Midsomer Worthy's beloved local pub figures in a case involving unrequited love, secret business deals, and passionate affairs.Midsomer Worthy's beloved local pub figures in a case involving unrequited love, secret business deals, and passionate affairs.Midsomer Worthy's beloved local pub figures in a case involving unrequited love, secret business deals, and passionate affairs.
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Did you know
- TriviaAlan Cox and Freddie Jones both appeared together previously in Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). The film also starred Nicholas Rowe, who appeared two episodes earlier in "The Fisher King."
- GoofsWhen Barnaby and Scott arrive to speak with Clive Cruickshank after Stephen Bannerman's murder there is snow on the lawns. However when they come out there is no snow.
- Quotes
DCI Tom Barnaby: Word of advice about your interviewing technique, Scott.
Sergeant Dan Scott: Uh, Sir?
DCI Tom Barnaby: Drooling, Sergeant. When taking statements from attractive female witnesses, it is not in the manual.
Sergeant Dan Scott: Drooling, Sir?
DCI Tom Barnaby: Drooling, Sir.
Sergeant Dan Scott: What drooling?
- ConnectionsReferences Casablanca (1942)
Featured review
Solid if a little lacking
Of the seventh season up to this point, the best episode from personal opinion is "The Green Man", while "Bad Tidings" was very good, "The Fisher King" was decent if cluttered and over-complicated at times and "Sins of Commission" was mostly fine apart from the contrived last 15 minutes with a rather lazy motive for the murders.
"The Maid in Splendour" was a little lacking, but still very much a solid episode with a lot to like. Was a little underwhelmed by the motive for the killings (though nowhere near as much as "Sins of Commission"), while 'Midsomer Murders' going down the twisted and elaborate route with their motives are often entertaining those here go a little too far and border on the perversely creepy.
Especially in the climax, which is one of the Tom Barnaby-era's most bizarre and over-the-top (if also slightly moving with the outcome). The pacing also could have been tighter in places, some of the middle is sluggish, and the motive for the first murder seemed too guess-able too early (the actual identity of the murderer however to me was a surprise).
However, as can be expected John Nettles is superb and John Hopkins is very much at ease as Scott. Their chemistry is very spirited and brings a lot of joy and witty interplay between them. The supporting cast are strong, especially Freddie Jones, William Gaunt and Frances Tomelty.
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. The story is a vast majority of the time compelling, with many twists, turns and red herrings, a real ominous feel and the odd colourful eccentricity, never feeling simplistic or convoluted. The characters are fun.
All in all, solid episode if a little lacking to be a great one or more. 7/10 Bethany Cox
"The Maid in Splendour" was a little lacking, but still very much a solid episode with a lot to like. Was a little underwhelmed by the motive for the killings (though nowhere near as much as "Sins of Commission"), while 'Midsomer Murders' going down the twisted and elaborate route with their motives are often entertaining those here go a little too far and border on the perversely creepy.
Especially in the climax, which is one of the Tom Barnaby-era's most bizarre and over-the-top (if also slightly moving with the outcome). The pacing also could have been tighter in places, some of the middle is sluggish, and the motive for the first murder seemed too guess-able too early (the actual identity of the murderer however to me was a surprise).
However, as can be expected John Nettles is superb and John Hopkins is very much at ease as Scott. Their chemistry is very spirited and brings a lot of joy and witty interplay between them. The supporting cast are strong, especially Freddie Jones, William Gaunt and Frances Tomelty.
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. The story is a vast majority of the time compelling, with many twists, turns and red herrings, a real ominous feel and the odd colourful eccentricity, never feeling simplistic or convoluted. The characters are fun.
All in all, solid episode if a little lacking to be a great one or more. 7/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 22, 2017
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