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A Talent for Life

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A Talent for life is the first episode of the sixth series of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and originally aired 3rd January 2003.

Synopsis[]

When two bodies are discovered by the side of a fishing stream, Barnaby and Troy have yet more murders to solve.

Plot, Part 1[]

At the Old Fisherman pub in Malham Bridge, the meeting of the Midsomer Fly Fishers has just ended. Margaret Seagrove goes after Isobel Hewitt and grabs her arm. Margaret says, "What do you mean, limited skills? I've won the casting final three times in a row and you call my skills limited? How dare you?" Isobel slaps her and says, "Is that any better?" Duncan Goff says, "Isobel!!" Margaret say to her husband, "She hit me. Aren't you going to do something." Duncan gives Isobel a lift.

Meanwhile, in the dark, someone in a mask is lurking by the river.

At the police station, Troy tells Barnaby he is about to take a statement. A woman wants to press charges of assault against Isobel Hewitt. Barnaby says, "Isobel Hewitt, the Jaguar-owning pensioner?" Troy replies that there was a bit of a barny at the Midsomer Fly Fishers last night. Barnaby accompanies Troy to the interview.

Margaret Seagrove complains that Isobel provoked her and said that "I fished more downstream than up. The River Amble is a strictly dry fly and upstream nymph." Margaret explains that her husband, Derrick, who is club secretary, called for a special meeting as they have been finding weighted lures in over-hanging branches on the river. The sort of thing found in gravel pits. "Derrick wanted to spell out the rules, particularly to newcomers like Isobel, and make it clear that anyone using such tactics would be ejected from the club." Isobel has caught an extraordinary number of fish, some very big ones. That might have been mentioned in front of Isobel. Margaret insists, "Isobel Hewitt assaulted me. I have witnesses. Dr. Goff was there. And I intend to press charges."

Isobel's nephew and his wife, Melrose Plunkett and Rebecca Plunkett, are aghast at Isobel's behavior. "We're used to the endless speeding fines and parking tickets, but physical assault! It's all over the village." They also confront Isobel about her overdraft as they can't keep paying it off. Isobel consistently spends more than she has. Isobel has no money and so the Plunkett's paid off her debts and let her live in their house.

Leo Bantock stops at Quentin Roka's Fine Antiques. Leo is moving back to the village and asks Quentin to keep an eye out for a "Georgian dining table, 10 seater."

At Isobel's house, Rebecca says to Isobel, "You'll have to sell the car. You have no alternative." Then Leo Bantock drops by with a bouquet of flowers to let Isobel know that she and her deceased husband's investment in his company have produced some income. $20 grand. Leo is looking at a house in the village as he is moving back.

Quentin walks over to Isobel's and they drive off riding in her red Jaguar. The race past the mobile library, which Cully Barnaby is tending. Isobel enjoys racing around an old airfield (cue old 50's Big Band music). Barnaby hears the car racing from a distance and identifies it as Isobel's Jaguar- straight 6, twin cam. Troy says, "Come on, sir. You can't tell that from here."

Derrick Seagrove is at the pub lamenting that his wife has filed charges against Isobel. He says he has never seen her so willful. Keith Scholey says, "Still, bet there's a few people won't be sorry to see Isobel Hewitt get her comeuppance." Derrick says, "Keith, the renewal for the lease of the fishing rights is coming up. You know what a stickler Sir Harry is for correct form."

James Tapsell saunters up, "I hear Midsomer Fly Fishers are still using weighted lures on river. Old Sir Harry won't be too pleased." Derrick says, "I don't think Sir Harry's interested in malicious gossip from a sacked keeper with a criminal record." James goes toward Derrick and Keith stops him. Keith says, "Easy now." James says to Derrick, "You want to try and get your wife to stop having catfights outside pub. Whole village knows about that one. Certainly won't do reputation of fly-fishers' much good." James leaves and Leo Bantock walks in.

Leo says he is moving back to the village and was looking at the old manor house that morning. Derrick says he must've done pretty well for himself. Keith says, "Better at business than he is with women. Oh, dear! Think I hit a nerve there. Forget I said anything." Leo says, "I'm surprised you'd come up with a comment like that, Keith, after that business I heard about your wife and Duncan Goff." Keith says, "What business?" Keith walks out.

