'Midsomer Murders' has always been a favourite of mine, despite being nowhere near as good now, and is still one of my most watched and re-watched shows.
Season 8 got off to a slightly bumpy but still pretty good start with "Things that Go Bump in the Night". Unfortunately, "Dead in the Water" was disappointing and an example of an episode that never did much for me anyway in the first place. "Orchis Fatalis" got the season back on track, and was an episode that was better than first remembered. For me, "Bantling Boy" is one of the best Season 8 episodes and while not quite a 'Midsomer Murders' classic it does have all the qualities that make the show so great.
The production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's darkness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. Love the house, like a character of its own. 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, lines from Barnaby that can be seen as sly digs but actually have a lot of perceptive truth to them (especially the much-touted one about killing for entertainment), a suitable dark grimness and good characters. The story is very compelling with some great twists and turns and one of the show's darkest, most elaborate and most unexpected endings. It is also never simplistic and rarely convoluted, though admittedly it took me more than one viewing to completely get the final solution.
Acting is very good, John Nettles is a joy as is John Hopkins and their spirited chemistry together. Jane Wymark and Laura Howard bring charm and humour and the supporting cast such as Julia Ford, Simon Kunz and a contender for the creepiest kid on 'Midsomer Murders' are similarly strong.
While not quite a classic, "Bantling Boy" is one of Season 8's better episodes and a winner from start to finish. 9/10 Bethany Cox