Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Neil Dudgeon, Gwilym Lee, Fiona Dolman, Manjinder Virk, Sian Webber, Steve Toussaint, Tanya Fear, Michelle Collins, Steve Oram, Alison Steadman, Pip Torrens, Sheena Bhattessa, Alister Austin, Lee Armstrong, Steve Evets, Jennie Dale, Belinda McGinley.

There is more in the Universe than can ever be contemplated in the philosophy of a Detective Inspector in rural England, however the only thing alien about the county of Midsomer is that the murderer always believes that the bigger the elaborate death, the chances of them getting away with it; for that Inspector John Barnaby has both feet firmly planted in the real and on planet Earth.

The Incident At Cooper Hill, the second in the new series for 2016 plays well with the fear of the unknown as a backdrop to the mystery of the cluster of murders, whilst also making much of the act of secrecy as its main outlet; secrecy that for the second time in the series, the makers have of the hit television show have gone out of their way to include a same-sex couple within their storyline and bringing Midsomer Murders up to date with the rest of the U.K.

Relationships and their secrets are very much at the heart of The Incident At Cooper Hill, and the story line benefits greatly from seeing just who actually keeps the secrets and the cost to their soul. Those hardened to the expectation of lies seemingly more than immune to the investigation at hand. This act of secrecy, the surreptitious acting as a watchword for keeping order is highlighted by Pip Torrens masterful portrayal as Group Captain Jeremy Ford, the overall man in charge and to whom the use of words is enough to banish truth from the tongue of any of those around him. His disdain of civilian police is also portrayed with authority and the refusal to acknowledge rank outside of the base a terrifying prospect to behold.

The Incident At Cooper Hill is a strong story-line, told with influence and one that deals with an underlying threat, the ability to keep secrets, even damaging ones, close to the heart, an episode in which all the forces come together for.

Ian D. Hall