Barnaby stops by the mobile library to say hi to Cully. She is working on an exhibition of vintage photographs of the village. Troy drops by, "I didn't know libraries were your thing." Cully says, "I kind of got talked into it. I'm setting up the exhibition in the hall tomorrow. What brings you to Malham Bridge?" Troy says, "Oh, you know. Run of the mill stuff. Interviewing an old-age pensioner for assault." Cully says, "Isobel Hewitt? You won't catch her at home. She just roared through here in her Jaguar. Apparently she likes to practice skid control at the old airfield." Troy sighs, "Is your dad ever wrong?"

Keith confronts his wife, Ruth Scholey at their home. Keith says, "I'm going to ask you a question. And I'll know if you lie to me. So think very carefully before you reply."

Troy and Barnaby drive to the old airfield. Troy tries swerving the car and Barnaby give him a look, so he stops. Isobel is sitting at a table and chairs drinking wine with Quentin. Isobel says, "It's alright, Quentin, it's the rozzers. Hello, Tom. Have you come to arrest me? Hello, Sergeant. This is Quentin Roka, my friend." Quentin asks, "What's this about?" Isobel replies, "I rather think it's in connection with my alleged assault on Margaret Seagrove last night. It's all complete nonsense. The woman was hysterical." Barnaby says, "We need to ask you a few questions. So what exactly happened outside the pub last night?" Isobel says, "Well, you know, it was quite extraordinary. We've all heard the expression foaming at the mouth but I've never actually witnessed it." Barnaby says, "So you just slapped her across the face?" Isobel replies, "Yes. Well, we none of us wanted her bursting a blood vessel. Though, I can't deny there was a little thrill of pleasure when I made contact. (Quentin laughs). Well, you've met her. But that wasn't the motive. And that's what you detectives care about, don't you?"

At his home, Duncan Goff tells his wife, Dixie Goff, that he has to go see a few patients. He tells her not to wait up. She is working on sculptures in her studio.

That night, someone is lurking by the river again.

At the Scholey home that evening, Ruth asks if Keith wants her to move out. Ruth says, "It was over three years ago. Look, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." Keith says, "Ruthy, I don't blame you. Not with your delicate mental health. Because nobody in their right mind could've gone with that old prat. That vain, incompetent quack. I don't blame you." Keith leaves the house and Ruth runs after him. She sees Leo parked in the street in his car. He drives off.

Plot, Part 2[]

MURDERS 1 AND 2: The next morning, Andrew Turner is casting his line into the river when it gets caught in a tree. He tries to get it down and trips over the bodies of Isobel Hewitt and Duncan Goff. They had been bashed in the head ... Key creepy music.

The police examine the crime scene. Both victims are attired in fishing gear. Dr. Bullard says the cause of death was from a blow to the back of the head. A bloody tree stake is found nearby. There is a dead fish in a net next to the bodies. Andrew explains how he found the pair. Andrew says he last saw Isobel yesterday when he took Leo around to her house. He wanted to tell her about some shares she had that had gone up in value- 20,000 pounds. A policeman walks up with Derrick Seagrove, who was fishing further upstream. Derrick says he saw Isobel and Duncan fishing about an hour and half ago 100 yards upstream, around 10:00. Derrick mentions that there has been trouble with poachers lately.

Barnaby discusses the case with Troy, "What we've got to do first is establish whether they were murdered together and for the same reason, or whether one of them happened upon the murder scene and was killed to protect the identity of the killer. In which case we need to know which of the victims was the real target." Troy asks, "There's no way they could have had a thing going? I know they were getting on but you never know with these wrinklies. Maybe Quentin got jealous. Decided to do them in. He's weird that bloke." Barnaby smirks at Troy.

The detectives go to speak to Dixie Goff. She in shock. She tells the detectives she has a daughter in Causton. Dixie says she and Isobel were at school together.

