Not one of my favourite 'Midsomer Murders' episodes. Compared to previous episodes, most of which ranging from very good to classic (with the odd one out being "Blue Herrings", which was a little dull but above average overall), it is however a bit of a disappointment.
With that being said, there are much worse episodes in the show, "The Electric Vendetta" being one of the biggest earlier examples. By all means, there is still a lot to like about "Garden of Death". The production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, who can't help love that house, quaint and atmospheric photography with some of the shots actually enhancing the herrings. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. This may look like reiterating what was said about what was so good about the previous episodes, but only because when 'Midsomer Murders' was in its prime its strengths were the same and with similar impact.
Some of the script is thought-provoking and with a healthy balance of the humorous, the whimsical, the thoughtful and the emotional, while there is enough intrigue and fun for the episode to be stuck with. Especially the neat twist/second subplot involving the body of a missing woman being found which is somewhat slightly more interesting than the primary plot. While not graphic, the murders are very clever, the most horrible being the second murder (in order of how they appear in the episode).
Dependably, the acting is very good, superb in the case of John Nettles, and his chemistry with Daniel Casey (a great contrast as ever as Troy), Jane Wymark (love their loving chemistry) and Barry Jackson always convincing and more. The supporting cast, with familiar faces like Anna Calder Marshall, Frederick Treves, Neil Dudgeon (who would later go on to be Nettles' replacement) and Kate Duchene, are fine too.
However, the story does take a while to get going and there are dull stretches at times. The characters have been more interesting and lively in previous episodes and since, Elspeth being the juiciest. While the murderer was not that hard to figure out for the main story the motive was less easy and a surprise (if less surprising for the second subplot mystery), one cannot help feeling sorry for them because the victims were so loathsome.
The two murder plots could have been neatly entwined, but the two are very much unrelated on the most part and while both are intriguing enough on their own together there is a slightly disjointed feel. Sarah Alexander has a somewhat annoying character to work with, and plays her just as annoyingly.
All in all, decent episode but there are much stronger 'Midsomer Murders' episodes before and since. 7/10 Bethany Cox
With that being said, there are much worse episodes in the show, "The Electric Vendetta" being one of the biggest earlier examples. By all means, there is still a lot to like about "Garden of Death". The production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, who can't help love that house, quaint and atmospheric photography with some of the shots actually enhancing the herrings. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. This may look like reiterating what was said about what was so good about the previous episodes, but only because when 'Midsomer Murders' was in its prime its strengths were the same and with similar impact.
Some of the script is thought-provoking and with a healthy balance of the humorous, the whimsical, the thoughtful and the emotional, while there is enough intrigue and fun for the episode to be stuck with. Especially the neat twist/second subplot involving the body of a missing woman being found which is somewhat slightly more interesting than the primary plot. While not graphic, the murders are very clever, the most horrible being the second murder (in order of how they appear in the episode).
Dependably, the acting is very good, superb in the case of John Nettles, and his chemistry with Daniel Casey (a great contrast as ever as Troy), Jane Wymark (love their loving chemistry) and Barry Jackson always convincing and more. The supporting cast, with familiar faces like Anna Calder Marshall, Frederick Treves, Neil Dudgeon (who would later go on to be Nettles' replacement) and Kate Duchene, are fine too.
However, the story does take a while to get going and there are dull stretches at times. The characters have been more interesting and lively in previous episodes and since, Elspeth being the juiciest. While the murderer was not that hard to figure out for the main story the motive was less easy and a surprise (if less surprising for the second subplot mystery), one cannot help feeling sorry for them because the victims were so loathsome.
The two murder plots could have been neatly entwined, but the two are very much unrelated on the most part and while both are intriguing enough on their own together there is a slightly disjointed feel. Sarah Alexander has a somewhat annoying character to work with, and plays her just as annoyingly.
All in all, decent episode but there are much stronger 'Midsomer Murders' episodes before and since. 7/10 Bethany Cox