A Rare Bird is the eighth episode of the fourteenth series of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and was originally aired on 11th January 2012.
Synopsis[]
A row between keen birdwatchers in Midsomer-in-the-Marsh turns nasty when their president is killed. Patrick Morgan met his death while hoping to sight a rare bird, but is his obsession with ornithology to blame – or something more sinister?
Plot, Part 1[]
Birds chirp and Patrick Morgan goes to release a finch from a net along the river. Inside his home, his wife, Nina Morgan watches her pregnancy test show she is pregnant. Someone turns a parabolic mike toward the Morgan house and listens to the conversation as Patrick arrives home. Then they take photos of the couple.
"Nothing exciting today. Just the green finch," says Patrick. Nina greets him and says, "Patrick, I'm pregnant," excitedly. "What?" exclaims Patrick. "Well, that's impossible. You can't be!" Nina says, "Oh, yes, yes! The test was positive!" "Whose?" snarls Patrick. "What do you mean?" queries Nina. "Whose is it?" demands Patrick. "Patrick!? You're hurting me!" cries Nina. "I'll kill you! You hear me? I'll kill you!" Nina exclaims, "What's the matter? Oh!" Patrick pushes her away.
Later, Dave Foxley drives up to the Morgan household. He drops off a load of logs and greets Nina as she prepares to leave her home in her red convertible. Patrick drives up as she gets in her car. "What's Foxely doing here?" demands Patrick. "I ordered wood from Napier's farm," says Nina. Patrick says, "Didn't I tell you...?" Nina says, "I'm late for my class." Patrick says, "Is he the one? Was it Foxely?" Nina responds in Russian.
Meanwhile, at the Barnaby home, Sarah Barnaby rounds up her husband, John Barnaby, to go for a walk. She describes the route they will be taking which is about eight miles. John protests, "You said a gentle stroll, not a route march." Sarah says, "You'll enjoy it. Remember that walk we did above Down Way, in Brighton?" John counters, "Remember it? I've still got the blisters." Sarah reminds John that one of the reasons they moved to Midsomer was to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. John gets up to show Sarah his new gaiters he bought at the Causton Camping shop. They are to keep the rain from getting in your boots. Sarah says, "Are we expecting rain?" John takes charge of the map and Sarah tries to drag Sykes, their dog, Sykes lays on the ground and whines.
Patrick goes to Napier's Farm and tells George Napier he is not paying for the wood. His wife purchased it in error. Napier says, "A contract is a contract." Patrick states he will not pay. Napier says he will fetch them back up, but in the meantime, he and Dave have to lay drainage pipes. Patrick says, "Drain the Mead and you'll drain my wetlands. They are habitat to several birds with protected status." Napier replies, "It's my living that needs protecting, not them birds." Patrick threatens to sue Napier and drives off. Dave tells Napier, "He's not a happy bunny. Got problems indoors with the wife. Ain't getting his rations." Napier says, "Whatever... he better turn the volume down. It's the duck who quacks the loudest gets shot.
At the Village Hall, Nina works with her ballet students while Michael Hipsman accompanies them on the piano. The girls finish and parents arrive to pick them up. Nina tells Tim Whitley that he must encourage his daughter, Aimee. Tim asks Nina if she can watch Aimee for him, and she agrees to. Tim tells Michael that Ralph Ford has spotted a "blue crested hoopoe, up by Swansdown Lake." They hurry off to observe the bird.
A blue van carries a group of the "East Anglican Bird Watchers Society" to a spot in the woods. Nearby, Sarah and John Barnaby are lost. Dr. Ian Markham walks up and asks them if they have spotted the hoopoe. The rest of the society crowd up. Tim has a parabolic mike and earphones on. They all stop to listen and Tim says, "Yeah, that sounded like its call. A sort of oooh-poo-poo-pooh! Ooh-poo-poo-pooh! Whatever it was, it came from that way!" Michael has a camera with telephoto lens. They all start to go off and Sykes barks at them. SHHHHHHHH!! they all say. "Quiet," says Olivia Carter. "I beg you pardon," says Sarah angrily. More birders come running by and Sykes barks at them. A large man comes by huffing and puffing. Sarah asks John, "Where to next?" He is lost and won't give her the map.
Later, at the Feathers Pub, the birders all come in to meet. Patrick gives Ralph Ford a steely look. Olivia offers to get Patrick a drink, but he says no, they better start the meeting. Ford says to Olivia, "Still besotted, are we?" Olivia replies, "Buttocks to you, Ralph!"
Napier joins Dave Foxley and his buddies and says, "Bloody bird watchers, eh?" Dave says, "That lot love it. They think bird-watching is better than sex." Napier replies, "Probably is, the way they do it!" and they all laugh.
The Midsomer-in-the-Marsh ornithological association are in a separate room arguing with Ralph. Patrick calls the meeting to order and the members sit down. Patrick says that Ralph has claimed that he saw a blue-crested hoopoe. Ralph interrupts and says he did see it. This sighting gives Ralph a ten point lead in the year's list competition. Since Ralph was alone when he saw the bird, it is unverifiable. Ralph says he is up at the sparrow's fart every morning sitting in sticks every night year around and that's how he saw it. Hipsman points out that it is an endangered species, native to Uganda. Patrick proposes that they refer it to the National Committee and it will not count towards this Year List competition. "You're as likely to see a blue-crested hoopoe land in Midsomer as Concorde, truth be told." Ralph snap, "You wouldn't know the truth if it plopped on you from a great height." Patrick says, "Do you accept the proposal?" Ralph pounds the table and says, "I know your game, Patrick. This is war. From now on, consider yourself an endangered species. To hell with all of you!" Ralph gets up and leaves. The meeting continues without Ralph.