Gwen Dobson tells Cully about the murders. Cully wonders why anyone would want to kill them. Gwen says, "Doctor Goff - probably one jealous husband too many. "

Down at the river, Derrick goes to tell his wife about the murders.

The detectives go to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Plunkett. Barnaby asks, "Who benefits from your aunt's will?" Rebecca laughs. Melrose says, "My Aunt Isobel had nothing to leave. When Kenneth died a few years ago, her husband, we discovered he'd had a little trouble with the stock market. There was nothing. We helped out by buying the house and contents on the understanding that she could stay there for the rest of her natural life. It gave her a bit of capital. It was all above board - solicitors, a written contract. I wanted her to buy an annuity but she wouldn't have it." Rebecca interjects, "She spent it. All of it. We've been bailing her out for the last year." Troy asks, "And the 20,000 in shares?" Melrose says, "You heard about that. Well, it means she dies solvent. But only just. A big chunk of that money will be going on settling bills."

Rebecca rants, "Isobel had no comprehension of economy. As you can see we don't exactly live like lords. It severely stretched us, letting her live in that house, and we've had to scrimp to get by. Isobel, of course, continued to live the high life. I know she's family and you have to be loyal but the truth is, Isobel was a very manipulative woman. Men ran around after her and she did nothing in return." Troy asks, "Which men ran around after her?" Rebecca says, "My husband for one. And Quentin Roka for another. Her antique dealer playmate. God knows what was going on there." Melrose says, "Quentin runs the antique shop near Isobel's. He often helps her out..." Rebecca interrupts, "Wheedling his way into her confidence. With the finances." Melrose says, "Quentin paid the odd bill for her at the Post Office. I am the person who will benefit financially from Isobel's death in that I now have possession of my assets."

The detectives leave the Plunketts. Troy says, "The Plunketts have the strongest motive. The house, the land, it's going to be worth a million or two. In the hands of a builder..." Barnaby says, "But if they'd planned it, they'd have known they'd be top of the list. I'm more interested in the windfall. The 20,000 coming just the day before the murder seems a bit more than a coincidence, doesn't it?"

Andrew Turner goes to tell Quentin of Isobel's death. Quentin becomes upset. Ruth Scholey goes to tell her husband about the murders. He tells her that she was with him at the restaurant. The detectives go to tell Margaret Seagrove who claims she was doing housework all morning. Derrick listens through the door. Margaret says, "I may have disliked Isobel but I could never murder her." Gwen Dobson goes by the Plunketts where Rebecca is outside putting things in her car. Gwen says to Rebecca, "My condolences about Isobel. I suppose as her closest relative, Melrose'll be getting the house. Perhaps you'll be moving in?" Rebecca says, "We already own the house, and have done for years. Isobel didn't have a bean." She smiles at Gwen.

Troy discusses the case with the Barnaby family. Troy says, " It could be a confrontation with a poacher that got out of hand. There's Margaret Seagrove who fell out with Isobel. And we haven't even got to Quentin Roka, her gay antiques dealer toy boy." Barnaby says, "Wait, could we keep a bit of an open mind on this one?" Joyce says, "The village has lost quite a character in Isobel. And what about the doctor? Was he well liked?" Troy says, "I suppose so. Poor wife. She was obviously devastated. It's the bereaved partners that really get to you. There's something about elderly people being bereaved when they've been in love for a lifetime. Suddenly all alone." Cully says, "You've not heard about his womanising then? Doctor Goff? Serial apparently. The night before the murders he was seen climbing a ladder to an upstairs window of his house at 1:00 in the morning. Word is, his wife locked him out."

