MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES 19, EPISODE 4: RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW + DEATH IN PARADISE - SERIES 6, EPISODE 4

A few words about the latest episodes of those crime/detective dramas.
 

- Midsomer Murders - Series 19, Episode 4: Red In Tooth And Claw (ITV). In recent years two scriptwriters amazingly succeeded in bringing fresh air into the venerable detective drama: Jeff Povey and Lisa Holdsworth. Povey is behind Last Man Out, the absolutely brilliant previous episode, and now here comes the eagerly awaited (by your humble servant at least) Holdsworth's annual Midsomer.

Lisa Holdworth caught our attention seven years ago with an episode of New Tricks. For her first gig on Midsomer Murders in 2013, a character died thanks to a giant round of cheese. Two years later she penned what was then the best episode since series 15 (A Vintage Murder). In Red In Tooth And Claw, death strikes in and around a pet show. DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Winter (Nick Hendrix) investigate amongst an impressive number of rabbits.

There's Steve Pemberton as a champion rabbit breeder, a locum pathologist (played by Michael Obiora), and someone who plays with scissors. English acting deity Susan Hampshire graces Midsomer County with her presence. A most enjoyable episode with great lines (« It's been a bad week for small animals. First a rabbit-napping and now a dog-on-badger hate crime. ») 

For some reasons which only belong to scheduling geniuses, ITV keeps the two remaining episodes of this 19th series for "later in the year". Directed by Steve Hughes.

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2017/01/midsomer-murders-last-man-out-itv.html (Episode 3)

- Death in Paradise - Series 6, Episode 4 (BBC One). In which we learn what Commissioner Patterson did during his days off, and Catherine doesn't care about her election campaign. 

« No solace in a kiss. No comfort in a sigh. No good about goodbye. » (Dame Shirley Bassey)

It's all boredom under the sun since the second episode of this current series. The romance between DI Goodman (Kris Marshall) and Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) balances between annoying and painful. Its only possible excuse (with extreme indulgence) would be to pave the way for a potential departure of Humphrey during the London two-parter or in Episode 8. 

In that case, Ardal O'Hanlon, who plays "DI Jack Mooney" in Episode 5, would be my chief suspect for the replacement. Anyway, let's hope things will go back to normal (well,  the Saint Marie "normal"...) ASAP.

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2017/01/death-in-paradise-series-6-episodes-2-3.html (Episodes 2 & 3) 

DEATH IN PARADISE - SERIES 6, EPISODES 2 & 3 (BBC ONE)

The one with the dead friend, followed by the one in the hotel.

The bottom line: "Fun, fun, fun, In the sun, sun, sun."

After a slow but nice start, the sixth series of BBC One's tropical cluedo goes on with a couple of episodes regrettably deprived of vitality and group dynamic. This year it's DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert) who loses a friend. And the romantic weekend between DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) in an island hotel turns into business as usual for Humphrey when a guest is stabbed to death.

The unnecessary romance between Humphrey and Martha (who's not even in the second episode) gives the impression that its only purpose is to trigger a departure of the beloved DI. Or this storyline would be even more unnecessary, which is probably preferable as Kris Marshall leaving would be a big loss for the feel-good detective drama. This said, the bumbling but brilliant Columbo of the Caribbean has become a more conventional type of sleuth.

Talking about unnecessary, they seem to have found something to do for poor Catherine (Élizabeth Bourgine) beyond the cocktails: she wants to run for the Honoré Mayor's office. That's certainly why she's too busy to appear in episode 3. In Death in Paradise there is worse than "not necessary", apart from dead we mean, it's "invisible". Like the wife of Officer J.P. Hooper (the excellent Tobi Bakare). Why J.P. keeps asking advices about Rosey and him to Dwayne (Danny John-Jules, thankfully still on board) is the most interesting mystery of this sixth series. 

After Natasha Little in the first episode, we can now add Ramon Tikaram to the list of the current series guest stars who have both Midsomer Murders and Death in Paradise (or vice versa) in their resume. But also Jason Hughes, Midsomer's DS Ben Jones himself. Thanks to the "Next Time" trailer at the end of the third episode, we learn that Commissioner Patterson (the great Don Warrington) hasn't been discretely kidnapped or murdered. Soon London will replace momentarily the gorgeous Guadeloupe scenery.

Written by Kelly Jones (Episode 2) and Alex Walker (Episode 3). Directed by Jermain Julien (Episode 2) and Claire Winyard (Episode 3). Death in Paradise is produced by Red Planet Pictures for the BBC, with the support of Region of Guadeloupe and Film Commission of Guadeloupe. Music composed by Magnus Fiennes. Created by Robert Thorogood.

See also:

http://tattard2.blogspot.fr/2017/01/death-in-paradise-series-six-episode.html (Episode 1)

[Update - January 26] It crossed my mind when I noticed the name of the actor and his character in the cast list of the fifth episode... Could Ardal O'Hanlon, who plays DI Jack Mooney, be DI Goodman's replacement in case of a possible Kris Marshall departure while Humphrey is in London? 

ADVISORY

Health stuff + No school for Junior until next monday.

Please do accept my apologies for the snail's pace. Thank you  for your comprehension, your interest, your fidelity and your trust.