Midsomer Murders Series 13: Noble Art [DVD]

Product Information

Detective Constable Gail Stephens ( Kirsty Dillon) (series 10–13)—a colleague of Tom Barnaby and DS Jones, who often helps them in their cases, sometimes providing valuable insight. Gail was transferred to Midsomer from Binwell. Gail is cheery but emotional, breaking down in tears when, after initially serving as a uniformed woman police constable, she was appointed as a plain-clothed CID detective. Throughout Gail's appearances, it is implied that she is on the point of having an affair with Sgt Jones, but when it came to the crunch he decided that he did not want to get too heavily involved with a colleague, after which Gail effectively snubbed him. Strangely, Gail has not been seen since "Fit For Murder".

The Noble Art" is somewhere in the middle as far as Season 13 goes. It is a let-down after "Master Class", which blew me away and was the best 'Midsomer Murders' episode since "The House in the Woods". However, it is infinitely better than "The Made-to-Measure Murders" and especially "Blood on the Saddle" (almost anything is better than that episode this said). Serena Gordon appeared as Ginny Sharp in "Market for Murder" (2002) and later appeared as widowed Christina Finleyson in "Midsomer Life" (2008). DS Ben Jones goes to the Midsomer Orchard Turf Accountants and cashes in his wager. Ben says, "You must be the only shopfront in Causton without a message of congratulations for John Kinsella." The attendant says, "I'm doing my bit for Kinsella. Really. Every time some part-time punter like you comes in, they collect the winnings from his fight. Don't suppose you'd like to reinvest any of this?" Jones says, "Nope. Didn't think so. My family thinks gambling is like giving money to the devil. No offense."

Guest Stars

Joyce Barnaby says, "Thank goodness for that! I could do with a breather myself." Camilla Farquaharson says, "It's the excitement." Joyce says, "It's the sleep deprivation." Camilla says, "I didn't realise they'd be fighting at four in the morning." Sebastian Farquaharson says, "They're not. They're five hours behind us." Camilla says, "And I thought it'd be outside. Well, aren't they in some sort of garden?" Sebastian says, "Madison Square Garden! It's a world famous sporting arena. Not bloody Kew! My wife's not known for her intellect." Gerald Farquaharson says, "Whereas my son is renowned for his charm." Gerald pours a drink for Camilla and tells her, "Ignore him." On the TV: "Let's hear from Teddy Molloy, his trainer. Let's see what he's saying to John." Barnaby and Jones discuss the case. Barnaby feels that Gerald deserves a better son than Sebastian. Jones says Gerald's no saint- gambling habits. Barnaby says Gerald is a JP.- A pillar of society. Barnaby thinks that the challenge for the estate is all to do with Sebastian not being a biological heir. Jones says he seems convinced the child's not his. Barnaby says it's all about inheritance. Barnaby asks Frank "What was that about?" Frank says, "No idea. All a bit mad, aren't they, the aristocracy? All that inbreeding. You just have to accept it." Frank came to see Gerald, but says it can wait. "Wouldn't want to get in the way of some father and son bonding. Happy families, eh?" Barnaby says, "Mr Bishop. Did you know that your wife is planning to divorce you?" Frank says, "She's been planning that for years, Chief Inspector. It's what gets her out of bed in the mornings." Detective Chief Inspector Thomas "Tom" Geoffrey Barnaby ( John Nettles) (series 1–13)—A senior member of Causton CID, Barnaby used to work for MI6. A patient, tolerant man, Barnaby's style of investigation is methodical and fair. Barnaby is a sagacious and perceptive individual, able to recognise seemingly obscure clues. Barnaby's social life revolves around his wife Joyce and his daughter Cully, who often provide a personal connection with the crimes that he is investigating. Barnaby's parents are both deceased by the episode "Blue Herrings". In his last appearance, "Fit for Murder", we learn that his father died on his birthday, at Barnaby's current age.

