This episodes strongest feature is the insane war going on between the old, stuffy, conservative analog-photographers and the gang of young, hostile "digitalists" in leather jackets. For anyone with even a small interest in photography this episode is a candy-box of treats. From the great care in details by prop- and costume-crew, to the absurd scenes where those antagonists interact. The murder plot is not the best the series has had, but to me this is forgiven for all the laughs I got! The main characters a unfortunately overshadowed by the unlikely bunch of murder suspects, but than again, they get to shine in other episodes. So sit back and enjoy, photo-nerds!
22 Reviews
Great Comedy Episode!
judilyn-4042518 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
May contain spoilers!
What a hoot! I loved this episode, it was so campy with all it's spoofs, faux melodrama, and dry humor! Too bad people aren't understanding it for what it is: lighthearted comedy within a serious subject (murder is serious, camera wars are not).
It was so funny seeing the biker-type digital young guys pitted against the aristocratic old film guys. Threats and humiliation with flash, intimidation with small digital cameras, heated arguments over which kind of camera should be allowed in a contest, the melodramatic mourning of the death of film, etc. Even the worn out 'you're off the case, sir,' was used with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The fact that it was played in all seriousness made it even more funny to me.
This turned out to be one of my favorite episodes in recent seasons.
What a hoot! I loved this episode, it was so campy with all it's spoofs, faux melodrama, and dry humor! Too bad people aren't understanding it for what it is: lighthearted comedy within a serious subject (murder is serious, camera wars are not).
It was so funny seeing the biker-type digital young guys pitted against the aristocratic old film guys. Threats and humiliation with flash, intimidation with small digital cameras, heated arguments over which kind of camera should be allowed in a contest, the melodramatic mourning of the death of film, etc. Even the worn out 'you're off the case, sir,' was used with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The fact that it was played in all seriousness made it even more funny to me.
This turned out to be one of my favorite episodes in recent seasons.
Get with the program.
Sleepin_Dragon3 March 2020
Inspector Barnaby is caught up between a war of traditional photographers and the new age digital brigade. Tom is made to look guilty of crimes, but is one of them murder?
I'm a big fan of this episode, it is huge fun, very entertaining and imaginative. The characters are wonderfully big and eccentric, but sincere and we'll realised. Two of the main parts are taken by actors who have previously appeared in the series, Adrian Scarborough and the wonderful Peter Eyre. The latter appearing in Strangler's Wood in a well remembered part.
Nettles is terrific, well measured, and full of his usual charm and charisma. Richard Lintern is great as Martin Spellman, he's such an annoying character, but he plays him very well.
You will be kept entertained, and kept guessing until the end, so expect the unexpected. A great use of misdirection.
Great, 9/10.
I'm a big fan of this episode, it is huge fun, very entertaining and imaginative. The characters are wonderfully big and eccentric, but sincere and we'll realised. Two of the main parts are taken by actors who have previously appeared in the series, Adrian Scarborough and the wonderful Peter Eyre. The latter appearing in Strangler's Wood in a well remembered part.
Nettles is terrific, well measured, and full of his usual charm and charisma. Richard Lintern is great as Martin Spellman, he's such an annoying character, but he plays him very well.
You will be kept entertained, and kept guessing until the end, so expect the unexpected. A great use of misdirection.
Great, 9/10.
Absolutely brilliant!
vitoscotti7 January 2020
Terrific comedy by eccentric loonies, officer frame-up, detective mystery. A truly wonderful episode. It's hard to make a great show of any kind, but this episode hit a home run on multiple levels.
We see Barnaby squirming to save his career. We finally see a current equal rank officer of Barnaby in an episode. The episode totally clicked for me. Though I love zany humor. Those with no sense of humor wiil never get this episode's brilliance.
Totally gratifying ending. Joyce is a saint for being a cop's wife, and standing by her man. Jones shows his deep loyalty for a framed Barnaby. No Cully the only minus. Vito S 1-7-20
We see Barnaby squirming to save his career. We finally see a current equal rank officer of Barnaby in an episode. The episode totally clicked for me. Though I love zany humor. Those with no sense of humor wiil never get this episode's brilliance.
