In this popular series the premise does actually make sense, as there's the vicar and the police detective who work in concert with one another, each of them being privy to information and/or connections available via their unique role or vantage point within the community.

@genplant29 said:

I haven't read or heard (and haven't actually sought out) any reports of how UK viewers liked Season 5, or what the major developments during it are. Hopefully it'll be a winner!

For those who might like a refresher of some of last year's/season's developments and discussion, see this thread, as well as the thread linked within it that it's a continuation from.

Incidentally, I just now remembered that I actually did the other week read and save a brief piece, from TV Guide magazine, about the new season. Following is some of what it says:

Season 5 of this cozy U.K. mystery begins optimistically enough. Newish vicar Will Davenport...has settled in; his crime-solving partner D.I. Geordie Keating...and wife Cathy...have repaired their marriage. Then reporter Ellie Harding (Lauren Carse) upsets the equilibrium, testing Will's faith and his self-imposed celibacy...."

Is Ellie Harding an established character from past seasons? I don't remember her any from last season (which was when I begin watching Grantchester).

Here are a few reviews:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/01/10/grantchester-series-5-episode-1-reviewas-edgy-toasted-teacake/

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-02-16/grantchester-ending-series-five/ (be aware there are spoilers within)

http://britishperioddramas.com/ep-guide/grantchester-recap-what-happened-in-season-5-episode-6/ (spoilers)

I enjoyed the S5 premiere. The criminal case was no big deal, though nonetheless was sufficiently interesting. The episode particularly was appealing and enjoyable for the interactions of the usual ongoing characters, as well as a newly-introduced character who seems like she'll be a good fit.

The new character is persistent local newspaper reporter Ellie Harding - who clearly will become Will's romantic interest. I like Ellie, and think she'll be a fun character.

Another development is that it appears Jemma Redgrave, as Will's mother, will remain an ongoing character (like I last season was hoping she would). In the season premiere, she had two good scenes, one at the vicary (or whatever it's called where Will and Leonard live), the other at her mansion. Regarding the latter scene, something she announces to Will clearly has him experiencing mixed feelings (though he's so far not letting on to her).

The episode ends on a fun little development, regarding an unexpected guest for Geordie, Cathy, and family. I gather the guest will shake things up significantly within the household.

Meanwhile, poor Leonard and his "friend" have just returned from vacation abroad together, which has Leonard feeling depressed that he's having to not be his complete self so Mrs. Chapman won't feel uneasy/upset with him. As for Mrs. C, she seems to be choosing to happily "play dumb" so she and Leonard will be able to continue getting along.

Something nice about this new season is that, unlike last season that was largely transitional because of the major cast change from Sidney to Will as the vicar, now Will is fully settled in and the new balance of things feels natural and established.

@brat, I've kept my episode summary intentionally vague, so you'll be able to enjoy watching that first episode next week (I know that where you are it'll air I think you said eight days after elsewhere on PBS) without feeling like you've already seen it.

@genplant29 said:

The new character is persistent local newspaper reporter Ellie Harding - who clearly will become Will's romantic interest. I like Ellie, and think she'll be a fun character.

Geordie told her that Will was celibate, so was he lying?

To be determined..... lol

@genplant29 said:

I enjoyed the S5 premiere. The criminal case was no big deal, though nonetheless was sufficiently interesting. The episode particularly was appealing and enjoyable for the interactions of the usual ongoing characters, as well as a newly-introduced character who seems like she'll be a good fit.

I finally caught the season premier and yes, the criminal case was in a sense "no big deal". This is a pattern (and to be fair, it's the case to varying degrees in some other "mystery" shows) - unlike a Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie story, Grantchester is primarily a series in which the point, the main focus, is often more to do with the personal lives of its recurring characters rather than the crime at hand. For instance, I don't quite understand why Leonard had to lie to Mrs. C about his vacation destination -- couldn't he have just honestly told her he was going to Morocco instead of Bognor Regis? Is she so narrow-minded that traveling abroad to an exotic locale is a no-no to her on par with homosexuality?!?!