Plot, Part 2[]
MURDER 1:
Later, Ralph is out with his binoculars looking for birds. Tim is in a hide with his parabolic mike and whistles for birds. He sends Patrick a message at 23:59. Patrick is out in the woods and someone throws a net over him. He falls to the ground and is beaten with his walking stick and tossed into the lake.
The next morning, Patrick's mud encrusted body is dragged from the lake. Pathologist, Kate Wilding says that Patrick's body was spotted at 10 am by a dog-walker. The body was entangled in a net. There is a contusion to the rear of the skull. Asphyxiation by drowning is the most likely cause of death. Barnaby surmises that they can eliminate accident then. Kate says, "I wouldn't be too hasty. He could have stumbled into the net, fallen, hit his head, rolled into the lake." Barnaby holds up a stick and notes there is what looks like blood on the end of it. Kate suggests it is a bramble-beater. The stain on the end could be blackberry juice. She trusts nothing and no-one, till tested and proven. As far as time of death, it's hard to say yet- the body was in the lake all night.
DS Ben Jones reports that the man is "Patrick Morgan, aged 51, married and lives in the big house over there. He was a bird-watcher." Among his possessions are binoculars, a notebook and lots of sketches of birds. Barnaby says he recognized him. Jones continues, "There's also an interesting text message on his mobile. It says: "Hoopoe now showing. Lakeside. 250 meters east of Swansdown House, 23:59." Now, one of the lads is a bit of a birder. Says they get hotline alerts when rare birds are spotted. Twitchers come running at all hours from every direction." Barnaby says to find out who sent it. But first they had better talk to his wife.
Oh... I thought I recognised him. There's also an interesting text message on his mobile. It says: "Hoopoe now showing. Lakeside. 250 metres east of Swansdown House, 23:59." Now, one of the lads is a bit of a birder. Says they get hotline alerts when rare birds are spotted. Twitchers come running at all hours from every direction. Let's find out who sent it. But first we'd better talk to his wife.
At the big house, Jones and a female constable tell Nina the news, and Nina starts crying. She says she last Patrick yesterday evening after he returned from his meeting. He was president of the Ornithological Society. There had been an argument and he was angry. He got himself a drink to wind down and Nina went to bed. She didn't raise the alarm when he wasn't home in the morning since he is a bird-watcher and disappear's all the time, at any hour. Nina says, "I'm sorry, this is difficult... especially...Patrick and I are expecting our first child. They've been trying for years, ever since we were married. We moved here, to start a family." They moved there 10 years ago. Jones notices a photo of Nina when she was in the Kirov ballet where she was prima ballerina. After the police leave, Nina turns down a photo of Patrick.
As the detectives leave, Dave Foxely drives up. Jones says he has had "community service and a few minor punishments. He still thinks stealing's easier than working and he's a bit of a ladies' man, too." Dave goes up to the detectives and asks, "What's happened? They been burgled?" Dave says he works for George Napier and he is there to collect some logs Morgan doesn't want. When asked where he was late last night, Dave reports that he was "spark out. Five pints and I'm nobody's." Barnaby says, "Mr Morgan was killed last night." Dave says, "What? Never!" Barnaby says, "Mrs Morgan ... do you know her well?" Dave says, "Well, not as well as I'd like to. She fit or what, Jonesy, eh?Forget it. I'll pick up those logs tomorrow." Dave drives off.
Jones says to Barnaby, "You don't think Nina Morgan would go for somebody as rough as Dave Foxely, sir?" Barnaby replies, "Ever read Lady Chatterley's Lover, Jones?" Jones says, "Only bits." Barnaby grins.
Back at the police station, Barnaby reads a report stating that "Patrick Morgan ran a city finance firm. He retired to Midsomer ten years ago. He bought a 200-acre estate on Swansdown Lake. I want us to check for previous on Patrick and on his wife, Nina. Are you with me, Jones?" Jones says, "Yes. I got a trace on that text message. The bird alert. It was sent from a mobile belonging to a Ralph Ford. Here's a list of the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh Ornithological Society Committee. Ralph Ford is a member." Barnaby recalls, "Nina mentioned that there was an argument at their meeting last night." Jones says, "And, sending the text message is a smart way to lure Patrick up there." Jones replies, "But Ford sent it from his own phone." Barnaby concludes, "Which is not smart at all."
The detectives go to interview Ralph Ford at his home. Ralph sneezes and says that "he got drenched this morning, out birding. It was "persisting" it down. Got a stinking cold." Ralph sneezes again. Jones observes the collections of stuffed birds around his house. He quips, "As long as it's not bird flu!" Barnaby gives Jones a look. Ralph reports that he is a taxidermist. He says, "You'd be surprised what people want to preserve. And how much they're prepared to pay for it. You name it, I've stuffed it." In another room there is a stuffed bear, Jones asks, "Hunting trophies, are they?" Ralph says, "Well, the fish were all hooked, the bear got shot, but the birds... they all died a natural death. This is their resurrection. I give them life after death.
