Midsomer Murders (TV Series) Let Us Prey (2014) User Reviews

A Solid episode

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 27 April 2017]

There isn't much you can say about Let us Pray other then it's a solid all round episode. An episode that seemingly goes back to basics, penned by Paul Logue, who decided to strip it back somewhat, the traditional village setting, village eccentrics, lies and deceit, and slightly less outrageous killings.

Nothing about the episode particularly dazzles or stands out as being memorable, but it's watchable enough, I got through it without yawning or losing attention. The ending was a little far fetched, but it was well performed.

Pretty good characters, although the stereotypical criminal vicars have become a little tiresome. The highlight of the episode had to be the duo of Roy Hudd and Patricia Brake, they added some much needed humour. William Beck put in a good shift as Michael Dewar, he made the character very believable.

Logue's next effort The Killings of Copenhgagen would be a much better offering.

Decent, 7/10

How are the killings related to a medieval fresco?

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 8 January 2014]

As this instalment opens a medieval fresco is discovered in the crypt of Midsomer St Claire's church. Six months later a woman is found in the river with a sack over her head… a death that mirrors one of those in the fresco. The obvious suspect is her husband; she had left him for another man and he had a reputation for violence. However in Midsomer the first suspect is rarely the one who did it and there are plenty of other possibilities. As the story goes on two more people die; again their deaths mirror deaths depicted in the fresco.

There are plenty of possible motives; the vicar wants to get her predecessor evicted and seems more concerned with the money the fresco might bring in to the church than ministering to her congregation, two characters are involved in a secret day relationship and it looks as if the first victim was about to leave the country and there was an empty medical folder in her car. All possible motives or just as likely red herrings.

This was another enjoyably silly instalment which featured a decent mystery and three creative murders… especially the final one. As is often the case those who act the guiltiest are proved innocent and one of the apparently nicest characters proved to be more than just a murderer, this lead to a rather poignant conclusion. It is likely that viewers will have an inkling as to the true motive but the details aren't too obvious. As is usually the case the guest cast, which includes plenty of familiar faces, does as good job as do the regulars; while it is too soon to be certain I think Gwilym Lee is settling in well as DS Nelson although I think his character will take a little longer to replace DS Jones in the affections of the viewers.

Certainly enjoyable

[barbrickey17 · 7/10 · 7 August 2020]

This episode for me was actually really enjoyable. I liked it, although the ending was confusing and out of nowhere, I enjoyed all the characters and the plot and storyline was well done. I love the later episodes of Midsomer Murders, and I am certainly enjoying Season 16 so far. This episode is quite good and it's not very predictable, the ending was just so random, I think they could have benefited if they had hinted at the ending throughout the episode. Other than that, I loved it and the cast was sensational and it's an alright episode of the show. Rebecca Front is fantastic as the vicar, and combined with everyone else's peformances, it makes for a really enjoyable episode that will have you intrigued, sort of.

Unlikely deaths for unlikely motive

[bzingostar · 6/10 · 27 January 2015]

May be spoilers here. We didn't see the first murder but the second involved someone without the sense to avoid a lumbering front end loader and stupid enough to stand there and wait for a load of bricks and rubble to be dropped on him. The third victim was stupid enough to sleep under a heavy metal light fitting with an enormous point all held up by a rope that could be untied from ground level. They then could be shackled with heavy chains by both hands without waking up. And what kind of medical results were there that showed that the murderer wasn't related to his "daughter"? This episode was a bit contrived and stupid. Still a big fan of the series.

Good fun - but too many plot weaknesses

[Peter_Jerome · 9 January 2014]

As always I enjoyed this episode, because the characters were engaging, and the actors were good. The mystery gripped me, and I did not guess the identity of the murderer until the very end. Having said that I felt the episode was spoilt by too many flaws in the plot. (I can only identify these by SPOILERS - so please STOP READING NOW if you have yet to enjoy the episode). Why did the murderer choose to use a series of methods depicted on the recently discovered mediaeval fresco? In any event the need for murders two and three only became apparent after the first one was completed. How did the yellow car get used? - the victim had parked it up, and then visited the murderer. How was it taken, used, and returned? How did the victim's bag get into the water? Most seriously, that bag over her head - we are told it came from the place where the murderer worked 20+ years before; why did such a work place have sacks with a logo on, and why had the murderer kept one for decades? Other flaws include quite impossible breaches of confidentiality by a hospital, and a children's home, in revealing sensitive information to characters. Also, the knowledge of the procedures used by the Church of England in managing its properties,and of police procedures (like Inspector Barnaby's public exposure, and interrogation, of his suspect in front of a church full of people)was seriously deficient, and indicated sloppy writing. That said, it was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on a cold, wet, miserable winter's evening.

