Things That Go Bump in the Night
- Episode aired Oct 10, 2004
- TV-14
- 1h 34m
Undertaker Patrick Pennyman is found dead with his wrists slashed and suspicion turns towards a spiritualist church.Undertaker Patrick Pennyman is found dead with his wrists slashed and suspicion turns towards a spiritualist church.Undertaker Patrick Pennyman is found dead with his wrists slashed and suspicion turns towards a spiritualist church.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe band at the fair plays the Midsomer Murders theme music.
- GoofsWhen being questioned about her friend Elizabeth's death, Joyce says that her friend wanted "some answers". Tom responds with "justice from whom in particular?" Wanting answers and getting justice are not the same thing.
- Quotes
Barnaby: I'm not 100% certain about your interview technique, Scott. But it certainly gets results.
Scott: Thank you, sir.
Barnaby: That's something you picked up at the Met, is it?
Scott: Could be.
Barnaby: Do you want to go back there?
Scott: No. I quite like it here.
Barnaby: Good.
Scott: Yeah. I think I might change my job, though.
Barnaby: Hmmm?
Scott: Well, there's a shortage of funeral directors in the area. I could make a fortune.
"Things that Go Bump in the Night" could have fared a little better with more twists and turns, there are some but they are a little blander and not as clever as a lot of those of other episodes before and since. The spirits of the dead idea could have been agreed elaborated upon much more, that was pretty underdeveloped and almost neglected.
Had mixed feelings on the ending. It is notable for two of the show's most repulsive ever murderers and its over-the-top strangeness and spookiness but it wasn't all that shocking, the motives were pretty flimsy and it came dangerously close to being uncomfortably weird.
On the other hand, John Nettles is superb as Barnaby, and is supported with enthusiasm and intensity by John Hopkins. The two share a very spirited chemistry together. Also love the loving chemistry between Nettles and Jane Wymark as Joyce, one can tell that they love each other dearly but that she is frustrated at how much his work gets in the way. The guest supporting turns are very good, Mary Jo Randle, Julian Curry, Phillip Martin Brown and Dearbhla Molloy particularly note-worthy.
Production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's darkness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with the odd bit of nice humour, a suitable dark grimness, a suitably spooky atmosphere and good characters. The story is compelling, and doesn't make either mistake of being simplistic or convoluted, though more twists and turns and a couple of parts elaborated upon more would have made it even better.
In summary, decent if bumpy. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 25, 2017
Details
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 4:3