Fit For Murder was the eighth episode of the thirteenth series of the popular British detective TV show Midsomer Murders and was first aired on 2nd February 2011. It is the final episode featuring John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby.
Background
The episode focuses on more personal features of the Barnaby's character. Throughout the episode we are shown an aspect of background that hasn't been featured before - the death of his father. We find out that Tom's father died on his birthday due to a massive stroke, Tom and his father had feuded shortly before his death and he says that his last words to his father were "not very nice". As such - he deeply regrets his fathers death and ever since has harboured anxiety that he, too, would die at the same age as his father. As that age draws near Tom becomes more pensive and contemplative about his future.
At the end of the episode, having solved the murders, he celebrates his birthday with family and friends and announces his retirement. He and Joyce go on to spend his retirement traveling the world.
Synopsis
Barnaby accompanies Joyce to Swaveley Manor health spa, run by fussy Luke Archbold and his wife Phoebe. Luke is in a right of way dispute with Phoebe's former best friend, Miranda Bedford, who has written a novel, and her volatile handyman Carter Smith. Demanding guest Kitty Pottinger is found drowned in the flotation chamber and soon afterwards Luke is killed by a faulty weights machine. The spa faces closure and evidence points to Carter having killed Luke, though Barnaby believes he was framed. Kitty's husband Kenny disappears but is found, having survived an attempt on his life. Before Barnaby retires, handing over to his cousin John Barnaby, he has exposed a fake medium and discovered that the killer had dual motives - hatred for the Pottingers and a need to stop Miranda 's book being published - both instances being fit for murder.
Plot
Cast
- Nettles, John (II) - DCI Tom Barnaby
- Hughes, Jason (I) - DS Ben Jones
- Wymark, Jane - Joyce Barnaby
- Howard, Laura (II) - Cully Barnaby
- Jackson, Barry (I) - Dr. Bullard
- Dudgeon, Neil - DCI John Barnaby
- Dillon, Kirsty - DC Gail Stephens
- James, Geraldine - Miranda Bedford
- Durr, Jason (I) - Luke Archbold
- Manville, Lesley - Phoebe Archbold
- Mellor, Oliver - Julian Woodley
- Giles, Sally - Natasha Fox
- Barnett, Angus - Kenny Pottinger
- Ancona, Ronni - Kitty Pottinger
- Dingwall, Shaun - Carter Smith
- Richardson, Miles (I) - Dr. Giles Danby
- Dyllen, Gemma - Florence
- Nixon, Kimberley - Cloud
- Carte, Eric - Clarky
- Dix, Sophie (I) - Janet Smith
- Rickman, Ruth - Gym Instructor
- Williams, Allan (IV) - Pub Customer
- Wilson, Chris (XXIX) - Police Officer
