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.
"Days of Misrule" (the second Christmas-themed episode of 'Midsomer Murders' and nowhere near as good as "Ghosts of Christmas Past") overall was a disappointing episode, to sum it up in one word it would be tedious. Ranking it with the rest of Season 11, for me it's second worst, the worst being "Shot at Dawn" (which was low-point status, something that for all its disappointment "Days of Misrule" never quite reaches).
Would also consider it a forgettable episode too, the only things memorable when watching it on first viewing were the use of Christmas carols and the murder of one of the show's most detestable victims. One further viewing later, it's still a forgettable episode with a few good things, but those two aforementioned things being its most memorable attributes.
There are strengths here in "Days of Misrule", even the worst/low-point 'Midsomer Murders' episodes have redeeming merits. As always, the production values are just great, the idyllic but also hauntingly wintry 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 is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are fine and their chemistry is still fun to watch and natural. The supporting cast, especially Tim Piggott-Smith and Judy Parfitt, do quite well with what they have which by 'Midsomer Murders' standards is nowhere near as strong as ought.
However, a massive problem with "Days of Misrule" (or at least to me) is that the story just isn't that engaging. The Yuletide spirit is nice, but the episode is just far too padded (taking forever to get to the point, when it does it's nearly half-way through), complete with tedious pacing, subplots and situations that are not that intriguing due to some being suddenly introduced and either feel underdeveloped or too pat, a complete lack of imagination and characters that lack any kind of colour or life (the closest is James, but even he is too much of a cliché).
Regarding the final solution, the killer's identity didn't surprise me and didn't make me feel anything while the motives are flimsy. After such a dull first half, the ending felt pretty rushed in comparison as did the second half where they suddenly remembered to bump people off and did it in quick succession. To be honest too, the episode does contain one of the most detestable murder victims there's been that it was a relief to see him killed off and one doesn't really care who killed him. The script is sluggish and by-the-numbers.
All in all, forgettable and tedious. Not a low-point, but even more of a long way from classic 'Midsomer Murders'. 4/10 Bethany Cox
"Days of Misrule" (the second Christmas-themed episode of 'Midsomer Murders' and nowhere near as good as "Ghosts of Christmas Past") overall was a disappointing episode, to sum it up in one word it would be tedious. Ranking it with the rest of Season 11, for me it's second worst, the worst being "Shot at Dawn" (which was low-point status, something that for all its disappointment "Days of Misrule" never quite reaches).
Would also consider it a forgettable episode too, the only things memorable when watching it on first viewing were the use of Christmas carols and the murder of one of the show's most detestable victims. One further viewing later, it's still a forgettable episode with a few good things, but those two aforementioned things being its most memorable attributes.
There are strengths here in "Days of Misrule", even the worst/low-point 'Midsomer Murders' episodes have redeeming merits. As always, the production values are just great, the idyllic but also hauntingly wintry 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 is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are fine and their chemistry is still fun to watch and natural. The supporting cast, especially Tim Piggott-Smith and Judy Parfitt, do quite well with what they have which by 'Midsomer Murders' standards is nowhere near as strong as ought.
However, a massive problem with "Days of Misrule" (or at least to me) is that the story just isn't that engaging. The Yuletide spirit is nice, but the episode is just far too padded (taking forever to get to the point, when it does it's nearly half-way through), complete with tedious pacing, subplots and situations that are not that intriguing due to some being suddenly introduced and either feel underdeveloped or too pat, a complete lack of imagination and characters that lack any kind of colour or life (the closest is James, but even he is too much of a cliché).
Regarding the final solution, the killer's identity didn't surprise me and didn't make me feel anything while the motives are flimsy. After such a dull first half, the ending felt pretty rushed in comparison as did the second half where they suddenly remembered to bump people off and did it in quick succession. To be honest too, the episode does contain one of the most detestable murder victims there's been that it was a relief to see him killed off and one doesn't really care who killed him. The script is sluggish and by-the-numbers.
All in all, forgettable and tedious. Not a low-point, but even more of a long way from classic 'Midsomer Murders'. 4/10 Bethany Cox