Days of Misrule is the sixth episode of the eleventh series of Midsomer Murders and first aired on 5th July 2008.
In the run-up to Christmas, Barnaby and Jones find themselves, thanks to their very young 'wonder boy' chief superintendent, on a team-building exercise at the local Territorial Army Centre, run by Matt Parkes. Colonel Parkes is a highly respected man, unlike his womanizing waster of a son, Jamie, who is hated by all, even Caroline, his grandmother, whose daughter died giving birth to him. Especially bitter is Penny Galsworthy, wife of another T.A. officer and garage owner Tim, whose daughter killed herself after being impregnated by Jamie, and she stalks him obsessively. George Barkham, another soldier, missed out on being promoted to a partnership at Matt Parkes' haulage firm, thanks to Jamie, who is also blackmailing George's daughter. The Parkes' yard is torched, causing an explosion, and a watch-man is almost killed. Then a criminal associate of Jamie and Jamie himself both meet their maker in quick succession. Ultimately Barnaby has the sad duty of arresting somebody who has rid the community of a waste of space after several Days of Misrule.
Tropes:
- Enhance Button: WPC Stephens is able to enhance a photo from a speed camera to reveal a crucial piece of evidence in the rear window.
- Offing the Offspring: Matt Parkes. His son, Jamie, was such a Jerkass that his dad still manages to be a Sympathetic Murderer.
- Playing Sick: Tom attempts to get out of a team-building exercise by claiming to have tendonitis:Tom: I think my tendonitis is flaring up again.
Joyce: It was your other arm before. - Trust-Building Blunder: DCI Barnaby's (predictable) contempt towards team-building exercises is on display when he is forced to go on one by the new chief superintendent. Hilarity Ensues.