At Quentin's antique store, Quentin is haggling with a man and kicks him out. Quentin tells him, "I'm putting an embargo on all ill-dressed, bad-mannered people. My furniture deserves more." The detectives come in and question Quentin. He says he last saw Isobel before she went fishing. He often goes to Isobel's house for breakfast. The detectives ask if he has any idea who may have killed Isobel and Dr. Goff? Quentin asks if they have spoken to Isobel's nephew and that ghastly wife of his? Quentin says about the house, "The whole thing was a disgrace. They didn't mention how much they paid for it? It was just after Isobel's husband, Kenneth, died. Isobel was out of her mind with grief and they persuaded her she had to sell to them. Rushed it through, paid virtually nothing for it. The furniture was worth twice what they paid. They were letting her live there until she died. But at the time that didn't look as though it'd be very long. I'd say they were after a quick return. She'd lost the will to live. She was fading away in front of our eyes. And then the pneumonia. Duncan thought it was just a matter of days. I suggested a spin in the Jaguar. That's all it was. Frankly, I saw it more as a farewell to the other great love of her life, besides Kenneth. It was the first time I'd driven the thing. We'd just got up to the wood by Malham Cross and she... ..she said I was driving like an Edwardian governess and she'd take over. And she did. Duncan persuaded her to take up fly fishing again. She hadn't done it since she was a girl. She loved it. She got fitter, stronger. The sparkle returned. She could have gone on for years. But somehow I don't think the Plunketts approved of her new lease of life."

The detectives go to interview Leo Bantock. He is in a fight with Keith Scholey outside the Old Fisherman pub. Barnaby and Troy break them up. Leo says Keith is the murderer. Keith says "You're pathetic. She chose me, not you." Leo explains to the detectives that he told Keith about an affair his wife Ruth had had with Doctor Goff. Leo used to go out with Ruth, years ago. Keith claims he was in the restaurant with his wife. He spoke to his wife about the affair. She said it was over years ago. Keith says he did go round to Dr. Goff's house to confront him, but he wasn't in. So, he told his wife, which was a despicable thing to do.

Later Ruth Scholey tells the detectives she was with Keith at 10:00 and helped in the kitchen. They did lunch and then she left about 3:00. The affair she had with Doctor Goff ended three years ago and it was never serious. Duncan was... ..just a very nice man and it was a mistake. As for Leo Bantock, that happened years ago before she even married Keith.

The Plunkett's look over things in Isobel's home. Rebecca picks up a statue and says, "We'll have to sell all this. And put the house on the market. Straight after the funeral." Melrose says they will have to think about the arrangements for after the funeral.

Dixie Goff tells her daughter Angela that she wants family only at Duncan's funeral. Angela says, "Mum, don't you think some of Dad's old friends and patients would like to come, pay their respects?" Dixie replies, "I will not have a procession of his old flames filing past the grave. I will not." The detectives ring the doorbell. Barnaby asks, "Mrs Goff, we've learned that Mr Keith Scholey came round here to speak to you on the night before your husband's murder." Dixie says, "What he told me was no surprise. My husband had always had something of a wandering eye and I tolerated it."

Barnaby and Troy stop by to speak to Cully. She is working on the photography exhibit. Cully tells them she heard something else about Doctor Goff. Keith Scholey's mother died of cancer last year. Apparently Keith blamed him, said his mother would've survived if he'd diagnosed it sooner. He made official complaints and they came to nothing. Keith said it was a cover up.

Derrick is out in the evening by the river smoking a pipe. Someone calls and asks if Derrick is coming to the pub.

Plot, Part 3[]

Ruth Scholey puts on lipstick while her husband watches. They are dressed for the funeral. At the house, Melrose is setting up glasses for the funeral reception. Rebecca opens a bag of chips.

There is a crowd at the church for the funeral. Troy spies an actress. Afterwards, Peregrine Slade introduces himself to the Plunkett's and asks if he can contribute a few bottles of bubbly for Isobel's sending off.

At the river, Margaret spies a lure hanging from a branch.

Peregrine's instructs his man, Hastings, to take bottles of bubbly to the kitchen. People pour into the house for the after- funeral reception.

Beatrice speaks to Dixie as they are walking toward the reception, "You must be devastated." (Merry jazz plays). As they are walking up, Troy says to Barnaby, "Sounds like a bit of a party, sir." Gwen gossips to another guests, "Have you heard she didn't even own her own house? No. Not even a stick of furniture. And all those airs and graces." (Jazz continues). A man brings around hors d'oeuvres. Barnaby and Troy sample the food. The man says he's from Chelsea. "I had to come. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Issie. Back in the '60s she was my best customer. Went through a bad patch, cash flow, Issie kept me going. She upped her regular order of lobsters to keep me in business. Great lady. Loved her oysters."

