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 on the most part. Season 14 was a disappointment outside of "The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust", with "Echoes of the Dead" and "The Night of the Stag" being show low-points. Season 15 was inconsistent, being a case of starting promisingly and then took a three-episodes-in-a-row strange turn with "Written in the Stars" before finishing on a good note. Season 16 was mostly good, especially "Wild Harvest", with the only disappointment being "Let Us Prey". Season 17 was a mixed, with the first two episodes being watchable but uneven and the other two, particularly "A Vintage Murder", faring better.
Most of Season 18, from personal opinion, was rather unimpressive, "Breaking the Chain" and "Saints and Sinners" falling particularly flat. What a pleasant surprise to see an actual good episode in "A Dying Art", calling it Season 18 at its best is saying a lot.
Not that it's without foibles. Still not a fan of Kam at all, she has little personality and continues to be a condescending know-it-all. Nelson is likable enough but takes too much of a back-seat, and yes would have liked to have seen more of Sykes. The story is a good one, which is more than be said for most of the season, and its elements are done solidly, but have been better and with more spark elsewhere. The killer's identity is not a surprise, by 'Midsomer Murders' it's somewhat formulaic.
Production values cannot be faulted as usual however. 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.
Scripting is thought-provoking and has a better balance of humour and grimness. The story is the most engaging, least ridiculous, most to the point and least padding filled of the season, with very few if any noticeable loose ends. The death toll is not too ordinary, nor outlandish, and despite the predictable identity of the killer there are far less far-fetched and convoluted motives of the show in general.
Cast is very good, Neil Dudgeon is the most enthusiastic he's been since the end of Season 17 and Gwilym Lee continues to have a likable charisma. The supporting cast is one of the strongest of the John Barnaby-era, with Ramon Tikaram fully deserving of the praise he's garnered and everybody else (with some familiar and talented names present) also being excellent.
Overall, a good episode and one of the few good ones of an unimpressive season. 7/10 Bethany Cox
