Normally I do a recap of the plot of the Midsomer Murders episode, but in the case of "Echoes of the Dead," I'm not going to. As far as the story, it was just okay. And also, may I point out, they didn't solve the case.
Instead I'm going to concentrate on how this series has been depleted by the loss of John Nettles and the Barnaby family.
This series is filmed in England, a country known for turning out some of the greatest actors in history. And you're telling me that the producers couldn't find someone who could at least approximate an acceptable lead? They didn't need a Nettles clone, just someone who could bring something special, if different, to the role.
But no. We have Neil Dudgeon as John Barnaby, deadly serious, nasty to Jones, no chemistry with Jones, with a cute dog who as far as I'm concerned is the star of the show. I am unable to warm up to his wife or to him. He has no charm, no humor, no lightness.
When you have a show with such dastardly crimes that are often bloody, deal with dark secrets, etc., you have to have characters that can add attractiveness, some levity, some camaraderie, some warmth to the proceedings.
So far I haven't seen any of the above. And poor Jones is dangling in the wind. I'd have applied for an immediate transfer.
Instead I'm going to concentrate on how this series has been depleted by the loss of John Nettles and the Barnaby family.
This series is filmed in England, a country known for turning out some of the greatest actors in history. And you're telling me that the producers couldn't find someone who could at least approximate an acceptable lead? They didn't need a Nettles clone, just someone who could bring something special, if different, to the role.
But no. We have Neil Dudgeon as John Barnaby, deadly serious, nasty to Jones, no chemistry with Jones, with a cute dog who as far as I'm concerned is the star of the show. I am unable to warm up to his wife or to him. He has no charm, no humor, no lightness.
When you have a show with such dastardly crimes that are often bloody, deal with dark secrets, etc., you have to have characters that can add attractiveness, some levity, some camaraderie, some warmth to the proceedings.
So far I haven't seen any of the above. And poor Jones is dangling in the wind. I'd have applied for an immediate transfer.