Midsomer Murders (TV Series) The Point of Balance (2019) User Reviews

Dancing and robots

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 22 January 2020]

As the twenty first series of Midsomer Murders gets underway there is a ballroom dancing competition getting underway in Midsomer; on the surface it looks friendly but inevitably there is more than friendly rivalry between those involved. Even more inevitably somebody associated with the competition is found dead after the first night. Barnaby and Winter start investigating and soon find motives in the dancing competitors... and away from the competition in a local robotics laboratory. Away from the investigation Barnaby's father has come to visit and family tensions rise somewhat.

This was an enjoyable episode with plenty of motives and suspects... the problem was that the actual motive was almost impossible to guess before the reveal; the identity of the killer isn't quite so hard to guess. The second murder it classic Midsomer Murders... I'm sure every viewer will guess that somebody will be killed this way as we are shown a particular piece of equipment. The episode does cover a number of issues; there is an injured veteran suffering from PTSD, and a character suffering from a degenerative brain condition. The cast does a solid job; most notably Nigel Havers who gives a touching portrayal of the man who knows he will soon lose all his memories. The subplot involving Barnaby's relationship with his father wasn't too much of a distraction and had a pleasant resolution. Overall a decent episode; just a pity it wasn't possible to give earlier hints about the motives.

Where's the Quirk?

[dublinbound · 6/10 · 19 April 2020]

An interesting episode but it seemed to be all over the place with the various plots. I have seen every episode of MM and it does appear the stories have taken on a much more somber tone. I miss the villages, the quirky characters, and the comic relief of the earlier years.

Very convoluted

[rebekahrox · 7/10 · 12 September 2020]

This one had at least 7 different subplots which tied together very flimsily or not at all. I had a hard time piecing all the relationships together. It was all over the place. Had a few good elements. Notably Christopher Timothy as John's Dad.

An ok episode, but the ending was poor.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 23 January 2020]

I was surprised first of all, that we in The UK didn't have to wait until 2023 to see this one, this first first episode from the new series seemed to come hot on the heels of Send in the clowns.

I am sometimes concerned with a flashy start, as we had in the previous episode, that pretty much set the tone for the episode, I thought it was more style over substance.

The cast were great, Nigel Havers, Tom Chambers, Jaye Griffiths was exceptional. That cast deserved a better story, it was a little too far fetched, and the ending was somewhat disappointing.

Slightly slow, an effort to take advantage of the millions that tune into Strictly? It was an OK episode. 6/10

Last Tango in Midsomer

[abizmom · 8/10 · 17 February 2021]

OK, it was a bit convoluted, but the theme of father/son dynamics was well-handled & I was rather moved by the détente in the Barnaby household at the end. Great dancing too!

Fairly Weird and boring episode

[lbowdls · 6/10 · 6 March 2021]

Starts off that it would be good with the dancing but I get easily distracted from this episode I don't follow it, but mainly I don't want to follow it as it's pretty boring, I've tried to twice. Then Barnaby plays the ending like his Hercule Poirot addressing all the suspects, ordinarily this different aspect might help the episode but unfortunately to me it doesn't. At least the following episodes get better.

Good story. But, huge script and casting flaws.

[vitoscotti · 8/10 · 14 June 2023]

An intriguing story from start to finish. Reminded me of a "Morse" script at its high points. I liked the premise of a con man Jake Hannity (Jack Hawkins) working his way into a rich family. Most everything worked well setting up a terrific revealing of the mystery. Problems I had was the poor casting of Lilly Wilder with Jaye Griffiths. Then the Ray Wilder (Tom Chambers) character was mildly hinted at being off mentally. But, there was nothing in the story saying so. He'd have to be unbalanced to be a willing dupe. Also the army veteran not knowing the nicknames of the helicopters was a reach. John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) really came off as a cold odd duck with not only his interaction with his father, but with his at times icy demeanor with the rest of his family. More MM world of coincidences with Grandpa Barnaby being an enthusiast of ballroom dancing just what sonny is investigating at the time. Overall decent story with some widespread less than stellar acting at times.

Average

[xbatgirl-30029 · 7/10 · 31 December 2021]

I call this average for Midsomer Murders, which is still way better than most other shows. I just couldn't get into this one. I sort of wish the plot just focused on the dance competition or just on the robotics company, then they could have spent more time developing the many non-descript characters. Nigel Havers was very believable as a man living with early dementia. I've only really known Tom Chambers from Father Brown, so I liked seeing another side of him. He was quite good with the dance moves too. Glad to see the show hired an actor with a real disability to play Duncan.