Peregrine Slade taps his champagne glass and speaks, "Thank you. Please. Thank you. Your lordships, ladies and gentlemen, honourable members, and not such honourable members. (He looks at one man) Sorry, John. It's a very sad day for us all. We're going to miss dear Isobel rather badly. It's certainly my regret that I didn't see more of her during the last few years. I remember telling her how moving out into the country amongst all the inbreds and hayseeds, how she'd lose touch with her city mates. And indeed I was proved right. But we can see today how her old friends did not forget Isobel. She may have come to somewhat of a sticky end but it should not stop us from celebrating a well-lived life. One that I think few of us could hope to match. (He raises his glass) To Izzie and her talent for life." The group raises their glasses, "To Izzie."

Out on a country road, Joyce Barnaby drives up to where Cully is stranded, her car broken down. Cully transfers photo albums to Joyce's car. Cully says, "Thanks, Mum. I really do appreciate this. You're a lifesaver. The man from the garage said he'd be at least two hours and I've got to get these up." Joyce asks, "Have you got enough for a good show, do you think?" Cully says, "I hope so. Still got a few more promised. People have been coming for the gossip as much as anything." Joyce asks, "About the murders?" Cully says, "Loads of theories, most of them ridiculous."

At the reception, Barnaby tells Troy they should circulate. Outside the house, Margaret comes up to Derrick and says she found another weighted lure. She thinks someone is deliberately planting weighted lures to make the Midsomer Fly Fishers look like "a bunch of unsporting gravel-pitters."

Joyce looks through a photo album and says the children looked lovely in their huge bonnets. Cully tells Joyce the photos are of children in the workhouse. Many of them never reached adulthood. Another photo shows people celebrating the end of the First World War. Malham Bridge lost 15 men, Three from one family alone. Joyce tells Cully not to let the stories get to her.

Derrick tells Andrew Turner he think James Tapsell is putting out the weighted lures. He wants them to lose the lease out of sheer spite. Derrick says he is walking the river with Sir Harry the day after tomorrow so they will have to keep a round the clock watch and catch Tapsell at it.

Beatrice speaks to Barnaby. She says, "I think it more likely Isobel was the target. I spoke to her by phone the night before she was killed. She'd just had the most terrible row with a mutual friend....

Troy talks to Steve, Quentin's ex-partner. Steve says he taught Quentin everything he knows. "He was running a bistro when I first met him. I had an antique stall, Portobello Road. Seven years." Troy says, "He was obviously very close to Isobel." Steve chuckles.

Beatrice tells Barnaby "It was Dixie. She'd just found out Duncan had been carrying on with some local woman. And Isobel, never very big on tact, told her a few home truths. I wouldn't read too much into it, though. They often had flare ups. It went back a long way. Isobel went off travelling around the world with her glamorous diplomat husband while Dixie stayed in the village sculpting labradors and being a doctor's wife. Isobel could be quite mischievous. She liked to tease Dixie. Anything from her Morris Minor to her vegetarianism. Dixie has never had any sense of humour about animal welfare. She used to fall out with Duncan about it." Quentin comes up to speak to Beatrice. He says, "Excuse me. It's Beatrice, isn't it? Isobel told me all about you. I'm Quentin." Beatrice says, "Oh-h-h-h! You're the poodle! (chuckles awkwardly) Of course, Isobel loved poodles. Anyway, it's lovely to meet you. I know you did so much for her."

Troy pulls Barnaby aside and tells him that Quentin made a bit of a habit of befriending elderly ladies. Troy says, "I've just been talking to his old partner, Steve. When Steve first met him, Quentin had just inherited several thousand pounds from a woman, a customer at his bistro in Notting Hill. Steve reckons Quentin was expecting to make a few bob from Isobel. Had his eye on the furniture." Dixie, who had been in the corner of the room on the floor looking through photo albums, says, "You shouldn't listen to a word that little rat says. Steve was poison. He'd been creaming off profits from the shop and that's why Quentin had to get rid of him. The truth is, Quentin saved Isobel's life. When Kenneth died Isobel completely lost the will to live. I was her oldest friend but I could do nothing. But then Quentin nursed her when she had pneumonia. He cheered her up. He made her laugh. Without him I think she would have just faded away. No. Quentin was very kind to Isobel." Barnaby looks at photos in an album. Dixie points to photos of Isobel and of herself.