Barnaby says, "Pity we can't do that for Patrick Morgan." Jones continues, "You had a row with him, yesterday evening. That right?" Ralph says, "I spotted a blue-crested hoopoe. A mega, a rare bird. Patrick said I was lying, because it gave me a ten-point lead in the annual Lis Cup, for spotting the most different species in a year. He couldn't bear to be beaten." Jones shows Ralph Patrick's mobile phone and tells him there is a message on it, purporting to be a bird alert, a message which lured him to his death. It was sent from Ralph's phone, Ralph says, "That's ridiculous. I'll show it to you. Oh, God, it's not here." Ralph says he had his phone last night at the Feathers and he hung his coat up in the snug... somebody must have taken it. All the committee were there- Dave Foxely's crowd were all in the snug, by the coats. Napier, the farmer ... he's always at war with Patrick over the wetlands. Ralph sneezes again and says it wasn't him.
As the detectives leave, Jones wonders why anyone would want to sit in the bushes all morning, waiting to spot a bird. Barnaby tells him that psychologically speaking, birding is a classic obsessive behaviour, like hunting, without the kill. Barnaby muses, "We're all instinctively hunter-gatherers. Didn't you ever go train-spotting? Or collect stamps, or football stickers?" Jones says no, but he had an uncle who collected beer mats who died of drink. "So getting soaked to the skin, just to tick a bird off your list isn't crazy?" Barnaby explains that it's not very different from what they do-"tick all our suspects off our little list until we find our killer. Does that make us any saner than the twitchers?"
As they round the corner, the detectives spy Nina Morgan. She is with Aimee Whitley, smiling and she tosses a bag to Aimee. Jones notes that she is not exactly devastated by Patrick's death,.
Plot, Part 3[]
The detectives happen upon Tim Whitley flying a model plane. They find a net that Tim explains is a mist-net for catching birds- It doesn't harm them. They ring them and release them immediately. Jones points out that Patrick Morgan was found tangled up in a similar net. Barnaby asks about Nina Morgan, who they just saw. Tim explains that Nina was giving his daughter extra ballet lessons. Tim is a single parent- his wife left four years ago as she got sick of the birds. Tim says he was about to ring the police. He is a member of the Midsomer in the Marsh Birder's club and specializes in bird songs- mating calls. Tim says he was up at the lake last night hoping to get a recording of the blue-crested hoopoe which Ralph Ford says he saw, but no-one else did. About the row, Tim says, "At first Ralph just dropped his bottom lip and sulked. Well, then he lost it. He was flapping, fit to take off, which he finally did. He was cursing everyone." Tim further explains that he had his mikes open and sound running. He listened to his recording this morning and found something interesting. They listen to Tim's recording and can hear a person cry out and a splash. There is also the sound of the church clock. Barnaby says, “We now know that Patrick Morgan was killed on the stroke of midnight.”
After leaving Tim’s house, Barnaby decides to walk a bit so he can have “thinking space.” Jones says to follow the footpath to Michael's cottage. Barnaby tells Jones to talk to Napier. Barnaby follows the path around a lake. He can hear music playing. It is Michael Hipsman playing the oboe.
Elsewhere, Nina practices dancing while Aimee watches from a bench in the classroom. Nina has a flashback to when she danced in the ballet Swan Lake. She switches between her white costume and black costumed figure. In her flashback, Patrick is clapping in the box and shouting Bravo. Nina falls to the floor sobbing. Aimee comes up to the stage and hugs her.
Barnaby arrives at Michael Hipsman’s house. Michael says he is in a terrible hurry as he has a class he has to go play for. Michael says Patrick was an arse. He was “Far too impressed with himself.”
Olivia Carter rides her bike up to the Village Hall to post flyers. She finds Nina weeping on the floor on the stage. Olivia asks if she is alright and gives her condolences. Nina says, “We fell so much in love at first. So much. You understand?” Olivia’s face crumbles and she says, “Yes, I understand. Better than you think.” Then Aimme walks in from offstage dressed in her leotard so Olivia leaves.
Barnaby says to Michael, “I get the impression that Patrick didn't have many admirers?” Michael replies, “No. Erm... not that it bothered him. He was his own fan club. Patrick had to be top of the pecking order. Everyone else could kiss the ground.” Olivia comes up on her bicycle. “This month's newsletter.” Michael tells Olivia to put the newsletter through his door. He gives Barnaby his business card and mentions that he has a bookshop on the High Street. Michael leaves and Olivia asks Barnaby if he is the police. She says, “Olivia Carter, Secretary of the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh Ornithological Society. You here about the murder?…You know it was Ralph Ford who did it? The man's crazy as a coot. He'd kill to get his hands on that cup. Rip your throat out to win the prize.” Barnaby says, “And there was me thinking that bird-watching was such an innocent pastime.” Olivia replies, “It's not a pastime, Inspector, it’s religion. Birders are a bunch of jealous, self-centered maniacs. They'd cancel their own wedding for the glimpse of a rare bird.” Barnaby says, “What’s in it for you?” Olivia says, “I er... I just enjoy the exercise. None of that committee appreciated Patrick. Ten years he served as President. He loved birds, their freedom to fly, to steer by the stars. Yes, he could be over-bearing, but he was a man, Inspector, not an intumescent wimp, like the rest of them. Too good to live!” She starts to sob and rides off on her bicycle.