Very suspenseful story

[vitoscotti · 9/10 · 24 August 2022]

John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) & Nelson (Gwilyn Lee) have had a good rapport from the start. MM loves the Christian loonies theme. Works very well here. Rev Gould (Michael Jayston) & daughter Ava (Andrea Lowe) performances were highlights. The pregnancy anxiousness is being woven in well. A strong streak of episodes is a welcome surprise.

Medieval frescoeing with 'Midsomer Murders'

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 15 March 2017]

When in its prime (a vast majority of Seasons 1-9), 'Midsomer Murders' was a great show and one that is watched and re-watched frequently. Seasons 10-13 became more uneven, with three of the show's worst episodes coming from Seasons 11 and 13, but there were a few solid episodes and "Blood Wedding" and especially "Master Class" were gems.

After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same on the most part. Season 14 was a disappointment outside of "The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust", with "Echoes of the Dead" and "The Night of the Stag" being show low-points. Season 15 was inconsistent, being a case of starting promisingly and then took a three-episodes-in-a-row strange turn with "Written in the Stars" before finishing on a good note.

"The Christmas Haunting" was a good start to Season 16, unfortunately "Let Us Prey" continues Season 16 on a disappointing note. There are certainly worse episodes, but "Let Us Prey" is a long way from one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes.

Production values cannot be faulted as usual. It's mostly beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

Neil Dudgeon is much more comfortable than with the previous two seasons, and Gwilym Lee as Barnaby's new partner Nelson once again fills big shoes more than competently. They work well and cohesively together, that it was good to be spared Jones being written like a dumbed down idiot and Barnaby's disdainful and overly-smug attitude towards him. The supporting cast are all strong (especially Rebecca Front and gleefully enjoyable Michael Jayston), adorable and comedically gifted Sykes continues to steal scenes and it was great that Sarah is written with more development and charm and that her chemistry with Barnaby is here more loving, warmer and playful.

However, the story has its dull and credibility straining stretches, even in the admittedly quite inventive murders themselves, with the pacing in need of a tightening up and less padding. The ending is outlandish and convoluted with a hard to swallow motive.

The script takes too much of a heavy and overly serious tone, with the gently humorous touch generally missing, and it was difficult to overlook the sloppy procedural work (such as confidentiality breaching and how the whole denouement was conducted). Kate is still very bland outside of her and Nelson's subplot and shows herself to be pretty incompetent when examining the first murder victim.

On the whole, okay episode but a long way from great. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Opening Scene

[jasondunlop2001 · 6/10 · 11 December 2014]

This episode has a little of the same old same old about it. It feels like the story writer is just going through the motions & it drags somewhat! I feel its lost its appeal since old Tom Barnaby moved on. I found this episode boring & the characters were less than interesting to watch. The opening scene is of a body just pulled from the water and the pathologist without removing or checking under the victims clothing immediately informs Barnaby that the deceased has abrasions to the arms and legs! How she is able to come to this conclusion within seconds and with the body being fully clothed is a mystery! However i have been very generous in rewarding this episode 6/10 for what was once an excellent drama that has now in my humble opinion reached its end!

More religious blattering

[colinrogers1 · 7/10 · 9 September 2019]

And quite rightly. A very contrived episode. And I cannot warm to John Barnaby ( Neil Dudgeon) as the CI. His acting is so hammy. It's just not subtle at all . Still very "am dram" . He's not a lead and not the charisma of John Nettles. I'm going cold to this series. The supporting acts as ever are scene stealers , Rebecca Front is brilliant as the vicar, Roy Hudd does a great, unexpected turn as well. You forget the great character actors like him. Great stuff! The plots or screenplays are still strong but this hang dog that they've given John Barnaby just doesn't sit well for me. No energy. He looks fed up all the time. The new DS character is good, he's got some new energy. It needs it.

Predictable

[kk-74321 · 6/10 · 19 February 2022]

A little twist in the end but overall standard fair. I do not know why Barnaby has never pushed people of interest for details of their alibi....would the show move at a better pace? You also know if the church is in the plot, someone in the clergy is at least partly responsible. The writers must have a thing against Christians which makes the earlier Christmas show a bit hypocritical.

Watchable, but definitely series's weakest.

