Happy Families
- Episode aired Sep 27, 2021
- 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
746
YOUR RATING
DCI Barnaby and DS Winter are called in to investigate the death of Victor Karras, a manufacturer of exclusive board games, who appears to have been poisoned.DCI Barnaby and DS Winter are called in to investigate the death of Victor Karras, a manufacturer of exclusive board games, who appears to have been poisoned.DCI Barnaby and DS Winter are called in to investigate the death of Victor Karras, a manufacturer of exclusive board games, who appears to have been poisoned.
Photos
Lee Byford
- Police Officer
- (uncredited)
Michelle Jeffers
- Murder Mystery Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Raju Ladwa
- Murder Mystery Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Vina Ladwa
- Murder Mystery Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe sailor automaton in the hall is similar to a sailor automaton seen in the original version of Sleuth (1972) starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine, a murder mystery set in a home full of sinister toys and games.
- GoofsVictor's cherry red color was not visible as Fleur claimed.
- Quotes
Paul Matheson: It's hard to know where Victor's arse ends and Joshua's lips begin.
- ConnectionsReferences Dead Reckoning (1946)
Featured review
The murder game
What immediately drew me into seeing "Happy Families" was the premise, a pretty genius one and had the makings of an entertaining and creepy episode if done right. 'Midsomer Murders' at its best was brilliant and addictive viewing, especially in Seasons 1-9. The John Barnaby era on the whole is not near as good, there are good episodes still being made (including the previous episode "The Stitcher Society") but the worst episodes from this period are really bad ("Night of the Stag" springs to mind).
"Happy Families" to me was very good and on the whole met the higher than usual (for the John Barnaby episodes that is) expectations. Such a great premise and setting, neither wasted in an episode that replaces "The Stitcher Society" as the best 'Midsomer Murders' episode in some time and just as good as any very good and more episode from Seasons 1-9. Which is a very big compliment that has not been given for any recent episode until now. "Happy Families" is not quite great, but it almost is.
Very little is wrong actually. Personally would have liked the board games stuff to have played a bigger role in the plot.
The most disappointing aspect was the motive, which is very trivial and didn't really make sense to me. Trivialising what was otherwise one of the most unexpected and better paced denouements in a while for the show, during a period where this aspect near-continually underwhelmed.
On the other hand, so many things are great. It's a typically good looking episode, especially the scenery which the photography clearly loves. The music is pleasant and haunting and who can resist the unforgettable theme tune. Absolutely loved the atmosphere, which is extremely creepy enhanced by the stormy backdrop. Not to mention Fleur's red raincoat, couldn't have thinking of 'Don't Look Now' for some reason. The writing is intricate and thought probing with also some nice light hearted-ness (namely from Fleur) that was close to prime-'Midsomer Murders'.
Furthermore, the story is engrossing and full of atmosphere, with plenty of twists and turns. All surprising and almost all plausible. There are also some very refreshing touches and great use of the setting, like how the first death was done (something worthy of Agatha Christie). The acting from the regulars wasn't an issue for me, Annette Badland is a joy and one of the best things to happen to the show since she was introduced. Every bit as good are the supporting cast, with the understated Rachel Stirling and gloriously hammy Ade Edmondson coming off particularly memorably.
Concluding, very, very good. 8/10.
"Happy Families" to me was very good and on the whole met the higher than usual (for the John Barnaby episodes that is) expectations. Such a great premise and setting, neither wasted in an episode that replaces "The Stitcher Society" as the best 'Midsomer Murders' episode in some time and just as good as any very good and more episode from Seasons 1-9. Which is a very big compliment that has not been given for any recent episode until now. "Happy Families" is not quite great, but it almost is.
Very little is wrong actually. Personally would have liked the board games stuff to have played a bigger role in the plot.
The most disappointing aspect was the motive, which is very trivial and didn't really make sense to me. Trivialising what was otherwise one of the most unexpected and better paced denouements in a while for the show, during a period where this aspect near-continually underwhelmed.
On the other hand, so many things are great. It's a typically good looking episode, especially the scenery which the photography clearly loves. The music is pleasant and haunting and who can resist the unforgettable theme tune. Absolutely loved the atmosphere, which is extremely creepy enhanced by the stormy backdrop. Not to mention Fleur's red raincoat, couldn't have thinking of 'Don't Look Now' for some reason. The writing is intricate and thought probing with also some nice light hearted-ness (namely from Fleur) that was close to prime-'Midsomer Murders'.
Furthermore, the story is engrossing and full of atmosphere, with plenty of twists and turns. All surprising and almost all plausible. There are also some very refreshing touches and great use of the setting, like how the first death was done (something worthy of Agatha Christie). The acting from the regulars wasn't an issue for me, Annette Badland is a joy and one of the best things to happen to the show since she was introduced. Every bit as good are the supporting cast, with the understated Rachel Stirling and gloriously hammy Ade Edmondson coming off particularly memorably.
Concluding, very, very good. 8/10.
helpful•134
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 30, 2023
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- West Wycombe Park, West Wycombe, High Wycombe, United Kingdom(Location of basically the whole show)
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
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