DS Jones speaks with George Napier, who is shooting skeet. Napier says that Morgan “gave me the right Humperdink. Always complaining. Me draining my pasture, or shooting them rooks what was eat my seedlings.” Napier’s land adjoins Morgan’s. Napier says Morgan has “Put in to get the wetlands designated as a site of special scientific interest or some such cock. And he calls the locals all peasants.” Napier says he was up at the Feathers last night, but didn’t see anyone take Ralph Ford’s mobile from his coat. Jones asks if Dave Foxely is banging Morgan's wife. Napier says he might be. She's fit, and Dave's got a “feather in his pants, that's for sure. You'd better ask him....I feel sorry for her. Well, she's a trophy wife, like- Young woman he'd got his hooks into. Well, she's well rid of him- We all are.”
In the lab, Kate tells Barnaby, “It was blood, Patrick's blood, on the bramble-beater.” Barnaby says, “So I was right- murder for certain.” Kate replies, “It would seem so.” Jones walks in the lab. Barnaby asks him, “Glean anything from Napier?” “He hated Patrick Morgan, sir. And he implied things were a bit cold between him and his wife,” replies Jones. Barnaby says, “Must have warmed up sometime, recently. She's expecting his child.” Kate hears this and interrupts the detectives, “No. Oh, no, she isn't. I read his notes. He had a vasectomy 15 years ago, and not reversed.” Jones says, “Oh, she definitely said it was his. She lied to us.” Barnaby says, “And very convincingly. I've under-estimated Nina Kustanova.” Kate says, “Can't always get things right, can we? I'm no detective, but it strikes me whoever fathered her child, may well be the killer of her husband.”
Plot, Part 4[]
In the Village Hall, girls are practicing ballet on the stage. Tim Whiteley watches from the front. Nina gives instructions to the girls. “Remember it's Finale Concert. Go home, practice, yes!” says Nina to the girls as class ends.
The detectives come in and interview Nina again. She admits that she knew about her husband’s vasectomy. “Things between Patrick and I were no good. I went to London to a party. Got drunk, met a man. Hardly knew his name. I wanted child… Patrick suspected every man who ever came near me. How did you know about vasectomy?” Barnaby says, “Our pathologist, Kate Wilding. She's erm... usually right about things.” Nina says, “I’m sorry I misled you, Inspector.” Barnaby says, “This is a murder enquiry, Nina. When people lie to us, it makes us suspicious.”
The detectives leave and Jones says, “I’m sure she's lying about how she got pregnant, sir.” Barnaby replies, “Is that your male intuition, Jones, or can you prove it?” Jones replies,“Patrick's nearly 20 years older than her. She married a meal ticket. Probably got bored after ten years and went adrift on him.”
The detectives stop to order ice cream cones. Barnaby says, “Two 99's, please. Or could be... biological clock ticking, foetal attraction, all that?” Jones says, “Or she could've got pregnant accidentally with someone local. There's Dr Markham, he's also a member of the committee.” Dr. Ian Markham’s practice is nearby. Barnaby says, “Let's check out his bedside manner.” Barnaby reaches in his pocket and finds Michael Hipsman’s business card. “Ah, Michael Hipsman, the pianist. I didn't have a chance to check his alibi for the time of the murder. Will you go and check it out with him?” Barnaby takes his ice cream cone and starts to walk away, “Thank you Jones.” Jones says, “What?” The ice cream man says, “Four pounds, please.” Jones gapes at him and says, “Four?”
In Dr. Markham’s office, Barnaby sips from a cup of tea and Olivia Carter munches on a cracker. Barnaby asks, “How long have you been receptionist, Ms Carter?” Olivia replies, “Since he moved here five years ago. We met at the Ornithological Society.” Barnaby says, “And Nina Morgan is his patient? They any closer than that?..socially, erm... personally?” Olivia says, “I don't know. You think they were carrying-on, behind Patrick's back?” Olivia puts her hand to her mouth and becomes tearful. “Oh, poor Patrick…”
Dr. Markham comes out of his office and asks Barnaby to take a stroll in the garden with him. Barnaby says he wouldn’t have put Markham down as a the kind of "dotty spotter" that he has recently encountered. Markham says, “There are bird-spotters, there are
twitchers, and there are ornithologists. I'm of the last. I'm interested in avian memory paradigms. The scientific study of the development of neural pathways in avian brains. Especially for me in rare birds.” Markham says Patrick Morgan was a patient of his, but he rarely saw him. “Patrick thought illness was a character defect.” Barnaby asks if Markham saw Nina Morgan and if he knew she was pregnant. Markham says, “If she's told you that, I'd be happy to confirm it.” Barnaby says, “Bit of a miracle, really, since her husband's matrimonial software no longer functioned. He'd erm... had the snip... I'm interested in what you know about
your patients, Patrick and Nina Morgan.” Dr. Markham says he was treating Mrs Morgan for depression. His “relationship with Mrs. Morgan has been, and is, entirely professional.” Barnaby says, “Can’t be everybody’s Dr. Zhivago.” Markham says, “I didn't father her child, if that's what you're implying.” Barnaby says, “You were you at the er...the birders club, the night Patrick and Ralph Ford
had a blazing row.” Markham says, “Yes. And it might be more fruitful if you turned your attentions in that direction. Perhaps Patrick's death has nothing to do with his wife's pregnancy?” Barnaby smirks and says, “Oh, indeed. We could be completely
on the wrong track. You know our business is a little bit like bird-watching. Wherever you look, you're almost bound to find something interesting.” Markham says he can’t tell Barnaby anymore. “You'll appreciate my duty is to protect my patients' confidentiality, as well as to care for them.”
