Some may say that "Blue Herrings" was the first bad episode. With me there was enough things to like that made it decent, but it was the first not fully satisfying ones, due to some dull stretches and a final solution that left me cold.
For me, the first bad episode was "The Electric Vendetta". Whether it is the worst ever 'Midsomer Murders' episode is up for debate (remember "Incident at Coopers Hill" and "Night of the Stag" being dire, but they need a re-watch), but it is very much a lesser one. A strong example of trying to do too much and doing little with it, and of having a strange premise that has even weirder execution.
There are things that salvage it and make it just about watchable. The production values are without complaint, with picturesque scenery and as ever the whole episode is beautifully shot. The music also is a perfect fit, and the theme tune is as distinctive and unforgettable as one would expect.
Acting is also fine, especially John Nettles and Daniel Casey and they work so well together. Amanda Mealing (of 'Holby City' and 'Casualty' fame) and Kenneth Colley (wonderful in one of the best 'Inspector Morse' episodes "Second Time Around" and in the Poirot episode "The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim") are to me the most familiar names, and they also give the performances that stick out the most in support. Look out for Ursula Howells too, daughter of composer Herbert Howells and superb in the Joan Hickson adaptation of 'A Murder is Announced'.
On the other hand, "The Electric Vendetta" is significantly let down by the story, in fact it is the story that single-handedly ruins things. The episode feels over-stuffed, underdeveloped and a strange mix of rushed and dull. There are too many characters and too many subplots, some of which feel inconsequential and under-explained to the point of neglect. Continually the episode feels disjointed and convoluted, frequently also falling on the wrong side of daft and bizarre.
Not helped by one of the murders being completely robbed of an explanation, practically forgotten about, and one subplot doesn't fit at all within the story or the UFO concept. Instead of the ingenious final solutions that the numerous classic episodes have, the ending here is a real let-down and goes about all over the place, with too many loose ends and things left unresolved that leave more questions than answers. There are some quite dodgy special effects as well.
All in all, weird and convoluted, "The Electric Vendetta" is the first bad 'Midsomer Murders' episode and while there's worse it's still a lesser episode. 4/10 Bethany Cox
