"The Fisher King" is one of the middling Season 7 episodes. Not because it is a bad episode, it isn't and a long way from that, but only because "The Green Man" was so wonderful and "Bad Tidings" being very enjoyable.
It could have been better with less characters and more clarity in some of the plotting, because some of "The Fisher King" did feel over-complicated and with so many characters and revelations keeping up and following completely was not always easy. The motives for the killings are slightly on the murky side.
John Nettles as always however is superb, and John Hopkins is settling in very nicely in only his second episode. Both work wonderfully together. All the acting is very strong, with no obvious weak links.
As always, the production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's occasional grimness, 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 some nice quirky humour (that line from Scott about the high body count is irony at its most golden, especially with it being 'Midsomer Murders'), a suitable dark grimness (with a very creepy opening past flashback that sets the tone perfectly) and most of the characters are interesting. The story is mostly compelling and there was still enough to allow one to just about understand what's going on, never simplistic and never losing any of the maturity of most of the previous episodes.
Enjoyed the twists, turns and red herrings, which keep coming In classic 'Midsomer Murders' tradition.
Overall, a decent if somewhat too cluttered and over-complicated episode. 7/10 Bethany Cox