"Midsomer Murders" has had its fair share of bad episodes. "The Night of the Stag" is easily one of the worst episodes of the show, if even not the worst. I cannot believe it's written by the same man, who wrote the masterful "Masterclass".
Let's start with the redeeming qualities.
. The production values of the episode are great. The direction's fine and the music fits the scenery. The regular cast does the best they can with what they have.
. The murders are imaginative and the first twenty minutes or so are, agreed, not too bad.
But....
. This is one of the few times in "Midsomer Murders", when even the acting is not very good. Most of the performances here are either generic or dull. Warren Clarke in particular is too much at times. The mystery is a dreadfully boring mess with over the top subplots, which take itself way too seriously, lifeless characters, weak dialogue and incredibly silly story. The solution (Samuel is the killer) was very obvious and the motive for the murders is convoluted at best.
Overall, an awful episode.
2/10 HK.
Let's start with the redeeming qualities.
. The production values of the episode are great. The direction's fine and the music fits the scenery. The regular cast does the best they can with what they have.
. The murders are imaginative and the first twenty minutes or so are, agreed, not too bad.
But....
. This is one of the few times in "Midsomer Murders", when even the acting is not very good. Most of the performances here are either generic or dull. Warren Clarke in particular is too much at times. The mystery is a dreadfully boring mess with over the top subplots, which take itself way too seriously, lifeless characters, weak dialogue and incredibly silly story. The solution (Samuel is the killer) was very obvious and the motive for the murders is convoluted at best.
Overall, an awful episode.
2/10 HK.