"Habeas Corpus" is the first episode of Season 18 of Midsomer Murders, and it's a weird one, though sadly not in the way one would hope. There are some fine elements, including a teenage girl who looks like she came out of a Tim Burton movie, and the weird romantic/business arrangement between the doctor and the undertaker (the undertaker isn't actually the culprit, but it just made me notice that all the undertakers in this show are apparently members of the LGBT community), but the main plot line is pretty weak. I'll admit I didn't figure out the culprit until quite late, but that's only because a whole bunch of crucial clues were introduced in the last 10-15 minutes, making about 40 minutes of this mystery pure filler. The episode actually has a pretty impressive cast including Helen Baxendale (Friends), Ciaran McMenamin (Jericho), and Clive Merrison (The History Boys), but they are stranded with not much to do. Then there's all the plot threads that are just left hanging: What will happen to Bobby Loxley's farm? Why was that scene ever there in the first place. This episode pads with needless conflict it never resolves, and it just never gives us a good mystery. The humor in the Barnaby family isn't funny either. I have yet to make up my mind about Dr. Karimore. That said, it wasn't terrible, and I'm sure there will be good episodes coming this season.
Review of Habeas Corpus
