Midsomer Murders (TV Series) They Seek Him Here (2007) User Reviews

Scarlet Scarlet

[zboston3 · 8/10 · 10 April 2010]

This is an interesting episode where the murders occur during the filming of a movie of the Scarlet Pimpernel. We get to see the seeming chaos of making a movie, the histrionics of the actors, the petty tyrants that directors and producers are. It's a change of pace from the usual English village that murders are usually set in.

The story moves at a brisk, sometimes headlong, pace, jumping from scene to scene, sometimes before a crucial bit of information is revealed so you have to deduce it from the next scene or two. The acting is top notch, the characters actually seem rather moving in their emotions at times. Meanwhile several times you may think you know who the murderer is and what will happen next and then the story takes an unexpected twist that leaves you not so sure of your solution.

The solution is not a stunning surprise, but it's still a nice piece of work in one of our favorite and now mourned for series.

I liked it

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 24 July 2015]

"They Seek Him Here" was another out-of-the-box episode of Midsomer Murders.

The murders occur while the Scarlet Pimpernel (a low budget one, believe it or not) is being filmed. Four friends are involved in it, who have known one another for years: Gwen, Neville, Freddie, and Nick. Nick is the director. Gwen was married to Neville's brother, who is deceased, but she had Nick's baby, as did another woman in the town. Thanks to Nick, Freddie now has trouble getting work, so he shows up on the set and is put on as an extra.

You can spot that Nick will be the victim right away, and he is, as the killer makes good work of the guillotine. Then he does it again. Yuck.

Barnaby and Jones are also watching a crook, Ince, who was recently released.

I was surprised by the denouement, unlike someone who posted here. And I thought it was a good episode. The added feature of watching a movie filmed was fun, as were the various egos.

I like it when the show mixes it up once in a while, and this script was a little different.

..those Frenchies seek him everywhere.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 6 March 2020]

A film about The French Revolution is being made in Midsomer, naturally it means murder, the guillotine handily on hand for the killer.

I enjoyed this one, it isn't vintage, but it's very good, they could have gone way over the top with the story, but they refrained, it's measured and well crafted. A good plot, the characters are rich, all with strong back stories, and the solution is a good one.

Favourite part has to be where Jones points out Joyce looking less than glamorous in her red cap, the look on Barnaby's face is very funny.

Desmond Barrit and Marian McLoughlin are excellent here, Gwen is a great character, almost tragic from start to finish, Barrit is the standout however, he is wonderful in it, drowning in charisma.

Enjoyable, 7/10.

Remnants of Revolution

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 16 April 2016]

Here is one where the old prop guillotine is used to cut the heads off the victims. Despite this, the show must go on. The actors in this episode have all kinds of history, including the death of a man who succumbed to alcoholism. There are also old lovers who have been apart forever, but who still have that spark. The problem is that there is a marriage and a husband who can't understand why his wife continues to carry a torch. We also have a conflict over the care and protection of an infant. The women in this show are hard to pigeonhole. They are also keeping dire secrets and making miserable the lives of others. The plot is a bit confusing and the show continues with an overwhelming amount of oversight which is probably pretty unrealistic in this context. Quite average for certain.

Heads would roll if I was the producer

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 6/10 · 19 November 2020]

There gave been some very good episodes in this series but this one is a let down. Despite some quality returning actors (as new characters) to the cast, there does seem to be something missing. It seems daft that the episode revolves around the making of a film in Midsomer yet aspiring actress Cully isn't there (yes, Joyce whom has some Amdram experience does find herself a role). I am sure the episodes a series takes its toll on writers, directors and actors alike. It does seem drawn out and it is more than half an hour before there is a death. There as little humour here. Even the obligatory closing ironic funny scene seems a bit forced, something that deadpan Jones usually brings out at least a chuckle as Barnaby's sidekick. Let's hope the final episode in the series has more to offer.

Average Midsomer Murders episode.