Barnaby asks about the argument she had with Isobel the night before she was killed. Keith Scholey came to tell Dixie about her hushband's affair with Ruth. Dixie then went to see Isobel to find out if she knew anything. (Flashback: Isobel says, "I'm sorry. You're saying you had no idea about Duncan's affairs? I'm sorry. I just assumed you knew. We all did." Dixie says, "Are you saying I've been an object of public ridicule and pity for my entire married life?" Isobel replies, "Well, darling, if you will marry a man 10 years your junior, I mean, really, I don't know what you expected. You have affairs with younger men. You don't marry them.")

At the reception, a couple is dancing outside. Ruth Scholey goes over to speak to Leo. She asks if he is moving back to the village. Leo says, "I was intending to. I'm not sure it's the right thing to do any more. All this has shown there's a lot of history here. I thought I could leave it in the past and move on. Now I'm beginning to think maybe I should stay in London. Not that I want to. There's nothing for me there." Keith Scholey is watching them talk. Ruth whispers, "Don't stay in London." Ruth leaves and Keith comes over to berate Leo. Keith says, "I'd prefer it if you didn't talk to my wife. You're lucky I don't do you for assault. And slander." Quentin interrupts them, "If you two are going to start hitting each other, could you do it outside?" Gwen Dobson tells the detectives they just missed a scene.

The next morning, Rebecca is clearing out the trash at Isobel's house. Leo comes to look at a table at Quentin's antique shop. Quentin asks Leo what he meant yesterday when he said Keith had bullied Ruth into lying for him? Leo says he couldn't accept Keith wasn't involved.

Barnaby tells Troy that the old lady that Quentin inherited the money from died of cancer. Troy says he still think Quentin is dodgy. Barnaby spoke to the Home Beat Officer at Notting Hill who told him Quentin is straight as a die. The detectives enter Quentin's shop. They ask about his inheritance from the elderly lady. Quentin says that the woman died of cancer, which is not easy to fake. If he were going to befriend elderly women for their money, wouldn't he have picked someone better off than Isobel?

Derrick calls Andrew and asks if they are still on for tonight?

Quentin sees Gwen walking by and asks if she remembers seeing him at the village shop the day of the murders. She says yes, she did.

That night, Derrick and Andrew are out at the river and confront a man in a mask. They fight with him, but he gets away. The next day at the police station, Barnaby tells the pair that it was very stupid to go down to the river in the dead of the night. They are lucky they got away with just a few grazes and a bloody nose. Derrick says he is sure it was James Tapsell, their old gamekeeper. They had to sack him when he sold some trout he'd taken from the river to a fishmonger in Causton. Now he's trying to turn Sir Harry against them out of spite. Derrick says he hit him and he may have a black eye this morning.

Quentin comes by the police station and tells the detectives that on the morning of the murders, he went by Keith's restaurant and knocked on the door but there was no reply. When he heard that Keith Scholey said he had been there at the time of the murders, 10:15, he thought he'd better tell the police. The detectives go to look for Keith at home but his wife says he didn't come home last night.

Plot, Part 4[]

MURDERS 3: The detectives go to the restaurant and find Keith Scholey in the walk-in fridge with a phone. There is a nail in the lock so it can't be opened from the inside. Someone deliberately shut him in.

Ruth Scholey comes to the restaurant and finds out her husband has been killed. She tells the detectives that as far as she knew the door was fine. She had an argument with her husband earlier because she wasn't sure about the alibi she had given him. He had told her she was being disloyal.

At the Goff home, Dixie goes through the freezer and pulls out all of the frozen fish Duncan had caught. Derrick rings the doorbell. He brought Duncan's fishing rods. Dixie takes them and breaks them all up.