Jones goes to Michael's book store. He wanders around and calls out Michael's name. Then he hears noises down stairs where Michael is printing something. Michael claims he came home after the meeting yesterday, played his oboe and had a drink. Michael says he knew it was midnight when he was done playing as he turned on the radio and the midnight news had just started. He invites Jones to browse his bookstore as he has a very good crime fiction section. Jones declines saying that he gets enough of the real thing.
At home, Sarah asks Barnaby about Nina, the ballerina. Barnaby says, “Yes erm... very chic. Dancers' thighs, bottom like an apple.” Sarah replies, “Oh, you noticed?” Barnaby says, “It's my job to take down her particulars.” Sarah says, “So, her husband had a vasectomy, you said? And when he married her, had he told her about it?” Barnaby says, “Erm... I don't know whether he'd told her or not. Why wouldn't he?” Sarah says, “Oh, come on. Do you tell a woman that you're dating, who's 20 years younger, you can't have children? I bet he didn’t… Imagine trying for a child for ten years and not knowing it couldn't happen. No wonder she nipped off for a one-night stand. I'm surprised she didn't kill him!” Barnaby says, “Maybe she did? The female of the species can be more deadly than the male.” Sykes growls. “It's OK, Sykes. We're all right. (Barnaby starts to read from a book..). The female blue-crested hoopoe has multiple partners, and attacks the male viciously in the nether regions, after mating.” Sarah says, “Well, that should stop them feeling frisky.” Barnaby says, “Ouch.” Sarah strokes his hand, “Are you feeling frisky?” Barnaby asks, “Will you attack me viciously in the nether regions afterwards?” Sarah nods and says, “Quite possibly.” Barnaby says, “You're on!” Sykes whines and runs away.
Plot, Part 5[]
Outside of Nina Morgan’s house, the person with the parabolic mike listens in to a conversation. Nina says, “The police have questioned me twice. They suspect me.” Ian Markham says, “Calm down, Nina.” The observer snaps photos of the Nina and the doctor through the window. Nina continues, “I told them I had no idea who the child's father is.” Markham says, “Then that's the end of the matter. You must stop stressing. Your pulse is way up.” Nina and Ian embrace as Nina says tearfully, “Can you give me something to help me sleep? I can't handle this. I'm sorry.” Nina continues to sob as Ian embraces her and kisses the top of her head.
The next day, Sarah tells Jones that Barnaby had her and Sykes wandering round and round that lake, in circles. Jones tells her it’s easy enough to get lost up there. Sarah replies that it's easier for some than others and she says goodbye to her husband.
Sykes barks and jumps on Jones. Barnaby tells Sykes to go to his basket. Jones mentions that he is well trained and Barnaby replies that “Anybody can train a dog, Jones. As the dog whisperers say: There's only one rule. You have to be cleverer than he is.” As Jones tells Barnaby about the long-running dispute over the wetlands shared by Napier and Morgan, Barnaby looks at photos of Nina and Markham embracing on his laptop. He received a CD with the photos sometime during the night and wonders who dropped off the photos and why. The bird-watchers have got fancy cameras and telephoto lenses. Olivia Carter was obviously carrying a torch for Patrick Morgan.
The detectives takes the photos over to Olivia Carter, who moans in distress. She denies seeing the photos before. Olivia says, “I never dreamt that something was going on between them. Not til you asked me the other day. Look at the hussy! Patrick gave her everything a woman could want...and she appreciated none of it.” Jones says, “You worked closely with him as secretary of the Ornithological Society, didn't you?” Olivia says, “Patrick and I were... simpatico. He didn't tolerate fools gladly. Neither do I. Regardless of my feelings, there was never anything between me and Patrick, if that's what you think. Nothing but... respect. Excuse me.” She goes to answer her phone.
In the bird hide, Michael and Tim view birds through their binoculars. Ralph Ford comes in with his binoculars. Whitley says, “The way it's spreading its tail, I'd say it's a yellow-rumped warbler.” Michael says, “No, it's twitching its tail. It's a black-throated green warbler.” Whitley says, “Ooh, ooh. Could be a Lucy's warbler. It's got a rusty rump, it's not yellow.” Ralph says, “It's a redstart!” Whitley says, “No, it's not.”
Ralph sneezes and scares off the birds. “Sorry. You erm... you seen anything else?” Michael says, “No. Certainly not a blue-crested hoopoe.” Ralph says, “Well, maybe it's headed back to Uganda for a summer of love.” Tim says, “You're sure it was a hoopoe you saw, Ralph?” Michael says, “Wasn't a trick of the light? Best to be honest about uncertainty, Ralph.” Ralph snaps at them, “What are you, my conscience?
I saw it- I’ve got the tick in my book. You want to argue about that? Well, you can just stuff it!” Ralph leaves and slams the door.
At a pub, Dave brings over a beer for George Napier. A group of birders is at the next table, talking and laughing loudly. Napier complains, “Bloody twitchers. Ruining my drinking here.” Dave says, “All the gear and no idea.” The birders get a notice on their phone and jump in their cars and drive off honking. Dave goes over to the birders table and picks up a paper with a photo of a bird. Napier tells Dave it’s a photo of a
Blue-crested hoopoe. Dave says he could find the bird and there could be a “nice drop of money” in it. Dave goes over to Ralph’s house and pounds on the door. No one answers.