Totally gratifying ending. Joyce is a saint for being a cop's wife, and standing by her man. Jones shows his deep loyalty for a framed Barnaby. No Cully the only minus. Vito S 1-7-20
Oh look - there goes the point!
jsrtheta26 February 2022
This is not the very best MM episode; "The Killings at Badger's Drift" and "The Green Man', for examples, are much better. But 'Picture of Innocence' is a near perfect exemplar of the theme of Midsomer Murders. Because there is a consistent thread in this series of old vs. New, city vs. Country, quaint vs. Techno. If you don't see this, you've really missed the point. (This is not, of course, the only episode that encapsulates this theme. But few do it better.)
We don't just have a conflict between analog and digital, digital vs. Film. We have the modern conflict between rural vs. Urban in miniature. The maguffin of photography obscures the the actual tension between tradition and modernity. Modernity is personified by a street gang of young digital photography buffs, an hysterically funny concept. Law and order is represented by the middle-aged (and older) traditionalist film photographers. It's the kids versus the squares!
The plot is just a vehicle to lampoon the clash of these two cultures. The leader of the digital pack is wonderfully limned by Andrew Tiernan, an actor of tremendous ability, while the "squares' are represented by Adrian Scarborough, an actor for all seasons.
The story itself is nifty, but really just framework on which to hang the showdown of old vs. Young. The modern vs. The traditional. In the event, it is a traditional film shot that points to the solution. But that's all window dressing.
While there is precisely one person worthy of our sympathy, sympathy is not the point. Which is that neither generation comes off covered in glory. Life is messy, progress means losses amidst the gains, nothing worth having is free. Trite, perhaps, but it's the foundation of a quite enjoyable episode.
We don't just have a conflict between analog and digital, digital vs. Film. We have the modern conflict between rural vs. Urban in miniature. The maguffin of photography obscures the the actual tension between tradition and modernity. Modernity is personified by a street gang of young digital photography buffs, an hysterically funny concept. Law and order is represented by the middle-aged (and older) traditionalist film photographers. It's the kids versus the squares!
The plot is just a vehicle to lampoon the clash of these two cultures. The leader of the digital pack is wonderfully limned by Andrew Tiernan, an actor of tremendous ability, while the "squares' are represented by Adrian Scarborough, an actor for all seasons.
The story itself is nifty, but really just framework on which to hang the showdown of old vs. Young. The modern vs. The traditional. In the event, it is a traditional film shot that points to the solution. But that's all window dressing.
While there is precisely one person worthy of our sympathy, sympathy is not the point. Which is that neither generation comes off covered in glory. Life is messy, progress means losses amidst the gains, nothing worth having is free. Trite, perhaps, but it's the foundation of a quite enjoyable episode.
Memorable, above average episode.
phlbrq5817 July 2019
Well, I liked it even if most other people didn't
boxyfella28 June 2022
This has always been one of my favourite Midsomer Murders episodes, because it is so different. For a start, we have Barnaby himself taken off the case because he becomes one of the suspects. Also Joyce has a much bigger part than usual. You had to feel for her when Barnaby made her leave the hotel as she was just going to accept the manager's kind offer of a free meal. There's plenty of humour in this one, often at the expense of DCI Spellman and his intended nuptials. I thought some of the guest actors were great, particularly Adrian Scarborough, Peter Eyre and Andrew Tiernan. Yes, the feud between the film and digital afficionados was ludicrous, but so what? Many of the Midsomer villages have ludicrous obsessions. The only thing I didn't like was the motivation of the killer, which prevents this getting a ten.
still kicking
blanche-225 April 2012
I can't believe "Midsomer Murders" is still going strong after all this time - the last time I saw this show was when it was with Barnaby's first partner, way back.
John Nettles looks like he's close to retirement in this 2007 segment - in fact, he was 64 at the time of this filming, and I notice the series is ongoing as of 2012 - soon he'll be the world's oldest detective. Give him credit, he's still a vital man with his great speaking voice and imposing presence.
In this segment, Barnaby gets involved in the death of a photographer, and later another photographer, and the men are on two different sides of photography -- one, Lionel Bell ((Nigel Anthony) (the ex-husband of Barnaby's ex-girlfriend) won't have a computer and doesn't believe in digital photos, and the other, Steven Bright (Andrew Tieman) is an avowed user of digital. Also disturbing is that someone is framing Barnaby, with a doctored photo and fingerprints on a glass at the dead man's house -- to the extent that he's taken off the case by Spellman (Richard Lintern).
