Midsomer Murders (TV Series)

A Talent for Life (2003)

John Nettles: DCI Tom Barnaby

Photos 

Quotes 

• DCI Tom Barnaby : I couldn't help noticing the Vegetarian Society magazine. Are you a member?

  Angela Goff : Yes. Why?

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Just curious. I know your husband was a keen fisherman and did a bit of shooting.

  Angela Goff : We had a 'live and let live' household.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : You didn't eat the trout he caught then?

  Angela Goff : Fish may not be the cleverest of God's creatures, but to class them as vegetables is a little unkind.

• DCI Tom Barnaby : What we've got to do first is to establish whether they were murdered together, and for the same reason, or whether one of them just happened on the murder scene and was killed to protect the identity of the killer. In which case we need to know which one of 'em was the real target.

  Sgt Gavin Troy : There's no way the two of them could've had a thing going? I know they were getting on a bit, but you never know with these wrinklies.

• DCI Tom Barnaby : Surely he tested the door if his life depended on it.

  Sgt Gavin Troy : Maybe it didn't occur to him.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Well he'd have been very stupid not to have double-checked that, wouldn't he?

  Sgt Gavin Troy : Well, there's nothing to say murderers have to be members of Mensa, sir.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Do you see a lesson in all of this?

  Sgt Gavin Troy : Always follow your first instinct.

• [last lines] 

  Sgt Gavin Troy : I'll get the car, shall I?

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Have to catch the exhibitions some other time, all right?

  Cully Barnaby : Okay, Dad.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Hang on Troy, coming with you.

• Sgt Gavin Troy : [discussng the deaths of Isobel and Dr. Goff]  And it could be a confrontation with a poacher that got out of hand. Then there's Margaret Seagrove, who we know fell out with Isobel. And we haven't even got to Quentin Roku, the gay antiques dealer toyboy.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Wait, could we keep a bit of an open mind on this one?

  Joyce Barnaby : The village has lost quite a character in Isobel. And what about the doctor? Was he well liked?

  Sgt Gavin Troy : I suppose so. Poor wife. She was obviously devastated. It's a bereaved partner as it really gets here. There's something about elderly people being bereaved when they've, you know, been in love for a lifetime. Suddenly all alone.

  Cully Barnaby : So you've not heard about his womanizing then, Doctor Goff? Serial, apparently.

• DCI Tom Barnaby : So what exactly happened outside the pub last night?

  Isobel Hewitt : Well, you know, it was quite extraordinary. We've all heard the expression, foaming at the mouth, but I never actually witnessed it.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : So you just slapped her across the face.

  Isobel Hewitt : Yes. Well, none of us wanted her bursting a blood vessel. No, though I can't deny there was a little thrill of pleasure when I actually made contact. Well, you met her. Ah, but that wasn't the motive. And that's what you detectives care about, don't you?

• DCI Tom Barnaby : Can you stop the car a minute, Troy?

  Sgt Gavin Troy : Well, here?

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Yeah, just pull over and turn the engine off.

  [Barnaby heard a car nearby] 

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Don't think Isobel Hewitt will be at home. That's her Jaguar. Straight six twin cam.

  Sgt Gavin Troy : Oh, come on, sir. You can't tell that from here.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Carry on.

• Quentin Roka : Can I help you?

  Isobel Hewitt : It's all right, Quentin, it's the rozzers. Hello Tom. Have you come to arrest me?

  DCI Tom Barnaby : I'm not sure.

• Sgt Gavin Troy : Bloody hell. I knew fishermen were mad, but I suppose I'll have to get a statement from Isobel Hewitt.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Yes, I'll come with you. We can call on Cully on the way.

• DCI Tom Barnaby : It's a long story, and of course, I couldn't have got there without Troy working out that business with the fridge. That was good work, Troy. Good work. Because you thought it was Quentin from the word go, didn't you? See the lesson in all this? Always follow your first instincts.

• Keith Scholey : She said it was over years ago. And I believe her.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Did you confront Dr. Goff about it?

  Keith Scholey : I went around to his house, but he wasn't in. I told his wife.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : You told his wife. And how did Mrs. Goff react to it?

  Keith Scholey : She was upset.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Which is what you wanted?

• DCI Tom Barnaby : Do you have any idea who killed Mrs. Hewitt and Dr. Goff?

  Quentin Roka : Have you spoken to Isobel's nephew and that ghastly wife of his?

  DCI Tom Barnaby : We've spoken to the Plunketts, yes.

  Quentin Roka : Then you know all about the arrangements with Isobel's house.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : We know the Plunketts own it.

  Quentin Roka : The whole thing was a disgrace. They didn't mention how much they paid for it? No, well, I suppose they wouldn't. It was just after Isobel's husband, Kenneth, died. Isobel was out of her mind with grief. And they persuaded her to sell it to them. Rushed it through. Paid virtually nothing for it. The furniture alone was worth twice what they paid.

• DCI Tom Barnaby : Ah, Troy. Spot of breakfast?

  Sgt Gavin Troy : Oh, morning, sir. Actually, I'm about to take a statement. A woman who wants to press charges of assault against Isobel Hewitt.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : Isobel Hewitt, the Jaguar owning pensioner?

  Sgt Gavin Troy : The very same. Seems there was a bit of a barney at The a Midsomer fly fishers last night.

  DCI Tom Barnaby : I'm with you.