/10-great episode, all ruined by small body count.

Snatch

[judgefleming · 7/10 · 30 March 2019]

As a bank employee, it was extremely interesting for me to observe work in a small provincial office. In addition, the episode is funny because Tom Barnaby was removed from the case. What is important, here's just one murder, but it's very! Also a great advantage is the presence in the cast of Leslie Phillips as the lustful old man Godfrey Teal. All his scenes with Barbara Durkin as Linda Tyrell are amazing anti-chemistry. True, later he will not mind the threesome.

In general, the big score is at stake. And there are lot of people who want to get a tasty morsel. But Barnaby is not fooled. He has built a clever enough scheme to expose the killer. Very sorry about the head of the bank branch who 4 years kepts a huge amount of money. But his work was not in vain, 'cause the happiness is not in money. And in their quantity and ... in antique furniture!

Different but interesting and well worth watching

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 16 January 2017]

"Painted in Blood" is somewhat of a departure from the 'Midsomer Murders' norm. The body count is low and when it comes to grimness it's pretty tame compared to most 'Midsomer Murders' episodes.

This said, it is still an interesting episode and more than worth watching. It is agreed that more time could have been devoted to the mystery/murder aspect of the story, because while still very intriguing and well done it didn't feature enough. The pacing could have tightened up a little too in places.

However, 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 occasional 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 often with some lovely quirky humour and bags of charm.

A vast majority of the story is incredibly compelling, and never simplistic. There is a lot going on mostly without being cluttered or rushed (remarkable for an episode that as ever is heavy in exposition), while the twists, turns and red herrings keep coming.

John Nettles as always is a joy as Barnaby, with Daniel Casey contrasting him with ease. Jane Wymark brings a good deal of charm to the episode too, and her painting class subplot was a nice idea done well. Of the uniformly fine supporting cast, Leslie Phillips, Matthew Marsh and Andrew Lancel are the ones most familiar to me and all three acquit themselves very well.

In conclusion, not one of my favourite 'Midsomer Murders' episodes but even when different it had a lot of intrigue and it is still a good episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Joyce Takes Up Painting

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 1 March 2016]

This episode involves a couple who are up to something having to do with a secure place in the bank where huge amounts of money are kept. The conspirators' efforts are compromised when a couple of punks on motorcycles steal the lady's purse, punch her in the head, and take off. The document in the purse is the receipt for the safe where the money is kept. Joyce gets into the act this time when she takes a painting class and meet the woman who ends up murdered. Another interesting feature of this story is the Barnaby is taken off the case because of a conflict of interest (his wife finding the murder victim). Troy, however, stays with a couple of hotshot detectives who treat him like Barney Fife. Of course, our intrepid detective continues to investigate, despite being told not to. It gets interesting. There is a subplot where the bank is being closed to make way for a restaurant. Average offering.

Not Midsomers finest mystery.

[poolandrews · 6/10 · 1 June 2007]

Midsomer Murders: Painted in Blood starts like any other for Joyce Barnaby (Jane Wymark) who travels to the small English village of Midsomer Florey where she is going to try her hand at oil painting in an amateur group, but her day takes a sinister turn when she meets the very rude Ruth Fairfax (Anna Northam) there who within a few hours just before lunch is found dead having been stabbed in the back. Joyce's husband DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) & Sgt. Gavin Troy (Daniel Casey) are on the case, however it's not long before Barnaby has the rug pulled from under him & the national intelligence service have took over & have Troy working for them while he is left to investigate a spate of bag snatching's, what Barnaby doesn't know yet are the two cases are linked...

Episode 3 from season 6 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Sarah Hellings & I must admit I didn't think this one was quite as good as usual. The script by Andrew Payne isn't typical for this show, I felt it was both rather predictable & ignored the murder side of things far too much & ended up concentrating on some stolen money which frankly was dull. It's all pretty complex & intricate as usual with plenty of red herrings along with lots of potential suspects & motives over it's near two hour duration but the murder aspect of things takes a backseat as Barnaby has his nose put out of joint by a rival police division & the mystery surrounding 5 million pounds of stolen taking center stage, I like a good murder mystery & this one didn't really do it for me I'm afraid. It's something a bit different from the usual format but quite frankly why fix it if it ain't broke? Having said that it's still a decent enough mystery drama that entertains but it's nothing special.

As usual there's plenty of the English countryside on show here, it's well made with high production values as it's one of ITV's flagship show's so they probably give it a decent budget. The acting is pretty good here & Leslie Phillips has a small cameo.

Painted in Blood is one of the weaker Midsomer Murders in my humble yet experienced opinion, it just didn't feel like a Midsomer murder if you know what I mean. It's still a watchable episode from a generally excellent series but there are better mysteries out there.

The first investigation without Barnaby

[hossychristie · 7/10 · 11 September 2023]

"Painted in Blood" takes place in Midsomer Florey where Joyce takes part in a watercolour society on an open-air-art class. The excitement soon turns to fear, when Ruth Fairfax is found murdered. Ruth Fairfax is later identified as Angela Browning, who used to work in the National Intelligenge Service. The NIS takes Barnaby off the case, and Troy gets in a difficult position with both keeping Barnaby informed, and being loyal to the NIS.

"Painted in Blood" is known for its low body count, with only Ruth Fairfax/Angela Browning being the only victim. I really did like the setting about the watercolour society and that Joyce takes a bigger part of the story, but I do feel that it was strange to see Barnaby not in chance of the investigation. We can also ask ourselves if this is an ordinary Midsomer Murders episodes. To me, it did felt a bit different, like they wanted to try something new, leaving the solid ground that has made Midsomer Murders a favourite amongst many people. The problem with just one murder victim is that the story and not the murder takes a bigger part. It feels a bit sad that the murder seems to be totally forgotten, but still, I believe the reason for that is that the NIS and not Barnaby, was in change of the investigation.

They wanted to try something new with "Painted in Blood" with a low rated body count. That itself can be intriguing, but if you eant to do so, the murder and not anything else around, needs to get more focus. 7/10 Hossy Christie.