This was pretty good - there are people on this board who seem to have followed every episode and can write more eloquently on the condition of this series, but I can't since it's been so long since I've seen an episode. I'm looking forward to catching up. I do like Barnaby, his wife (Jane Wymark), and partner (Jason Hughes) -- and as I recall, Barnaby had a daughter who was an actress. Hope she shows up in these later episodes.
John Nettles looks like he's close to retirement in this 2007 segment - in fact, he was 64 at the time of this filming, and I notice the series is ongoing as of 2012 - soon he'll be the world's oldest detective. Give him credit, he's still a vital man with his great speaking voice and imposing presence.
In this segment, Barnaby gets involved in the death of a photographer, and later another photographer, and the men are on two different sides of photography -- one, Lionel Bell ((Nigel Anthony) (the ex-husband of Barnaby's ex-girlfriend) won't have a computer and doesn't believe in digital photos, and the other, Steven Bright (Andrew Tieman) is an avowed user of digital. Also disturbing is that someone is framing Barnaby, with a doctored photo and fingerprints on a glass at the dead man's house -- to the extent that he's taken off the case by Spellman (Richard Lintern).
This was pretty good - there are people on this board who seem to have followed every episode and can write more eloquently on the condition of this series, but I can't since it's been so long since I've seen an episode. I'm looking forward to catching up. I do like Barnaby, his wife (Jane Wymark), and partner (Jason Hughes) -- and as I recall, Barnaby had a daughter who was an actress. Hope she shows up in these later episodes.
Investigation without Barnaby when it's about pictures
LordWimsey3 January 2020
A very old-fashioned club of photographers, who don't use any kind of digital, modern devices, is shaken by some murders. All evidences for the murderer, however, refer to Barnaby himself...
It is quite funny because it seems as if the episodes about pictures always deal with an Inspector Barnaby who isn't allowed to investigate after it seems to be clear that he could have been responsible for the murders. But he is still not discouraged to carry on. The same happened in an earlier episode, "Painted in Blood", with Sergeant Troy, which also turned out to be amusing. The people, who instead investigate then, are, of course, entirely incompetent to solve the murders.
This time, the plot is set in one of the many, uncountable villages of Midsomer, around several photographers who fight against digitalisation (or at least some of them). The time stopped a long time ago, more old-fashioned would never be possible. However, it could be seem as a pity that the conflict about the course of time and their views is not fully solved.
It is quite funny because it seems as if the episodes about pictures always deal with an Inspector Barnaby who isn't allowed to investigate after it seems to be clear that he could have been responsible for the murders. But he is still not discouraged to carry on. The same happened in an earlier episode, "Painted in Blood", with Sergeant Troy, which also turned out to be amusing. The people, who instead investigate then, are, of course, entirely incompetent to solve the murders.
This time, the plot is set in one of the many, uncountable villages of Midsomer, around several photographers who fight against digitalisation (or at least some of them). The time stopped a long time ago, more old-fashioned would never be possible. However, it could be seem as a pity that the conflict about the course of time and their views is not fully solved.
Life in the old dog yet
pawebster17 June 2007
I think this is better than average for this creaking veteran of a series. The plot is fairly novel and interesting - film-based camera buffs against digital fans. It manages to avoid the twee garden fête-type scenes so prevalent in Midsomer Murders.
The worst bit is the episode's use of the dreadful old "You're off the case" cliché, with the hero being pushed aside in favour of an incompetent replacement. Of course Barnaby nevertheless carries on with the case and solves it. How many hundreds of times have we seen this in crime series? I wish someone would start a website called "www.you're-off-the-case.com" to document instances of the hoary old chestnut.
The worst bit is the episode's use of the dreadful old "You're off the case" cliché, with the hero being pushed aside in favour of an incompetent replacement. Of course Barnaby nevertheless carries on with the case and solves it. How many hundreds of times have we seen this in crime series? I wish someone would start a website called "www.you're-off-the-case.com" to document instances of the hoary old chestnut.
A good blend of character and mystery
wjspears31 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was a cleverly written episode on numerous levels.
