I feel happy to say- I am a "Midsomer murders" fan- when I'm watching a good episode, but there are times- like this one- when I feel quite disappointed. The seventeenth season of "Midsomer" was in my opinion decent , but not great. "A Vintage murder" being the best of that season though.
That said, the 18th season- I feel- is very unremarkable and having an episode like "Habeas Corpus" as it's premiere is not a fantastic sign. By no means is "Habeas ..." a horrible episode- there have been a lot worser ones- but it seems out of place and bizarre.
Before trashing, let's take a look at the positives of this entry.
. There are few twists and turns that are clever and neat. Clearly liked the twist about the killer and Gregory's accident.
. The production of "Midsomer murders" is always great. Alex Pillai's direction is very compelling and the theme for this episode feels very eerie in a good way.
.Nice humour is also present. Sykes is awesome, stealing every bit of attention from the audience.
. The acting is quite good. Diana Quick and Helen Baxendale are particularly great.
Now moving on to cons.
.The story of "Habeas Corpus" is often weak and not very engaging. The idea about a body snatcher plot where is no carnage isn't awful, but kind of .... dull.
. The new pathologist Kam doesn't have a character of her own, which is a shame for a talented actress like Manjinder Virk. Neil Dudgeon seems also bored and not very into the character of John Barnaby.
. The subplot about a missing teddy bear was predictable and elongated. How much time does it take to figure out- Sykes did it? He was the only suspect, right?
. The final fifteen minutes felt rushed,especially the solution, which leaves many untied endings. How Craig faked his own death? How he got Gregory's body out of the window? List goes on....
Overall, I love "Midsomer murders", but this episode was really dull.
4/10 HK
That said, the 18th season- I feel- is very unremarkable and having an episode like "Habeas Corpus" as it's premiere is not a fantastic sign. By no means is "Habeas ..." a horrible episode- there have been a lot worser ones- but it seems out of place and bizarre.
Before trashing, let's take a look at the positives of this entry.
. There are few twists and turns that are clever and neat. Clearly liked the twist about the killer and Gregory's accident.
. The production of "Midsomer murders" is always great. Alex Pillai's direction is very compelling and the theme for this episode feels very eerie in a good way.
.Nice humour is also present. Sykes is awesome, stealing every bit of attention from the audience.
. The acting is quite good. Diana Quick and Helen Baxendale are particularly great.
Now moving on to cons.
.The story of "Habeas Corpus" is often weak and not very engaging. The idea about a body snatcher plot where is no carnage isn't awful, but kind of .... dull.
. The new pathologist Kam doesn't have a character of her own, which is a shame for a talented actress like Manjinder Virk. Neil Dudgeon seems also bored and not very into the character of John Barnaby.
. The subplot about a missing teddy bear was predictable and elongated. How much time does it take to figure out- Sykes did it? He was the only suspect, right?
. The final fifteen minutes felt rushed,especially the solution, which leaves many untied endings. How Craig faked his own death? How he got Gregory's body out of the window? List goes on....
Overall, I love "Midsomer murders", but this episode was really dull.
4/10 HK