Yet The Noble Art is great from the viewpoint of multi layered, people driven drama. It also features the humour and community life which I miss from the John Nettles era and which I can forgive not advancing the plot as it's enjoyable in its own right. Detective Sergeant Charlie Nelson ( Gwilym Lee) (series 16–18)—When Jones was promoted, he was replaced by DS Charlie Nelson. Nelson was the first Sergeant to not serve alongside Tom Barnaby. He was a lodger at Kate's house. Nelson left the series after season 18. Troy's relationship with Barnaby is warm, and the two make a formidable pair. Troy was promoted to Inspector and transferred to Northumbria in the first episode of the seventh series, called "The Green Man". [1] Troy makes one re-appearance in the first episode of Series 11, "Blood Wedding", to attend the wedding of Tom's daughter, Cully Barnaby (whom he once secretly kissed in the episode "Death And Dreams", which temporarily strained his relationship with Barnaby), where he met his second successor, Sgt Jones. [2] DS Dan Scott [ edit ] John Lightbody is gardener Steve Hope in "Hidden Depths", in "Death and Dust", he plays the role of Jason Slater.

See also

At home, Barnaby says Iris Holman is a strange lady. Giles Braithwaite, he's just her boss, isn't he? So why did she come on as though he were two-timing her? Joyce says, "Ha! Iris Holman is in love with Giles Braithwaite. You'd have to be blind not to see it. Or a man."

Teddy tells Grace that he's glad Frank fired him. Teddy says, "I'm finally free of him. We can be together now." Grace says, "You know I can't leave John. He's like a son to me." Teddy says, "And me! He'll come with us. That was always the plan." Grace says, "Teddy, the plan was to get him out of his contract. And unless that happens, we're going nowhere. Not while Frank's still around." Elizabeth Spriggs and Richard Cant appeared in the pilot episode ("The Killings at Badger's Drift"), as mother and son Iris and Dennis Rainbird; they appeared again in "Dead Letters", this time as Iris' sister Ursula Gooding and her son Alistair. Later at night, Gerald goes to look at the statue. He climbs up on it and pulls a document out of the left hand of the statue. He goes home.Tom finally gets to the bottom of the case by telling Joyce that he has purposely steered clear away from one suspect (his friend) because he just can't seem to understand why...because he doesn't want to believe it.

Giles Braithwaite receives a call from Frank Bishop. Frank wants to meet with Giles at 2 am after his flight gets in. The Fight: In Morchard Manor, a group of villagers are watching the fight of local John Kinsella at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY. At Morchard Manor, Camilla answers the door to the detectives. She tells them that Gerald is not home. Barnaby tells her he has realized that her child is Gerald's. She goes off to be interviewed by Jones. TV: Frank Bishop, Kinsella's promoter and manager at ringside. Don King's there as well. I wonder if he'll want a piece of young John Kinsella if he can come through this. Into the ninth round of this 12-rounder. The world middleweight title.Latosa is a favourite for this one. Good body shots. Kinsella really teeing off with that left hand. Precisely what Teddy Molloy said. Inside the Manor, Gerald and Sebastian are having a discussion. Sebastian says, "Frank Bishop? Here? It's never going to happen. I won't let it." Gerald says, "There's nothing we can do about it. It's out of our hands." Sebastian says, "We'll see about that." Sebastian walks out.

Contribute to This Page

He used to be a Freemason, as revealed in "King's Crystal". In the episode "Death in Chorus", Jones exhibits a remarkable vocal talent and is recruited to sing tenor in the Midsomer Worthy choir. In "Death in the Slow Lane", it is revealed that Jones was interested in replacing Tom Barnaby upon his retirement and was a little put out by his cousin, John Barnaby, being transferred to the position instead. In reality, he could not have been given the post because it would have required him to bypass the rank of inspector. Doctor Fleur Perkins ( Annette Badland) (series 20–present)—Dr. Kam Karimore's replacement as resident pathologist. Some of the inconsistent supporting cast could have done a better job, too, in particular Glenn Murphy as Frank and Henry Garrett as John. Much of their line delivery was so wooden I was amazed it made the director's cut. Very little is ridiculous (though there is the odd part that's a bit of a stretch agreed) and the story is mostly involving, plausible and easy to follow, but also too easy to solve and resolved slightly on the pat side in the episode. The killer is one suspected somewhat too early, and while the motives are far easier to swallow than most middle-period 'Midsomer Murders' episodes they're a little too restrained too. Outside Sebastian runs into Giles. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" Giles says, "Not now, Sebastian. We're leaving." Sebastian says, "I don't think so."