Jones and Barnaby are driving and Jones mentions that he hasn’t been to a ballet. “Tights and tutus are not my thing.” They watch a patient being carted to an ambulance. Barnaby says, “Ballerinas are consummate athletes, Jones. They've pushed themselves through the pain barrier, with ruthless self-discipline.” Jones asks, “You think Nina's that ruthless?” Barnaby says, “Oh, there's a steel in her. She's more than just beauty.” Jones says, “Be a cherry on anybody's cake.” Barnaby says, “Hm, yeah, I was thinking of something rather more... spiritual. Something of the unattainable object of desire.” Jones says, “Out of my depth there, sir.” Barnaby says, “Jones, you'd be out of your depth in a puddle.” They see Dr. Markham walking towards them and go to talk to him. Barnaby shows Markham the photos of him and Nina. Markham says that Nina was “stressed and she called. She wanted a sedative. She's been through real trauma and needed to talk.” Jones says, “Tea and cuddles, was it?” Markham replies, “She was upset.” Barnaby asks, “Would you like to have a second think about what you told me, regarding how close you and she are?” Markham says, “No. All right...I hated Patrick Morgan. It wasn't personal ... everybody did. But I'm not the father of Mrs Morgan's child, or her lover, or Patrick's killer. If you think I'm any of those things, you prove it.” Barnaby says, “Oh, don't worry, Doctor. If you are Patrick's killer, I will nail you for it.” Markham gets in his car and drives off.
Dave Foxley is out creeping in the woods and scares Ralph Ford, who has his camera tripod positioned and is looking through his binoculars. Ralph yells at him and Dave tells him he knows about Ralph’s secret. “You had a row with Morgan over that bird. If I tell the world what went on there... you're in the sticky stuff.” Ralph says, “You wouldn't do that, would you, Dave?” Dave says, “Rattle a few teacups round here, that, wouldn't it? Don't worry, Ralph. I don't rat on people, not even to the coppers. I wouldn't do that to you. Not if you made me an offer. How's 50 squid for starters?.. It's enough for a few good swallows, and I'm talking beers, not birds. I'll meet you in The Feathers tonight. (He pats Ralph on both sides of his face). Bring the money.” Ralph yells to himself.
Olivia speaks to a group of people and says, “Have you heard the latest? About Nina?” Nina comes walking out and Tim and Michael follow her. Michael says, “Nina. Oh, Nina.” Nina wipes her face and says, “I'm sorry it keeps happening.” Michael says, “You don't have to do this, Nina. You could cancel the concert.” Nina says that Patrick would have wanted it to go on. She kisses Michael and Tim on both cheeks. Tim touches his cheek. Olivia is furious and comes up to tell Tim and Michael, “Have you heard the latest? The police have got photographs. Of her and Dr Markham. They've been at it. Still, what do you expect? Russians: free love and all that malarky.” Michael walks off and says, “Oh, give it a rest, Olivia.” Olivia sneers and says, “She's got all you middle-aged buffers gasping for it, hasn't she?” Tim says, “Oh, leave it, Olivia.” Olivia says, “She'll get what's coming to her. You mark my words. You know, I thought at first Ralph had done it, but er...no, the police are onto her.” Olivia rides off on her bike.
Tim says to Michael, “So congenial and fun-loving, Olivia. I mean, what's she so cranked up about?” Michael says, “Well, she worshipped Patrick.” Tim says, “Oh, well, that was never going to happen, was it? He always cold-shouldered her. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't her that did for him. He spurned her, didn't he? "Hell hath no fury.” Michael says, “Olivia certainly does, Tim.”
Plot, Part 6[]
MURDER 2: Later at night, Dr. Markham receives a phone call from someone. He goes into the woods and someone tosses a net over him and then shoots him.
The next morning, Kate says it was a shotgun, double-clicked, close range: murder. Entry level common sense. Dr. Markham’s watch was hit by the gun and stopped at 2 minutes after midnight. Jones tells Barnaby that Markham received a call on his mobile at 23:45. The number traces to a phone box outside The Feathers. Someone lured him with a false emergency call-out as he had his medical bag with him. Michael Hipsman found the body while out for his morning walk; Said he heard nothing- went to bed at 10:30 and slept right through.
Nina tells the detectives that Dr Markham is father of her child. He begged her to tell no one as he was afraid he'd be struck off. Patrick never told Nina about his vasectomy. He kept it from her for 10 years while she was trying to have a child. When Nina told Patrick she was pregnant, he told her about his vasectomy. They had a huge row and she hated him at that moment. Nina says, Patrick- he fell in love with me when Iwas still prima ballerina. He became obsessed with me from a distance. After my injury, he promised me new life, with him- a family. I loved Patrick, but now I realize he just wanted to cage me here. Trap me for himself, not for me. Who kill him, Inspector? Who is doing this to me?” As they are leaving, the detectives encounter Dave Foxely who is chopping wood. He tells them that since Patrick died, Nina decided she wanted the wood. He also says he was in his caravan last night with a couple of six packs. Barnaby finds a gun in Dave’s car. It’s a double-barrelled, 12-bore, side-lock ejecter. Dave says it belongs to George Napier. Barnaby fires a shot and grabs some cartridges. Jones asks Barnaby, “Done a spot of shooting in your time have you, sir?” Barnaby says, “No. School Cadet corps. Learnt all sorts of skills there- shooting, map-reading…” Jones says, “Oh, yeah. Your wife mentioned how handy you are with a map.”
