The Great and the Good

This is the very first episode I ever saw of Midsomer Murders and it was just a year ago and it made me a convert and now I've seen every episode- I believe- of every season. So I totally disagree that this is a poor episode. As at the time I was searching for something interesting and different to watch and I read the synopsis and thought that sounded great. And I was right. For some reason I believed this series was a more crime police procedural like Taggat or a Touch of Frost and it was set in olden days. Neither of which were true( however some episodes which don't have an early murder tome do become a more boring type police procedural) luckily this isn't one of them as I realised what a great mystery show this is. Though subsequent viewing of this (and other episodes) haven't been as thrilling this is still a good one. Even good enough to be the first episode you ever see of Midsomer Murders!

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.

Season 12 mostly was a very mixed bag, with none of the episodes being disasters but the best ones ("Small Mercies" and "The Black Book") being only decent. No 'Midsomer Murders' low-points but no classics either. Despite being for me the weakest of the season, that is still true for "The Great and The Good". Not an awful episode, nor is it a great one, instead somewhat average.

There are strengths here in "The Great and The Good", as is always the case in even the weakest episodes (have yet to see an episode with no redeeming qualities). The production values as always are just great, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography, as well as a genuinely creepy look in places. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

John Nettles and Jason Hughes are both superb, individually and together (their chemistry, and the chemistry with Daniel Casey and John Hopkins before Hughes, being a huge part of their episodes' charm and what keeps it afloat). Jane Wymark is similarly amusing and charming. Can't fault the supporting cast either, with a deliciously loathsome Suzanne Burden and an affecting Nancy Carroll. Parts of the script are thoughtful and humorous.

However, the story could have been much better. There is the odd bit of creepiness and some good ideas, not used to full potential due to too much of it veering on the wrong side of ridiculous and senseless. The final solution is underwhelming, with unbelievably flimsy and clichéd motives (the "they killed for that" kind) and a killer practically anonymous for most of the episode that the reveal feels almost random.

Parts don't feel explored enough, and "The Great and The Good" also feels somewhat dull and pointless due to never once doubting Connie's innocence.

To conclude, not bad or awful but not particularly good and certainly not great. Average fare. 5/10 Bethany Cox

This episode is one of the poorest Midsomer Murders. It has a weak plot with bland characters and the solution is rushed and the motive uninspired. As a huge fan of the show i was disappointed. I was not overly fussed who did it as no one in the plot really stands out. It could have been good, i liked the idea of someone believing themselves to be committing murders in their sleep, but it just isn't pulled off very well in the end. Also there are few clues given to actually help you solve the mystery yourself. There is no suspense and no real big name guest stars, other than Paul Kaye who is wasted and could have been put to much better use in a much better episode.

Watchable enough, but don't expect much and you wont be disappointed.

In the finale of season 12 of Midsomer Murders, "The Great and the Good," an attractive schoolteacher is a bother to the neighbors with her nocturnal screaming, "There's someone in my house!" Pretty Connie Bishop, who teaches at the local school, is not only a sleepwalker, but she continually hears things that go bump in the night. The neighbors dutifully trudge their way to her house but can't find anything.

When Jim Hanley is murdered in her garden, DI Barnaby stops getting a full night's sleep as well. Then there's the murder of a handyman, who told Connie he knows who killed the handyman. Then Connie is seen sleepwalking by Justin Cooper, who stays in her spare room one night when she's afraid to be alone.

Underlying all this is a socialite, Zukie, who is organizing the annual Frobisher Night Auction and causing havoc. The denouement takes place at the party.

Okay episode, with Joyce and Barnaby adding some humor to the episode, Joyce upset that she can't get a full night's sleep and purchasing earplugs.

Not one of the best, but not the worst, either.

I managed half an hour of this before giving up in boredom and irritation. Connie the screaming schoolteacher was completely unconvincing, the villagers were just dull, creepy and unlikable instead of being bizarre and unlikable in the usual Midsomer fashion, and Barnaby and Jones hardly put in an appearance to start with. What a waste of time.