Outside of the restaurant, Gwen tells Derrick that Keith Scholey has been murdered. Derrick sees James Tapsell and he has a gash on his cheek. Leo sees Ruth come outside of the restaurant. Derrick sees the police and wants to talk to them.

Leo says, "I'm so sorry." Ruth says, "I don't feel anything. I made the wrong choice, marrying Keith. Why did we break up? It's all a mess now." Leo says, "If I can do anything." Ruth says, "I'm glad you're here, Leo. (He kisses her hands) Just give me some time. Please?"

Barnaby walks around the restaurant kitchen. Derrick takes Troy to the pub where James Tapsell is. Troy says, "We're satisfied you have a solid alibi for the murders. Between you and me, I'm not too interested in doing you for assault. But we could waste a lot of valuable time trying to track down the person who's been lurking around the river. If you tell me, off the record, you were at the river last night, you'd save us a lot of time." James says, "I don't think you should be looking for anyone else."

At the restaurant, Troy tells Barnaby that Tapsell is the man in the camo gear but it's all to do with fishing club stuff. He double-checked his alibi for the murders and the landlord's wife backed him up. Troy goes in the fridge to check the phone signal. There is none in the fridge. Troy surmises that Keith tried to set up a faked attempt on his own life. Keith wanted to make it look as if the murderer had tried to lock him in the fridge. That's why he jammed the safety bolt. He couldn't do it any other way. He couldn't put the padlock on from the inside. He planned to save himself by phoning for help. From inside. He did a trial run with the door open and got a dial tone, but what he didn't realize was that when the door was closed there'd be no reception because of the lead in the door.

So, Troy thinks the case is solved. He has drinks with the Barnaby's outside. Barnaby congratulates him for a good day's work. But Barnaby is not totally satisfied and mentally reviews all of the points of the case. After ordering more drinks in the pub, Barnaby makes a call to Ruth and says, "You know you told us you were unsure about the reliability of your husband's alibi, did you mention your concern to anyone else?"

Barnaby goes to see Melrose Plunkett at Isobel's home. Quentin is upstairs valuing the furniture. Barnaby asks where Isobel's share certificate is. There is another document under the certificate. Barnaby asks, "Is this the formal agreement between yourself and Isobel for the transfer of the ownership to you of the house and furniture?" Melrose says, "Yes, it is." Rebecca calls, "Melrose! The Jaguar man's here." Barnaby says, "Your agreement with Isobel about the house, was that common knowledge in the village?" Melrose says, "Not as far as I know. She was a proud woman. She asked us not to mention it."

Plot Denouement[]

Quentin comes downstairs and Barnaby says, "You jammed the safety mechanism so that it wasn't noticeable from the outside and then you just picked your moment. You ran a bistro in London, Quentin. You'd know all about walk-in fridges and lead linings. As you shut the door, you threw the phone in but you made a mistake. You shouldn't have switched the light off in the fridge. Keith wouldn't want to dial a number in the dark. Not if his life depended on it." Quentin says, "You're saying I murdered Keith Scholey?" Barnaby says, "I've just spoken to Ruth. She told me how she explained to you in the garden at Isobel's that she was worried about the timings on her husband's alibi. Do you remember that? Yes, you suggested she think about it for a day or two before telling us. You know, for a moment I thought you killed Keith out of revenge because you thought he'd killed Isobel and Duncan but then I realized, it wasn't revenge. Keith was just a decoy. We were getting a bit too close for comfort, asking questions about your past. And you thought the best way to get us off your back was to convince us that someone else murdered Isobel and Duncan. And the likeliest suspect was Keith with his iffy alibi and solid motives. But he could always deny it. And that might cause us to doubt - better if he were dead. He couldn't deny anything then, could he? And why not make it look as if Keith was trying to fake his own murder and accidentally killed himself? That's even better."

