Hidden Depths

After being hugely let down by the previous episode "Second Sight", which to me is one of the low-points of 'Midsomer Murders' and actually didn't feel like it at all, it was such a relief for "Hidden Depths" to epitomise what 'Midsomer Murders' is all about and what makes it so great when on form.

To me, "Hidden Depths" is the best episode of Season 8 and a strong contender for the best Barnaby and Scott episode. It is notable personally for three things. One, the chemistry between Barnaby and Scott is as delightful as one can hope. Always have enjoyed their spirited chemistry, and their scenes in the cellar in "Hidden Depths" will have fans relishing them with glee. John Nettles is superb as Barnaby and John Hopkins is a perfect contrast.

Secondly, the deaths in "Hidden Depths" are among the most deliciously elaborate, grisly and imaginative of the entire show, the second murder in particular is among the greatest 'Midsomer Murders' scenes. Thirdly, the final solution is one of the show's cleverest and most ingenious, one that is revealed later than most episodes before it and one that leaves one absolutely floored, plus it is very easy to follow and explained very clearly and neatly. Sure, the way the murderers are caught is somewhat too easy but not in a jarringly bad way.

Production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's darkness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice quirky humour, a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is very absorbing, never simplistic, never confusing and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here. All the acting is very good indeed.

Overall, brilliant episode and a perfect example of how to return miraculously to form after hitting rock-bottom. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This highly rated episode strikes me as highly unlikely -- to put it mildly.

"The Sting" is a classic movie starring Newman and Redford in which an elaborate scheme is produced to swindle a rich man out of a lot of money. The authors of this episode of Midsomer must have been inspired by that.

But the rather unlikely swindle is only part one here. Some might call the murders in part two creative, but I call two of them off-the-wall bizarre. No one would go to such lengths for revenge in real life, especially when they are risking being discovered and ruining the whole point. Producing the machinery involved would be nearly impossible.

But if you can get past the unreality, you will find a uniquely entertaining episode.

Hidden Depths has to be one of the very best episodes of Midsomer Murders, it combines all essential elements needed for a murder mystery, and just when you think it's done its job, it surprises you even more, with an unbelievably good ending.

The story is excellent, it's a clever, twisted tail of deception and revenge. The murders are among the best in any episode, it's about now that the writers were looking for more bizarre and obscure killing methods, sometimes they went completely overboard, but here they manage to stay within the limits of reality. The wine bottle murder is perhaps the best in the show's history, and the fact that a relative is made to watch makes it all the better. It's amusing too, Joyce has some great moments, as does Scott.

I really enjoyed the performances of Oliver Ford Davies and Robert Daws, they play two of the most obnoxious, loathsome guys ever seen on the show, but they both do so brilliantly. Nancy Carroll is also excellent, whatever drama she appears in there seems to be a running joke about her husband being spoken about, but always absent, will we ever see Lady Felicia's husband Monty (Father Brown.)

It's creative, twisted, funny, it's a classic, 10/10

The plot line is good, but the detectives' sleuthing is pathetic, and the Barnabys have a brain freeze and act stupidly out of character. If you like bizarre murder stories and bad detective work this is for you.

Other have done a fine job of evaluating this episode. My two cent's worth has to do with the creativity of the murders, the nice pairing of Barnaby and Scott in the wine cellar, faced with literally carving their way out (and not being missed by anyone). The murder victims are crass and unkind people and seem deserving of their fates. Of course, the mechanics of their demises is a bit far fetched. How someone could put together the incredible machinery and have it work so successfully is hard to fathom. But, then, that is how the gauntlet is thrown down. It would seem that someone so adept at accomplishing these results would take a bit more care when it comes to being caught. This is about gamesmanship and this is not an terribly unusual plot element throughout moviedom. I have to say I was taken in and the writing is fine here. I also enjoyed Barnaby's wife having the time of her life without him. It should give him pause.