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Reviews
Midsomer Murders: The Village That Rose from the Dead (2016)
It was supposed to be about a village, wasn't it?
As a real fan of MM I've been rather disappointed by the latest episodes. The series has lost its classical touch, all episodes have now the same structure which never changes: in the opening scenes we see a murder being committed, then Barnaby and his sidekick start the investigations, then endless dialogues follow and in the end the identity of the murderer is revealed when this murderer is caught red-handed trying to kill someone else or when the murderer is trying to kill him/herself. And this scheme never changes! Every single episode is built along this structure and this particular episode was no exception, though there was a certain plot twist in the end - the killer almost got killed/wounded himself. About this episode I can say that there was very little told about the village itself, the story was revolving around a group of people that were struggling for restoring to life a deserted village, in the beginning we could see different projects being elaborated (and I really hoped that this episode won't like the previous ones), but then it all boiled down again to ceaseless dialogues about nothing, the village itself got somehow forgotten. My conclusions are simple: if the Midsomer Murders team members don't want to disappoint the fans with identical episodes they MUST find new authors because the actual ones are obviously running out of ideas, they BADLY need fresh ideas and more interesting stories.
Midsomer Murders: The Made-to-Measure Murders (2010)
The idea is interesting, it's realization bad again
A very poor episode. There are many improbabilities here, but, unlike The Sword of Guillaume, the plot is very boring and seems never-ending! My most important observation is about the motives for the murders. A letter??? Just simply a letter? I could've understood if that letter seriously compromised anyone, but, honestly, just a loving letter in which the name of the person is not even mentioned! There are at least three flaws 1) Was the murderer going to kill the whole village for that letter? And why was he so specific? At least two other people held this letter in their hands and could possibly know its contents - why didn't he kill them? What's the point of killing only the possessors? That sounds very implausible. 2) How could that letter compromise the murderer? There could have been an explanation - he was afraid that he's wife might learn about it. But what difference does it make for him in particular? He's not dependent on his wife, on the contrary, he is the big boss and he treats her as a servant! So, he had nothing to be afraid of. Even if that letter goes to public (which is doubtful by itself) he would lose nothing, 'cause even his name is not mentioned there. 3) Joyce Barnaby seems to have a perfect memory! She used to work as spy, I'm sure! Being for the first time in a unknown place among unknown people, she fixed everything in her head, every detail, every movement, every object! She has a computer instead of the head! If you ask me what I did a week ago, where I was, who wore what and what was lying where, I will be unable to answer any of this questions! I won't even be able to tell, what my colleagues at work wore today! But Joyce Barnaby remembers every detail, like her forgetful husband, who usually remembers something highly important within the final minutes of the film. Anyway, even without these three big mistakes the plot is very ordinary, there's nothing special in the episode, it's very conservative and conventional. I didn't enjoy it much, and the final scene disappointed me greatly. Very poor. I'm displeased.
Midsomer Murders: The Sword of Guillaume (2010)
A very interesting episode
This particular episode left in me some very contradictory feelings. On the one hand, it's full of some improbable and far-fetched things, first of all, did the authors of the episode every consider how heavy a real (!) medieval sword might be? It's not a toy and a woman would hardly be able to carry it, I don't even speak of hiding it in an invalid wheel-chair! Then, how did Marcia get into the horror-house or whatever it was? How was she able to make a very professional blow cutting the head off? I am an amateur of medieval role games that might include swords too and can assure anyone that to make a good exact blow without practice is almost impossible. She might have been training somewhere of course, but still it's very implausible. Those who know how to handle a sword will understand me. But all that doesn't mean that the episode is bad - on the contrary, it's just super, this time Aitkens did not disappoint me. The plot is very original, the motives for murders are very unusual, the situation itself has very little in common with previous episodes which gives it a touch of freshness. The actors give a very convincing performance. And I agree with previous comments, the medieval subject in this film makes it very mysterious. For the first time in the last two or three seasons I am totally content. The MM team has done an excellent work! P.S. Someone might complain that the first murder again happens very late, almost in the middle of the film, but it's the personal mark of Aitkens - in his episodes that I consider the best in the MM series (except Secrets ans Spies) the first murder always happens very late. This episode is no exception! And many other moments usual for Aitkens are present in it, so even if I hadn't known who'd written it I would have guessed all the same!
