Despite not being the same since John Nettles left, do still have a soft spot for 'Midsomer Murders' and would see any new episode regardless of what is felt about it afterwards. In its prime it was a great series, cosy and with a charming atmosphere while also mixing that with diverting mysteries, suspense and humour. Have found too many of the John Barnaby era episodes over-serious and the mysteries not always involving and leaning at times towards the absurd.
Season 20 generally though has been one of the better recent years (so talking about the John Barnaby era here) seasons, with the only disappointing one so far being "Death of the Small Coppers". The other two previous episodes were solid if not great, 'Midsomer Murders' has yet to have a return to form. "The Lions of Causton" is another solid if not great episode (the best of the season yet though) with a lot of good, the best great, points, though it doesn't solve the flaws that were there in the previous Season 20 episodes. Completely agree with the previous reviewer and don't have an awful lot to add, though will write my thoughts anyway because of wanting to review every episode.
Will start with those flaws. Like the previous episode "Drawing Dead", in fact the same flaws of that episode are here pretty much, it is not without its dull and silly stretches, of the episodes of the season "The Lions of Causton" for me was the most difficult to get into straightaway initially. Some characters could have done with much more development to the point one questions why they are there in the first place.
There are things that are too obvious too early (a pet hate of mine when it comes to murder mysteries/detective dramas) or take far too long to figure out.
However, there is a lot to like here. The production values cannot be faulted as usual. It's beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. The atmosphere was a mix of picturesque and unnerving, which is appropriate and suits the tone of the show very well.
For me, the writing while patchy was an improvement on the writing for most John Barnaby era episodes, with a nice mix of thought provoking and amusing like 'Midsomer Murders' at its best was. The story mostly did engage, with a diverting and suitably keeping-one-guessing mystery, with lots of twists and turns and enough suspects to not make things too obvious (mostly, at times it is a problem as said above). The murders are elaborate and strange while not without their tension. The chemistry between the actors is more natural and warmer than before, while the acting is generally good. Great in the case of Tamzin Outhwaite and Michael Maloney. Didn't have as big a problem with John as have done in previous episodes, Neil Dudgeon doesn't play him as heavily as he did before, and he works well with Winter, who has become more interesting over time. Annette Badland continues to be a joy, by far the best pathologist of the show since Bullard (having never warmed to either Kate and especially Kam). Love her deadpan and lively personality and sense of humour. While the ending is still on the rushed side and not everything is tied up, it is a surprising one and it is one of the few episodes in recent years where not only the motive was buyable but also it has the most emotional impact for any episode in a long time.
Overall, solid. 7/10
16 out of 25 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