Unfortunately the part of Jake and the actor playing him were so bland, I sort of forgot he existed for most of the show. When he had the scene threatening the dancer towards the end, I was like "who is this now? Who is the other guy? Why is any of this happening?" I barely had a handle of the woman who claimed she was being threatened and why. There was zero character development, no to mention many in the cast just sleep walking through the show. Then, of course, by the end, Jake's motives are just hinted at and his fiancé was so yuck, she seemed to deserve what she got. Really I blame the script - mostly. Somehow the plot and actors were very middling and disconnected.

As others have said, I'm a little confused about why Winter has become so much an afterthought. He's really not given much to do, but then there's also not much energy being exerted by the actor either. Fleur is always good. I've started rewatching Doctor Who and loved seeing her alter ego as a Slitheen. Perhaps a cousin of Fleur's? Lol.

A most promising start of a short season

[inet1000 · 10/10 · 6 December 2019]

Excellent acting, and behind the Strictly Come Dancing theme the back stories are solid. A pertinent and well deserved nod to our veterans who served abroad!

Paso doble, dance floor and murder!!

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 27 August 2022]

A touring dance extravaganza comes to Midsomer, but nobody sees the vicious rivalries and long-running feuds that are brewing behind the scenes - at least not until they erupt into murder. Barnaby's investigation into the killing of a dancer is complicated by an unexpected visit from his father, while the sponsor of the event is at the centre of a conflict of his own as he tries to decide who should inherit his fortune.

An enjoyable MM episode gone all strictly with some cast members being celeb dancers in Strictly come dancing. There's the usual OTT murders, a robotic arm dispatching a hapless victim, and some good detective work and good dancing. I would give this a sssseven!!

I am an American but, I am so grateful that...

[thundermgswife72 · 10/10 · 15 December 2019]

Midsomer has finally added an Injured War Veteran from OEF+OIF. It's been a long time coming and it makes me very happy that the writers have finally brought the show up to speed with current world affairs since Midsomer is so insulated from the outside world. And, just to make sure I am understood: I personally would like to say "Thank You and God Bless You" for each and every British, Scot, Irish, Jersey, Isle of Mann, and all of the other men and women Soldiers, Sailors, Air Personnel and ALL military and the civilians and families that support them from that part of the world who have come to assist and aid the United States Military personnel (such as my husband) in Iraq and Afghanistan. You have fought BESIDE us in (almost) every war since the American Revolution and we appreciate it AND YOU!!! Well done and many blessings.

Great show too! I love British TV and movies. So sick of the invasive politics in American "entertainment"...

Cat's in the cradle

[safenoe · 6/10 · 6 April 2021]

There's an underlying theme of neglected fatherhood and under-appreciated sons in this season 21 opener, broadcast a few weeks before Christmas 2019. Anyway, robots plays a key role in this, and one of the robot employees looks like Moss from The IT Crowd. But no laughter here, with the Afghanistan War thrown in for good measure. I felt that the ending was rather hollow and now what we devotees of Midsomer would expect. It seems like there was no there there. More like a Hallmark movie with a bitter ending.

Robotic and robotic script

[andrew-805 · 4/10 · 21 January 2020]

MM is into season 21 and showing its age Not very likeable characters even with some very good actors Everyone seems to be doing this by rote and the whole episode is rather flat, except the dancing and music are good and the treatment of veterans explored - but as a murder mystery it's pants The motive for the murders as often in MM is bewildering. The sideshow of Christopher Timothy as Dad is a bit awkward at times Time-filler but little more.

Sykes the dog seems a long time ago...

Cha Cha Cha

[ummajon2003 · 7/10 · 9 June 2021]

I like Winter's hair being shorter--it looks more cop-like. Now only if he would loosen up those skinny pants, he'd be more professional. The dance atmosphere was gaudy and flat boring in the beginning. But a rainy night murder and lovely English homes made up for it a bit. Then mid episode it seemed the actors got to work; their stories got more interesting and kept my attention to the glittering end. We met John's father who used to be a competitive dancer/absentee father which explains a few things about the DCI (but not his dance skills). Overall, not great, but also not bad. A 7 out of 10!

Why?

[Ziggy1965 · 6/10 · 10 December 2019]

Why can't the writers write a show where the reason for the murder actually has a meaning that us viewers will care about? The story was decent but the ending ... oh well.

Solid episode with a horrible ending

[adrive-1 · 6/10 · 14 December 2020]

I liked the plot in the beginning, Dudgeon and Hendrix are a great team so no complaints. But the end was so bad i could hardly watch it. Season 21 starts weak with one of the worst endings in midsomer history, but gets better with every episode Of this very short season.