At the Village Hall, a meeting of the ornithology club is commencing. Olivia as committee secretary chairs the meeting. Olivia announces the closing of the List Cup Competition. The members all argue as Ralph insists that he won the competition. Olivia starts crying.
The detectives confront Dave Foxely about the cartridges from his gun, which match the cartridges found near Markham’s body. Dave tells them that Ralph Ford killed Morgan. “Ralph ... he's as nutty as a fruit cake. He's a liar and a cheat. Ralph and Morgan had this upset about this rare bird, yeah? Well, Ralph did see it. And I know cos I saw it too.” Jones says, “Oh, you a closet bird-watcher now, Dave?” Dave says, “Yeah, whatever. Look, I shot a couple of rooks last week. But this other bird fell to earth, as well. It was strange. It was sort of like a bluey-brown colour. A hoopee. So, I takes it to Ralph. I mean, cos he buys any dead rare animals. Stuffs 'em, sells 'em on.” Dave explains that the bird was dead when he took it to Ralph. So Ralph was cheating about seeing the bird.
The detectives go to talk to Ralph. Jones is creeped out by the bear in Ralph’s house. The hen’s head turns and chimes. Jones says, “That thing's eyes keep following me.” Barnaby says, “Don't turn your back on it, Jones.” Jones goes to touch a cat and is startled when it howls as it’s alive. The detectives break into a locked room and find a blue-crested hoopoe. Ralph Ford walks in his front door and finds the detectives back in his locked room. Jones tells Ralph that they know he lied about the bird being alive. Ralph says, “I could never harm another living thing. I’m a vegetarian- I could never put a living corpse into his mouth...chew its hacked flesh, swallow the juices of its death wounds.” Barnaby says, “We're not accusing you of eating him, Mr Ford.” Ralph says, “I'm just saying that I could never harm, eat, let alone kill, a fellow creature…I don't kill them. I stuff them and give them resurrection. Life after death, in all their glory.” The detectives take the bird with them.
Jones says, “Well, Foxely was right about him. He's out of his tree. All that stuff about vegetarianism.” Barnaby says, “Maybe he's got a point. Not everyone's capable of killing. Could you wring a chicken's neck?” Jones says, “If I had to, yeah. But you couldn't call me a killer for that.” Barnaby says, “A chicken could.”
Next, the detectives go to Tim Whitley’s house where he has a recording of the shots fired at Markham. They hear the sound of Michael playing his oboe. It echoes all round the woods whenever he plays. Barnaby wonders if Michael said he was in bed by 10:30, how come he's playing the oboe at half-past 12?
At home, Barnaby keeps humming the tune from Swan Lake. Sarah says, “Well, it's very Russian. Love, betrayal, death… The black and white swans, the evil Odile corrupting Odette the innocent. And both drowning at midnight, with their lover prince, in a lake of tears.” Sarah and Barnaby watch a video of Nina Kustanova at a gala performance. At the end she tosses her circlet into the crowd. Barnaby sees something..
Plot, Denouement[]
Barnaby calls Jones and they meet in the office and listen to the recording Tim Whitley made on the night of Patrick's death. "Now...There's the church bells striking midnight…(Person cries out)..then Patrick's cry. (Splash) And a little later the splash. Yes?” Jones says, “Yeah, I remember all that.” Barnaby says, “What else can you hear?” Jones says, “Nothing.” Barnaby says, “Exactly. I think we've got our killer. Come on! Remember when Tim Whitley told us about picking up the sound of the oboe, whenever Michael Hipsman played it? And Michael Hipsman told you that at the time of Patrick's death, he was at home, playing the oboe. But if he had been playing his oboe, Tim Whitley's microphones would have picked it up. But it didn't. There was nothing on the recording… He was lying. I think Nina's his next victim.”
The detectives head to Village Hall to find Nina, but when they get there, Nina is gone. Tim tells them Michael was giving her a lift home as her car’s was dead. They head to Michael's home. They find Nina’s scarf inside the home. At a barn outside, Barnaby and Jones find a room with photos of Nina. They also find Nina’s circlet there. Barnaby says, “It's a circlet. Nina's circlet. From the ballet Swan Lake. She threw it into the audience at the end of her final gala performance. And Michael caught it. And my guess is that now Michael will want to destroy her. When Odette...his innocent white swan ...was made pregnant by Doctor Markham, she became Odile, the corrupted, the black swan. And both drowning at midnight with their lover prince in a lake of tears.” They head to the lake..
At the lake, Michael is at a boat ramp dragging Nina in a net. Michael says, “It's OK. It's all right, my darling. (Nina groans) We're nearly there. Just you and me.”
Barnaby tells Jones to get some backup and to go to the left. “If he gets her in this water, we’ll never find her.” Michael says, “It's alright, my darling.” Barnaby calls out, “Michael!? Let her go, Michael! Leave her!” Michael shouts, “Stay back! She's mine!” Barnaby says, “We found your... your shrine. The feathered circlet she... that she threw into the audience on…” Michael shouts, “She gave it to me!” Barnaby says, “You were playing the oboe on her final gala performance. (Flashback to Nina tossing the circlet and Michael catching it) When she threw the circlet and you caught it, didn't you? Caught it and kept it. Your little secret in your own...private little twilight zone. And then when she left the ballet, you followed her here, to Midsomer-in-the-Marsh.”