[poolandrews · 5/10 · 28 April 2008]

Midsomer Murders: They Seek Him Here is set in the small Midsomer village of Midsomer Magna where a film crew are shooting an adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel at Mangna Manor which is owned by Terence (Nicky Henson) & Diane Charteris (Fiona Mollison) who are experiencing financial difficulties. DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) & DC Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) are following the movements of known villain George Ince who is on their patch sniffing around the Manor. Then the film set's security guard Jed Norris (Jonathan Moore) makes a horrifying discovery when he finds the body of the films universally disliked director Nick Channey (Jay Villiers) at a prop guillotine with his head cut off. Barnaby & Jones are on the case but with plenty of disgruntled actor's, producers, lovers & associates it seems there are no shortage of suspects...

Episode 7 from season 10 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Sarah Hellings & in keeping with a lot of the later episodes from this once great series They Seek Him Here really isn't much for seasoned Midsomer Murders fans to get excited about. The script by Barry Purchese just feels so by-the-numbers & throughly uninspiring. During early Midsomer Murders seasons the programme would usually open on a well shot & atmospheric murder scene to get the viewer hooked straight away but They Seek Him Here is one of those episodes where the script spends ages building the character's up & setting the scene, in They Seek Him Here the first dead body isn't found until nearly the forty minute mark which is just far too long considering not that much else happens other than to establish that a film is being shot at Midsomer Magna Manor & introduce a few of the character's with a lot of exposition which ends up meaning nothing. I also didn't like the fact that there was no build up to the murder, we never saw Channey get killed & his body is merely found. Then there's the plot hole, after Channey's body is found at the prop guillotine Barnaby has a local bobby stand guard, now assuming Barnaby wouldn't mind lots of people walking around & using the murder weapon how & where did the killer commit his second murder? It is said that the cop is called away to investigate a break in but then it's explained that the body was already there so where did he cut off his second victims head off? During the day it was a busy film set so how could he cut someones head off without being noticed or covered in blood & since the guillotine was being watched at all times? There's not much subtlety here or clever writing, there aren't too many suspects or clues or red herrings & the subplot about an insurance scam goes absolutely nowhere & feels like padding although it's unusual to see Barnaby investigate a crime other than a murder. This is a very exposition heavy episode with only a couple of murders in it's 100 odd minute duration, for Midsomer Murder fans only.

The one thing that always stands out in Midsomer Murders are the locations & photography, when scenes from The Scarlet Pimpernel are shown the screen ratio goes from almost 16:9 fullscreen to 2:35:1 widescreen to signify that a portion of the film is playing & it really does show how cinematic Midsomer Murders is. The usual mix of English country locations are used including Loseley House Park in Surrey which was used as Magna Manor. There are only two murders in this episode & neither are seen as both bodies are simply discovered. The acting is very good as usual with Nicky Henson coming back from the dead after he appeared & died in Dark Autumn (2001) from season four. In case you don't know & are interested the title They Seek Him Here refers to a verse written about the Scarlet Pimpernel & featured in the novel itself.

They Seek Him Here is an average Midsomer Murders episode, it's very leisurely paced & in the end not a great deal actually happens. I wouldn't say it's the worst Midsomer Murders episode but I don't think it could be described as any sort of classic either.

'Midsomer Murders' meets The French Revolution

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 11 February 2017]

As has been said by me a number of times, 'Midsomer Murders' is one of my most watched and most re-watched shows. It is nowhere near as good now and the Tom Barnaby-era wasn't alien to average or less episodes, but when it was on form or at its best boy was it good.

Season 10 was an uneven season, with "The Animal Within" being very good while "The Axeman Cometh" and particularly "Picture of Innocence" underwhelmed somewhat. The other episodes previous to "They Seek Him Here" were decent if flawed. "They Seek Him Here" had an interesting idea, with a unique killing method for the show and the whole filming of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' idea was inspired, but it really isn't one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes and one of the lesser episodes of Season 10 too from personal opinion.

"They Seek Him Here" does get a good deal right. The production values as always are just great, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

There are some thoughtful and humorous moments in the script and the supporting characters are entertaining enough. The final solution was surprising and reasonably well done and the episode is one of 'Midsomer Murders' most brutal and unique methods of killing (then again even the thought of a guillotine gives me the creeps).

