'Midsomer Murders' is one of my most watched and most re-watched shows. Granted, it is nowhere near as good now as it was and the Tom Barnaby-era did have some not so good episodes, but when it was at its best and on form it was riveting and hugely entertaining television.
Season 9 may not have had many classic/elite episodes ("The House in the Woods" being the only episode to be on that level, but this and "Country Matters" were close"), but to me it is one of the few seasons of 'Midsomer Murders' to not have a bad episode. Even my least favourite "Four Funerals and a Wedding" was still decent. Despite being a change of pace for 'Midsomer Murders', being more court-case-oriented and more psychological with a low body count, "Last Year's Model" is one of the show's best examples of how to do "different"/"change of pace" well.
Pretty much the only thing about "Last Year's Model" that could have been done better to me was that more could have been done with the character of Cully, underused and wasted, and the chemistry between her and Barnaby, which showed potential but it was potential not fully lived up to and underwritten.
However, the production values as always are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, 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 humour (that luckily wasn't overused or out of place in an episode with such a serious story), a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is absorbing, never simplistic, sometimes creepy in atmosphere, never dull (for an exposition-heavy episode) never confusing and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here. The courtroom stuff is fascinating and the flashbacks beautifully interwoven. Loved the chemistry between Barnaby/Jones (always a delight) and Barnaby/Pru.
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together, and the supporting cast are without complaint.
On the whole, a great episode that does wonders with a change of pace. Am happy to admit as well that there is much more appreciation for the episode and what it set out to do now than there was on first viewing. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Season 9 may not have had many classic/elite episodes ("The House in the Woods" being the only episode to be on that level, but this and "Country Matters" were close"), but to me it is one of the few seasons of 'Midsomer Murders' to not have a bad episode. Even my least favourite "Four Funerals and a Wedding" was still decent. Despite being a change of pace for 'Midsomer Murders', being more court-case-oriented and more psychological with a low body count, "Last Year's Model" is one of the show's best examples of how to do "different"/"change of pace" well.
Pretty much the only thing about "Last Year's Model" that could have been done better to me was that more could have been done with the character of Cully, underused and wasted, and the chemistry between her and Barnaby, which showed potential but it was potential not fully lived up to and underwritten.
However, the production values as always are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, 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 humour (that luckily wasn't overused or out of place in an episode with such a serious story), a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is absorbing, never simplistic, sometimes creepy in atmosphere, never dull (for an exposition-heavy episode) never confusing and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here. The courtroom stuff is fascinating and the flashbacks beautifully interwoven. Loved the chemistry between Barnaby/Jones (always a delight) and Barnaby/Pru.
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together, and the supporting cast are without complaint.
On the whole, a great episode that does wonders with a change of pace. Am happy to admit as well that there is much more appreciation for the episode and what it set out to do now than there was on first viewing. 9/10 Bethany Cox