Michael says, “To save her. T-t-t-to protect and rescue her…(Nina groans). Barnaby says, “From Patrick Morgan?” Michael yells, “He didn't deserve her! I worshipped her!” (Flashback to Patrick and Nina’s conversation after she tells him she is pregnant. Patrick says, “I'll kill you!” Nina says, “Oh, Patrick, I promise you it's yours.” Patrick says, “No. That's impossible.” Nina says, “What do you mean?” Patrick says, “I had a vasectomy 15 years ago. I cannot father a child!” Nina says, “What? All the time you knew, you bastard!” They start to fight)
Barnaby says, “Was it then you decided to kill Patrick? You did kill him, didn't you?” Michael stops dragging Nina, who tries to get up and says, “What?” Barnaby says, “Stay still, Nina!” Michael says, “Keep away from me!” Barnaby tries to stall Michael while Jones is creeping around in the woods nearby. Barnaby says, “Why did you send us those photographs? You were trying to throw suspicion onto Markham. But once you heard that Markham was the father of Nina's child, he had to go too, didn't he? (Flashback to Michael shooting Markham) So you shot him. You dropped those spent cases that you'd picked up in the woods. Cases from Dave Foxely's shot gun, trying to implicate him as well.”
Michael says, “You seem to know everything, Inspector.” Barnaby says, “It's my job, Michael.” Michael says, “Then you'll know why Nina has to die in the lake. We will both go down together. I and Odile.” Barnaby says, “No, Michael. She's innocent. She's still Odette, she's still the white swan.” Michael says, “No! No! Look at her! The black swan. We must drown together. In the lake of tears.”
Jones tackles Michael and they both fall into the lake. Jones drags Michael toward the bank. Barnaby comforts Nina and says, “Need a hand?” Jones says, “No, sir. No need for you to get yourself wet.” Barnaby says, “Watch out for the pike in there, Jones. Give you a nasty nip.” Barnaby pulls the net off Nina.
Later at the police station, the detectives toast each other with a glass. Jones says, “ To a very rare bird.” Barnaby says, “To the beautiful Nina, who for a moment there was almost a dying swan.” Jones says, “No. I didn't mean Nina. I meant our feathered friend,” referring to the stuffed bird. Barnaby says, “Ah, of course. To her. To the blue-crested hoopoe. A very rare bird indeed.”
Cast[]
- Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby
- Jason Hughes as DS Ben Jones
- Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby
- Tamzin Malleson as Kate Wilding
- Genevieve O'Reilly as Nina Morgan
- Alexander Hanson as Patrick Morgan (as Alex Hanson)
- Paul Bigley as Tim Whitley
- James Dreyfus as Ralph Ford
- Allan Corduner as Michael Hipsman
- Paul Nicholls as Dave Foxely
- Tony Haygarth as George Napier
- Nicholas Boulton as Dr. Ian Markham
- Amanda Lawrence as Olivia Carter
- Ella Al-Khalil Coyle as Aimee Whitley
- Carol Cummings as SOCO (uncredited)
- David Golt as Parent (uncredited)
- Nick Thomas-Webster as CID Officer (uncredited)
- Julie Vollono as Pub Patron (uncredited)
- Chris Wilson as Police Officer (uncredited)
Galleries[]
Body Count[]
Lured into the woods with a rare bird hotline alert on his phone, trapped in a birding net, beaten with his bramble beater and thrown in the lake where he drowned.
Lured into the woods with a medical emergency phone call, trapped in a birding net and then shot twice in the chest with a shotgun.
Supporting Cast[]
Episode Images[]
Videos[]
Arrests[]
Michael Hipsman for the murders of
Notes[]
The following actors and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes
- Tony Haygarth - Destroying Angel and King's Crystal
- Julie Vollono - The Dark Rider and Murder of Innocence
Trivia[]
- Through the end of this episode, the finale of series 14, Barnaby phones Jones during midday to arrange to meet, but Jones hints that he is in bed with another person.
- Later in an interview made by Jason Hughes for Murder of Innocence, the second episode of series 15, episode where Jones is seen having a relationship with Susie Bellingham, Jason says: "In the last series, Jones turns up late to a crime scene and it's hinted that he was in bed, but not at his own house. In the new film, that storyline is developed a bit further." This suggest that Jones and Susie were already seeing each other during the events of A Rare Bird.
- The Lions Pub Bedlow Buckhamshire is used as the location of the feathers Pub in this episode it was previously used in the Episode Dark Autumn where it was the filming location for the Crown and Sceptre Pub.
- At 41:02 Barnaby orders "two ninety-nines please" from an ice cream truck. A particularly British specialty vanilla ice cream cone with a Cadbury Flake chocolate.
Romantic Entanglements:
- Nina Morgan is married to Patrick Morgan, is pregnant with Ian Markham's child and is the object of obsession of Michael Hipsman.
- Olivia Carter is infatuated with Patrick Morgan.
- Tim Whitley is infatuated with Nina Morgan.
The Trials and Tribulations of DS Ben Jones:
- Barnaby manages to get Jones to pay for his ice cream cone.
- Jones gets wet yet again when he tackles the killer and they wind up in the lake.
Quotes[]
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