The Sicilian Defence

When in its prime (a vast majority of Seasons 1-9), 'Midsomer Murders' was a great show and one that is watched and re-watched frequently. Seasons 10-13 became more uneven, with three of the show's worst episodes coming from Seasons 11 and 13, but there were a few solid episodes and "Blood Wedding" and especially "Master Class" were gems.

After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same, if anybody's read my reviews for the Season 14 episodes the reasons are detailed in those. After a mostly disappointing Season 14, with three decent-and-more episodes out of eight ("The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust" faring best, while "The Night of the Stag" and "Echoes of the Dead" are especially bad), Season 15 started off promisingly, with "The Dark Rider" and "Murder of Innocence" being surprisingly good, before jumping the shark with "Written in the Stars". Unfortunately, "Death and the Divas" despite an inspired premise is little improvement and neither is "The Sicilian Defence".

Of course there are things that make "The Sicilian Defence" watchable still. As ever, most of the production values in "The Sicilian Defence" cannot be faulted as usual. It's beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

Neil Dudgeon and Jason Hughes do their best, Dudgeon doesn't come over as overly-smug or disdainful and he doesn't treat Jones anywhere near as demeaningly as in "Death in the Slow Lane" and "Echoes of the Dead", while Jones isn't written as much as a dumbed down idiot while still lacking spark. Sykes steals every scene he's in, such a cute and amusing dog, and the supporting cast are competent.

However, Fiona Dolman and Tamsin Malleson do nothing with their characters, not helped that Sarah and Kate have always been not very well written, Kate being bland without much personality and Sarah being rather condescending and lacking warmth. Her chemistry with Dudgeon still doesn't convince, one doesn't even get the sense that they're in love let alone husband and wife.

The story is the season's strangest, as well as one of the most bizarre ones of any episode from the John Barnaby-era. The love story is just too contrived and underdeveloped, and the case itself is too melodramatic and convoluted with bizarre character behaviour and with too much going on and it not being explained enough. The final solution isn't as obvious as the previous two episodes but amps up the overwrought-ness to an uncomfortable degree. Script-wise the tone feels far too heavy and serious, the gentle humour is sorely missed, and the pacing never really ignites.

Overall, bizarre episode and not in a good way. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Complex, but easy to follow story. The PC placed characters worked well previously. But, seemed a drag on the story here. Finn and his parents were miscast. Father's bad toupee didn't help. The bizarre turn ending I found quite interesting. Very strange Barnaby would caress the villain's head while hugging the perpetrator of such heinous crimes. I watch Neil Dudgeon episodes in parts. They're just not good enough to watch all the way through like John Nettles' episodes. Thought Harriet (Jo Woodcock) & Dr Parr's (Julie Graham) beauty were highlights.

Despite a good rating, the reviews here are negative, so I thought I'd throw in a positive one.

Most of the Season 15 episodes have been a disappointment to those of us who have watched and re-watched MM from the beginning, especially Written In The Stars. Much of the humor of early episodes is gone, as are the historical tidbits that can be fun. The writers seem to want to be grittier even throwing in foul language (huge let down).

But we enjoyed this episode in comparison w the rest of Season 15. I can't give much detail w/o throwing in spoilers. One pairing made me cringe and we didn't see enough of the fun folks, like the aunt, and good people got done away with, but it is fiction and meant as escapism. We liked it. The gorgeous scenery is still there. And we like John Barnaby and Ben Jones and we miss Gail Stephens.

We hope Season 16 gets to the US very very soon.

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.

This episode starts off in an interesting way with a runaway bride being in a coma and her missing boyfriend. I was unreasonably over critical of this episode so I've changed my review and rating slightly because it turns out didn't necessarily pick the murderer the moment I saw them but I did from the second half of the episode. To me they made it pretty obvious but to others maybe not. So it's not a terrible episode it has intrigue, but because they let me down in the 'hiding the identity of the culprit' part I have to mark it down. I love surprises and I didn't get it although I didn't know the motive behind it until near the end.