Marvelous

[sailboater-62475 · 7/10 · 4 November 2021]

I like Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby. I was sad when John Nettles left the series but it hasn't missed a stride since then. With both actors there were a couple of scrips that were substandard. Just like in Bergerac or all creatures great and small 1978. I have enjoyed Badlands in all three.

Dancing its way to okay.

[harrykivi · 5/10 · 7 December 2019]

The 20th season of "Midsomer murders" I thought was a fine series for one of my most beloved shows. The 21th season however is a pretty solid season on its own. That being said, "The Point of Balance" is an okay entry to the series, having a lots of problems (mainly with the script).

But there are a lot of good aspects here.

. The production of this episode is amazing as usual. Audrey Cooke directs "The Point of Balance" very well (the dancing scenes are nice). The episode has some great scenery and awesome music which felt haunting.

. The story here is at times very entertaining (Fleur Perkins- love that character so much) and interesting. Lovely humour, nice twists and turns are well present here.

. The cast does an amazing job with very good performances by Jack Hawkins,Jaye Griffiths, Tom Chambers, Carolina Main, Cassidy Little and so on.

. Some of the script is thought-provoking with its underlined themes of fatherhood, bravery, passion.

Sadly there are some huge problems regarding the script, which I feel bad saying, because Nicholas- Hicks Beach, who I am a fan of, has been pretty original with his thoughts on the show. But the episode must have some cons too- it's the point of balance I'm talking about :)

. The subplot about Ned Barnaby, the father of John Barnaby who John doesn't get along with at all, was sadly too sidelined and its place in the episode felt very obvious for its own good.

. Some clues regarding the solution of "The Point of Balance" where quite easy to figure out- especially the father-son relationship one- so I wasn't suprised by the solution.

. Nick Hendrix's Jamie Winter has nothing new to offer as a character, which was disappointing, because Winter became a person of interest of mine in the previous season.

. Also, I found this episode hard to follow at times. It was not boring, but the whole robotics part of the story felt apart from the dancing Extravaganza plot line (mainly because of huge tone shifting between the two).

Maybe I'm too harsh on this episode, but still I was kind of disappointed by it.

5/10 HK

They should really shut up shop.

[colinrogers-52363 · 3/10 · 21 February 2020]

Oh for the halcyon days when id sit glued to the tv absorbed by the way these stories would play. Beautifully crafted scripts, plot twists, super acting, great locations and final revelations in Midsomer Murders. I'm aggrieved to write it has, for me, no longer many of these attributes. Plots are thin, scripts seem confused, the final whodunnit staging is now very hamm," Am-Dram" and poorly staged. Neil Dudgeon even seems bored. He's never seemed comfortable with the responsibility left to him by John Nettles and the producers. He's never been a lead actor . Sidekick certainly. All his grimmacing and hang dog expressions have never sat well as a lead detective. I now watch Vera or Endeavour for tightly crafted scripts , great plots, characterisation and beautiful locations. . MM is now in the background as a comfortable noise. It's time for a final curtain call. Can't live for the past forever.

Not happy with the direction this is going.

[phineasboggs · 1/10 · 11 January 2020]

For instance, this story is lacking & isn't a Midsomer Murder. The characters lack personality, kindness or likeability. I felt like I was watching a Hallmark Movie or a spin-off from Death in Paradise, or a juvenile American Movie. No substance here. I have been a loyal viewer from the getgo but it's time to go.

Time this old horse was shot

[prodenhuis · 2/10 · 16 February 2020]

What a feeble plot. The motivation of the son to commit murder was fear of losing a deal which was to impress the father (Nigel Havers).

Death come dancing

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 25 February 2020]

Although 'Midsomer Murders' was absolutely great in its prime (Seasons 1-9, so most of the Tom Barnaby era), it wasn't always the same when John Barnaby took over despite some good episodes. The worst episodes of the entire show however being disgraces. Although the past couple of seasons has had by far the best pathologist since Bullard, the last few seasons have suffered from very underwhelming denouements and the mysteries not being as good as they could.

Which is the case with "The Point of Balance", an episode that pretty much epitomises all of the above, apart from that it is more a middling episode rather than a disgrace (it takes a lot to call any episode for anything that). A case of the dance setting (being someone who has watched 'Strictly Come Dancing', with the episode having a few of that show's celebrity finalists participating in roles in also acting roles, since its inception and my three sisters became quite advanced dancers) delighting but too much of the mystery itself underwheming. "The Point of Balance" had a great premise and setting, but was another middling episode that was neither one of 'Midsomer Murders' best or worst.

