Hidden Depths has to be one of the very best episodes of Midsomer Murders, it combines all essential elements needed for a murder mystery, and just when you think it's done its job, it surprises you even more, with an unbelievably good ending.

The story is excellent, it's a clever, twisted tail of deception and revenge. The murders are among the best in any episode, it's about now that the writers were looking for more bizarre and obscure killing methods, sometimes they went completely overboard, but here they manage to stay within the limits of reality. The wine bottle murder is perhaps the best in the show's history, and the fact that a relative is made to watch makes it all the better. It's amusing too, Joyce has some great moments, as does Scott. 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.

I really enjoyed the performances of Oliver Ford Davies and Robert Daws, they play two of the most obnoxious, loathsome guys ever seen on the show, but they both do so brilliantly. Nancy Carroll is also excellent, whatever drama she appears in there seems to be a running joke about her husband being spoken about, but always absent, will we ever see Lady Felicia's husband Monty (Father Brown.) 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.

Kevin McNally appeared as Orville Tudway in "Blood Will Out" (1999) and as Gerald Farquaharson in "The Noble Art" (2010).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? 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".

I have only one issue with this episode. It is that some characters like Jane don't have much to do after Barnaby is done with his interviews. 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.

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. Robert Daws played Mike Spicer in "Hidden Depths" (2005), and Hamish Rafferty in "Curse of the Ninth" (2017). 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 ] 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?"