The ninth season started off great with "The House in the Woods", but "Dead Letters" continues this season on a decent note. It's not as near as good as the previous entry, though it is still watchable.
Let's start with the good aspects, shall we?
. The production values of this episode are great as always. The direction's good and the music adds to the scenery. The acting is pretty good all around. Tom Bennett's good, though his screen time is limited, so is Richard Cant, Elizabeth Spriggs is wonderful. Simon Callow though does not fit the role at all and comes off bizarre at best.
. The story has its moments. The solution (Rob is the killer) is differently handled as usual and the murders are brutal.
But...
. The subplots in this story are not as near as good as the mainplot. The child entertainer and the barmaid subplots did not build into anything of merrit, which was very disappointing.
. Parts of the solution feel undercooked. The motive for the second murder, which felt unnecessary, was just weak
Overall, a decent episode.
6/10 HK.
Let's start with the good aspects, shall we?
. The production values of this episode are great as always. The direction's good and the music adds to the scenery. The acting is pretty good all around. Tom Bennett's good, though his screen time is limited, so is Richard Cant, Elizabeth Spriggs is wonderful. Simon Callow though does not fit the role at all and comes off bizarre at best.
. The story has its moments. The solution (Rob is the killer) is differently handled as usual and the murders are brutal.
But...
. The subplots in this story are not as near as good as the mainplot. The child entertainer and the barmaid subplots did not build into anything of merrit, which was very disappointing.
. Parts of the solution feel undercooked. The motive for the second murder, which felt unnecessary, was just weak
Overall, a decent episode.
6/10 HK.