First, as so many reviewers have mentioned, this episode has some very funny moments.
One of my favorites is near the beginning. Tom Barnaby and his wife Joyce are at a photography show, and Joyce is staring intently at a photograph on the wall. Tom comes over to see what Joyce is so engrossed in. It turns out to be of Tom kissing another woman!
What makes it such an enjoyable scene is that it is not played for the usual jealousy and accusations. Instead, not only does Joyce trust her husband completely, but she is finding it supremely odd that this picture is in in the show at all.
Later, at home sipping their glasses of wine--trying to piece together what this fake photograph means--Joyce looks at Tom and remarks, "What an eventful evening. We should go out more often!"
I found the mystery itself intriguing. Who was performing the murders? Why? And finally, why implicate Barnaby in the murders?
The larger part the writers found for Joyce Barnaby to play in this episode was a big plus, in my opinion. Their relationship is always enjoyable to watch.
The more personal nature of the case was also handled well. Barnaby is put on leave of absence until the case is solved, which is typical in these kinds of episodes. And of course, Barnaby is going to bristle at being forced to stay at home. The introduction of the clueless Inspector Martin Spellman, to take over the case is both funny, and has a tinge of something more sinister going on.
DS Ben Jones exasperation with Barnaby's unwillingness to sit the case out for even a moment, plus Jones loyalty to Barnaby as he misdirects Spellman every chance he gets, makes for an additional layer of interaction.
First, as so many reviewers have mentioned, this episode has some very funny moments.
One of my favorites is near the beginning. Tom Barnaby and his wife Joyce are at a photography show, and Joyce is staring intently at a photograph on the wall. Tom comes over to see what Joyce is so engrossed in. It turns out to be of Tom kissing another woman!
What makes it such an enjoyable scene is that it is not played for the usual jealousy and accusations. Instead, not only does Joyce trust her husband completely, but she is finding it supremely odd that this picture is in in the show at all.
Later, at home sipping their glasses of wine--trying to piece together what this fake photograph means--Joyce looks at Tom and remarks, "What an eventful evening. We should go out more often!"
I found the mystery itself intriguing. Who was performing the murders? Why? And finally, why implicate Barnaby in the murders?
The larger part the writers found for Joyce Barnaby to play in this episode was a big plus, in my opinion. Their relationship is always enjoyable to watch.
The more personal nature of the case was also handled well. Barnaby is put on leave of absence until the case is solved, which is typical in these kinds of episodes. And of course, Barnaby is going to bristle at being forced to stay at home. The introduction of the clueless Inspector Martin Spellman, to take over the case is both funny, and has a tinge of something more sinister going on.
DS Ben Jones exasperation with Barnaby's unwillingness to sit the case out for even a moment, plus Jones loyalty to Barnaby as he misdirects Spellman every chance he gets, makes for an additional layer of interaction.
Not great.
harrykivi29 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The tenth season of "Midsomer Murders" has never been one of my favorites, I have said it numerous times. The only very good episode of that season is in my opinion "The Animal Within." "Picture of Innocence" is sadly my least favorite episode of the 10th season. It's not awful, but very average indeed.
Let's start with the good aspects, shall we?
. The production values are great as usual. The music fits the scenery and the episode is well-directed. The acting's mostly pretty good too. John Nettles and Jason Hughes are brilliant together and out of the guest stars Peter Eyre gives a rather fun performance.
. The story is enjoyable at times. I do like the campiness "Picture of Innocence" is going for and the idea behind the mystery. The humor is charming throughout as well.
But...
. The mystery is mostly full of cliches and plot points used in other "Midsomer Murders" episodes. For example:" Picture of Innocence" is yet another entry written by Andrew Payne, where Tom Barnaby is taken off the case. There are agreed some coincidences here and there and there are also problems with the tone.
. The murderer's identity (Sebastian Madrigal) is very easy to figure out here and so are the motives. To be frank, I thought how a great detective like Tom Barnaby couldn't figure his part in the murders out sooner.
Overall, an okay episode.
5/10 HK.
Let's start with the good aspects, shall we?
. The production values are great as usual. The music fits the scenery and the episode is well-directed. The acting's mostly pretty good too. John Nettles and Jason Hughes are brilliant together and out of the guest stars Peter Eyre gives a rather fun performance.
