This was a passable episode that could and should have been much better.
Who's to blame? Some reviewers are happy to lay the blame on Neil Dudgeon, whose main crime is that he's not John Nettles.
Dudgeon, however, is just fine. In his episode the blame lies squarely with the writers. There are too many threads left dangling. For instance, the sub-plot of Edward Stannington's (Nicholas Rowe) death leaving everything to his Aunt Vivian (Cheryl Campbell) and her subsequent behavior is left dangling, as is her relationship with the dodgy Arthur Potts (John Henshaw). The crime here was the waste of talented actress Cheryl Campbell.
Also left dangling is the sub-plot of Arthur's wife Caroline (Fay Ridley) and her relationship with the missing Finn Robson (Royce Pierreson), who was set to elope with Harriet Farmer (Jo Woodcock) when they were attacked in the woods.
The mystery is pretty straightforward, with the viewer able to figure it out early.
Now compare this with the writing in the Season 4 episode, "Who Killed Cock Robin?", where three sub-plots were spun, with a host of red herrings to leave us guessing as to who the murderer was right up to the end.
Dudgeon has a lot to overcome here and he comes through just fine. Unlike some others, I have no problem with him assuming the role. Following the superb John Nettles is a daunting task, but Dudgeon handles it well. I like his take on the character of John Barnaby. Would the critics like it any better if he played it as a clone to the departed Tom Barnaby? His relationship with Sgt. Ben Jones unfolds naturally, given he is a total stranger who without warning replaces a boss who Jones greatly admired. So it's rather unsurprising that the two go through an adjustment period, given John Barnaby is a different personality and Jones is resentful that he was not chosen as Tom Barnaby's successor (which would have been an impossibility as he was not an inspector). Dudgeon's chemistry with Fiona Dolman, who plays wife Sarah, is excellent, and Sykes the dog steals every scene he's in. Shades of Asta.
No, Dudgeon's problem is in the poor quality of the writing, which is not nearly as crisp as in the earlier episodes with Nettles. This episode is but another example.
Who's to blame? Some reviewers are happy to lay the blame on Neil Dudgeon, whose main crime is that he's not John Nettles.
Dudgeon, however, is just fine. In his episode the blame lies squarely with the writers. There are too many threads left dangling. For instance, the sub-plot of Edward Stannington's (Nicholas Rowe) death leaving everything to his Aunt Vivian (Cheryl Campbell) and her subsequent behavior is left dangling, as is her relationship with the dodgy Arthur Potts (John Henshaw). The crime here was the waste of talented actress Cheryl Campbell.
Also left dangling is the sub-plot of Arthur's wife Caroline (Fay Ridley) and her relationship with the missing Finn Robson (Royce Pierreson), who was set to elope with Harriet Farmer (Jo Woodcock) when they were attacked in the woods.
The mystery is pretty straightforward, with the viewer able to figure it out early.
Now compare this with the writing in the Season 4 episode, "Who Killed Cock Robin?", where three sub-plots were spun, with a host of red herrings to leave us guessing as to who the murderer was right up to the end.
Dudgeon has a lot to overcome here and he comes through just fine. Unlike some others, I have no problem with him assuming the role. Following the superb John Nettles is a daunting task, but Dudgeon handles it well. I like his take on the character of John Barnaby. Would the critics like it any better if he played it as a clone to the departed Tom Barnaby? His relationship with Sgt. Ben Jones unfolds naturally, given he is a total stranger who without warning replaces a boss who Jones greatly admired. So it's rather unsurprising that the two go through an adjustment period, given John Barnaby is a different personality and Jones is resentful that he was not chosen as Tom Barnaby's successor (which would have been an impossibility as he was not an inspector). Dudgeon's chemistry with Fiona Dolman, who plays wife Sarah, is excellent, and Sykes the dog steals every scene he's in. Shades of Asta.
No, Dudgeon's problem is in the poor quality of the writing, which is not nearly as crisp as in the earlier episodes with Nettles. This episode is but another example.