Midsomer Murders - Hidden Depths [DVD]

Product Information

This has to be one of the best and intriguing Midsomer Murder episodes - the twist ending which is revealed only in the last 5 minutes or so is worth the watch. I would never have guessed in a million years who the murderer was, and kudos to the writer for coming up with an amazing plot point. Who would have guessed? 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". Production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's darkness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. After being hugely let down by the previous episode "Second Sight", which to me is one of the low-points of 'Midsomer Murders' and actually didn't feel like it at all, it was such a relief for "Hidden Depths" to epitomise what 'Midsomer Murders' is all about and what makes it so great when on form. David Whitely ( Christopher Villiers) appeared in "The Killings at Badger's Drift" and "Death's Shadow".

Daws plays the trumpet, as evidenced when in 1994 he appeared as a guest in the final episode of the BBC comedy series A Bit of Fry and Laurie (series four) and played over the credits, accompanied by Hugh Laurie on the piano. [ citation needed] The part in the story, when Scott and Barnaby are trapped in an old wine cellar, is indeed engaging. The difference of their characters is very visible during those scenes. To me, "Hidden Depths" is the best episode of Season 8 and a strong contender for the best Barnaby and Scott episode. It is notable personally for three things. One, the chemistry between Barnaby and Scott is as delightful as one can hope. Always have enjoyed their spirited chemistry, and their scenes in the cellar in "Hidden Depths" will have fans relishing them with glee. John Nettles is superb as Barnaby and John Hopkins is a perfect contrast. Awful Wedded Life: Bernie Benham was not only a witness to her husband's bizarre murder, she calls out corrections when the murderer misses. The following actors and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes:

Cast & Crew

At the Wilmot home, Antonia hears howling and noises. She gets up and looks around. There is thudding under the floor.

John Lightbody is gardener Steve Hope in "Hidden Depths", in "Death and Dust", he plays the role of Jason Slater. Mike Spicer is watching TV at his house. He is watching an old recording of Princess Diana greeting him. He gets a phone call from Otto Benham. Otto says, "I've had Barnaby round here, asking if I know Peter Blagdon. He's just fishing. So when he mentions Peter Blagdon to you, don't react. You've never met him. Understood?" The death scenes of Otto Benham and Mike Spicer are easily the show's most ingenious and brutal. One is catapulted with wine bottles, other drowns in a claret with a TV on his head... Bizarre Beverage Use: Has-been quiz show host Mike Spicer is forced to answer questions and slowly drowned in wine as he gets them wrong.

Tropes:

Cully Barnaby (later Dixon) ( Laura Howard) (series 1–13)—Tom and Joyce's only child takes her first name from a village on Lake Geneva in Switzerland, where she was conceived during her parents' honeymoon. An inquisitive and bold young woman, she's inherited her parents' friendly attitudes and community spirit. Early in the series, she attended Cambridge University and dated a fellow drama student, called Nico ( Ed Waters). After that, she sometimes went out with and secretly flirted with DS Troy and DS Scott. She is an actress and frequently takes temporary jobs in the Midsomer area when "resting" between assignments. Like her mother, her tendency to do community work often leaves her personally involved with the murders that take place. She meets Simon Dixon ( Sam Hazeldine) in "The Axeman Cometh", becomes engaged to him in "Death In A Chocolate Box", and marries him in "Blood Wedding". Happier Home Movie: A has been celebrity who used to host a TV quiz show is shown at home watching a video of a command performance where he got to meet Princess Diana. He constantly rewinding and re-watching the part where Diana shakes his hand. Robert Daws played a recurring role in Robin of Sherwood as King John's herald, Hubert de Guiscarde in the episodes "The Greatest Enemy" and "The Sheriff of Nottingham". Samantha Bond starred in three episodes: first in "Destroying Angel" (2001) and "Shot at Dawn" (2008), and again in Neil Dudgeon's 2011 debut as lead character, the episode "Death in the Slow Lane".

Judy Parfitt appeared as Angela Wentworth in "Death's Shadow" (1999) and as Caroline Halsey in "Days of Misrule" (2008). The story of "Hidden Depths" is hugely compelling. Nothing felt convoluted and every clue had a place in the narrative. The character are, as said, colorful and twists and turns keep coming and coming.The final solution of "Hidden Depths" is in my mind the best of the series. It's so clever that leaves one truly floored. (It's got to do with the first victim not being dead in the first place). The production values are wonderful here with an awesome direction, beautiful music and great cast. All of the acting is good, but the standouts are Nancy Carroll (she's always good to look at), Oliver Ford Davies (whose character is extremely juicy and arrogant) and Robert Daws- who is very fun to watch and whose character could have been played as an annoying freak, which Mike Spicer actually isn't. Barnaby arrives. DS Dan Scott tells him, "The victim is Nicholas Turner. A local solicitor. Took a stroll off his roof. The gardener, Steve Hope, says he heard someone calling out for help just before it happened. He says he thinks it sounded like the victim."