. The story is enjoyable at times. I do like the campiness "Picture of Innocence" is going for and the idea behind the mystery. The humor is charming throughout as well.
But...
. The mystery is mostly full of cliches and plot points used in other "Midsomer Murders" episodes. For example:" Picture of Innocence" is yet another entry written by Andrew Payne, where Tom Barnaby is taken off the case. There are agreed some coincidences here and there and there are also problems with the tone.
. The murderer's identity (Sebastian Madrigal) is very easy to figure out here and so are the motives. To be frank, I thought how a great detective like Tom Barnaby couldn't figure his part in the murders out sooner.
Overall, an okay episode.
5/10 HK.
"Will I get vegetarian meals?" Decent Midsomer Murders mystery.
poolandrews4 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Midsomer Murders: A Picture of Innocence starts as DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) & his wife Joyce (Jane Wymark) attend the 'Luxton Deeping Photographic Society 2007' exhibition where Tom is embarrassed to see a photo apparently showing him kissing another woman, it is quickly dismissed as a fake though. The next morning & local photographer Lionel Bell (Nigel Anthony) is strangled to death in a Luxton Deeping wood, Barnaby & DC Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) are on the case & quickly discover that Lionel wrote Barnaby's name down in his diary for some reason & Barnaby's finger prints are discovered on a wine glass in his house. Barnaby is taken off the case as he becomes implicated in the murder but he can't resist poking around & trying to find out who is setting him up...
Episode 6 from season 10 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Richard Holthouse & is a pretty decent Midsomer murder but not one of the show's best. The script by Andrew Payne feels a lot like the episode Painted in Blood from season 6 as Barnaby is taken off a case & he has to use his partner & his own detective skills to solve a murder which is being incompetently handled, personally I don't like it when Barnaby becomes the story rather than just being part of it if you know what I mean. I thought some of the character's were a bit eccentric here & a touch unbelievable, I just found it all a little bit to light hearted as usually Midsomer Murders are excellent mysteries with dark motives & strong character's. Here the killers motive is rather dumb & I simply didn't buy it, there aren't really enough clues, red herrings or suspects that could have done it & there are also far too many coincidences like Tom & Joyce being mistaken for the other Barnaby's & invited to the restaurant by accident which in itself helps break the case. This is still a good solid murder mystery that I liked but I just didn't think it was up there with the show's best stories & at almost two hours in length I could easily see many people's patience running out before the end.
The English country setting seems absent here with the majority of it set in a high street & photographic shop, don't expect to see much of our countryside in this one. The murders themselves are pretty tame here just being strangulation's. It's well made with good production values though as usual & it probably had a decent budget. The acting is strong as always from a good cast.
A Picture of Innocence is a good Midsomer Murders mystery for sure, it's a bit on the slow side & it's not the most gripping or interesting episode but in my opinion it still beats most detective dramas out there.
Episode 6 from season 10 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Richard Holthouse & is a pretty decent Midsomer murder but not one of the show's best. The script by Andrew Payne feels a lot like the episode Painted in Blood from season 6 as Barnaby is taken off a case & he has to use his partner & his own detective skills to solve a murder which is being incompetently handled, personally I don't like it when Barnaby becomes the story rather than just being part of it if you know what I mean. I thought some of the character's were a bit eccentric here & a touch unbelievable, I just found it all a little bit to light hearted as usually Midsomer Murders are excellent mysteries with dark motives & strong character's. Here the killers motive is rather dumb & I simply didn't buy it, there aren't really enough clues, red herrings or suspects that could have done it & there are also far too many coincidences like Tom & Joyce being mistaken for the other Barnaby's & invited to the restaurant by accident which in itself helps break the case. This is still a good solid murder mystery that I liked but I just didn't think it was up there with the show's best stories & at almost two hours in length I could easily see many people's patience running out before the end.
The English country setting seems absent here with the majority of it set in a high street & photographic shop, don't expect to see much of our countryside in this one. The murders themselves are pretty tame here just being strangulation's. It's well made with good production values though as usual & it probably had a decent budget. The acting is strong as always from a good cast.
A Picture of Innocence is a good Midsomer Murders mystery for sure, it's a bit on the slow side & it's not the most gripping or interesting episode but in my opinion it still beats most detective dramas out there.
