A Talent for Life is the first episode of the sixth series of Midsomer Murders and originally aired 3rd January 2003.
When two bodies are discovered by the side of a fishing stream, Barnaby and Troy have yet more murders to solve. Isobel Hewitt had A Talent for Life that some can only hope for. She loves to drive her red Jaguar at top speed and generally enjoyed the finer things in life. Although loved by many, there were those who were not quite so charmed by her. Margaret Seagrove was convinced that she was the member of the local fishing club using weighted lures in the local stream. Her nephew and his wife, with whom she resided, saw her as a burden now that she had spent most of her accumulated capital. The second victim is the local doctor, Duncan Goff, a well-known philanderer who had affairs with many of the local ladies. The police must first determine if both were intended victims, or if one was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Tropes:
- "Eureka!" Moment: Barnaby realises that the apparent Gone Horribly Right fake murder gambit must have been actual murder when he overhears someone using the phrase "in the dark": if someone was faking a murder attempt on themselves and their survival depended on being able to make a phone call for help, why would they risk dialling a number in the dark?
- Right for the Wrong Reasons: Troy correctly guesses who the murderer is several times: he's just never right about the motive.
- A Tale Told by an Idiot: Isobel Hewitt treats fly-fishing as Serious Business, and explains in great detail why she was entirely justified in slapping another person for doing it wrong. Poor Troy is stuck taking down her statement with a completely bewildered expression.