Midsomer Murders: The Great and the Good (2009)
A third disappointment in a row
After "The Creeper" and "Small mercies" this is the third episode in a row that evoked in me nothing but disappointment. I totally agree with previous reviews, the episode is very weak, the plot improbable, the sleepwalking theme not elaborate and far-fetched, the circle of suspects very narrow so that there is almost no-one to choose! The traditional romantic affair with one woman and too young handsome guys is just tiresome. As it was mentioned in one of the previews above, the whole story with special equipment for driving Connie mad is absolutely implausible. I don't even speak about the identity of the murderer - when he was revealed I could hardly remember who he was because he had appeared before only a couple of minutes! And I didn't understand anything about the motives 'cause English is not my mother tongue, but, honestly, I didn't have any wish to re-watch important moments to understand correctly the sense of the plot - I was too tired of it. And that intrigues me because Hoskins' scripts are usually very good. But I must admit - I enjoyed the performance by Nancy Carrol and Bertie Carvel, though their relationship didn't convince me very much - staying for the night in a woman's house for no sex - ha-ha, even kids will not believe it. On the whole this season seems to be the most weak of all - no decent episodes to remember and to re-watch!!! One must immediately save my favourite series!
Midsomer Murders: The Creeper (2009)
Nothing significant
While watching this episode I always had an impression that Payne had very little time to invent something decent and was in a hurry. After the brilliant "The Dogleg Murders" - a total blunder. The plot is absolutely not worked through, contains too many clichés repeated many times in previous episodes. The whole plot seems not plausible enough! Why was it so much important to keep secret the real identity of Freddy? Maybe I misunderstood something, still, the final solution disappointed me greatly. The circle of suspects was very narrow, some of the characters appear maximum twice, everything goes around three or four characters and it's not very difficult to guess who of them "dunnit". But that an old lady-invalid was also took part in murders - that is something really unusual! And absolutely improbable. The characters still are vary pale, clichéd, no touch of personality, the plot rather boring than exciting and absolutely not convincing. The second murder seemed to me out of place, one could've easily done without it, but it was necessary 'cause without a second murder the plot would've been too much boring. And the identity of the Creeper becomes evident right from the scene with the dinner in Freddy's honour! Honestly, I wasn't impressed, I could hardly wait till the end of the film without awaiting anything striking - and nothing didn't really happen. So, the episode is mediocre, below average
Midsomer Murders: Small Mercies (2009)
Very poor
"Small mercies" is the work by Peter J. Hammond. He is my least preferred script-writer for MM, because all his scripts go along the same scheme that does never change! "Small mercies" is no exception, if you compare this episode to previous Hammond's works, you'll see they are all alike! "Dark Autumn" + "Death and Dreams" + "Bad tidings" + "Things that go bump in the night" + "Dead letters" + "Dance with the Dead": 1) the murder occurs right in the end of the film, or the body is discovered, the police cars arrive, the whole village is alert. We never know anything about the victim 2) all these episodes contain a "psycho" touch, the murderer is usually mentally deranged or is a little bit mad or plays some bizarre tricks (like in Bad tidings). 3) The character in Hammonds scripts are very pale, not elaborate, they evidently serve as the background - sometimes too much, like in "Dance with the Dead" where the murderer is shown twice before the exposing but other characters are still so insignificant that it's palpable right from the start! 4) When the murderer recounts his "deeds" he begins with the last murder and then goes to the first one. The only exception is "Bad Tidings" - I really enjoyed that episode but it also fits very well in the usual Hammond's scheme. So, "Small Mercies" is made in the same patterns, without any changes, so right at the beginning one can guess who is the murderer - like I did. So, this episode doesn't deserve a high vote - 2 out 10. Very poor.
