"Midsomer Murders" has always been one of my most re-watched shows. That being said, the 4th season to a great TV show didn't start so strong with "Garden of Death". In my humble opinion, the premiere of the 4th series is one of the average entries to "Midsomer Murders".
Though let's start with good, shall we?
. The production values of this episode are top-notch. The direction by Peter Smith is gorgeous and the music in the background is extremely beautiful.
. The cast is mostly enjoyable as well. Neil Dudgeon's having fun with his juicy gardener role, Fredrick Treves is likable in his relatively small screen time, Margaret Tyzack and Anthony Bate are powerfully in the spotlight, Victoria Hamilton's suitably vulnerable too.
. There are some occasional sparks in the script. The murders are very brutal here (really liked the second one, which was elaborate). The twist about a local woman being killed was a fine enough turn and the humor was quirky too.
But "Garden of Death" was a mixed bag for me. I am starting with nitpicks.
. Couple of performances got annoying. Sarah Alexander and Belinda Lang didn't sell their character in particular.
. The solution to the murder mystery isn't the strongest here. The identity of the killer is not hard to figure out at all and the motives (hatred) felt bit too standard for "Midsomer Murders".
Now to bigger problems.
. The characters could have been much more interesting and drawn out. Even Neil Dudgeon's juicy gardener wasn't given as much as I would have wanted to.
. The story of "Garden of Death" does take way too long to take get started. During the first half an hour or more nothing really that compelling happens. Starting from the second murder I was on board with the story.
Overall, a mixed bag of an episode. 5/10 HK
Though let's start with good, shall we?
. The production values of this episode are top-notch. The direction by Peter Smith is gorgeous and the music in the background is extremely beautiful.
. The cast is mostly enjoyable as well. Neil Dudgeon's having fun with his juicy gardener role, Fredrick Treves is likable in his relatively small screen time, Margaret Tyzack and Anthony Bate are powerfully in the spotlight, Victoria Hamilton's suitably vulnerable too.
. There are some occasional sparks in the script. The murders are very brutal here (really liked the second one, which was elaborate). The twist about a local woman being killed was a fine enough turn and the humor was quirky too.
But "Garden of Death" was a mixed bag for me. I am starting with nitpicks.
. Couple of performances got annoying. Sarah Alexander and Belinda Lang didn't sell their character in particular.
. The solution to the murder mystery isn't the strongest here. The identity of the killer is not hard to figure out at all and the motives (hatred) felt bit too standard for "Midsomer Murders".
Now to bigger problems.
. The characters could have been much more interesting and drawn out. Even Neil Dudgeon's juicy gardener wasn't given as much as I would have wanted to.
. The story of "Garden of Death" does take way too long to take get started. During the first half an hour or more nothing really that compelling happens. Starting from the second murder I was on board with the story.
Overall, a mixed bag of an episode. 5/10 HK