Not one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes
TheLittleSongbird11 February 2017
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.
Love 'Midsomer Murders', but every now and then in the Tom Barnaby-era there were misfires or episodes that didn't do it for me. "Picture of Innocence" is one such episode, and one of the weaker episodes of Season 10, which was fairly solid before "Picture of Innocence", "The Animal Within" being particularly good and "The Axeman Cometh" being the most problematic but still decent enough.
Granted, "Picture of Innocence" is not one of the show's worst, far from it. Before it, "Second Sight", "The Electric Vendetta", "The Straw Woman" and "Midsomer Rhapsody" were worse, and there has also been far worse since. It was just one example of a decent idea that was clumsily executed.
Starting with what "Picture of Innocence" does right, the production values as always are just great, the idyllic 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 one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
There are some thoughtful and humorous moments in the script and the supporting characters are entertaining enough. Some of the more light-hearted tone is fun.
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together (their chemistry, and the chemistry with Daniel Casey and John Hopkins before Hughes, being a huge part of their episodes' charm). Can't fault the supporting cast either.
On the other hand, the story while not dull was just too contrived, the case having too many coincidences and worn out clichés that have been done much better and not enough red herrings, clues and twists and turns, and the light-heartedness did get too much in places, felt clumsy and silly and clashed with the serious subject. Just for the record, there was no trouble understanding what the episode was trying to do, that was pretty obvious, it's just that it didn't click with me. And this is true for the other reviewers almost certainly that didn't care for it.
Whoever is responsible for the crimes is too obvious, being strongly suspected early on, and the final solution underwhelms due to the far-fetched motives, the obviousness of who's responsible and the all too coincidental way it was solved.
On the whole, not a terrible episode but didn't click with me. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Love 'Midsomer Murders', but every now and then in the Tom Barnaby-era there were misfires or episodes that didn't do it for me. "Picture of Innocence" is one such episode, and one of the weaker episodes of Season 10, which was fairly solid before "Picture of Innocence", "The Animal Within" being particularly good and "The Axeman Cometh" being the most problematic but still decent enough.
Granted, "Picture of Innocence" is not one of the show's worst, far from it. Before it, "Second Sight", "The Electric Vendetta", "The Straw Woman" and "Midsomer Rhapsody" were worse, and there has also been far worse since. It was just one example of a decent idea that was clumsily executed.
Starting with what "Picture of Innocence" does right, the production values as always are just great, the idyllic 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 one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
There are some thoughtful and humorous moments in the script and the supporting characters are entertaining enough. Some of the more light-hearted tone is fun.
John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together (their chemistry, and the chemistry with Daniel Casey and John Hopkins before Hughes, being a huge part of their episodes' charm). Can't fault the supporting cast either.
On the other hand, the story while not dull was just too contrived, the case having too many coincidences and worn out clichés that have been done much better and not enough red herrings, clues and twists and turns, and the light-heartedness did get too much in places, felt clumsy and silly and clashed with the serious subject. Just for the record, there was no trouble understanding what the episode was trying to do, that was pretty obvious, it's just that it didn't click with me. And this is true for the other reviewers almost certainly that didn't care for it.
Whoever is responsible for the crimes is too obvious, being strongly suspected early on, and the final solution underwhelms due to the far-fetched motives, the obviousness of who's responsible and the all too coincidental way it was solved.
On the whole, not a terrible episode but didn't click with me. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Oh dear
tonycarr24 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I've always been a fan of Midsomer Murders but here the law of diminishing returns seems to have started. The conflict between digital cameras and film was just plain stupid (would anyone care enough to get so worked up?) and the cop who took over from Barnaby was a ludicrous 80s cliché. Maybe I missed something but I thought he was an Inspector. Not that I know anything about police procedure but I would have thought that you would have to be a higher rank to throw a Chief Inspector off the case. The biggest disappointment was Lisa Goddard. I remember the fizzing chemistry between her and Nettles in the old Bergerac days and I was looking forward to seeing that again. Instead she turned up in the final scene as some hopeless, pointless OTT character. Do you really need the money that much, Lisa? Still, on the plus side, at least Joyce got more to do than make jam this time. Jane Wymark must have been in more scenes than in the last ten episodes put together.
