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.
While it is a long way from 'Midsomer Murders' at its best, "Midsomer Life" is not bad, pretty good in fact to me. Comparing it to the previous Season 11 episodes, "Midsomer Life" is the second best after "Blood Wedding", which was excellent. "Left for Dead" was also a decent episode that sadly fell apart with a terrible ending that is one of the show's worst. Then there's "Shot at Dawn", a poor start to the season and a poor episode in general, good opening but fell downhill fast, memorable for its ridiculousness (including perhaps the most outrageous attempted murder in 'Midsomer Murders' history).
"Midsomer Life" could have been better certainly. It is agreed (although the reviewer is far harsher on the episode than me) that the killer was pretty anonymous for much of the episode and pretty forgettable, that it was a surprise to find out that it was them, and that the motives were both drastic and flimsy. The final solution is contrived and somewhat convoluted, and one of the murders needed more explanation and like it came from nowhere.
However, 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, which is generally well structured and crafted, and the supporting characters are entertaining enough. The story is very compelling, there is a lot going on but doesn't get that confusing or overcrowded and apart from one of the murders it's wrapped up neatly but not too conveniently. Really liked the amusing and never overly-silly subplot with Joyce, and it was nice to see serve a proper purpose.
Really appreciated the first murder happening early on and that we didn't have to sit through at least 30 minutes of exposition (which varied in how interesting and necessary it was in most of the previous season and in "Shot at Dawn"). More red herrings, clues and twists and turns than with some of the previous episodes, and the characters are back to the colourfully eccentric ones. The murders are more grizzly than usual (without being overly or gratuitously so) and pretty inventive, the washing machine murder for 'Midsomer Murders' is unique.
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, really liked Selina Caddell here.
In conclusion, good but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
While it is a long way from 'Midsomer Murders' at its best, "Midsomer Life" is not bad, pretty good in fact to me. Comparing it to the previous Season 11 episodes, "Midsomer Life" is the second best after "Blood Wedding", which was excellent. "Left for Dead" was also a decent episode that sadly fell apart with a terrible ending that is one of the show's worst. Then there's "Shot at Dawn", a poor start to the season and a poor episode in general, good opening but fell downhill fast, memorable for its ridiculousness (including perhaps the most outrageous attempted murder in 'Midsomer Murders' history).
"Midsomer Life" could have been better certainly. It is agreed (although the reviewer is far harsher on the episode than me) that the killer was pretty anonymous for much of the episode and pretty forgettable, that it was a surprise to find out that it was them, and that the motives were both drastic and flimsy. The final solution is contrived and somewhat convoluted, and one of the murders needed more explanation and like it came from nowhere.
However, 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, which is generally well structured and crafted, and the supporting characters are entertaining enough. The story is very compelling, there is a lot going on but doesn't get that confusing or overcrowded and apart from one of the murders it's wrapped up neatly but not too conveniently. Really liked the amusing and never overly-silly subplot with Joyce, and it was nice to see serve a proper purpose.
Really appreciated the first murder happening early on and that we didn't have to sit through at least 30 minutes of exposition (which varied in how interesting and necessary it was in most of the previous season and in "Shot at Dawn"). More red herrings, clues and twists and turns than with some of the previous episodes, and the characters are back to the colourfully eccentric ones. The murders are more grizzly than usual (without being overly or gratuitously so) and pretty inventive, the washing machine murder for 'Midsomer Murders' is unique.
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, really liked Selina Caddell here.
In conclusion, good but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox