Midsomer Murders - Talent For Life [DVD]

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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. Season 6 Episode 1 of Midsomer Murders resulted in a 0.00 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Midsomer Murders Season 6 Episodes... A Talent for Life" is one of the good solid episodes. At the same time it is just missing the extra missing that could have made it great or even a classic. "A Talent for Life" signalled the first time, and one of not many times, in the history of 'Midsomer Murders' where the identity of the murderer was not that surprising and easily guessable too early (personally suspected them very strongly before the halfway mark). Not necessarily due to suspects being too few, but there could have been more and the motives more imaginative than here. 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.

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. Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice humour and colourful characters. Nothing felt inconsequential, everything had a point, everything intrigued and any loose ends were tied together nicely. 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.... 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." 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?"There are some clever ideas spread out in the story. Especially liked the thought of Gavin Troy almost solving the case. 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. When two bodies are discovered by the side of a fishing stream, Barnaby and Troy have yet more murders to solve.

Margaret files charges, which brings Barnaby and Troy to the village. Isobel, an older, vital woman, goes for a drive with a doctor, Duncan Goff in a jaguar. Later, they are both found murdered, beaten with a stake from a fence. 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." The solution is indeed disappointing with kind of obvious murderer and dull motives, which could have been much more compelling. I would go that far and name it underdeveloped. Eureka!" Moment: Barnaby realises that the apparent Gone Horribly Right fake murder gambit must have been actual murder when he overhears someone using the phrase "in the dark": if someone was faking a murder attempt on themselves and their survival depended on being able to make a phone call for help, why would they risk dialling a number in the dark? 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.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. " When two bodies are discovered by the side of a fishing stream, Barnaby and Troy have yet more murders to solve. Isobel Hewitt had A Talent for Life that some can only hope for. She loves to drive her red Jaguar at top speed and generally enjoyed the finer things in life. Although loved by many, there were those who were not quite so charmed by her. Margaret Seagrove was convinced that she was the member of the local fishing club using weighted lures in the local stream. Her nephew and his wife, with whom she resided, saw her as a burden now that she had spent most of her accumulated capital. The second victim is the local doctor, Duncan Goff, a well-known philanderer who had affairs with many of the local ladies. The police must first determine if both were intended victims, or if one was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.