Picture this...
sherondalewis-2053113 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I usually enjoy almost all the Tom Barnaby years on Midsomer. And, even though I did like and enjoy this, it is not one of my favorite but, still decent. Tom and Joyce gets and invitation for an exhibition of photographs from the society of classic camera takers (that's what I am calling them). Once there, they are looking at kittens out of a boot, an assortment of trees and the weird(est) one: half eaten veggie burger with an assortment of peas. Anyway, the digital camera gang (I guess in this county, of you can have bonfires, Wicker man style events and all of that sort, of course you will have this type of "gang" activity) makes a nuisance of themselves against the "old boys".
After they leave, Joyce is too busy staring at a pic on display: Tom being kissed by some woman. She wants to know who this woman is (and after 30yrs of marriage by this time, I would be asking the same and losing patience). It is quickly determined that it is 100% fake. But why? Who's that lady kissing Barnaby? Well, at home, Tom looks at the picture and it is an old flame, Marianne, a women he was with BEFORE Joyce. Anyway, Joyce believes him and so does Ben. But now, there is more evidence...against Tom. Someone is trying to set Tom up. But why? Well, it is not that hard to figure the "who". The "why" is dodgy. Anyway, the ending was funny. The daughter of the first victim, Philmont, Philly to her friends, is the said daughter of Marianne, Tom's old flame is heading off to London, her home is being sold, and there is no need to be there, and, look who has arrived in town: Marianne. With a new boyfriend. Off to California to live. And she sees Tom and Joyce and asks if she could take a picture with Tom, "The family that would've been" and the look on Tom's face was hysterical. You can see why Tom and Marianne never made it (apart from the fact she dumped him because he was old fashioned).
So...not bad but, certainly not great, either. Hence why I gave this a 5.
After they leave, Joyce is too busy staring at a pic on display: Tom being kissed by some woman. She wants to know who this woman is (and after 30yrs of marriage by this time, I would be asking the same and losing patience). It is quickly determined that it is 100% fake. But why? Who's that lady kissing Barnaby? Well, at home, Tom looks at the picture and it is an old flame, Marianne, a women he was with BEFORE Joyce. Anyway, Joyce believes him and so does Ben. But now, there is more evidence...against Tom. Someone is trying to set Tom up. But why? Well, it is not that hard to figure the "who". The "why" is dodgy. Anyway, the ending was funny. The daughter of the first victim, Philmont, Philly to her friends, is the said daughter of Marianne, Tom's old flame is heading off to London, her home is being sold, and there is no need to be there, and, look who has arrived in town: Marianne. With a new boyfriend. Off to California to live. And she sees Tom and Joyce and asks if she could take a picture with Tom, "The family that would've been" and the look on Tom's face was hysterical. You can see why Tom and Marianne never made it (apart from the fact she dumped him because he was old fashioned).
So...not bad but, certainly not great, either. Hence why I gave this a 5.
The Dangers of Digital or Camera Wars
Hitchcoc14 April 2016
This episode has as its center a war of photographers. It is film versus digital which ultimately leads to the strangulation of two characters. Barnaby finds himself implicated by a photograph taken kissing a woman who is not his wife. He is pulled from the case and an idiot detective takes over. He is engaged and is totally distracted. Barnaby continues to investigate but this leads to trouble. This episode is really quite lame and I had it figured out long before the conclusion. One interesting character is a sort of autistic Norman Bates kind of guy whose father runs a photo shop. There are also a bunch of men who take pictures of more than just fire plugs and trees. Silly, weak episode.
Nettles is losing the plot...
Ghostwood8 June 2007
I am a great fan of both the series and John Nettles, but the plots of Midsomer Murders seem to be getting more inane with each episode. Granted, there have been some contrived though enjoyable episodes - A Death In Chorus and Country Matters are recent favourites - but this one was terrible.
The scene where the digital photographer continually flashed the film photographer by way of intimidation brought laughter and derision from my family, and the ultimate premise was too far-fetched for words.
Usually, good acting and production values tend to carry even the more contrived episodes through to a reasonable denouement; for me though, this one was just so silly it was beyond saving.
I've read somewhere that the franchise is coming to the end of its run...I hope it goes out on more of a high.
