As has been said by me a number of times, 'Midsomer Murders' is one of my most watched and most re-watched shows. It is nowhere near as good now and the Tom Barnaby-era wasn't alien to average or less episodes, but when it was on form or at its best boy was it good.
Season 10 was an uneven season, with "The Animal Within" being very good while "The Axeman Cometh" and particularly "Picture of Innocence" underwhelmed somewhat. The other episodes previous to "They Seek Him Here" were decent if flawed. "They Seek Him Here" had an interesting idea, with a unique killing method for the show and the whole filming of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' idea was inspired, but it really isn't one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes and one of the lesser episodes of Season 10 too from personal opinion.
"They Seek Him Here" does get a good deal right. The production values as always are just great, 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.
There are some thoughtful and humorous moments in the script and the supporting characters are entertaining enough. The final solution was surprising and reasonably well done and the episode is one of 'Midsomer Murders' most brutal and unique methods of killing (then again even the thought of a guillotine gives me the creeps).
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together (their chemistry, and the chemistry with Daniel Casey and John Hopkins before Hughes, being a huge part of their episodes' charm). Can't fault the supporting cast either, with Marion McLoughlin, Desmond Barrit and Nicky Henson standing out.
However, the story is not as compelling as it could have been. The first half an hour is too exposition heavy which gives the episode a "far too long to get going" vibe, while there are not enough red herrings, clues and twists and turns in a case with too few suspects. The secondary criminal subplot feels like extraneous and woefully under-explored padding.
Lack of build up to the murders is agreed a problem, and it is too obvious who the victims are (or at least the first victim, far too unlikeable to be kept alive), while how the killer managed to kill the victims (done too much by chance and luck) begged for an explanation that never came. Too much of the script is by the numbers.
All in all, interesting idea that didn't quite work. Average affair, which for 'Midsomer Murders' is disappointing. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Season 10 was an uneven season, with "The Animal Within" being very good while "The Axeman Cometh" and particularly "Picture of Innocence" underwhelmed somewhat. The other episodes previous to "They Seek Him Here" were decent if flawed. "They Seek Him Here" had an interesting idea, with a unique killing method for the show and the whole filming of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' idea was inspired, but it really isn't one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes and one of the lesser episodes of Season 10 too from personal opinion.
"They Seek Him Here" does get a good deal right. The production values as always are just great, 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.
There are some thoughtful and humorous moments in the script and the supporting characters are entertaining enough. The final solution was surprising and reasonably well done and the episode is one of 'Midsomer Murders' most brutal and unique methods of killing (then again even the thought of a guillotine gives me the creeps).
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together (their chemistry, and the chemistry with Daniel Casey and John Hopkins before Hughes, being a huge part of their episodes' charm). Can't fault the supporting cast either, with Marion McLoughlin, Desmond Barrit and Nicky Henson standing out.
However, the story is not as compelling as it could have been. The first half an hour is too exposition heavy which gives the episode a "far too long to get going" vibe, while there are not enough red herrings, clues and twists and turns in a case with too few suspects. The secondary criminal subplot feels like extraneous and woefully under-explored padding.
Lack of build up to the murders is agreed a problem, and it is too obvious who the victims are (or at least the first victim, far too unlikeable to be kept alive), while how the killer managed to kill the victims (done too much by chance and luck) begged for an explanation that never came. Too much of the script is by the numbers.
All in all, interesting idea that didn't quite work. Average affair, which for 'Midsomer Murders' is disappointing. 5/10 Bethany Cox