John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together (their chemistry, and the chemistry with Daniel Casey and John Hopkins before Hughes, being a huge part of their episodes' charm). Can't fault the supporting cast either, with Marion McLoughlin, Desmond Barrit and Nicky Henson standing out.

However, the story is not as compelling as it could have been. The first half an hour is too exposition heavy which gives the episode a "far too long to get going" vibe, while there are not enough red herrings, clues and twists and turns in a case with too few suspects. The secondary criminal subplot feels like extraneous and woefully under-explored padding.

Lack of build up to the murders is agreed a problem, and it is too obvious who the victims are (or at least the first victim, far too unlikeable to be kept alive), while how the killer managed to kill the victims (done too much by chance and luck) begged for an explanation that never came. Too much of the script is by the numbers.

All in all, interesting idea that didn't quite work. Average affair, which for 'Midsomer Murders' is disappointing. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Average at best!

[harrykivi · 5/10 · 30 May 2021]

The tenth season of "Midsomer Murders" has never been one of my favorites, I have said it numerous times before. In my opinion, the only very good episode in that season is "The Animal Within." "They Seek Him Here" though is another average episode in the 10th season. It's not bad, but far from "Midsomer Murders" best.

Let's start with the good aspects, shall we?

. The production values are great as usual. The episode is well-directed, the music fits the scenery and I do like the setting to this mystery. The acting's mostly pretty good too. Nicky Henson, while not having a huge role, and Marian McLoughlin are both solid. John Nettles and Jason Hughes continue to be brilliant as the main detectives, but out of the guest stars Desmond Barrit gives a fantastic and a very charismatic performance.

. There are parts of the script, which are intriguing. The humor is charming for the most part and the murder weapon (guillotine) is agreed one of the most brutal weapons in "Midsomer Murders" history. The characters are not bad either (especially Raymond or Gwen) and the solution with Raymond turning out to be the killer was quite interesting.

That being said....

. The murder mystery does suffer from a poor pacing and lack of surprises. I agree with the previous reviewers, who have said that the first 30 minutes fails to build up an actual murder. The subplot about George Ince and the robbery was not particularly interesting either. Wish there was a more compelling subplot and more solid twists in the story. The dialogue is not very good at times as well...

. Also, the solution, while not awful, was rushed. How the killer exactly murdered Nick and Gwen needed a bit more explaining in my opinion.

Overall, an average episode.

5/10 HK.

It was ok

[vitoscotti · 5/10 · 12 January 2020]

Watchable, not great, not bad. I think the Gwen character was miscast. It should have been a more glamorous choice. Should of swapped the actress playing the film owners wife and made her Gwen. Then give the actual Gwen the film owner's wife lesser part. Then things would of fit in place better. A lot of so-so supporting cast other than Raymond and the film owner's wife. I like Barnaby's new female computer whiz. The regular cast are all great as usual. Vito S 1-12-20

Random chaotic mess

[lewis-51 · 4/10 · 5 April 2024]

In all the years since 1997 my wife and I were aware of the existence of this series, but for whatever reason never got around to watching it. About six months ago we decided to start, and have been delighted with the episodes: the production values, the clever plots, the general setting in the English world of smallish villages, the wonderful acting, the charming milieu. We have worked our way up to season 10, concentrating on the episodes that have the best rating here.

For whatever reason we decided to give this one a try. What a mistake! From the opening horrific scene, which turns out to be part of a movie being filmed, we were put off by violence and unpleasantness. I have never seen so many unpleasant characters in one 90 minute program. There are frequent abrupt scene changes, frequent scowling interchanges between unsavory personalities, wimps, and bullies.

The basic plot element of a working guillotine being used on a movie set seems dubious at best. There is a secondary plot of unpleasant people scowling at each other pursuing a fake robbery.

Symptomatic of the chaos, near the end when Barnaby and Jones are in their office thinking over the likely suspects, suddenly an attractive young female officer appears to help the discussion. Who is this?? She has about thirty seconds of screen time and some good dialog before disappearing back to oblivion. WTF?

Shame on the producers and writers. What were they thinking?