Jonathan Creek 503: 'The Curse of the Bronze Lamp' REVIEW

After two rather dull Jonathan Creek episodes, I have to admit this episode was step in the right direction. While it may not be as funny as previous instalments (I'm still a fan of the badger watch), it brought back the mystery elements that had been absent from this series.
The main mystery resolves around a minister's wife's kidnapping in connection to magical things supposedly occurring around a bronze lamp. Also in the plot is an old friend of Jonathan's (no one interesting, sadly) returns and there's an insane sub-plot about two twins.
I personally found the plot a little baffling, with some jokes being too thrust in your face to be actually funny. The actual mystery of the wife's disappearance worked and so did some elements of the lamp sub-plot but it never became a full mystery until the resolution.
I'm also growing tired of the domestic nature that Jonathan Creek has adapted. Gone are the days of ridiculous dates and windmills. Gone are the days of Adam Klaus and his shenanigans. The new 'domestic' jokes aren't nearly as funny as the ludicrous nature of the classics. Oh, how I wish Jonathan would go on another badger watch.
Polly Creek seems to take centre stage a little too much in this series to the point when I wonder "why isn't this Polly Creek?" This wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't for the fact that we know all we need to know about her - so give Jonathan more to do then just be the smart guy in the strange world!
The Laurel and Hiedi joke was a nice ending to the episode, but if this is the end of Jonathan Creek then it certainly is a disappointing one. 7/10

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