Days of Misrule

While all this is somewhat intriguing, it involves a contrived ghost story. It concerns a charlatan and his followers, messing with the supernatural. It also is about jealousy between two people at opposite ends of the spiritual spectrum. People are dying and it appears that somehow ghosts are involved. Barnaby's dull, unimaginative wife begins to fall for it, accusing her husband of not having an open mind. The interesting thing is that she's jumps to conclusions. He's the relational on. Unfortunately, things could not be left well enough alone and we end up with a supernatural plot, with some kind of open ended, unexplainable result. The beauty of this series has always been that Barnaby can use pure logic and knowledge of human nature. The conclusion pretty much ruins the whole episode.

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.

"Days of Misrule" (the second Christmas-themed episode of 'Midsomer Murders' and nowhere near as good as "Ghosts of Christmas Past") overall was a disappointing episode, to sum it up in one word it would be tedious. Ranking it with the rest of Season 11, for me it's second worst, the worst being "Shot at Dawn" (which was low-point status, something that for all its disappointment "Days of Misrule" never quite reaches).

Would also consider it a forgettable episode too, the only things memorable when watching it on first viewing were the use of Christmas carols and the murder of one of the show's most detestable victims. One further viewing later, it's still a forgettable episode with a few good things, but those two aforementioned things being its most memorable attributes.

There are strengths here in "Days of Misrule", even the worst/low-point 'Midsomer Murders' episodes have redeeming merits. As always, the production values are just great, the idyllic but also hauntingly wintry 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 is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

John Nettles and Jason Hughes are fine and their chemistry is still fun to watch and natural. The supporting cast, especially Tim Piggott-Smith and Judy Parfitt, do quite well with what they have which by 'Midsomer Murders' standards is nowhere near as strong as ought.

However, a massive problem with "Days of Misrule" (or at least to me) is that the story just isn't that engaging. The Yuletide spirit is nice, but the episode is just far too padded (taking forever to get to the point, when it does it's nearly half-way through), complete with tedious pacing, subplots and situations that are not that intriguing due to some being suddenly introduced and either feel underdeveloped or too pat, a complete lack of imagination and characters that lack any kind of colour or life (the closest is James, but even he is too much of a cliché).

Regarding the final solution, the killer's identity didn't surprise me and didn't make me feel anything while the motives are flimsy. After such a dull first half, the ending felt pretty rushed in comparison as did the second half where they suddenly remembered to bump people off and did it in quick succession. To be honest too, the episode does contain one of the most detestable murder victims there's been that it was a relief to see him killed off and one doesn't really care who killed him. The script is sluggish and by-the-numbers.

All in all, forgettable and tedious. Not a low-point, but even more of a long way from classic 'Midsomer Murders'. 4/10 Bethany Cox

Bigger than life good Colonel, and rotten son. Christmas cheer and murders. The truck smuggling from Europe has been done before. A crippling accident, blackmail, mourning mother, etc. All done so many times. A lot of overacting with over the top characters. But, it all worked well together in a pretty solid script. Whenever there's an English Colonel I always think of the Fawlty Towers Colonel. Very good Episode. Vito S 1-28-20

CS Cotton has taken temporary charge, overseeing Tom and Ben who are on the case of several murders, with links to a freight company.

It's a very solid episode, in what is a bit of an up and down series. The mystery is intriguing, it has some good characters, and some nice touches of humour, the training exercise was hilarious, the best moment arriving where Jones tells Cotton exactly what Barnaby thought of the session.

Joseph Millson is great as the unpleasant James Parkes, but the two shining lights are the senior players, Tim Piggot-Smith and Judy Parfitt, the pair are outstanding.

Some amazing classic cars, they spoil us with some glorious motors.

December? I didn't buy that this was set in December, no amount of fake snow or Christmas carols could convince me otherwise.

It's a good watch, 7/10.

I quite enjoyed this festive outing from Barnaby and the gang. There were some great performances from stalwart actors Tim Pigott-Smith and Judy Parfitt, and the returned-to-form Nettles/Hughes duo.

This Christmas story is set against the backdrop of a haulage firm owned by ex-Army type Matt Parkes (played by Pigott-Smith) and his wayward son James. As a sideline, Parkes is involved in running 'team-building' Army games for various organisations, which is where Barnaby and Jones come in. Son James is involved in a sideline of his own...

There are some comedic moments as we see dyed-in-the-wool Barnaby go through the exercises with less enthusiasm and ability than his younger police colleagues, providing light relief from a festive tale of subterfuge and classic Midsomer murder.

There are plenty of carols to keep you in the Yuletide spirit, and as it was filmed at the beginning of the year, it looks festively cold too.

I won't go into much detail as I understand this is the Christmas 2008 episode for the UK, but I think Series Eleven is a great return to form after some disappointing story lines and ham-laden performances - Shot At Dawn, Picture Of Innocence - had me convinced that this franchise was past its sell-by date.