[harrykivi · 5/10 · 18 January 2020]

"The Christmas Haunting"- for me- was a great start to the 16th season with its chilly atmosphere, wonderful characters and very good solution. "Let Us Prey" on the other hand is the most disappointing of that series with too many flaws (mainly with the script).

But let's take a look on the good stuff first...

. The production values are usually amazing with great direction by Alex Pillai and charming scenery.

. Some parts of "Let Us Prey" are fairly interesting, especially liked the beginning starting with a murder linking to medieval fresco.

.The acting is nice. Micheal Jayston standing out in particular. Charlie Nelson is an awesome character, by the way. Very energetic.

. The idea behind this episode is kind of cool and the murders are executed well enough.

Which brings me to negatives..

. "Let Us Prey" takes too serious approach for its own good and misses out much of the humor of "Midsomer Murders."

. The story doesn't unfortunately keep its compelling premise and becomes bit boring some times with its themes and to be frank: the fresco part of "Let Us Prey" is sadly underdeveloped.

. The solution too feels thought over at the last minute with weak motives and unrealistic mess of a killer.

Overall: watchable episode, but pretty disappointing for the most part.

5/10 HK

Let us Prey...and enjoy

[getinbusiness · 29 October 2014]

May contain spoilers...Another enjoyable episode with the new Barnaby, testament to great writing and acting that the new Inspector has fitted in flawlessly into the whole Midsomer murders thing. I like the fact that he is different from his predecessor in manner but very similar in his work, his new sergeant is good and well played by the actor but i still miss jones, plus i don't think his casual attire fits in well with the series. In terms of this episode, it was good, enjoyable but the motive behind killing 3 people is a little bit beyond even a phsyco let alone the eventual killer... also i've noticed that midsomer murders go out of their way to vilify the religious and something i found disappointing in this episode was that there were two opposing religious people in this episode, you would be rooting for the obvious but as it turns out neither are good decent people as you would expect from religious types, then again maybe midsomer murders are only projecting the reality of what these religious types are, money hungry, think they are above the law, preach one thing, do the complete opposite, hide behind the collar... but how can you not like midsomer murders, the lovely scenery, the great acting and I love the addition of Sykes the dog! I hope it lasts for many more years

kind of tired

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 23 September 2016]

"Let Us Prey" follows a typical Midsomer Murders template.

When a female corpse is discovered in a river, it's Barnaby and his new partner investigating.

The woman is Nancy Dewar, who has just left her husband and moved in with an art historian, Philip.

Philip is restoring a frescoes at one of the local churches, and Nancy's death is like one found in a fresco. Philip has an alibi. Meanwhile, Rev. Hillcott decides the church needs money to preserve the frescoes, as the river is rising and they are in danger of being destroyed.

Nancy was supposed to sell her vote to the reverend, but dies before she can.

There are two more murders, both copying death shown in the frescoes. in the frescoes.

The river bursts and the community races to the church for refuge. Barnaby feels the deaths have to do with the sale of land, but it turns out there is a much deeper reason.

This was an okay episode, with some emphasis on Barnaby's pregnant wife. They're trying to recreate the success Tom Barnaby's family had on the show. Neil Dudgeon is pleasant and a smart detective, but the show has lost its pizazz at least with this episode.

ho hum

[mar9tin · 5/10 · 24 April 2015]

Besides being entirely implausible and as full of inexplicable expedients and bad police work as red herrings, another in the tiresome line of Midsomer's blasting religious hypocrisy and rural English life while boosting homosexuality. Might have been written by some of the Bloomsbury set. There really isn't much more that can be said for it other than disclosing the plot. As usual the acting, characterization and scenery is flawless. And at least nothing defies the laws of physics. Just credulity. The producers love to hang the crime on the least likely subject, someone who's never seen out of a chair, but who's omniscient and omnipresent.

Let us prey

[coltras35 · 4/10 · 29 July 2023]

A series of killings in Midsomer St Claire seem to be inspired by macabre images on a medieval fresco recently discovered in the church crypt. As the village prepares for storms and flooding, it appears that someone is using ancient torture methods to punish modern-day 'sinners'. With help from sidekick Charlie Nelson, Barnaby tries to get to the bottom of the case, and unearths a long-held secret that takes him by surprise.

Apart a couple of inventive deaths - impaled by candelabra, death by rubble - it's a rather routine affair hampered by its stodgy pace. There's the usual anti-religious sentiment, but the fine cast does it's best. Michael Jayston is a standout character as a reverend.