Death in the Slow Lane

March 2011 saw Neil Dudgeon take over from John Nettles as Inspector Barnaby. Nettles (ever the gentleman and pro) had given 2 years warning to allow the producers to select a new star if they chose to continue the series, but producer Brian True May knew that Dudgeon would need all the help he could get to blunt the poison pen nibs of Nettles' many fans. And Dudgeon got it: Death in the Slow Lane is a belter of an episode - funny, genial and often very exciting, with the usual bits of MSM silliness mixed in to leaven the dish. Guests Samantha Bond and David Warner provide some star power, and there are super turns from Luke Allen Gale as local rapper/DJ Dave Doggy Day and from child stars Gwyneth Keyworth and Daisy Keeping as the "scholarship girls". Dudgeon takes up the mantle of Barnaby pretty well - perhaps playing it (or being scripted as) slightly more intellectual than Tom, and the writers give him a little tension with DS Jones and George Bullard. But there really isn't much daylight between the character of John and that of Tom. MSM carries on in its 200+ countries and territories (!) and, while not everyone will be happy (change is always difficult!), Death in the Slow Lane was a cracking start to the new era.

I really liked this episode. I like this Barnaby a lot more than I did the previous one. I never really cared for the character of Joyce either. I was never able to decide if it was the actress playing the role or if she was just given really lame scripts to work with.

I liked the numerous bits of humor throughout this episode. I like murder mysteries and trying to figure out who dunnit but if the mysteries also have some humor throughout I like them even more.

There were a couple of things that really did not add up but overall a really great start for the new actor taking over the starring role.

I am looking forward to all the rest of the episodes with this new guy. I think that they will be a lot more enjoyable than the others were.

Good story, fun cast, but please - we start out in a barn full of bales of hay and a skeleton that has been under it for 40+ years. Really? In 40+years, nobody bothered to move or use the hay or even visit it? This teenaged couple couldn't have been the first in there to roll in it. And the hay didn't rot? The little rodents who inhabit a barn didn't chew on that skeleton?

Get by that and there is some fun with it. Loved watching mother and daughter squirm when they're nailed. Loved watching Jones figure out how to live with the new Barnaby. The new Barnaby - no, I don't love him so much but he's ok.

Still bingeing on MM and finally came to the end of the John Nettles era. Always enjoyed Neil Dudgeon especially in the Mrs. Bradley Mysteries. He's a great asset to the show and brings some fresh air into the series. Having Samantha Bond and David Warner ( he looks so old for 69) in the first John era episode was a coup. Very entertaining and really fun....loved when the guy said to Ben..."don't go Sweeney on me. All in all a good episode leaving me to want to see more.

A classic car competition takes place at an exclusive All Girls boarding School. One of the judges, local DJ Doggy Day, is crushed by one of the cars.

Dudgeon makes a fine start, he doesn't try to copy his illustrious predecessor, instead he puts his own stamp on it. John is patient and reasoned, he's also amusing, the scenes of new neighbours popping in adds real humour, particularly the guy that invites him along to an exclusive all Male club, very funny. Hopefully he'll complete a decade in the role soon.

It's a very good episode, the story is intriguing, with some real depth. There is some real venom in the crimes, and some great, and twisted characters. They went for a terrific case for John's first case, Susan Engel, David Warner, Samantha Bond, all of whom are wonderful, but the first episode for the marvellous Sykes.