On very first viewing, "Orchis Fatalis" struck me as an episode that didn't really stand out. On re-watch, while still not one of my favourite episodes, it is a much better episode than remembered and one of the better 8th season episodes, much improved over the previous episode "Dead in the Water".
The very end with Barnaby and his family is rather cheesy and like a clumsy nod to the character of Jimmy Fong. More could have been done with the Latin diary of the first murder victim, that was an intriguing angle and actually would have made for a more believable motive for murder but wasn't really used to its full potential at all.
On the other hand, John Nettles is superb as Barnaby, and is supported with enthusiasm and intensity by John Hopkins. The two share a very spirited chemistry together. Also love the loving chemistry between Nettles and Jane Wymark as Joyce, one can tell that they love each other dearly but that she is frustrated at how much his work gets in the way. The guest supporting turns are very good, Matt Bardock and Harriet Walter being the most familiar to me and both stand out.
Production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's darkness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice and genuinely funny humour (who can forget the reaction to Scott accidentally treading on the orchid), a suitable dark grimness, intriguing jealous back-biting and good characters. The story is compelling, and doesn't make either mistake of being simplistic or convoluted, while the characters are suitably eccentric. The identity of the killer is a big surprise, the murders are hardly tame (the pitchfork one is pretty grisly actually) and while the motive is over-the-top it just about passes the plausibility test.
Overall, a good and better-than-remembered episode if still not a favourite. 8/10 Bethany Cox
The very end with Barnaby and his family is rather cheesy and like a clumsy nod to the character of Jimmy Fong. More could have been done with the Latin diary of the first murder victim, that was an intriguing angle and actually would have made for a more believable motive for murder but wasn't really used to its full potential at all.
On the other hand, John Nettles is superb as Barnaby, and is supported with enthusiasm and intensity by John Hopkins. The two share a very spirited chemistry together. Also love the loving chemistry between Nettles and Jane Wymark as Joyce, one can tell that they love each other dearly but that she is frustrated at how much his work gets in the way. The guest supporting turns are very good, Matt Bardock and Harriet Walter being the most familiar to me and both stand out.
Production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's darkness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice and genuinely funny humour (who can forget the reaction to Scott accidentally treading on the orchid), a suitable dark grimness, intriguing jealous back-biting and good characters. The story is compelling, and doesn't make either mistake of being simplistic or convoluted, while the characters are suitably eccentric. The identity of the killer is a big surprise, the murders are hardly tame (the pitchfork one is pretty grisly actually) and while the motive is over-the-top it just about passes the plausibility test.
Overall, a good and better-than-remembered episode if still not a favourite. 8/10 Bethany Cox