Ep 1. Dead Man's Eleven

DCI Tom Barnaby is back in the picturesque county of Midsomer to investigate a shocking murder in the opening episode of season 3, "Dead Man's Eleven." The show starts with a cricket match that turns into a murder scene when one of the players falls dead after his shot hits a ball, which strikes him in the head. The victim seems to be Grantley Bryce, the captain of the Fletcher's Cross cricket team and an ex-convict.

DCI Barnaby & Sergeant Gavin Troy find that a distraught Rita Burgess discovered the body, which she couldn't see clearly because she had forgotten her glasses. He is saddened to find that Bryce is not particularly popular with the residents of Fletcher's Cross - his criminal past had never truly left him. This means the potential murder suspects pile up.

The show broadens out, and the audience meets all of the members of the cricket team, some of them trying to hide secrets of their own. As the detectives investigate the case, they discover that there have been multiple murders around the village of Fletcher's Cross in recent years.

Barnaby's wife, Joyce, is mysteriously troubled during the investigation and becomes more and more concerned about the cases' effect on their daughter. The more that Barnaby investigates, the more he realizes people from the cricket team's hometown still hold grudges about Bryce's past. In his past, Grantley had been involved in an insurance heist that went awry, which led to his becoming the only person to be caught and sentenced for a decade.

One standout from this episode is certainly the historical overview of Midsomer that the showrunners integrated into the plot providing viewers with a peek into the roots and traditions of this little town.

As the investigation progresses, Barnaby and Troy start to suspect the local lord, George Inglebee, of being involved in the murder. He had been a mentor to Bryce and had helped him secure his position in the new village's cricket team. However, the detectives sift through the evidence, and more suspects start to appear on their radar. Barnaby and Troy continue to pull threads in the case, and the killer's identity is revealed.

Every episode of Midsomer Murders has been outstandingly well-written, and "Dead Man's Eleven" is no different. The characters are well developed and have a distinct personality, making them very different from one another. The mystery, the detective work, and the surprises throughout are thrilling. The viewer will feel like they have been transported to Midsomer themselves, and they've often warmed to an array of characters - some of whom died.

The scenic landscape of the English countryside alongside the quaint villages - especially Midsomer, for which the show is named - has always been a standout feature. The stunning rural settings and the irresistible charms of the cinematography in Midsomer Murders will keep fans hooked throughout the show.

Overall, season 3's opener, "Dead Man's Eleven," is an excellent start to the season and one of Midsomer Murders' best episodes. The clever script, mystery, and suspense are masterful, and the acting by the ensemble cast is outstanding across the board. The audience will be left wanting more as DCI Barnaby's investigation proves to be both complicated and full of surprises.