The Christmas Haunting

The plot is plausible. The new assistant is better written. He actually has some better lines. Poor Jones was written has merely a hindrance with poor theories. I wish they wouldn't make the chief detective so negative. His unconcern for his new assistant and how he can't managed to help a new fellow settle in is off putting...must be funny for the Brits. While the Christmas theme offers a nice backdrop and adds to the plot, it is odd seeing professed atheists celebrating it.

Midsomer has been going downhill the past few seasons The introduction of DS Nelson was the final straw. The guy looks completely unprofessional...he needs a shave and some decent clothing for crying out loud !! He looks like he is on probation from an alcohol abuse center. Every time he comes on camera I am thrown off by his appearance.. Bye Bye Midsomer.

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 gets off to a good start with one of its better episodes. "The Christmas Haunting" may not be a 'Midsomer Murders' classic, but as far as the John Barnaby-era episodes go it is one of the better ones and the second best Christmas themed 'Midsomer Murders' episodes (not as good as the near-classic "Ghosts of Christmas Past" but much better than the tedious "Days of Misrule").

Production values cannot be faulted as usual mostly, apart from some rather amateurish camera work at the start. It's mostly beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. 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. The script is better balanced and more interesting than most John Barnaby-era episodes, not taking itself too seriously, with some nice gentle and quirky humour sorely missing in a lot of previous John Barnaby-era episodes, while not being outlandish.

The story is not the tightest or detail-filled of all 'Midsomer Murders' episodes, but it is much less padded and tedious than "Days of Misrule" and is not simplistic or convoluted. The characters are a return to the more eccentric ones rather than the pantomimic and bland ones seen for a while previously, and the murderer and their motives were nicely surprising. Despite the murder theme "The Christmas Haunting" has a nice mix of ghost story (which wisely doesn't dominate the episode too much) and the Christmas spirit, which is so much fun and makes one feel warm and cheerful inside and out.

Neil Dudgeon is much more comfortable, and Gwilym Lee as Barnaby's new partner Nelson fills big shoes more than competently. They work well and cohesively together, that it was good to be spared Jones being written like a dumbed down idiot and Barnaby's disdainful and overly-smug attitude towards him. The supporting cast are all strong, adorable and comedically gifted Sykes continues to steal scenes and it was great that Sarah is written with more development and charm and that her chemistry with Barnaby is here more loving. Effort is also made to develop Kate, to me however she is still a bit bland and lacking in personality.

To conclude, surprisingly a very good episode and a promising start to Season 16. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I can't believe the high ratings here as I've never been able to get into this episode. I can't keep up with the plot or the characters and quite frankly I don't want to get into any of the characters who are ordinary at best and abhorrent at worse. Zero care for the victim nor fascinated by the murderer.

Jones has gone, and gets the honorary mention, and in steps DS Nelson. Gwilym Lee is destined for big things, and I imagine that Midsomer Murders had a big hand in launching him.

The story is very good, it has a creepy vibe, it feels very up to date, it has some great characters, and deals with many relevant issues. The story is not Christmassy per se, at times it feels like bits are added on. Who cares, it's a great story.

Elizabeth Berrington and Les Dennis are the standouts for me, both wonderful. Nelson started off very well, he's blunt, abrasive, and ballsy, a real departure from Jones. He should have continued in this way.

I'd imagine if a Christmas special were made bow, itv would transmit it the following Easter, such is the channel's treatment of the show.