Barnaby says, "It must have been quite a shock when you discovered the house sale agreement in the desk and that Isobel was penniless. What had she promised you? The furniture? House? Everything? And after all you'd done for her." Quentin says, "I explained to you. I knew about the sale of the house." Barnaby says, "No, you didn't. Not until you found this." Barnaby holds up the agreement. Quentin goes to call his solicitor. Barnaby continues, "How did it happen, Quentin? Isobel asked if you could find the share certificate for her? Probably just before she set off fishing that morning. You stumbled across the agreement as you were searching. The two documents next to each other." Quentin denies that he has seen the house sale agreement. Then he says maybe he did see it. Barnaby says, "You just realized we'll find your fingerprints all over it. You loved her, didn't you? I don't believe you cared about the money. That's not why you killed her. And it wasn't because she conned you and not because she didn't love you. It was the casual assumption you were someone who could be bought. When you thought what was between you and Isobel was something beautiful. I think you loved her more than you've ever loved anything or anyone. But when you saw this document you realised just how fundamentally unimportant you were and always had been to Isobel."

Quentin says, "You can't prove any of this. (His face crumples) A 75-year-old woman. She was extraordinary. Like a bright jewel. And I'll never see her again. I thought that knowing Isobel was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me. She made me... ..She brought out the best in me. (Flashback: Isobel says, "Oh, please, Quentin, don't be so tedious. For God's sake, pull yourself together." Quentin says, "You thought I was here for what I could get out of it? Is that what you thought of me? Of us?" Isobel says, "No, I'm not putting up with these tantrums. You really can be very boring.") I couldn't bear it. I just wanted to talk to her. (Quentin goes to the river where Isobel has caught a fish). But then. She killed the fish. (Church bell tolls) (Quentin picks up the wooden stake and walks up behind Isobel and clubs her. Isobel screams.). And there she was. All that life, suddenly gone. (Duncan runs up and goes over to Isobel's body. Quentin hits him with the stake.) He must have heard something. Yes, I loved Isobel."

At the photography exhibition, Cully and Joyce look at the photos. Barnaby drives up with Quentin in the car. Troy asks, "What's happening, sir?" Barnaby says, "There's been a development. Quentin Roka was our man after all. He's just confessed to the murders. All three. It seems your first hunch was the right one. You see, it suddenly occurred to me that if Gwen Dobson, the local gossip, didn't know about Melrose owning Isobel's house, then it was possible no one else did either. Maybe not even Quentin. It's a long story. Of course, I couldn't have got there without Troy working out the business with the fridge. Good work. You thought it was Quentin from the word go. See the lesson in all this? Always follow your first instincts." Troy says, "I'll get the car, shall I?" Barnaby tells Cully he'll see the exhibition some other time. Barnaby calls, "Hang on, Troy. I'm coming with you." and puts his arm around Troy's shoulders.

Cast[]

Galleries[]

Body Count[]

Prior to the Episode

In the Episode

Supporting Cast[]

Episode Images[]

Arrests[]

Notes[]

The following actors and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes:

Trivia[]

  • Cully is seen to be driving what looks to be a 1985 Citroën 2CV6 Charleston which Joyce has nicknamed "Bertie".
  • Champagne they drink during entire episode is Veuve Clicquot, which marketing communication is about enjoying life.
  • Isobel's red Jaguar is the XK 120 model (called a "drophead coupe"): this was Jaguar's first postwar sports model, produced between 1948 and 1954.

The Trials and Tribulations of DS Gavin Troy:

  • Troy wonders, "There's no way they could have had a thing going? I know they were getting on but you never know with these wrinklies."
  • Troy calls Quentin Roka Isobel's "gay antiques dealer toy boy."
  • Troy makes an insightful comment, "It's the bereaved partners that really get to you. There's something about elderly people being bereaved when they've been in love for a lifetime. Suddenly all alone." Then Cully tells him that the deceased was a serial philanderer.
  • Although Troy is still prone to utter the occasional insensitive comment, in this episode Tom seemingly shows real appreciation for Troy's contributions to the investigations. The closing scene shows the two walking off with Tom's arm around his young sergeant.

Goofs[]

  • Walk in coolers are not lined with lead. They are made with steel, including stainless steel. Steel would prevent cell phone signals from entering or leaving the cooler if the door is closed. No need for a lead lining.

Video[]

Midsomer_Murders_-_Most_Bizarre_Episode_E04

Midsomer Murders - Most Bizarre Episode E04



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