Midsomer Murders: The Glitch (2009)
Boring
"The Glitch" is a very boring episode, I could hardly watch it to the end. Unlike "The Magician's Nephew", this work by Michael Russel is rather dull. The plot goes on very slowly, the only exciting point - the attacks of the bucket-man. But the rest of the film was full of clichés: the murder of a young girl, classical "red herrings", the second murder which happened right after the fatal words of Phil Jackson... The author of the script endeavoured to convince the audience that the murders were somehow connected with Kernal logic and that the real target was Jeffers, but all those "red herrings" obviously were false and led nowhere, it would've been so easy if the murderer were Clinton Finn. So, when the truth is revealed in the end, I just shook my head, acknowledging that the solution was reasonable enough, but still that fact didn't change anything: the episode remains pale and not impressive. Below average, I suppose.
Midsomer Murders: Death in a Chocolate Box (2007)
Rather good
I wouldn't say that this episode is bad, but there are some very weak points in this movie. First of all, a very narrow circle of suspects. After the death of Eddie Marston there is no-one else left to suspect except Gina Colby! No-one is literally left! And when the truth is revealed, on can feel a slight touch of disappointment: it's so predictable... Sure, in the series about murders one can hardly escape repetitions and clichés, still the authors have to invent something new, otherwise the series will become dull and boring. This episode contained almost everything MM has produced before, so it's really average, or maybe a little bit higher then that level... Maybe because Clare Higgins gave here a great performance?
Midsomer Murders: Shot at Dawn (2008)
I support those who liked it
I support those who consider this episode as good enough. How can one say that this episode is the worst of all MM episodes?! Has anyone watched "Sins of Commission"?! That is indeed the worst episode! Has anyone watched "Misomer Life"? That is a total disaster! Compared to them "Shot at Dawn" is a masterpiece! And you should learn to recognise the pen of Michael Aitkens - in his scripts the first murder always happens very late because he wants to create a special psychological atmosphere for it. I agree that all those electronic matters look very far-fetched and unconvincing, but in the whole I wouldn't sentence this episode to death. The intrigue is rather interesting, some moments, like the "execution" of Henry Hammond, are very original. Nah, definitely one of the best episodes!
Midsomer Murders: Blood Wedding (2008)
Beyond expectation
The best episode of the season! I sincerely enjoyed it, David Lawrence did nice work, his previous episode, "Death in Chorus", was much worse. And I must admit that I do not like to be more clever then the author of a detective story, if I guess rightly who is the murderer I always get disappointed, if I'm wrong and the murderer is a person that I never even thought of - though I'm beaten, but I'm pleased and surprised. This time I was content: the murderer turned out to be the person that I crossed out from the list of the suspects at once! The end was a big surprise to me! One can hardly find "weak spots" in this episode except, perhaps, excessive cruelty in murdering the poor victims. And of course, the tragic story had to take place almost at the same time as Cully's wedding, it couldn't have been otherwise! Still, the story is fresh and entertaining, the mystery "misterious enough"... Maybe only one small point... The relationships between the people are so weird, as if they all are mortal fiends one to another... One murders the friend of the bride so easily, then 2 more people without any regrets, a man is ready to murder his brother for his wife with whom he had been having an affair before the wedding... Strange is all this somehow...
Midsomer Murders: Midsomer Life (2008)
Total flop
This episode can be compared only to "Sins of Commission" - they both are the worst episode MM-team has ever produced! Hoskins, who enjoyed me so much in "Hidden depths", disappointed me terribly with this "masterpiece". There's only one decent moment that deserved being mentioned - perfect play of Selina Cadel. Here the advantages come to their natural end. First of all, one can hardly imagine any other plot that could be less convincing than this one (except "Sins of Commision", of course!). I am ready to believe in aliens then in this dull story of "Midsomer Life"! Absolutely far-fetched. Then, what I didn't like either - the plot is split into many story lines that are very hard to follow, the mystery of the first dead body is revealed just in the end of the film, about the first dead body we learn only from Barnaby's exposing story, the second murder is being produced with the most strange weapon that one can only imagine, but the third murder - my God, I was under my table laughing while watching that! The culprit appears only towards the middle of the films and remains absolutely inactive during the film, so that when she was being exposed as a murderess I couldn't even recall her name! The motives for murders are not likely, it's hard to imagine that one could possibly kill 3 people for that (if one is not insane, of course), everything in this episode looks strained and not natural. I consider this episode as "the second worst" after "The Sins of Commissions".