The scene where the digital photographer continually flashed the film photographer by way of intimidation brought laughter and derision from my family, and the ultimate premise was too far-fetched for words.
Usually, good acting and production values tend to carry even the more contrived episodes through to a reasonable denouement; for me though, this one was just so silly it was beyond saving.
I've read somewhere that the franchise is coming to the end of its run...I hope it goes out on more of a high.
getting really bad now.
leesclark3 June 2007
I really used to look forward to watching Midsomer Murders, but some of them are getting so far fetched its pathetic.
People getting murdered because of different type of camera ? Flashing the camera again and again in someones face, in a kind of duel, forcing the other person to retreat as a kind of argument gets out of hand ?
There are some good actors in Midsomer Murders and its good to see some old faces. I can't understand why they sign up to do it. They either haven't read the totally stupid script or are simply desperate to get back on the telly.
I know some stupid things happen in life but for gods sake, is this really the best the script writers can do ? Awful, terrible, dire, etc etc........
Don't know if I'll be watching again. Sad.
People getting murdered because of different type of camera ? Flashing the camera again and again in someones face, in a kind of duel, forcing the other person to retreat as a kind of argument gets out of hand ?
There are some good actors in Midsomer Murders and its good to see some old faces. I can't understand why they sign up to do it. They either haven't read the totally stupid script or are simply desperate to get back on the telly.
I know some stupid things happen in life but for gods sake, is this really the best the script writers can do ? Awful, terrible, dire, etc etc........
Don't know if I'll be watching again. Sad.
Terrible!!!
revbish-327 January 2019
Absolutely the worst episode of this series I've ever watched. Wish I had not seen it. Total waste of time. I don't share judilyn's opinion of it; it wasn't funny at all. Terrible attempt at humour, if indeed that's what it was. I can't overstress how awful it was!
Tacky---------Offensive
ctyankee112 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is about friction between old type photographers and digital photographers. It all seems very innocent until people start getting strangled. Barnaby is framed in some instances and his picture photoshopped with a woman he dated years ago.
Some where toward the end I find that the killings have to do with partially nude models. The story keeps flashing these photos before us like we are brain dead and have to be reminded what this woman look like.
The model is the same one in all the pictures. I found this episode very offensive. Toward the end one of the men swears God's name. I can skip over some of the tacky pictures which do not add to the story but not the swearing of my God's name.
As I watch Midsomer Murder the episodes get more sexual especially with male nudity like Sauce in the Goose.
The episodes murders are gruesome, very sadistic, sexual and more. It appears the writers thrive on this mentality and the exposure of male butts.
The thing is the mysteries are good but have too many people that you can not keep track of to find out what and why these things happen. The final ending is not very creative, often confusing and disappointing accept for a few series and episodes so far.
I also find the episodes with religion and church people are made to be hypocrites, where crosses, are adulterers, sexual predators or murderers. I watched at least 11 Seasons and none have a good clean God loving Christian in any of the episodes. So far there are 15 seasons.
We shall see but I don't expect anything different accept the changes in the part of Barnaby and his DC's.
I am trying to get through this series because I like mysteries. These are usually an hour an a half long. I will watch all the series and comment when I can.
Some where toward the end I find that the killings have to do with partially nude models. The story keeps flashing these photos before us like we are brain dead and have to be reminded what this woman look like.
The model is the same one in all the pictures. I found this episode very offensive. Toward the end one of the men swears God's name. I can skip over some of the tacky pictures which do not add to the story but not the swearing of my God's name.
As I watch Midsomer Murder the episodes get more sexual especially with male nudity like Sauce in the Goose.
The episodes murders are gruesome, very sadistic, sexual and more. It appears the writers thrive on this mentality and the exposure of male butts.
The thing is the mysteries are good but have too many people that you can not keep track of to find out what and why these things happen. The final ending is not very creative, often confusing and disappointing accept for a few series and episodes so far.
I also find the episodes with religion and church people are made to be hypocrites, where crosses, are adulterers, sexual predators or murderers. I watched at least 11 Seasons and none have a good clean God loving Christian in any of the episodes. So far there are 15 seasons.
We shall see but I don't expect anything different accept the changes in the part of Barnaby and his DC's.
I am trying to get through this series because I like mysteries. These are usually an hour an a half long. I will watch all the series and comment when I can.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