"The Point of Balance" does have a lot of things working in its favour. 'Midsomer Murders' has always been a very well made series in terms of production values, even in the not so good episodes. The production values in "The Point of Balance" is no exception. The scenery is hugely attractive on the eyes, which the photography really enhances. Can't fault the music either, never have done. In terms of tonally and in how it's used, the music is a perfect fit. The main theme is as haunting as ever.

Here and there there are some clever twists and turns, some relevant and relatable themes touched upon and Fleur continues to be a major hit and brings some welcome humour to the proceedings. The performances are strong, lead and supporting and a great job is done with the dance setting, its depiction of what appears to be glamorous and enchanting can actually in reality be high in competition and tempestuous accurate.

It is a shame though that the mystery underwhelms. It's pretty pedestrian in pace, so it doesn't always grab the attention, and is not always easy to follow. The too obvious clues and that the episode can feel padded don't help. The Barnaby father/son subplot is little more than under-explored filler and Winter agreed has very little presence in this episode, actually found him pretty forgettable and adding little. The dialogue has occasional spark, like with Fleur, and provokes thought but there is nothing exceptional.

Worst of all was the ending. It's yet another late 'Midsomer Murders' episode ending that feels rushed and last minute, as well as far-fetched and the perpetrator for me was actually not a surprise. What really brought it down was the motive, which was not buyable at all and yet another "they killed for that?" motive that has seemed to be a common thread with the late John Barnaby-era episodes. It would be plausible if the crime was something else other than murder, like breaking a school rule or framing somebody else for cheating in an exam, but for that motive the perpetrator's actions to me felt rather extreme.

Altogether, watchable if disappointing. 5/10

Dancing to a different beat

[sherondalewis-20531 · 4/10 · 22 May 2022]

Ok...this episode has like, 3 or so storylines (4 maybe) so, I'm going to share what I thought about: Story A, Dance Competition Story B, Robot Company Story C, War Veteran(s) Story D, John's Father Ok, we have the dance competition. The first scenes of the episode is great with all the beautiful dancing. I found out that the dancers (quite a bit of them) were from Strictly Come Dancing (Original version of America's Dancing With The Stars). They are a part of a competition to have 4 couples vie for a chance to win. They are sponsored by a man named Andrew Wilder and his wife, who is also the CEO of a robotic company for war veterans with disabilities and the event was attended by John, Sarah, and John's dad, Ned.

The story had me trying to get all the stories together. The story as a whole was made me go back and forth to figure who's who and why and how A got with B and such. It was confusing. BUT, this is what I took away from this: I loved the story between the husband and wife who sponsored the dancing. He is dying of dementia. Slowly but surely. Eight years max and he has already done 3. He loves his wife and she adores him. But, he wants his wife to be happy and thus, she has an affair (with his blessing) with a war vet. But, this is MM and what happens? He gets murdered and now, she has a murdered lover who wanted to take care of her after her husband dies and now she is in grief..again. And the sadness her husband sees that the 2 men she loves had either been murdered or is about to die..I thought their relationship and storyline was nice (it is rare to find a couple that is in love with each other besides the Barnaby men).

The other takeaway is the Barnaby family line. So far, from watching all the seasons instead of season 22 (didn't show here in the states yet) I understood this: Tom Barnaby's dad died on his birthday whilst fishing from a massive stroke. He had an argument with him and he died (from Fit for Murder). Tom's mom died (from dementia or something close to that) and he used to visit her in hospital (Blue Herrings). And John and Tom had an uncle who coined the phrase (Think laterally). So, there were 3 Barnaby brothers. And the baby (?) of them is Ned, who is John's Father. And John's mother died 12 years earlier. And Ned was a ballroom dancer and went all over the place (also, Tom and John were only children of their parents). See...I was more into trying to get that in place than why a son killed a war vet and such and blah, blah, blah...and the ending was OK. I actually felt bad for Ned because he seemed like a good guy. I wish they did a Barnaby family reunion because I would be up for that. I love Fluer, she's a riot. Winters is cool. Sarah is nice and was letting John know he was acting kind of nasty to his dad. For anyone wanting a better review of all the storylines and characters, read the other comments on here.

No thanks

[dabigplanet-96102 · 2/10 · 13 October 2020]

The story is centered on an illegal war that "we've" been fighting for 18 years. I think maybe the baby boomers and Fox Newsers might enjoy this, but the Afghan War angle took me out of it.