Death in Disguise
- Episode aired May 6, 1998
- TV-14
- 1h 40m
DCI Barnaby needs all his wits about him as he investigates a string of deaths at a local New Age commune.DCI Barnaby needs all his wits about him as he investigates a string of deaths at a local New Age commune.DCI Barnaby needs all his wits about him as he investigates a string of deaths at a local New Age commune.
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode was the last episode based on a novel by Caroline Graham, her final two Barnaby novels "A Place of Safety" and "A Ghost in the Machine" have never been adapted for television.
- GoofsAs the sergeant is crossing a yard containing a herd of cows running by, on the far right one of the bulls gets sidetracked and stops running and begins mating with a nearby cow as the rest of the herd continues running by. The camera quickly moves away but it is clearly visible for a second or two.
- Quotes
[after Craigie has been killed by a knife in the chest]
May Cuttle: Inspector, I know you think the master was probably murdered, but you are going about this in quite the wrong way!
D.C.I. Barnaby: And how would you describe his present situation?
Heather Beavers: Well, it's obvious. He's been astrally harvested.
[rolls her eyes]
D.C.I. Barnaby: Then how do you explain a carving knife stuck in his chest?
Heather Beavers: A celestial lance.
D.C.I. Barnaby: With "Made in Sheffield" stamped on it?
- Crazy creditsJudy Cornwell is listed as Judy Cornwall in the opening credits
"Death in Disguise", as said, is one of the season's best and the best episode since "Written in Blood". As always, the production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, including a gorgeous stately mansion, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
Meanwhile, the script is smart, thought-provoking and suitably grim, with even some nice humour. The jokes about Joyce's cooking and Troy's driving are particularly funny, while the family scenes also have a lot of charm and heart. The characters are very colourful, just love May and found Tim easy to relate to.
The story is one of the show's most complex, darkest, most entertaining and most ceaselessly compelling, with a scintillating climax and a clever final solution. There is a lot going on without being cluttered or rushed, and that nothing is what it seems, or very few people are who they seem adds to the complexity, while there are no out of kilter scenes.
John Nettles is superb as Barnaby, giving the role humour, intelligence and methodical thoughtfulness. Daniel Casey is a great contrasting partner as Troy, the two work wonders together. Jane Wymark does more than reliably, as do Laura Howard and Barry Jackson. In support Tim is movingly and likeably portrayed, while Michael Feast and Miles Anderson bring charisma and mystery to their roles (the former's role is particularly meaty), Judy Cornwall is an absolute hoot and Stephen Moyer excels in an early role.
In conclusion, brilliant last episode to the first season. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 30, 2016
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Nether Winchendon House, Nether Winchendon, Buckinghamshire, England, UK(The Lodge of the Golden Windhorse)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
- 4:3