The script is a shallow mess with uninteresting characters, ridicolous moments (I agree that the pub fight was childish) and vulgarity. This is one of the first times in "Midsomer Murders" where full frontal female nudity is shown and sex seems to be an endless subject. I was quite disgusted at times to be honest. In "Murder Of Innocence", it is revealed that Jones is in a relationship with firefighter Susie Bellingham. In the series 16 opener, "The Christmas Haunting", it is revealed that Jones has been promoted to Inspector and transferred to Brighton. A photo of Jones (alongside Kate Wilding, who also moved to Brighton) is shown in the series 18 opener "Habeas Corpus". DI Jones made a further appearance in episode 3 of series 19 "Last Man Out", in an undercover role - erroneously still listed in the credits as DS Ben Jones. In the end, he left Causton CID after a mini farewell party at John and Sarah Barnaby’s home at the end of episode 6 of series 15, "Schooled in Murder". The whole characterisation of Tom Barnaby is markedly different from normal - in the pub "fight" scene, Barnaby displays a degree of middle-middle class food snobbery which you might expect from part-time restaurateur Henry Crabbe, less so from full-time copper Tom Barnaby. Richard Griffiths (RIP) played Henry Crabbe as a "crabby" character, but with a lightness of touch and a degree of sly humour which John Nettles did not bother to bring to this re-characterisation of Tom Barnaby. Judy Parfitt appeared as Angela Wentworth in "Death's Shadow" (1999) and as Caroline Halsey in "Days of Misrule" (2008). Rosalind Knight played Eleanor Macpherson in "Birds of Prey" (2003) and Mother Jerome in "A Sacred Trust" (2011).

Barnaby and Jones are not their usual selves and it does take too time up until anything compelling happens.

Episode Discussion

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". Barnaby and Jones walk into this maelstrom. But there's another murder and an old secret awaiting them. 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.

Solicitor James Jocelyne ( Timothy Bateson) appeared in "Written in Blood", "Death's Shadow", and "Orchis Fatalis". Christmas is coming and Barnaby and Jones are dragged away from a hated team-building exercise to investigate an explosion at a haulage yard run by TA commanding officer Matt Parkes and his son James. James is ruthless in business and with women but is he capable of arson or murder? Calham Cross is also home to a peace protester, a grieving mother and a host of trained killers! Detective Sergeant (later Inspector) Gavin Troy ( Daniel Casey) (main: series 1–7; guest: series 11)—DCI Barnaby's first assistant. Troy is bright and ambitious. Early in the series, Troy is also known for his careless driving, causing a number of near-accidents. He is less enlightened than his boss who, in the first episode, tells Troy that he is “as politically correct as a Nuremberg Rally.” For example, Troy is uncomfortable with gay people (he calls them “ass bandits”) and the elderly, whom he calls "wrinklies". When the name of a soldier shot for cowardice after the Battle of the Somme appears on the war memorial at Midsomer Parva, a 90-year-old feud comes to a head. Soon after, a retired colonel is shot dead, and Barnaby and Jones discover dangerous secrets connecting two families. Brother–Sister Incest: Subverted, as the prospect is raised with respect to the newly-engaged Sophie and Will, who are unaware that her mother and his father have been carrying on for decades; Arabella only laughs and says that she's been very careful to ensure none of her children are the result of the affair.This episode is somewhat overdone with strange gadgets, murdering hay balers, a baguette fight in a pub - it's all silly. Barnaby is out of character, I think because it's a recycle from another show, and Jones is hardly in it. Tessa Peake-Jones played Sarah Lawton in "Faithful unto Death" (1998), and Mary Appleton in "Breaking the Chain" (2016). Estate agent Olive Beauvoisin (Eileen Davies) appeared in "Death's Shadow", "Dead Man’s Eleven", and "Hidden Depths" (but was credited in that particular episode only as "Estate Agent"). Joyce Barnaby ( Jane Wymark) (series 1–13)—DCI Tom Barnaby's long-suffering wife. She is tolerant of her husband, despite his being a workaholic who spent their honeymoon solving the case of the " Pimlico Poisoner", which suggests that they met in London. Joyce is an easy-going and friendly woman who likes to be involved in community activities. She has long possessed a desire to move out of their Causton home and into one of the picturesque Midsomer villages—only to be put off by the grisly murders that occur there. She's known to her family as an experimental, but not always successful, cook. Thus, Tom is often seen taking advantage of every opportunity to dine out. She married Tom in 1973 and their only child, Cully, was conceived on their honeymoon. Her parents are Muriel and Douglas. Even the leaking kitchen roof scene echoes similar scenes of leaking pipes in the restaurant kitchen in "Pie In The Sky". I could go on, but if you have read this far you are probably having trouble staying awake.