Midsomer Murders: The Magician's Nephew (2008)
Rather good
In some ways I agree to the previous review, but one has to remember that everything is relative. Compared to the next two episodes this one is pretty good, I enjoyed it greatly. I am not a specialist, so I cannot judge if the whole affair with an exotic frog poison was reflected truly enough or not, but to me it all looked very convincing. This episode is marked with some very specific characters, which MM lacks sometimes. Isolde is a very interesting character, a little bit unstable, a little bit obsessed, engaged in some very bizarre relationship with Simon whose uncle-father Aloysius is also an interesting participant. On the whole and considered in the row of series this one is not so bad. But I can agree in one point: the investigation is not strengthened here, we know very little about the victims, the culprit turns up very rarely during the film and towards the middle of it one starts losing the thread of the plot. The personality of the murderer is very poorly reflected, unlike of some other characters, Tristan looks as a pale shadow and is almost imperceptible behind such strong personalities like his sister or his father. And the motives of his serious deeds also seem at least unconvincing, his passion for his mother didn't make an impression that he could kill even his own father for her, and I also gained an impression that he had committed the murders almost mechanically. Psycology - that's what MM lack very much! Still, this episode is not as bad as it could have been!
Midsomer Murders: Talking to the Dead (2008)
It could have been, but it wasn't
This episode didn't impress me very much, on the whole I found it very dull and boring, I could hardly wait till it ends. The start seemed promising to me too, all these disappearances and all, but very soon I lost the thread of the plot, in the middle of the film I tried to remember who had been killed and what actually was being investigated but I failed, so that I had to go back and find out the necessary information again. The ghost-line of the plot seemed far-fetched from the very beginning, moreover, this episode was shown right after the "Magician's Nephew" where some mysterious and mystical tricks had already been played, so "Talking to the Dead" looks very pale on the background of the previous episode. The detective line of the plot is rather undeveloped, sometimes on can think that Barnaby and Jones investigate the ghost-affairs of the forest. Only the end of the film shook me - who could've thought that in a simple English village could live some thugs similar to the members of the Russian Mafia! And one of them was even able to commit the murder of three people, his wife among them (if I remember correctly)! In one word, the plot is absolutely far-fetched and strained, the episode is boring.
Midsomer Murders: The Dogleg Murders (2009)
Very well
I can't remember any other Midsomer Murders episode (except "Vixen's Run" perhaps) that I was watching with a feeling of growing interest and mirth! Andrew Payne did again a great job, this episode is as good as his previous work - "The picture of Innocence". The plot looks pretty convincing, the details of both murders very well worked through, the motives are also likely. And the tensions between two brothers (which, somehow, do not look alike) keep the episode active and exciting till the end. But the working team really succeeded in creating this wonderful English country-village atmosphere spiced with very exotic for my country golf affairs). An immaculate episode to start the season, I agree. There may be only one small observation: the characters, to my mind, are very pale in this episode, and even though I didn't know till the end who was the culprit, I wasn't too much impressed because Martin Crisp had appeared so seldom in the film that I could hardly remember him, but that moment has absolutely no significance. Great job!
Midsomer Murders: Secrets and Spies (2009)
Below expectation
My favorite screenwriter of all those who work for Midsomer Murders is Michael Aitkens, but this time it has been his failure, to my mind. It's obvious that he's exploiting the same tricks that he used in his previous works and, judging by this episode, he starts running out of ideas (I haven't seen The Sword of Guillaume yet). First of all, as in all his episodes, the first murder occurs very late, half an hour after the beginning of the series - remember "Vixen's run" or "The Axeman cometh" or "Shot at dawn". Then, again this motive of revenge which was significant both in "Vixen's run" and "Shot at dawn", I don't even speak about "The Axeman cometh" - in the end Jenny Frazier pronounces the same words that were spoken by Jack McKenley: "They deserved it". But, unlike "The Axeman cometh", "Secrets and Spies" is a very unconvincing episode, the motives that moved Jenny to murder are doubtful, the skull matters absolutely far-fetched (no wonder they never showed it in use!), the espionage theme played no in the full tune. As being a big fan of Aitkens, I was extremely disappointed, he totally fell into the self-plagiarism. I hope, that "The sword of Guillaume" will not bring me into the same disillusion. An extraordinary poor episode.