I believe "Shot at Dawn" is the worst episode of Midsomer Murders that we've seen. It was convoluted, but that is typical. Generally the convolutions are charming but not this time. The episode revolved (and revolved and revolved until it became revolting) around a very old family feud. That equals instant tedium. Generations of squabbling. That equals extraordinarily juvenile behavior. You couldn't work up any sympathy for anyone. The show also featured a nude woman, which seems odd for a TV series. Plus Chief Inspector Barnaby was shown working in some sort of lab all the time. What was up with that? And the doctor, who I figured was strictly an M.D. and forensic pathologist, was depicted as an expert on electronics and explosives. He was called to the scene even when there wasn't a body. I guess he has grown over the years into a one-man SOCO team.
The most interesting thing about the episode was the World War I reenactment. On July 1, 1916, the Battle of the Somme began and in that opening day, 58,000 British troops were killed. In one day. The carnage went on for months.
A rendezvous with death. That pretty much sums up Midsomer Murders.
The most interesting thing about the episode was the World War I reenactment. On July 1, 1916, the Battle of the Somme began and in that opening day, 58,000 British troops were killed. In one day. The carnage went on for months.
A rendezvous with death. That pretty much sums up Midsomer Murders.