When I saw Will's mother's apartment later in the show, at some point after the earlier luncheon during which she was bemoaning her current circumstances, abruptly and rudely leaving the table (was it the homely Shepherd's Pie???), I had to roll my eyes when I saw how nicely-appointed her new digs were. Has she so quickly forgotten that her husband got into trouble and committed suicide because he didn't have the financial wherewithal to keep up their lavish country estate?!?! SMFH...

Between those two women and the snooty girls at the prep school, one could be forgiven for feeling a bit misogynistic. Plus, it seems Cathy's overbearing mother is moving into Geordie Keating's household (at his invitation!). Yikes!!!

Wow, what a revelation about Jack Chapman in Ep. 3. That he never told Mrs. C he'd served in India was surprising enough (though I'd suspected it ever since an earlier episode hinted at it), but finding out he'd been a profiteer during the chaos of ethnic cleansing and refugee relocation during the partition was rather shocking. I wonder if most or all of his wealth was due to this sideline of his? I have a feeling we'll find out more -- it's too major a plot point to ignore or leave unexplained.

For sure a surprising major revelation - and now it appears Mrs. C is going so far as to leave him!

I thought last night's episode was the weakest of this season (who the murderer was didn't impress me at all, it was so totally predictable from pretty much the get-go). Interesting development regarding Geordie and Cathy's eldest daughter turning on her grandmother after their (with also younger siblings') day out; I found that unusual, as I've never seen any grandchild do like that about a grandparent right in front of the person.

Regarding how the episode concludes between Will and Ellie, I wasn't able to clearly hear what she said to him that resulted in him rushing off. Was it "Please stop"? I played those few seconds twice, trying to decide, and wasn't able to clearly hear either time.

@genplant29 said:

Regarding how the episode concludes between Will and Ellie, I wasn't able to clearly hear what she said to him that resulted in him rushing off. Was it "Please stop"? I played those few seconds twice, trying to decide, and wasn't able to clearly hear either time.

Will rushes off because he was shocked that he had almost given in to temptation and broken his vow of celibacy. He has some issues with sex and faith. As the actor Tom Brittney said, 'Me and Ellie are going to be the Ross and Rachel of Grantchester… I want all Grantchester to be related to Friends, in some way!'

"Don't stop. Don't stop, for God's sake. Will!"

I can't remember - can someone explain to me Will's reason/rationale for remaining celibate? I understand why a clergyman would choose to refrain from pre-marital sex, especially 50-60 years ago, but has Will chosen to never marry or something?

@wonder2wonder said:

"Don't stop. Don't stop, for God's sake. Will!"

Ellie said that? The way Will ran off left me thinking she must have told him to stop - yet she didn't seem to be acting like she wanted him to stop. Thus, I was left perplexed.

@merryapril said:

can someone explain to me Will's reason/rationale for remaining celibate? I understand why a clergyman would choose to refrain from pre-marital sex, especially 50-60 years ago, but has Will chosen to never marry or something?

I get the impression that maybe he simply decided to "give himself to God", like how a lot of nuns, etc. feel about opting for celibacy, like they're married to God, instead of to a person.

You may be right genplant. BUT, and I may be wrong, I have a faint recollection of Will alluding to a profligate past, maybe bad enough that he feels he has to atone for it. Plus, his parents' marriage hardly provided a good role model, and he seems to have some "mommy issues" as well. Yet IIRC, one of his sermons preached the merits of matrimony, or at least the value of having some sort of a family bond.

Regarding pasts, I somewhat have Will's and predecessor Sidney's pasts confused in my mind, so at this point don't remember whether Will has been said to have gotten around (like Sidney definitely did) in earlier life, or if I'm still just remembering how Sidney was.

Meanwhile, Leonard certainly did take some risky chances in last week's E2, with his daring sleepover date! I figure it's just a matter of time before Mrs. C walks in on them in the vicarage!

@merryapril said:

You may be right genplant. BUT, and I may be wrong, I have a faint recollection of Will alluding to a profligate past, maybe bad enough that he feels he has to atone for it. Plus, his parents' marriage hardly provided a good role model, and he seems to have some "mommy issues" as well. Yet IIRC, one of his sermons preached the merits of matrimony, or at least the value of having some sort of a family bond.

Will might have now decided that 'sex outside of marriage is a sin'. He will certainly be put to the test with all those beautiful - independent - women around him.

"The devil smiles and waits patiently, for men is weak." 😈