Death and the Divas

Can't believe the negative comments and low ratings for the brilliant episode. It's a fantastic premise following copycat killings from a horror movie and great connections to Midsomer of the actress who was in that movie. It has great interwoven twists till the big reveal which I think is incredibly satisfying. Only slightly predictable which works because of the reference to horror in the 60s which makes it even better. Don't believe the other reviews look for yourself and you'll have lots of fun doing so.

As it has been already remarked in other reviews, you expect much from this film since the idea seems to be quite fruitful. The theme of horror movies has not been explored in MM yet and one could have expected something quite spectacular. While watching the film you start getting the feeling that you have been deceived once again. A seemingly unique plot turns into something rather boring and inconsistent. The ending is the most disappointing thing: the identity of the culprit was obvious long ago, the motive is far-fetched, the moral ("it's all about a family") too intrusive. Where is the old good Midsomer, I asked myself upon finishing this particular piece.

I guess there's no denying that John Nettles made this show. I'll give Neil Dudgeon props, he's trying, and he's better than he was. But he's not getting any help from the scripts.

The Midsomer Langley Film Society is having a horror film festival and brings a local scream queen, Stella Harris, onto the stage. Unfortunately for Stella, her glam movie star sister Diana Davenport, has returned to the area after 40+ years and brought her film producer husband, Cy.

The same night, Eve Lomax, who is writing a book about Stella, is murdered, her neck punctured as if by a vampire, recreating what was shown in the film.

Stella hadn't wanted the book written and Eve was not popular with the head of the society, Colin Yule, either. He believes Eve stole a photo of Stella.

Eve's life seems to have been a little complicated. Stella's daughter, Emma, Stella's daughter informs Barnaby that Eve's landlord, a married man named Patrick was bothering Eve. Patrick denies this, claiming the two were lovers.

The murders start piling up, and Barnaby is convinced they have something to do with the films as they are replicating the murders in them. He then realizes a family secret is at the root of it all.

This show and the episode before it had something in common - too many murders. It really gets old fast. Also, horror films, movie stars, a family secret, and this is the best they could do?

The episode had two horror stars from Hammer Films, John Carson and Caroline Munro. Caroline Munro - I don't even know why she was there, a chimpanzee could have said her one line. Carson fares a little better, but surely there was a way to weave them into this episode.

In short, disappointing. You can't make up for John Nettles leaving by having a bunch of people murdered in every episode. It becomes mind- numbing.

I was really looking forward to this episode. There could have been so much fun or excitement. Instead it is a very tedious episode from a once great series. This time it is not the fault of the lead actor. Yes, John Nettles is sorely missed but Neil Dudgeon is defeated by an abysmal script. Murders are brief and no build up of suspense. This could have been a great horror pastiche. What is really criminal is the waste of Hammer Horror greats John Carson and Caroline Munro. Munro gets one line! Carson, a superb actor does a little better, his opening scene is the only good sequence and leaves one begging for more. Sadly that was it. Anymore like this and Midsomer Murders is going to be killed off itself.

Magnificent supporting casts throughout the whole series make the weaker plots so good. As in this case. Knocking spots off the "star" . I'm really not a fan of the acting skills of Neil Dugeon as DI John Barnaby. He really would be ok on a soap , not this type of drama. John Nettles is as cream to Dugeons skimmed milk.